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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour etre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film^ d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■V u- TIEIE s^- F -><- ^ S'XTTIDY — IN — Canadian History — BY — ERNEST CRUIKSHANK. W E L L A N T) : VV. T, Sawi.f,, TeI/Eorai'ii Offick. 1889. The Battle of the Beechwoods. lij^ANY circumstances connected with the engagement com- monly known as the Battle of the Beechwoods, or Beaver Dams, combine to make it one of the most interesting episodes of recent Canadian military history. It is indis- solubly linked with the memory of one of the most patriotic and courageous women of any age and country. As a rule, too, it has been merely regarded as arather notable instanceofasuccessful ambush accomplished by a very inferior force, and its important influence upon the subsequent conduct of the war has been overlooked. The campaign of 1812 had resulted in the signal discomfiture of all attempts at the invasion of Canada. During the succeeding winter the Government of the United States devoted itself with great energy to the task of organizmg three fresh and powerful armies, with the intention of renewing the effort in as many different quarters as soon as military operations became practicable m the spring. A force of several thousand men was already established on the shores of Lake Champlain, within fifty miles of Montreal. The principal ob- ject to be attained for the time being, by this corps, usually termed the Army of the Norths was simply to deter the Governor-General from reinforcing his posts in Upper Canada by threatening an invasion of the Lower Province, and in this, it was to a very great extent suc- cessful. Another division, designed to number ten thousand men, under Majcr-General Wm. Henry Harrison, grandfather of the present President of the United States, was bemg concentrated in an en- trenched camp near the mouth of the river Maumee on Lake Erie, with instructions to recover Detroit and enter Canada from that direction. This force was then held in check by Colonel Henry Proctor with less than 500 men of the 41st regiment, a few com- panies of militia from the counties of Essex and Kent, and an un- certain and variable number of Indians. The third division, officially styled the Army oj the Centre^ was composed of troops assembled partly at Sackett's Harbor and Oswego on Lake Ontario, and partly at various posts upon the Niagara River under the general command of Major-General Henry Dearborn, a veteran of the Revolution. As far as possible it was designed to act in conjunction with their squadron which had obtained temporary control of Lake Ontario. As soon as navigation opened, a strong brigade from Sackett's Harbor made a descent upon York (Toronto), then almost unfortified and ungarrisoned, in the hope of paralyzing the British naval power on alloat had sailed a few days before. Another month was occupied in concentrating the entire division on the Niagara and making elaborate preparations for transportmg it into Canada. The force thus assembled between iUiffalo and J''ort Niagara numbered almost eight thousand men, all regulars or long service volunteers, while that opposed to them, under ('olonel John Vincent, was considerably less than one (luarter of that number, in- cluding militia and Indians. The artillery lire from Fort Niagara and the adjacent batteries beat down the defences on the British side of the river, and on th*^' 27th May, about five thousand men vvere disembarked from a large flotilla of boats a couple of miles west of the village of Niagaia, while a British brigade of less than 600 men, that attempted to resist their landing, was almost exterminated by the broadsides of eleven ships of war, anchored within three hundred yards of the shore. Nearly at the same time another brigade of troops began to cro-s the river above Fort George, with the evident purpose of cutting f)ff the retreat of the garrison. Perceiving that further resistance was useless, Vincent retired adroitly to Queenston, and thence, after destroying the batteries there, to the Beaver Dams on the Twelve Mile Creek, by the mountain road. At that place he was joined during the night by detachments from Chippawa, Fort Erie, and Point Abino, and con- tinued his retreat next morning towards J3urlington Bay, where he determined 10 make another stand, abandoning the entire Niagara Peninsula to the enemy. The greater part of the militia was dis- banded, and the Indians of the Six Nations withdrew to their villages on the Grand River, where many of them remained quiet through fear of losing their lands. On the 2nd of June, Vincent encamped at Bazeley's on the high ground overli^oking Burlington Bay. He had been joined by two companies of the 8th, and his whole division then mustered 1,807 of all ranks and arms, of whom only one hundred were militia. His men were in good health and spirits and so far from being discouraged by their recent reverses, they eagerly demanded to be led against the enemy. Three days later, two brigades of infantry and a regiment of cavalry made their appearance in pur- suit, and encamped for the night at Stoney Creek, seven miles distant.^ In the course of the afternoon their position was carefully recon- noitered by Colonel John Harvey, Vincent's chief of staff, and militia- men in plain clothes, acting under his instructions, passed through every part of their lines, under the pretence of selling supplies. It was ascertained that their encampment was scattered and badly arranged for defence, while their pickets and sentries were negligent 1. Viucent to Prevost, June 2 ; samo to same, June 4. s in the performance of their duties. The strength of the pursuers was roughly estimated at 3,500 infantry and 250 cavahy, with at least eight field-guns. Shortly after midnight Vincent with 700 picked men. of the 8th and 49th regiments, rushed the camp, slaughtered the unwary sentinels at their posts, dispersed the bewildered battalions as they attempted to form by repeated bayonet charges, and at day-break retired to his former position, carrying with hnn t'vo captured field- guns, both the American Generals and upwards ot a hundred other ])risoners. The Americans were so much demoialized by the blow, that they abandoned their camp immediately, leaving their dead unburied, and continued their retreat for twelve miles over wretched roads when they encountered two regiments of infantry advancing to their support. The appearance of the British squadron upon their flank completed their discomfiture. The retreat became a flight. They abandoned their boats, camp furniture, and much of their baggage. Major Thomas Evans with four companies of infantry and a troop of Pro- vincial dragoons, followed swiftly on their traces, and killed or cap- tured many stragglers. The loyal inhal)itants and Indians were roused and joined with alacrity in the pursuit, which was continued until almost within cannon-shot of fort George. General Dearborn at once dismantled and abandoned Fort Erie and drew in his outposts from Chippawa and Qucenston, concentrating his entire force at Niagara, where he began to form a large entrenched camp. On the same aay that this was done a small party of Lincoln militia captured a depot of arms near Queenston, and during the night took posses- sion of the village itself ^ Ascertaining that about six thousand troops were then assembled at Fort George, Vincent did not consider it prudent to attempt the investment of their camp with a force still not exceeding a third of that number, and contented himself with sending forward detach- ments of light troops to watch their movements, and established his headquarters at the Forty Mile Creek (Grimsby). Yet he continuc'd to feel so confident of the superiority of his soldiers in fighting qualities, that he assured the Governor-General that, if he would reinforce his division with one thousand men, he would undertake to drive the enemy out of the country.'^ While encamped there on the 12th June, Lieut. James Fitzgibbon, the adjutant of the 49th, solicited and obtained permission to organize an independent company of fifty men to act as rangers, or scouts, in advance of the army. So many eligible volunteers from different battalions immediately desired permission to serve under his command, that he was embarassed by their numbers in making a choice, for Fitzgibbon was already one of the best-known and most popular ofificers in a division that inducted many adventurous and 1. Vincent to Prevost, June 5. 2. Evans to Harvoy, .Tune 10; Harvey to Baynes, Juno 11. H Vincent to Provost, June 11. his poverty alone prevented him froni obtaining high rank in his profession at a lime when promotion was rarely attainable except by purchase. The son of a poor cottager on the Irish estate of the Knight of Glynn, he had enlisted at the age of fifteen in a troop of yeomanry raised by that nobleman during the rebellion of lygS. Having served for two years in this corps, he volunteered into the ranks of the 49th. He was rapidly promoted to the rank of sergeant, and participated in almost every engagement during the Duke of of York's unfortunate expedition into Holland. In the first year of the present century he was drafted as a marine on board Nelson's squadron, and was engaged in the thickest of the fight at Copenhagen. VVhile yet a non-commissioned officer his military knowledge gained him the appointment of acting-adjutant to his battalion, and his commissions were subsecjuently won by merit and good conduct alone. For the last ten years he had been cjuartered in different parts of Canada, and had become thoroughly familiarized with the habits of the people and life in the woods. In three days his company ot rangers was fully organized, and accompanied by a few troopers of Merritt's Provincial Dragoons, he moved forward to the Ten Mile Creek, and occupied the heights overlooking the plain of Niagara. Stations established in the tops of some of the tallest trees enabled him to keep a close watch upon the movements of the main body of the Americans near Fort George, while his position at the junction of three roads leading respectively to the mouth of the creek, to Queenston, and to Niagara Falls would permit hmi to move rapidly forward for the purpose of cutting off their foraging parties.^ Although the majority, particularly of the older inhabitants of the country, were unfaltering in their loyalty, it is certain that there were many persons, especially among the more recent immigrants from the United States, who were lukewarm, or even traitorously inclined. Immediately upon taking possession of Fort Erie, Colonel Preston, the American commandant, issued a proclamation to the inhabitants of the surrounding country, promising protection to those who recognized the Government of the United States, and enrolled their names, and threatening those who still remained hostile with disastrous consequences. During the last half-dozen years of the eighteenth century there h been a steady stream of immigration into this part of Canada, espc> illy from the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, mainly composed of Quakers, Mennonites, and adherents of other sects, whose '•eligious tenets forbade them from bearing arms. It is not surprising, then, that a considerable number of persons, some travelling for the purpose, it is said, even from the banks of the Grand River, came into the American lines and signed paroles. The 1. Fit!!eibboa, narrative of servicep; IVfrs. Jameaon, WiDter Studies, Vol. 1, p. 94; Bcadding, Toronto of Uld. 2. Merritt, Jour lal. number of inhabitants thus enrolled is stated by American authorities to hr ve exceeded live hundred, among whom, doubtless, there were many actuated chielly by a desire to evade service in the militia.i Hut there were some who were actively and agt;ressively disloyal, and professed their eagerness to assist the invaders in every way. Chief among these were Joseph Willcocks. editor of the only paper published at Niagara, and representative in the Provincial Assembly of the fourth riding of the County of Lmcoln, and Benajah Mallory, the member for Middlesex. Willcocks was an Irishman, and had been once a member of ihe revolutionary society, known as the United Irishmen, and Mallory was a native of the United States, but had HmhI for many years in Canada. Both were active and unscruiHilous agitators, and were men of more than average ability and intelligence. A 'etter from an American ofticer stationed at Fort George at this t,me may be assumed to describe truthfully the sentiments of this small faction. After narrating the circumstances connected with the landing of their army, the writer continues : — "Our friends hereabouts are greatly relieved by our presence. They have been terribly persecuted by the Scotch Myrmidons of England. Their present joy is equal to their pa'-^ misery. This is a most charming country, but its uncertain i ' y together with the vexations farmers endured by being draj, out in the militia, left the country in a great measure uncultivated." For the moment it was confidently assumed that British rule was forever at an end, and that the speedy con(juest of all Canada must follow. Enterprising traders had alrea''y followed in the track of the army, and established them- selves in business. The fertility of the soil and evidences of a com- paratively high state of cultivation before the war excited emotions of unconcealed surprise and delight among the invaders.'-^ Finding himself in want of a body of men intimately accjuainted with the country, to act as guides and scouts, a number of the dis- affected were enrolled by command of General Dearborn in a separ- ate corps for this purpose, termed the Canadian Volunteers. Will- cocks and Mallory were rewarded for their treason by commissions as Lieutenant-Colonel and Major, and at their urgent solicitation it was decided *o bring over a body of Indians from New York to act in conjunctio.i with them. About the same time Cyrenius Chapin, Sheriff of the County of Niagara in the State of New York, enlisted a troop of fifty mounted volunteers "for the purpose of clearing the frontier of persons inimical to the United States," and joined the American army at Fort George.^ Hitherto the inhabitants of the district in possessi m of the in- vading forces had been treated with a certain degree of lenity and consideration. They were assured protection to their families and property by both Generals Dearliorn and Boyd. Some of the wounded militia who had been taken prisoners were even allowed to 1. Baltimore Whig; C. J. Ingersoll, Hist, second war. 2. Baltimpre Whig; National Advocate; N. Y. Evening Post. 3, Buffalo Gazette; Albany Argus, return to their homes upon signing paroles pledging themselves not to bear arms against the United States until regularly exchanged. But a rigid search for arms was instituted and ])aroles exacted from all persons liable to military service, (leneral Dearborn, soon after his landing, summoned the magistrates to appear at his hcad(iuarters, and twelve having obeyed, he authorized them to continue the exercise of their functions, and several minor offences weresubsecjuently punished by them.i A few days later, however, he received a despatch from the Secretary of War instructing him, in conseciuence of a disagree ment with Sir George Prevost and Admiral Warren respecting an exchange of prisoners, not only to remove all genuine prisoners of war, whether regulars or militia, to some secure place of confinement in the United States, but also directing that all male inhabitants of Canada, subject to the militia laws, should be regarded as prisoners of war and treated in the same manner.- In j)ursuance of this barbarous edict, parties of soldiers were sent out to scour the country between Niagara and Fort Erie in every direction. On the 19th of June and the two following days nearly one hundred [)ersons were arrested, chiefly at their homes, on the roads, or working in the fields, and removed to the United States where they were closely confined.^ About a dozen of the prisoners held commissions in the militia but at least fifty were non-combatants, many of them over sixty years of age and some mere children. ■* Among the number were the Rev. Robert Addison, rector of Niagara, William Dickson, a barrister, and Messrs. Baldwin, Edwards, Grier, Heron, Muirhead and Lymington, the principal merchants ot the ))lace. Gaptains George Lawe and John McEwen, and the brothers Kerr, were still helpless from wounds received in the battle at Niagara. Captain Jacob Ball was seized at his house within half a mile ot Fitzgibbon's advanced picket at dead of nigpt.^ The men employed in this service chiefly belonged to Chapin's and Willcock's volunteers, with whom discipline was lax and many outrages were committed. The inhabitants were insulted, mal- treated, and pillaged mercilessly.'' This line of conduct naturally exasperated and alarmed the remaining inhabitants beyond measure, and they welcomed Fitz- gibbon's advance with the liveliest manifestations of joy. The British troops had remained almost inactive for several days owing chiefly to their distressed condition tor want of proper clothing and provisions. Capt. Fulton, aide de camp to Sir George Prevost, who visited their camp upon a confidential mission at this time, described the 49th as "literally naked," while the 41st were "in rags and without shoes." Both officers and men were glad to appropriate articles of clothing 1. Revd. Joliu Stracban, letter to Tbos, Jefferson; Wm Sickeou to — Can. Arch- 3. Secretary of War to Gen. Dearborn, May 20. 3. Albany Gazette ; 4. Tbe militia otfi- cers were Alex. MoDounel, Dy .-Paymaster General of Militia, Jobu Lyniington, Oistriot Paymastor, Wm. Ross, Commissary, Lt.-Col, lialpb Clench, Capts. Jobn Powell, Georr Lawe, John DeCoo, Jobn McKwen, Jobn Jouos, Jacob Hall ami Baxter, Liouts, P :. Powlis, Jonathan Williams and John Hradt. Oapts. Powell and Lawo were releaso( by a raiding party of British at Burlington, Vt., the following February. 5. National Ad- vocate ; 0. (juebeo Mercury, letter of Revd. John Btrachau, James Mil, Geo. captured from the enemy or striijped from the bodies oi' tl Meanwhile Colonel Proctor, at Detroit, who had been promi the remaining companies of the latter regiment would be sei assistance, was complaining bitterly m almosL daily letters detention, and at the same time begging that suj)plies should him to preserve his men from actual starvation in the fac( enemy. The military chest was absolutely empty. Vincent been compelled to borrow five hundred guineas from Colonel Clark to enable a })arty of militia to purchase cattle and dri overland to Amherstburti, for the temporary relief of th( garrisons there.- The opportune arrival of Major De Haren with the t companies of the 104th, or New Brunswick regiment, and a 340 Indians from Lower Canada, and the evident good dispc the inhabitants, encouraged Vincent to push forward a smal of light troops under Lieut. -Colonel Cecil Bisshop, "to feel th( the enemy." He described his chief objecis in thus advai being to spare the resources of the country in his rear, and tc much of his supplies as possible from the district in vicinit adversary's lines, besides encouraging the inhabitants to rise a prisoners of the enemy's loraging parties. Deserters from th can camp estimated Ceneral Dearborn's force at 6,000, of \vh( were sick, and their fears of an attack were stated tj be as s ever.-* Their foraging and reconnoitering i)arties althougli numerous and well mounted, were constantly attacked by th and as one of their officers writing home remarked, "seldon much in this sort of warfare, as the enemy is best accjuainted paths, bye-roads, swamps, and the country in general."* Vincei tive force at this time does not seem to have much excee thousand of all ranks, including militia and Indians, On the 20th June, Bisshop established his headquartei Twenty Mile Creek, on the heights above the present village o and Major DeHaren with his two companies of New Brunsw the light conipany of the 8th, and the Caughnawaga Indians a position in advance of the Ten Mile Creek, having his m: posted on the lake road, near the mouth of that stream, and of outposts extending across the country, covering a front ( seven miles, with his right resting on Turney's cross-roads, German meeting-house, within a nule of the site of the presi of Thorold.5 Fitzgibbon's scouts on the upland above, were kept o in motion, never sleej)ing twice in the same i)lace. On the 2 had a sharp skirmish with some cavalry near Niagara P'alls. day it was reported that Chapin's troop was plundering the in between Chippawa and Fort Erie, and a farmer living ne Abino, was accused of furnishing them with information. I. Fulton to Pi-evnst, -Tune 18 ; De RnttenburR to Prevost, July H. 2. PrevOBt, June 2. 3. Vincent to Provost, June U, McPouell to Proctor, Juno Evening Post. 5. Merritt, Journal. 10 panied by Captain Merritt and four picked men, Fitzgibbon immed- iately rode in search of the marauders. They surrounded the house of the suspected man three hours before dawn, and captured him with one of Chapin's scouts, who was sleeping there. ^ 'Vhile Merritt con- veyed the prisoners to a place of safety, Fitzgibbou rejoined his com- pany and advanced swiftly in the direction of Niagara P'alls, in the hope of mtercepling Chapin during his return to Niagara. As he entered Lundy's Lane he was informed that the latter had already been joined by 150 riflemen from I'ort George. Ridmg forward alone to reconnoitre, he was presently recognized by Mrs. James Kerby, the wife of a loyal captain of militia, who ran out of her house in a state of great agitation, and begged him to retire at once, as a large party of the enemy had just passed up the road. But seeing a single cav- alry horse standmg saddled in front of a small tavern a little distance further on, and thinkmg it probable that only the rider was within, he yielded to the temptation to attempt his capture, and dismounting, approached the house quietly on foot. Suddenly an American infantry soldier came out and levelling his musket, demanded his surrender. Before he could fire, however, Fitzgibbon had closed with him, and not wishing to raise an alarm, attempted to wrest his weapon from him and throw him to the ground by main strength. Then a rifleman made his appearance from behind the house and hurried to the assistance of his companion. Fitzgibbon's great physical strength alone preserved him from death and capture at this critical moment. Thrusting his first assailant violently back upon the other, he suc- ceeded in grasping his rifle «ith his disengaged hand, and held the weapons of both in such a pobiiiun that neither of them could fire with effect. A little knot of inhabitants had gathered near, and the struggling and overmatched officer called upon two young men he observed among them, to come to his assistance, but although Mrs. Kerby implored them with tears to comply, their fears prevaile'i and they slunk away. An instant later the rifleman snatched Fitzgibbon's sword from his side and had raised it to strike him, when Mrs. Defields, the innkeeper's wife, sprang forward and struck his uplifted arm with such force that the sword fell from his grasp. Then an old man named Johnson and a Doy only thirteen years of age, the son of Dr. Fleming, came to tiie rescue, and with the assistance of the women finally enabled Fitzgibbon to disarm and tie both his antagonists securely on the back of the captured horse and ride away with them in triumph, although a party of their comrades had already made their appearance within a couple of hundred yards of the scene of this desperate struggle.^ That night Fitzgibbon retired to DeCew's house near the upper crossing of ihe Twelve Mile Creek, a substantial two-story stone building, whicli had been selected as a place of deposit for stores by Vincent prior to the capture of Fort George, ano was capable of a prolonged defence against any force not provided with artillery. Th? }, Merritt, Journal. 2, Quebec Merovwry, II owner, Captain John DeCew, was among the prisoners recently de- ported to the United States to be held as hostages, as their captors announced, for the good behaviour of the remaining inhabitants. There, a few hours later, he was joined by a party of Caughnawaga or Iroquois Indians under the command of Captain Dominique Ducharme. This force had been organized at Montreal by Sir John Johnson and originally consisted of i6o warriors from the Sault St. Louis, 1 20 from the Lake of Two Mountains, and 60 from St. Regis village under the general command of Ducharme, assisted by Lieu- tenants J. B. deLormiier, Gideon Gaucher, Louis Langlade, Evangelisle Saint Germain and Isaac LeClair. All of these officers were exper- ienced woodsmen, possessing the entire confidence ot these people with whose language and habits of life most of them had been familiar from childhood. In some instances their families had been associated for several generations with the Indian tribes, both in peace and in war. As a rule they had adopted the Indian costume even to the extent of plumes and war-paint, and as their faces were deeply bronzed by years of exposure to the weather they could scarcely be distinguished by an ordinary observer as belonging to a different race from their followers.^ During the course of the next day Ducharme went with twenty- five warriors to reconnoitre the Niagara, and advancing within sight of Fort George he surprised a party of American soldiers in .1 tavern, killing four and making seven prisoners. Although hotly pursued by cavalry he easily effected his escape by plunging into the woods, with the loss of but a single wamor who lagged behind to bring off some horses. The same afternoon another party attacked a boat in the river near Queenston, killing two persons and capturing six.2 Annoyed beyond endurance by the audacity of an adversary numerically so much weaker in thus continually annoying his out- posts, General Dearborn determined to strike a vigorous blow at Vincent's advance-guard in return. Having been informed on the 23rd that Fitzgibbon had occupied DeCew's house with a single company of regular troops, and between sixty and a hundred Indians, (a very close estimate of his actual strength,) and was said to be fortifyiqg it and collecting supplies there, he was easily persuaded to consent to an expedition for the purpose of dislodging him, and over- awing the inhabitants in that quarter. A column of 600 men was deemed amply sufficient for the performance of this service, and Colonel Charles G. Boerstler, of the 14th U. S. Infantry, or Maryland regiment, was selected for the command. This officer had already distinguished himself by gallant conduct in leading the night attack on the batteries below Fort Erie in November, 181 2. During the winter his complaints of the inactivity of his superiors had been frequent and bitter. By common consent he was regarded as one of the bravest and most enterprising officers in the American aimy. 1. Dacbarme, narrative in M. Bibaud'a Bibllotheque Canadienue, Vol. 4. 2. Duc- harme ; BalTalo Oazette. The whole of his own regiment, one company of the 6th, another of the 23rd, a troop cf the 2nd Light Dragoons, commanded by Cornet Burd, a company of light ariillcry, with one 6-pound and one 12- pound fieldpiecc, under Captain Andrew McDowell, and Chapin's corps of mounted infantry, were detailed for the purpose, the entire force exceeding six hundred rank and file.^ The distance from the American camp at Fort George by way of Queenston, the route selected for the advance of the expedition, wcj estimated at rather less than eu;hteen miles. To Bishopp's head- quarters, by way of the lake road, it was nearly as far, while De Haren's outpost at the mouth of the ''Tei;" was not quite ten miles away. The three principal advanced i)osts of the British were thus established at the angles of aw equilateral triangle, each side of which was about seven miles in length. A chain of outposts stretching along its base maintained communication between De Haren on the edge of the lake, and Fitzgibbon on the crest of the ht ights above. Bishopp's position, near the junction of two roads, would enable him to support either of these otTicers, when necessary, with etinal facility. At the same time the American line of outposts did not extend more than two miles in advance of Fort George in any direction. Besides the main road to Burlington, fol'owmg the shore of the lake, another, sometimes known as the Black Swamp road, led almost in a direct line from Niagara to Paul Sliipman's tavern at the crossing of the Twelve Mile Creek on the site of the present city of St. Catharines. From Queenston, a much frequented road wound along the base of the heights to the small village of St. Davids, where it divided, one branch running north-westward to Shipman's, while the other ascended the plateau, and following the summit reached the Twelve Mile Creek near the falls. There were besides a number of woodland paths and bye-roads, leading inland in various directions, with which the inhabitants were familiar, but these were the only routes at all practicable for the passage of artillery and heavy wagons. While this column of troops advanced against F'itzgibbon, a simultaneous movement was designed against De Haren's picket at the mouth of the "Ten," with the object of occupying his attention and preventing him from rendering any assistance to the former, but for some reason it was never executed. Bcerstler's instructions directed him to advance as rapidly as possible upon Fitzgibbon's post ; and, if necessary, batter down the house and capture or disperse the garrison. Chapin, vain, boastful, and never very particular as to the accuracy of his statements, boldly asserted that he had penetrated into the hilly region beyond DeCew's a few days before, although it subsequently appeared that he had not approached within several miles of the place, and was in consequence selected as pilot for the expedition. Bat at the last moment it was discovered that a detachment of riflemen detailed for this service had been already placed on guard, and could not be relieved. This oversight 1. ArmBtrong, Notices ; Ingersoll ; Loising, etc. »3 deprived Bierstler of a i)ortion ot his most efTective troops, and obliged him to march without them.^ The departure of the column from camp was purposely delayed until evening to avoid observation. At the outlying picket, the main- body halted, and the mounted men rode rapidly forward to Queenston to secure the inhabitants and prevent them from giving the alarm. Silence was strictly enjoined during the march, and patrr>les and pickets were at once thrown out on all ihe roads leading away from that village.2 It was commonly said that there had not been such a ramy sea- son for a quarter of a century. Showers of greater or less magnitude had fallen nearly every day for several weeks. The roads were thor- oughly saturated, and the ordinary number of horses could scarcely drag the cannon. Accordingly it was almost midnight before the remainder of the detachment arrived and halted for the night. No lights or fires were allowed, and the men lay on their arms, but not- withstanding the thoroughness of these precautions to ensure secrecy, information of their approach was soon speeding towards the British outposts as swiftly as a woman's feet could carry it. Among the remaining inhabitants of Queenston, was James Secord, formerly an officer in the Lincoln Militia, and still almost helpless from wounds received in the battle of the 13th October. Thirty-six years before, when a child only three years old, he had accompanied his mother in her flight through the wilderness with four other homeless women and many children to escape the fury of a band of ruffians, who called themselves "Sons of Liberty." After enduring frightful hardships for nearly a month, they finally arrived at Fort Niagara almost naked and starving. Subsequently his father and several brothers had enlisted in Butler's Rangers, and forfeited their lands by their loyalty. The memory of the wrongs and sufferings of his family still rankled in his breast and caused him to regard the people of the United "^^ites liter- ally as personal enemies. The parents of his wife had lin.v;wise been refugee loyalists, and she was equally warm and unfaltering in her patriotism. The sudden arrival of so large a body of troops by night, and the unusual care taken to conceal their advance, at once led them to sus- pect that the blow was aimed at Fitzgibbon, some of whose men had been m the village during the day, and they anxiously began to medi- tate means of warning him of the impending danger. Since it was clearly impossible for Secord himself to accomplish tlie necessary journey, his wife promptly determined to undertake the perilous task herself She was a slight and delicate woman, already in her thirty- eighth year and the mother of five children. The roads in many places were ankle-deep in mud, the country was sparsely settled and the woods were known to be haunted by bands of Indians and white marauders, who hung upon the skirts of the armies, yet she never 1. Aimstroiig, Noticea ; Lossing. 'I. Armstrong. ""WW '4 faltered in her resolution. Leaving the house at the first flush of dawn, with a pail upon her arm, she •succeeded in passing the nearest sentinel under pretence of milking a :ow in the fields beyond. It was then no difificult matter to guide the animal behind a convenient thicket, and once fairly out of sight she threw the pail aside and began her toilsome walk. Fearing that her purpose might be suspected when her prolonged absence was discovered, and a pursuit begun, she carefully avoided the main road and struck mto a bye-pa^h leading through the fields and woods. The brilliancy of the moon favored her flight. Occasionally the distant howl of a wolf smote upon her ear, and more than once a rattlesnake glided from the path and disap- peared in the rank grass. But these were not unfamiliar sights and sounds to the dwellers in the woods, and she pushed bravely on with- out a pause till she reached the village of St. Davids. After resting for an instant at the house of a relative, she resumed her journey, still avoiding the highway and selecting a circuitous and lonely route which led her many miles out ot the way. Finally, having walked as she imagined, some nineteen miles since leaving home, she arrived at a branch of the Twelve Mile Creek shortly after sunrise, and finding it much swollen by the recent rains and the bridge removed, she was compelled to cross it upon the trunk of a fallen tree. Toiling up the steep bank beyond she stumbled into the midst of a group of sleeping Indians who sprang hastily to their feet with piercing yells. It was with great diiificulty she made her object understood by their chief, who understood but a few words of English, and some delay ensued before she was conducted to Fitzgibbon, to whom bhe told her story, describing the composition of the column advancing against him, and estimating its strength at nearly a thousand men.^* It being contrary to the custom of the Indians to act at night, they had withdrawn to their respective encampments and Ducharme had not more than eighty warriors with him. Scarcely had Mrs. Secord concluded her narrative, when his scouts came in shrieking the death-cry. They had encountered the advance-guard of the enemy near St. Davids, and one of their number had been killed. Ducharme immediately requested permission to advance and waylay the column at a spot which had fixed his attention the day before, as being favor- able for an ambush. Fitzgibbon readily gave his assent, and the entire body of Indians set off at a run. 2 Meanwhile Boerstler had seized an inhabitant whom he forced to act as a guide, and shortly after daybreak resumed his march. As his advance-guard entered St. Davids two British officers were seen riding 1. Anctainleck ; Coffin ; LobbIdk ; Qaebec Mercury. % Duoharoie in Bibaud's Bibliotheque Canailienne. *I am aware that tbia account itiSers in some reapeota from Mra. Secord'a own narrative as recorded in lettera printed by Auchinleok and LosBlue. It abould be remembered tbat these letters were written more than forty >ears after, when Mrs. Becord was more than eighty yeat a of aRe. From these the Inference would be that she walked an entire day an<4 parts of two nights. It is certain that the expedition was not lauthorized until late on the afternoon of the 23rd. Mra Secord tnerafore oould not have been more than live or six Dours on the road. The diatance from Queenston to Deoew'a Falla in a direct line, ia leaa than twelve miles. 15 away in the direction of the Cross roads, now Homer Village, and pre- sently they he:.rd alarm-guns and bugles sounding in the distance. Chapin rcmaiked that they would probably soon hear from Fitzgibbon, and Bcerstler replied tha.1 they would doubtless have to "ight there on their return. The column continued to move forward with great caution, having a party of Chupin's mounted riflemen, well in front with light infantry in extended order on either flank, followed by the 14th U. S. Infantry, the artillery and wagons, then the companies of the 6th and 23rd, while the troop of dragoons covered che rear. In this order they passed the point where the road diverged to Shipman's and ascended the heights. From time to time Indians were observed gliding stealthily through the woods, but as yet they made no attempt to molest their march. ^ Since the date o* the earliest exploration, much of the present township of Stamford was scantily wooded, but in its north-west angle and stretching into the adjacent township of Thorold there was a compact and extensive tract of well-timbered land, commonly known as the Beechwoods. Here the road by which Bcerstler was advancing became a mere narrow wheel-track, intersected in many places by deep gullies, and closely bounded on either side by an almost continuous wall of trees and underbrush."^ Choosing a spot where one of the widest and deepest of these ravines crossed the road, Ducharme stationed his warriors. Lieutenants De Lorimier and Le Clair, with twenty-five Caughnawagas, on the right ; Captain William Johnson Kerr and Lieutenant John Brant, with sixteen Mohawks, on the left, while he retained the remainder under his own command on the further slope, to check the advance of the enemy, and force them back into the hollow. Already the heat of the sun had become intense, and many of the heavily-burdened infantry soldiers had begun to lag and droop with fatigue. Between eight and nine oclock their advance-guard, consistmg of about twenty mounted riflemen, rode into the hollow and began the ascent of the opposite slope. A single volley from the thickets emptied every saddle but one, and several warriors immediately sprang forward to strip and scalp their fallen enemies. Ducharme sharply interposed, and ordered them back to their coverts to await the approach of the infantry, already close at hand. The head of the column was greeted with a shower of bullets. The leading companies attempted to deploy, and the artillery and mounted men were ordered to the rear. Much disorder ensued, and, at this opportune moment, the detachments of Lorimier and Kerr began the attack on the flanks, and presently another small party appeared in the rear and killed several men there. The foremost sections retired precipitately upon the centre, and finally formed in an opening in the woods on the right of the road, whither they were followed and again attacked. The artillery was then brought forward and directed to }. Armstrong; Cbaptn's review of ArmstrQog. ^. Tdltjot ; Five yeara in ^ap«<\a, i6 clear the thir!'^ cs with grape. Tlie first discharge i^.^'^scd harmlessly overhead, and the wary leader of the Indian • uruered them to retire to the woods before the cannon could again be loaded. In accom- pliohing this, however, several of their number, having ventured too jar forward, were killed or wounded in crossing an open space, and nost of the Mohawks became panic-stricken and left the field.^ Hastily concluding that he had to contend with superior numbers, Bterstler despatched a mounted orderly to Fort George to announce that he had been attacked and had fallen back to a clearing, where he would wait lor reinforcements. But soon observing that their fire had begun to slacken, he determined to make a vigorous effort to brush aside his assailants and continue his march. Leaving his artillery behind, protected by the dragoons and the two detached companies of infantry under Major Taylor, second in command, whose horse had been killed at the first fire, be formed the whole of his own regiment in single rank, with i\ Cv.mpany on each wing, thrown back to cover the flank of his line, and led it at a quickstep into the woods on the right of the road, with the intention of driving the Indians into the fields beyond. He had almost penetrated through the woods, without encountering much opposition, when a violent attack was commenced on his right flank. Wheeling in that direction, the advance was continued for a considerable distance in the face of an incessant fire from an almost invisible enemy. Then, finding that his men were losing heavily and becoming fatigued, with- out gaining any substantial advantage, Bcjerstler threw out a line of skirmishers to hold the enemy in check, and directed a general retreat upon the artillery. The Indians pressed their advantage with exulting shouts, and finally the Americans fell back in considerable confusion mto a hollow where they were partially sheltered from their fire.2 Ducharme then promptly directed Lieutenants Gaucher, Gamelin and Langlade with their respective detachments to make a circuit through the woods and gain their flank and rear. This was soon accomplished, and bullets from the overhanging thickets again began to drop with fatal effect among Boerstler's men, now quite dazed and dispirited. Although slightly wounded in the very beginning of the action, Boerstler had remained on horseback constantly encouraging his soldiers, and as he galloped along the line, affording a conspicuous mark to the enemy. Another shot then struck him in the thigh, inflicting a severe fleshwound. Captains Cummings and McChesney, and Lieutenants Marechal and Randall were disabled nearly at the same moment, and the fall of so many officers had nai "rally a most disastrous efTect.^ While the tide of battle swayed to and fro in the woods, small parties of Indians were constantly coming up and swelling the numbers of the assailants. Next, Captain Hall of the Provincial 1. Duoharme ; Armstrong ; Chapin ; Boerstler, letter to bis father. 2, Armstrong, 3, I^OBSing; Armstrong; Cbapln; Ducharme. T7 Cavalry, appeared upon the scene, and after survoying the conflict for a few minutes, galloped off to make a report to De Haren. Then, after the action had lasted almost an hour, Filzgibbon rode uj). accompanied by his only subaltern, Lieutenant Winder. Observing that the Americans were already thrown on tie defensive, almost surrounded, and apparently undetermined whether to cortinue their advance or attempt a retreat, he sent away his companion to bring forward the remainder of his company, consisting of a single sergeant and forty-five rank and file, and remained to watch the foitunes of the fight. i'"inally, the three brothers Kelly, militiamen who had been permitted to return to their home on an adjacent farm to assist in haymaking, attracted by the sounds of otrife, seized their arms and joined in the attack. Order having been to some extent restored in their ranks, the American infantry formed behind a fence and such o her cover as they could find, and opened a brisk fire in reply. Some ci the boldest ot their rifiemen even advanced a considerable distance up the ravine, and dislodged a parly ot Indians posted there. In accomplishing this three of their number were shot dead by a single indain, who was, however, discovered as he attempted to escape from his lurking-place and killed. The skirmish continued with great animation until the Americans had exhausted twenty-six rounds of ammunition to very little purpose, as they were rarely able to detect the form of any individual assailant even for an instant, and rould merely fire at random into the surrounding woods. A dense volume of smoke settled down into the opening, and hung steadily over their heads. Meanwhile they were girdled about by a circle of fire. Every tree and rock and tuft ot tall grass seemed to emit its special jet of flame.'-^ The company of rangers having arrived, they were posted by their commander on the high ground on the right of the road, and he then directed the greater part of the Indians to occupy the woods on both sides of the road in rear of the Americans, with a view of retarding their retreat until other reinforcements could come up. Noticing the glow of scarlet in front and harassed in flank and rear by an indefinite and apparently ever-increasine: number of whooping Indians and militia on, B(jerstler reluctantly determined to begin his retreat towards Queenston. With this intention, the wounded were collected and placed in wagons, and the artillery, under i)rotection of a company of infantry, wfere sent to occupy a clearing on the right ot the road in lot 45 of the township of Tborold, upon the summit of the ridge. The remainder of the infantry were next retired to the same position and formed in close column. By retreating thence across a long stretch of cultivated land, It would be possible to avoid the woods occupied by the Indians and regain the road beyond, where it passed mainly through an open country. The prospect of escape now appeared so fair that Fitzgibbon determined to parley, chiefly, it is probable, with a vicAv J. Quebec Mercury ; Coflin, 2. Armstrong ; Ohapiu, i8 of detaining thcni. Accordingly, he a|)proa(:hed their position with a flag of truce, and being met by Captain McDowell, he boldly informed him that they were surrounded by sui)erior numbers and could not possibly escape. He added that many of the Indians under his command had just arrived from the North-West, and were of the most ferocious disjjosition. They had already met with severe losses, and were much exasperated and he feared if the action was continued much longer they would become unmanageable and begin an indiscrinunate massacre. He desired to prevent unnecessary waste of life, and therefore demanded their inunediate surrender. This was merely the set form of summons, which had proved so potent at Mackinac, Detroit, and other places, and McDowell frankly expressed his disbelief of the assertion that their situation was hopeless, and desired time for consideratiyn, and both officers returned to their lines. Opportunely for the success of Fitzgibbon's strategy, Captain Hall galloped up at that moment, accompanied by several troopers of the Provincial Cavalry, and readily consented to personate Major De Haren in the event of the American commandant pressing a demand to be permitted to see the forces opposed to him.^ Approaching the American position a second time, Fitzgibbon was admitted into Colonel Jj(erstler's presence, and found him agitated and unnerved by loss of blood and the pain of his wounds. The narratives of the slaughter at the River Raisin and Fort Meigs, purposely exaggerated and invested with innumerable blood-curdling details by the newspapers of the administration, were fresh in his mind, and a judicious allusion tu the difficulty experienced in •restraining the Indians caused him to exclaim, "For God's sake, keep the Indians from us !" Fitzgibbon promptly replied that he must decide at once, for this was not a matter to be dallied with, and expressed his willingness to |)ermit an officer to view his forces. A subaltern was detailed for the purpose, but when they reached a bend in the road, where some of the rangers were staaoned, they were met by Captain Hall, in the character ot De Haren, who feigned to be much enraged at the delay, and declaring that this request on the part of enemy was too humiliating to be endured, he ordered the American officer to return at once to his own lines. ^ A section of Fitzgibbon's company was next directed to run across the open ground and join the Indians in rear of the enemy to impress them still further with a belief in the superiority of the British torces. This movement was rapidly executed without loss under fire of their artillery, and firing on both sides was briskly re- commenced. 3 I'he confident attitude of his assailants had convinced Colonel Boerstler that his situation was extremely critical, and he summoned a meeting of his officers to obtain their views. His men had marched almost ten miles that morning. They had been under arms for six hours and had been fighting for the last three. The strength of the 1. ArmBtroug ; Cbapin, 2. Armstrong ; Quebec Mercury. 3, Ibid. 19 column Iiad be^n considerably diminished by killed, wounded, and skulkers, and ihosc still in the ranks were much exhausted by heat and fatigue. Their supply of ammunition was greatly reduced, only three charges of grape remaining for each of the guns. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that most of his subordinates were inclined to take a gloomy view of their position. Having still fifteen miles to retreat along a road bordered in many places by woods, they candidly expressed their doubts whether a ([uarter of their number would be able to escape. When the remainder of their cartridges were expended, the Indians, they said, would be able to shoot them down at pleasure. Hcerstler ac([uiesced in the main with these opinions, and stating that he would assume all responsibility for the surrender, des])atched Captain McDowell with instructions to obtain the best terms possible.i It was with great difficulty that the Indians could be induced to cease firing, when it was announced that the Americans were finally prepared to surrender. Ducharme could speak but little English, and readi'v consented that Fitzgibbon should frame the articles of capitulation, stipulating only that hi;^ followers should be allowed to divide the ])lunder. A brief document, consisting of but tour short clauses, was then signed by Captain McDowell, by which it was agreed that Colonel 13(erstler's entire command should become prisoners of war, the officers being allowed to retain their arms, horses and private baggage, and the militia and volunteers to return to their homes on parole. While the negotiations were m progress, Chapin made a resolute and perfidious attempt to escape with his command. Placing his wounded men, about fifteen in number, in the centre of his troop, he began to ride rapidly down the road. But this move- ment was frustrated by the alertness of the Indians, who immediately barred the way in great numbers, and eventually not a single man escaped but the orderly, who had been despatched for assistance when the attack began. Twenty-three officers and 487 non-com- missioned officers and men of the regular army and thirty militia laid down their arms.'-^ About thirty of all ranks were supposed to have been killed and sixty or seventy wounded. The colors of the 14th United States Infantry, two field pieces, two baggage-wagons and five hundred stand of arms were the principal trophies of the victory. Fortunately for all parties Major De Haren, who, for some time had obstinately refused to believe that any formidable movement was directed against the right flank of his position, came up with 200 men of the 8th and [04th in time to take charge of the prisoners, for, when it became known that their personal baggage was protected by the terms of capitulation, the Indians grew very indignant at what they considered a deliberate plot to deprive them of bcoty to which 1 . Armatrong ; LoBsing. 2. Beturtt of prisooers takeu in action of 24th June, 1813 ; Light Dragoons, 1 Cornet, 1 Sergeant, 19 rank and file ; Light Aitillery, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant, 31 rank and file; 6th Infantry, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 54 rank and file ; 14tb Infantry, 1 Colonel, 3 Captains, 11 Lieutenants, 1 Sur- geon, 15 Sergeants, 300 rank and file ; 20th Infantiy, 1 Major; 23rd Infantry, 1 Captain, 4 Sergeants, 2 Drummers, 57 rank and file. 90 they were justly entitled, and then disrontent subsetiuently increased to such a height that many of thcni abruptly returned to their villages a few weeks later.' This signal success was obtained at the expense of very trifling loss. I*'itzgibbon's company was but slightly engaged, and did not have a single man injured. At the time, seven Indians were reported to have been killed and sixteen wounded, but Durharme subsetiuently estimated their entire loss at fifteen killed and twenty-five wounded.u The conse(|uences of the victory proved f.ir more important than could have [)een reasonably anticipated at the lim". The 15th United States Infantry and a detachment of riflemen had been dispatched to Bterstler's support, and hau already advanced as far as Queenston, but being menaced by a small party of Indians, retired precipitately to their camps. Many were of the opinion that the army should at once retire from Canada, but a ( ounril f)f war, composed of the chief officers, was lield, at v/hich it was ulii nately decided to remain. Every exertion was made to fortify and strengthen their position at Fort (leorge. Thenceforward for ihrci,' months, they were restricted by their fears to the ground within ran.;e of their cannon, r-ring the first week they did not venure to send even a patrole further than a mile outside their entrtnchincnis. The principal div- ision of the invading army was virtually paralyzed during the season of the year most favorable for military operations, and remained pent up within the limits of a few acres by force of less than halt its numbers. Night after night their sentries and outposts were startled by feigned attacks, which kept the entire camp in a feverish condition of alarm, and subjected officers and men to excessive fatigue. During the hottest months cf the year one-third of thediv'jion was prostrated by disease, and though the hospital was removed to Lewiston, the pro- portion of deaths became frightfully large Although repeatedly rein- forced, their numbers constantly diminished, and they were constrained to relinquish active operations altogether until the storms of autumn rendered them difficult and hazardous. The chief medical officer of the United States Army, then attached to General Dearborn's division, was forced to make this frank admission : "When an enemy exhibits great military ability we are disposed to allow him all the credit due him, even when by artful deceptions and judicious management with a force inferior, he was enabled to apparently check our army, and compel It to place itself in a position entirely defensive."^ The effect produced by Bcerstler's defeat in Washington was quite as remarkable. Congress was sitting when information of the surrender arrived. Mr. IngersoU, one of the leaders of the dominant party in the House of Representatives, stated that it was regarded as forming "the climax to continual tidings of mismanagement and mis. fortune. On the 6th of July, therefore, after a short accidental com. 1. Coffin ; Merritt'B Journal ; Royal Military Cbroniole, 1813 ; 2. Quebec Mercury ; Duo- barme, Narrativa, 3, Coffin, life of Qeu H. Dearborn ; Mann, Medical sketches of the 21 munion of regret and impatience in the lobby with the speaker (Henry Clay,) and Central Ri„ggoId, ol Marylaml, I was de, ufed a retr >val from a command whuh so far had proved so unfortunate " Cc quently a despatch w.s framed the same day. instructinrGen l,nf,!2- ' ' '■" ""'"'-^'a^e successor, General JJoyd, was pro- hibitec , attemptrnj,' any offensive operations until their sduadron regained control of the Inke.i • ^'luaaron nn.i i'''''"l- "''']"■'"'"''''*' '''^^^'•'^'"^'^^^e events, James Fit/mbbon and Laura Sccord, attamed an extreme old age, and must be remem- bered by many persons still living. ^ Fitzgibbon resided in Canada for more than forty years and took an act,ye part m the suppression of the rebellion of^X; Some years after he was nominated a Military Knight of Windsor, wK he was still hvmg m 1867, at the aue of cightv-five . Mrs. Secord died in 1868, at the advanced .ige of or and is buned m the graveyard at Drummond Hill, on The batutneM of Lundy's T,ane. It ,s to be hoped that not many j ears wih be al owed o pass away ere her final resting place is marked by a nZt memorial of one of the bravest and most loyal of CanadiL worn n' 1. C. J. Ingoraoll. Hist. Sketch Socoiul W'nr. Vol, I. p. 288. 32 APPENDIX NO. I. Mrs. Secord's narrative, cited by Mr. Auchinleck in 1853, is as follows : It was while the Americans had possession of the frontier that I learned the plans of the American commander, and determined to put the British troops under Fitzgibbon in possession of them, and, if possible, to save the British troops from capture or perhaps total destruction. In doing so, I found I should have great difficulty in getting through the American guards, which were out ten miles in the country. Determined to persevere, however, I left early in the morning, walked nineteen miles in the month of June over a rough and difficult part of the country, when I came to a field belonging to a Mr. Decamp, in the neighborhood of the Beaver Dam. By this time daylight had left me. Here I found all the Indians encamped ; by moonlight the scene was terrifying, and to those accustomed to such scenes might be considered grand. Upon advancing to the Indians, they all rose, and with some yells, said "Woman," which made me tremble. I cannot express the awful feeling it gave me; but I did not lose my presence of mind. I was determined to persevere. I went up to one of the chiefs, made him understand that I had great news for Capt. Fitzgibbon, and that he must let me pass hi?, camp, or that he and his party would be all taken. The chief at first objected to let me pass, but finally consented, after some hesitation, to go with me and accompany me to Fitzgibbon's station, which was at the Beaver Dam, when I had an interview with him. I then told him what I had come for, and what I had heard — that the Americans intended an attack upon the troops under his com- mand, and would, from their superior numbers, capture them all. Benefiting by this infoimation, Capt. Fitzgibbon formed his plans accordingly, and captuied about five hundred American infantry, about fifty dragoons, and a fieldpiece or two was taken from the enemy. I returned home next day exhausted and fatigued. I am now advanced in years, and when I look back I wonder how I could have gone through so much fatigue with the fortitude to accomplish it. NO. II. CERTIFICATE OF LIEUT. FITZGIBBON. I do hereby certify that Mrs. Secord, the wife of James Secord, Esq., of Chippawa, did, in the month of June, 1813, walk from her house in the village of St. Davids to Decamp's house in Thorold by a circuitous route of about twelve miles, partly thiough the woods, to acquaint me that the enemy intended to attempt by surprise to capture a detachment of the 49th regiment, then under my command, 23 she having obtahicd such knowledge from good authority, as the event proved. Mrs. Secord was a person of slit^lit and dehcate frame, and made the effort in weather excessively warm, and I dreaded at the time that she must suffer in health in consequence ot fatigue and anxiety, she having been exposed to dangerj^from the enemy, through whcje line of communication she had to pass. The attempt was made on my detachment by the enemy, and his detach- ment, consisting of upwards of 500 men, with a fieldpiece and fifty dragoons, were captured in consequence. I write this certificate in a moment of much hurry and from memory, and it i$ therefore thus brief. James Fit^gibhon, Formerly Lieutenant in 49th Regiment NO. III. Mr. Lossing in his Field-book of the War of 1812 quotes on page 621 the following extract of a letter from Mrs. Secord : "After going to St. David's and the reco . ery of Mr. Secord, we returned again to Queenston, where my courage again was much tried. It was there I gained the secret plan laid to capture Captain Fitzgibbon and his party. I was determined, it possible, to save them. I had much difficulty in getting through the American guards. They were ten miles out in the country. When I came to a field belonging to a Mr. I)e Cou, in the neighborhood of the Beaver Dams, I then had walked nineteen miles. By that lime daylight had left me. I yf ^ had a swift stream of water (Twelve mile Creek) to cross over on an old fallen tree, ar.d to climb a high iiili, which fatigued me very much. " Before I arrived at the encampment of the Indians, as I approached they all rose with one of their war yells, which, indeed, awed me. You may imagine whai: my feeUngs were to behold so many savages. With forced courage I went to one of the chiefs, told him I had great news for his commander, and that he must take me to him or they would be all lost. He did not understand me, but said, 'Woman ! What does woman want here ?' The scene by moonlight to some might have beer grand, but to a weak woman certainly terrifying. With difficulty ^ got one of the chiefs to go with me to their commander. With the intelligence I gave him he formed his plans and saved his country. I have ever found the brave and noble Colonel Fitzgibbon a friend to me. May he prosper in the world to come as he has done in this. " Lai' \ Secoru. "Chippawa, U, C, Feb. 18, 1861." 24 NO. IV. ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION. " Particulars of the capitulation made between Captain McDowell, on the part of Lieutenant-Colonel Bcerstler, of the United States Army, and Major De Haren, of his Britannic Majesty's Canadian Regiment, on the part of Lieutenant- Colonel Bishopp, commanding the advance of the British, respecting the force under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler : "Article i. — That Lieutenant-Colonel Bcerstler and the forces under his command shall surrender prisoners of war. "Art; ,ie 2.- -That the officers shall retain their arms, horses and baggage. "Article 3.- -That the non-commissioned officers and soldiers shall lay down their arms at the head of the British column, and shall become prisoners of war. "Article 4. — That the militia and volunteers with Lieutenant- Colonel Btjorstler shall be permitted to return to the United States on parole. "Andrew McDowell, ^''Captain of the United States Light Artillery. "Acceded to and signed, "C. G. B.ERSTLKR, '•'•Lieut. -Col. commanding detachmetit United States At my. " P. V. De Haren, '■'■Major Canadian Regiment."