IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 m 125 1= |L25 ^ ''# Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSEO (716) •72-4S03 ^^ \ iV <^ 4 i\ ? .^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVl/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques ^ rv .-SI \ > H \ 1 '■• ■ ?>:■ ■" ''L-i^ 4^ kS v „/^ »' 4' ; IMPARTIAL AND CORRECT HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OP AMERICA, AND GBEAT BBITAIN5 COMPRISING A PARTICULAR DETAIL OF THE J^TAVAL aJVD MILlTJlur OPEBATIOXS, AND A FAITHFUL RECORD OF THE EVENTS pRODU* CED DURING THE CONTEST. From its Commencement, June 18, 1812, ^0 ^Ae Treaty of Peace, ratified at the City of Washington, February 17, 1815. BY T. O'CONNOR. gmtSf (foitiotf > tfHAm anil tomtttt* CAREFULLY COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. • ■ ■'- Hi u JTEW'TORK: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JOHN LOW, NO. 62 VESEl -STREET. 1817. 35"^/ OAl X'b 9A>^*i, ,/'rf) District ofJS/'eW'York, ss. BE IT REMEMBERED, That od the (weuty-third day of December, m the forty-first year of the [ndependence of the United States of JLt, S. ■America, John Low, of the said district, hath deposited, in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof, he claims as Proprietor in the words following to wit : " An Impartial and Correct History of the War between the United States of America, and Great Britain, conmrising a pr rticnlar detail of the Naval and Military operations, and a faithful record of the events produced darinr the contest From its Commencement, June 18, 1 8 IS, to the Trea- 8 of Peace, ratibed at the City of Washington, February 1 7, 181 5. By T. 'Connor. Fourth edition, revised and corrected. Carefully compiled from dficial documents." In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the time therein mentioned. And also to an act entitled ** An act supplementary to an act, entitled an Act for the encourage) nebt of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and pro- pr.<«tors of such copies during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of desigiiing, engraving and r tching historictu and other prints." THERON BODD, Clerk of the Southern District of,Ye0'Y$rk. /^ /v -,,,„_^ ^'/^'*r*A>*' PREFACE. NO era, in the moral world, has excited the public cariosity, or effected the general interest of mankind, more than the discovery of a west- ern continent, in the year 14*92. Attracted as the public mind was by that event, yet its resulting importance was not then fully anticipated by the most extravagant hopes, or the most acute prog- nostics* To convert the natural riches of the new world to the advantsige of the old, was tho only object which the lyings of Europe wished to accomplish, or intended to essay. Neither k^ing nor subject expected that the western world would become the seat of empires, independent of European rulers ; much less did they expect, that the future monarchs of the east would meet in the new world, rivals capable of opposing and defeating attempts at continuing in political sub- jection, the descendants of emigrants, led to the new continent by cupidity, driven to it by perse- cution or banished as an expiation of their crimes. It was not until long after the first settlement of America by Europeans, that it was sagacious- ly observed, that, " the new world seemed destin- ed to give laws to the old." The observation drew forth but the derision or contempt of the hearers and readers. A^ophecy so improbable* and which could not| i( was supposed, benecom- i I- K'( '■■■ 14 4 TREFACB. plishedy if at ally in a hundred centuries, vtm deemed too peurile to be credited^ and too distant to be dreaded. The Revolutionary ^yar gave the first substan- tial proof that materials for all the purposes of self goTernment existed in America. In propor- tion as the genius and resources of the inhabitants were developed, in the same degree did they find advocates in dificrent parts of the i^rorld, who •ither saw with pleasure the successful prospect which opened itself to the people of the United Statesi (late British colonies,) secretly encour- aged and relieved theioi, or openly supported and assisted them. The happy termination of thia o'ontest, led to the belief, that the theories of po« litieal prophets were not only probable, but their eonsummation less distant than had been hither- to supposed. The United States, having by the treaty of peace of 1783, become a nation by the consent of all other nations, had as if to begin the worlds without any other capital than the virtue of the citizens, and without security against foreign aggression, exeept what eould be drawn from their own courage and patriotism. As yet their population was little moi*e than three millions of inhabitants ; the want of a well consolidated confederation vendered the govern* ment weak ; and the many incidents and difllcul- ties attending the attempt to reconcile various interests with a general principle, increased this difilcnlty. The speculations as to tl\e futuredeiD* 11 FREVACE. 9 tiniee of Ibe people ivere varioui. England had ooncluded peace pro forma, but she oontinued hostile in iTaet. Great Britain was but a small island^ yet her sovereign was a king over exten- sive regions, and many islands in various parts of the globe : the example of several of her ealoBies rejeoting her authority, and uniting in support of each other, was dangerous to the parent oonntrj ; it was found Impossible to subdue them by foree, ■U was determined to do so by intrigue^ cori^p- tton and robbery. The colonies remedied one great ineonvenienee by forming a general constitution in 1789, which stands an unrivalled instanee of patriotism, wis- dom, and justice ; a rapid growth of population* .and extension of commerce, a cultivation of liter- ature, arts and sciences, were fast advancing to a point that would outrival Englandin every respect* As ibis state of things advanced in Amerieat England proceeded to measures of increased vio- leneeandiiyustioe. Seeking for prete7t% in prin- ciples novd, unknown to other nations, tad even oontravening her own establii||ied practiee, she left to America the alternative of submission toher will or resistance by w^,| the latter was resorted tow .|The history of % BevoluJionavy war is al- ready Wore the piibU "i "m- ; * r i%1 Ml fflSTOBY OF THE WAR, ^c. a- ^B y m le jM t- m » I i^ ■ 7 B it f(! f* M 3- s Ifr ^B e '^-'-JjmBt fr 1 .. I t B f H 1; AMERICA seenis to have been clestinedy bjr Providencey as the soil which should fpve birth» strength, and maturity te rational liberty t in this respectf its discovery must be considered of prime benefit to mankind. Columbus, a lover of Justiee, would have fixed the residence of lib- erty In South America, but this extraordinary adventurer became the ol\ject of persecuting en- vy, he was sacrificed at the shrine of ambition and tyranny ; and, the southern peninsula, the only part of the western eontinent whieh Co- lumbus had visited, was given up to eupidlty^ plunder^ and the most horrifie ill-treatment anil massacre of its hospitable inhabitants. The fiotitious riches, the gold^ whioh it produced^ invited an early and eontinued migration front the old to the new eontinent, insomneh, that the latter has already lost, in a great degree^ its original uncultivated aspect} and, were the ge- nius of its new inhabitants not restrained by the policy of its rulers, would, erenow, have advanc- ed fkr towards all perfection, to which man cair as|Nre. For more than 300 years, has Soutit Amerioa bowed to the will of despots, and man has presented but the disgusting (ionirast of ty- rants and slaves* A patriotie lame has lateljr Effused a gleam of light through the darkened a4fl|o^li£re whleh eversjjread the political c«k \[ \5 i 1 'M !;*"i i^: • BISTORT OV THE WAV. gion of the south ; man begins, there to assume the chai-aoter for which Gud Hnd nature had destined him ; and philanthropy may hope* that - the present generation will nol pass away, until liberty will smile over every part of Ameriea> and all its inhabitants be happy. The inordinate ambition of hereditary gov- ernmentS) and their just jealousness of each oth- er, have gi?en an unbounded spring to the desire of e^^tended dominion and foreign eonquests.— ' This spirit, however injurious, has» in some re- speets, contributed towards the increased know- ledge of geography, the diffusion of general in- formation, and the facilitating of a social inter- course between the inhabitants of distant re- gions. England, famed for the adventurous spirit of its inhabitants, and the unequalled ambition of its sovereigns, could not remain an indilferent spectator of an European rival taking posses- sion of a new world. Expeditions were soon formed for the more perfect discovery of the new continent. John Cabot, having obtained a commission from Henry the 7th of Engfandf to discover unknown lands, and annex them to 'the crown, discovered the eastern coast of North America ; Sir Francis Drake, subsequentlyt sailed along it ; anf England, by right of prior discovery, claimed Its so vereigntv. Gold mines are generally confined to tropical climates ; the soil of North America, contiguous to the sea> appeared to be light, sandy, or unfit for profita- ble cultivation ; the climate was variable and unhealthy ; the aborigines were more savage and inhospitable than those of the south. No adequate inducement presented itself to new set- "dersi and^ had the iohabltants of £nglatidi» ^ U18T0UY OV THE WAB. necessity for quilling thoir natire oountr^y thej never would discover a wish to transfer their residence to the then inhospitable elimate of North America. A stimulus was not long wanting. The granting of immense traets of uncultiva- ted wilds to individuals or eompaniesy was not likely to induce any rapid settlement. Individ- uals might, for the purpose of enhancing the value of their personal fortunes. Influence emigrants to settle on their new estates ; and these settlers, having changed their residence^ might be compelled to abide by a ehoioe from which it would be diffionlt or impossible to re- cede. But their reports and their fate would reaoh their friends ; emigration would cease ov be too slow for any effioient purpose ; decrease of populatlont by insalubrity of elimatCt and the inroads of Indians, would be little, if at alU over* balanced by births, and thie accet«lon of tragi* ported felons. Man, in all stages, is a lover of liberty, reft* son dictates that he has rights ; but this reason obscured by artificial igmininoe and enervated by habitual bondage, becomes incapable of ao« tion, and insensible to the true extent of his mise- ry. The slave feels pain, without knowing whence it originates, or how It should be reme- died. This observation is strictly applicable only to corporeal slavery. The slavery, exer- cised over the conscienee, is that, in support of which no sophistry can prevail ; and, to whiohf no term, no length of endurance, can reconcile the sufferer. No prescription can justify the praetiee of enslavement in any ease ; and ne slave, however abject, will admit it in cases af- fecting hia eonsdence. God has iostHled^ iitta % m T'l 10 HISTOBT OF THE WAR. Ik 1 ■ > the heart of man, certain religious duties ; and> 'Whenever the firifilment of these is forbidden by *'hunian edicts^ the injured person fears not to revolt or seek an asylum agaii^st perseeutiouo "With God on his side^ he fears no other power^ and can be happy in a wilderness or in a cave. It is not now necessary to enter into a detailed *:tiew of the persecutions against Christians in ^£uropc. Who that has not heard of them ? It is sufficient to observe, that no difficulties, real or imaginary, could deter the persecuted Chris- tians from seeking an asylumy where, free from interruption, they might adore their God, as conscience dictated. America offered that asy- lum ; and to this circumstance it is due, that the wilderness is so fast giving way to cultiva- tion ; the intern^il resources of the country have been explored and rendered operative^, the seem- ing insurmountable objects of the new coun- try have disappeared, and a «tate of comfort equal to that of any part of Europe has been produced. This comfort was wickedly marred by the British Government, while it ruled the North American colonies. A desire to proceed to the chief object of this work, and its limits preclud- ing any particular reeital of these evils, leaves only room to remark, that they were such as to create much unhappiness in the coK>nies, to pro- duce complaints, remonstrances, and petitions ' to the mother country ; and finally, were car- ried to such excess, as to be no longer suffer- ahle. On the ever to be remembered 4th July, 1776, the people of these colonies, by their represen- . tatives in congress assembled, having published fi moderate, but firm^ a grievous, but true stat«« BISTORT OF THE WAB* It metit of the multiplied injuries* inflicted OD thenoy by the British king and government* declared that the united colonies « arc* and of right ought to be, free and independent states." These United colonies consisted of the states of New- Hampuhire* Massachusetts, Rhode- Island, Con- necticut, New- York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania^ Delaware, Maryland, Virginia* North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; leaving England in possession of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, New-Brunswick, and Nova- Scotia. The contest, which succeeded, was looked on by the worlds with astonishment : its novelty and its Impolrtance excited general interest. A few people, without an army, without armsr without discipline, or munitions of war, without money, without allies, opposing their unorgan- ized fbrce against a nation rich and pawerfulf with numerous ships, armies, and navies, hav- ing discipline, moneys credit, and all the means of warfare, and being in possession of the colo- nies, the inhabitants of which declared them- selves absolved from all allegiance to the crown of Great Britain, was a crisis of uncommon mo- ment. The contest wfts long and severe ; a blood- thirsty vengeance on one side, led the British to the most shameful excesses ; a determination to live free or die, guided the people of America^ under the direction of the great Washington^ and the other sages and patriots iu the field: and the cabinet, to a completion of all they wafited, all they wished. I^ranny looked down> liberty rejoiced, on the completion of the happy triumph. The Wound Ihflicted on the pride and interest of England, by this disruption of her empire^ was truly gteat^ but still {greater than was then #' ^ 12 SISTOET OV TE WAB. •ti(^]^aoTe howi far free men were superior to whatevei! theory, eould eonoeive of them. The i^xperiment has been suoeessfully tried in thei Uaited States. ' Ufae country of a monarch would not in a cen-r tnry roeover from injury snob as had been suf^ fefediby^Uie United States. But the people of i^^ridHitielt aU their toils and losses cdnipen-* sated byvthe acquisition of freedom ; they st6o(| eseet» and* as If by magio^ appeared in all tho might of a nation, in less than thirty yearsy their country shook off the appearance of a howl-; ing wiklernesSf their population increased thre^' fiAAf their manufactures tnereased so as to su|^: ply nearly all their wants, and every sea wit-- nessed their immensely inoreased externa! traderi:^ in short they became the H val s of England. A long course of warsyand the revcrfutlonary'^ war of Ameriea, more than any other^ increaseii^ the nationaldebt of Great BHtain totk^tCiXtim^ burtlwnsome amount. To meet this exigeiloyi^ as well as to gratify the national wish, and td provide for the further and growing charges' fa support of foreign eoloniesy an increased trade ^ Wfti necessary, llie industry of E^nglishnteh' - showed itself in the »uceesst\il and-unnarallel^Ml esteosion of her manufactures^' and tne pq!ley of her rulers, aimed at an undivided foreign; comme?ce9 in support of thA home* system. ' ^ ' ;^j5*u BIITO&T OV THE WAR. i8 The naval suecesses of BritvJiiy during the Freneh war^ had nearly aeoonplhhed her vast design. The vhips of Holland, Franee^ Portn- galy S|iaia9 and Italy* had nearly disappeared fitini the oeean ; those of Rnssia, and the other naval powers of the north of Enrope, had heen gained over to the British interest* or destroyed by the superiority of her fleets. The United States* although in a state of infhncy* was yet the only nation that had virtue or courage snfll- eient to move in a just course* uninflueueed by intrigue* and unlntimidated by menace. To- wards this nation* Britain for years manifested the most ungenerous* injurious and cowardly conduct ; amounting* in its eflSscts* to war* whfle ^e United States pursuing an honourable and pacific course* was debarred from making repri- sal. This om Msd war* had it been permitted to continue* would have sunk the States in the esteem of foreign nations* dried up the sources of their growing greatness, redneed them to a state of contempdSle imbecility* and* not imprebably« to a merited state of dependsinee-— they m%htf again beeome colonies— British colonies* Hithene the Americans looked but little to home manufactures* the capital of the merchant was employed on the ocean* and the people of the interior found suflleient employment in til- ling the soil. There was a ffreat and profita- ble demand for every kind of ^produce* and the citizens were in the habit of receiving mano!^e<^' tures of all kinds from foreign nations* and par-"^ tieu}arly from En^ad. , Had England been satisfied to contend for enmmareial superiority by fkir meaas* sb<|| would long^ vei;;^ long* continue to suj^ly th«^ United States with almost every kind 9i mann- > . H HISTORY Off THE WiJ|» / El/ I I i I ti faotiire ; but ghe calculated that tlie paeifio pol* icy of the States would continuer and that th6 pmitical disputes among her own citizens would render her a weak enemy eYen in war ; and it is even probable^ that the resuhjugation of the eolonies were in a certain expected event eon* temi^ated. That event was to be the overthrow of France. Had the United States unresisting- ly submitted until the restoration of the Bour- bons, she would then have had war with a ven* lieanoe. ^ The history of the present king of Great Britain^ (says the declaration of independence) is a history of repeated ii\juries and usurpations." This would) at this day be a just representatioii of the conduct of Great firitaiuy froai the ter* mination of the revolutionary, to the oommeneo* Inent of the present war. Instead of dwelling more minutely on it, it is sufficient to say* tliat it was so continued, so multiplied and mullifa* rions, that the United States had no alternative^ but submission to wrongs by which they would be degraded as a nation, or an. appeal to^arms. The latter was resorted to, ■; OA Monday, the 1st of Jun^, a confidential laessage was received, in both ohambers of Coii-> l^ress, from the President of the United States* ^yhich was read witb closed doors^ and referrod^ kieaeh house, to committees to report thereon. ^ The Biitish aggressions, to which the Presi-* dent, in ' a particular manner^ called tha^ atten- tion of GmigresB^ were, ♦v * • *,. ^ I. Impressments of Ameriean citizens while'lN^'' ihg on the highway of nations, dragging thcMki' on hord their ships of war, and forelng^ them-to^^^rve' ai^nst nations in amity with the United States^ >«nd even to assist^ on aggnsssions'an 4heir £eiloic«-citiBiiis when met on the hi«h seas* J - 4h« 9 H19T01IT Of THE WAB. M X Violating the rights and peace of our coasts and harboursy harassing our departing commerce) and wantonly spiliiog American blood within our territorial jurisdiction. , S, Under pretended blpcV^ades, plundering our commerce in every sea^ no adequate force being ap^ pU^d to render such blpcHades legal} and their being enforced from the date of the notification, by which tliey had a retrospective efTect. 4. illegal blocKa^es, under the name of Orders ia Council. ' 5. The employment of a secret agent, within the United States, whh a view' to subvert our govern- ment, and dls^emiier the Union. "- ' '-'* ^ - '6. BneouragiAg thesavagd In^ans to make war •n the people of the United States. V The' blockade^ under the name of Orders nK Connolly was 11m only ebapge whioh tho Bckt sh minister pretondad 40 jastify ; and lliis U nol on ally law of imtionfl^ hut as an aet of neoessary ro- tauation ^on Franeo^ for equally illegal bloekadei^ Hnder the namea^ of Berlin and Milan deerees* it skould be here remarked^ that one of the Sri- tiiA illegal aots was dated in Ma^yl^Hf and •ould not be a retaliation* beeause It was ante- •eedent to the French deereea. It sbovld also be observed, that the Britlshy s^rtbe publlea- lion of the Freneh deerees* deolared that tlMs bloekade of May* ise«, was eompireheadedin the Orders in CouneiU dated sabsequent to tke French deerees; thus endeavouring to prove tbat a bloekade* aotimlly instittited before tne ¥reneli deereesy must be eonsidered as properly O0i&- meneed after tlie proknulgation of the Frenebi deerees. The objeet of this manceu vre* was to deelare^ 4hat should the Fteneh deorees, be repealed* thO repeal of the Brithb Orders in Canneil should i-'i s^ »j>^ 16 H18T9BT 07 THE WAS. 1. 'J. I i A * 4 f»-\ fotlowy and thus each belligerent proceed (o re- peal their respective edietsy pari pa^tfUy aooord- iog to their respective dates, until all the offen- sive deerees shonld be annulled* WheUf howgr««-r-^» > y ^^Connecticut, None. j^rsA /4 n?i«f* m 0<*;ir* ^jAif w Jofit. Pond, Av^rjTr and Sago.-^S» 7 ^jVeW' Jersey, Condit^ and Morgan.f-*3. '/^^enmylvania, Seybert^ ^der9on^ Brown, R07 olrts, Findl^y, Smilie, Lyle, WhuehUlV Bardr Parist Ltsfevei^, Hjrneman) Piper, LacoCk) .Crawfordi and SmitH;— 16. ^ ; . ; V'Mirp^Hd. Keht, Little; M^Kiif, Ringgoid. Browti aild^ Archor.w6. s^^?^^ 'i' Virginia, Nelson, Gholsoif, Goodwyn/ Newtov^ Taliaferro, Dawson^ Basset, Smithy HaWes^ Roalie» M^Koy, Pleasants, Clopton* and Biirwell.-^14. ' JSTorth'CmrMMk Alston, Blacskledgey Maooft, Xlng| ^^kim, and' Pickens. — t, - ->^. \^'»mht J .-- -^ • ;.. "^^t^h-^^^^na. WUUaifis, Che^eii^Lowndei^ Bl# ' r|^lhQun».£!arle„W4iiai and l4oore-— f^. iB^^'*'*^' Troup, BiJi)b,apfi HaU.r-3, , , ^ JCentuckjf, Johnson, peshat N^j^^ , M*J^e j^ ^^ OtihsBy.— '$. Tenneaaee, Rhea, Grundy* and Scvier,--l5V Nays. '^ ,A>«{M^«i044tr^ . BairUetttAnd SfiUiv^ ^a«0cAi^^f«. Qnincy, Reed,^ Taggavt, £ly)» l^miA?Mtl5*;Ta|^ii>ap,^^d,Wlieaton.--8. ..^ lbdfe*/«/ana. pbU^i^and^|ack^ ^i^ ermQnt, Chlttendem— -ll * , ^' ^^J \^omecticut. Sturgei,. Davenport, Mosely* ChanS^^ ' ^Yor^ Bte&le*; l&lldt, Cookfe,1Fltdi^13ft^ % iA BISTORT OV THE WAB. 1^ I i ( I I i SMttBorifl, Stow» TracjTi Van Cortkindti }4itchell> anA^ MetcaUU-n. Tjs AeiKf'Jer^ty. Boyd^ Hufty, MMwell, and New- bold.— 4. ^^ Pennsylvania, Milnor and Rodman.— 2. Delaware, Ridgely. — 1. Maryland. Kav, Goldiborough, and Stewait.*^^'*- Virginia* Randolph, Lewis, Baker, Breckenridgey and Wilson.-*^. Mfrth'CaroUna, Pearson, M mob . . ** tojority for War 30' On tUe 5th of Xw^e^^ a ooDfidenUal met i#is reeeired by the Senate^ fh>in theliouBe, li^lireseiitatitesf bj Mr. Macon, and Mr^^Ftli^-^ Vfyttwo of tbeir m«oiber»-*Mn M(icon» eliaA^ Man: J: 5(1 1 J ^ Mr. President— Tfie House of Repipesenta^a^ haye passed a bill, enUtied, < An act declaiing 1M^ between Great Britain and ber depandeacios ani#lB United Stataa) and their ^mtovieaf in wihi^Hiiyr aak the concurrence of tbo Senate;.' and request t^ii^ the bill be conudered confidentblly." Aad %bJ|,. wiMidi^.Wf ,.,. ^^ ., ^ ^j^^^ ^-^ %^>^A..■,T|:•^,., K.. jSi^_ • , I' The Ulb f rem the HosMfe of RepemtathRMi wiB before tiie Senate, fton day to di^yumtil^ ll» 174h Jmie. . It niid^^aiit a veiy #iuaTn# ifeioiitsioay mat wkh iMok and vtoleat appa ^ Mitti^ bttiiaaUjr pusscid tka$ bod^ aa |faa kHeif «:;''^*-: vY,*!" HlrrOBT OV YBE WAB. » day; there appearing for its passagei 19 ; agaimi it, IS. Tile aet was passed ioto a law on the 18thy la^ the followiog words : '""^ AN ACT Dt€laring War between the United Kingdom ^f \tQreat Britain and Ireland^ and the defiendeneiet thereof t and the United States of Ameriea^ and their territories, ii.n'»v^rt'.>-*\VK'- B£ it enacted by the Senate and Houee qf'hifire' tentative* q/* the United States ofjfneriea, it{' Cdit> greee auembled^ That WAR be, and the same^is hereby declared to exist between the United^ Kli|g- dom of Great Britain and Ireland^ and the d^hdeti- cies thereof, and tlie United States of 'Antericaf'nt^d their territories ; and thaftthe President of the Unit- ed States be, and he is hereby aiuthorised to use the whole land and naval force of the United States>(o carry the same into effect, and td issue to prlftrt& a)Fm(^4 Y^ss^l^of tt^ Ujiitcd SjLales, coiiiii4|sio|k9 or Ii^rs of Qiai^ue and gen<^ral rc|>ti99l) in fiuic1|i,lo|r)ri|^ a» h^^sbalimpk ptopeif, and. andec the\ jusat of ^Sk^ lAwtedSt^tes^^agaii^at tfee vessels, gpodirjuid cpcti; orale ifOfemttient of the isafn^ United &ingdoni oC Great Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thcreoE hmfmwfWi ,,^1^ JAMES MADIWN-' ft 41* the Mlowhig day (iiHh Jane) wm^ wnif deeiared^ 1^ proetomatloD, the iajuoetleft ofae^^ ere<^^ hdag preyieusty r«itoyed io both faoas^* ofGbBgr^Bs. A peace ofaearlj SO years» duribg whM ilie A « ei i ca m altendl^ bii little to imprayegieiita in the iMis %t wav» Foadered them a|»pn«i^lj « arvin^uai AyitefafDva^mtien wjme armiet aayias weit^ more immeeoas than thi^hdl IpaitAt aaf teviler [^e4 Thebmlfriiii*!^ '■h «»- aiMxt n rxk yrAMn •K* • .*/; »/ America fearM mnqh for the fate of the Ht|14 AmcHcan navj. It was also supposed that our undisciplined armies miiat oxpei'ience several defeats from tlie well trained regulars ofJElni^ land; but those, who l^now an^ thiug of the re- vojutionary war» felt no doubt as to what would be the event of the present. The wMiderfut •xploitSf and happy issue^ that remains to bo re*'^ eordedy will show, that even the warmest en^^ thusiasts did not probably aiitieipate renown wA ^orjf such as was in store for Americaps. V! The pu1>lio prints on both sides, were warifif' in their denunciations of their respective 4Dppq« nents, and threats of what would and eo|ildb$^ performed. T^be folloif ing are giyi^n fMs spe^iri, ineiis* ^.^ Prom the London Caurigr, !x ^ ■>....-■ ■■ ^^ '^( America knows not that the vigour of the British^ einpire increases with the necessity of exerting M'lb. tnato'urelastfcity rises ^ with the pressure upon asii»« >i6i6ni however^ en(ibrtaihed| that* such an iniGuiionii^ 1 ,.iy ¥ .J ^ W?; S«( # nifiTOST 01 THB Will. ■? J ' act has been done by any American. As it has there- fore been the act of the subjects of the king of Eng- land) whether they are in or out of office, the act is a violation of the hospitality which tolerates their re- ^ sidence in our city) and calls loudly upon the^ consti- tuted authorities to put the laws immediately in force against alien enemies, and to rid the citf of spies, or at least of such as disgrace their character by actin^^ in so infamous a capacity." "'*^^* .t It is however a lamentable faet, that the ene- my had his adherents within the United States^ oonsistiDg of native citizensy as well as of for- eigners. The public were apprised of the infa- inous and cowardly means used by the British ,io corrupt the citizens^ by the agency of faired incendiaries among whom the notorious John .Hemii was conspieuous. The first effusions of • the press were watched with care ; and the citi- |sens indignant at the conduct of the British gOT- ernmenty whieh rendered war not only neoes- sary, but unavoidable, were ready to eonstrue every opposition to government, into an act of adhesion to the enemy. The spirit of 1776 seemed to revive, and the terms « Whig'' and J^ Tory** were again comings into use. The ^partyy which designated itself as << Federal," was .long opposed to the officers of the general gov- aeniioent : and were in the practice of condemn- iing, opposing, and thwarting all its measurers. This party to be consistent, also opposed tlie war, merely because it must prove injurious to Eng- land $ this was properly a British tory party, and should be distinguished from those federal - i^s, who, notwithstaiidtng their opposition to mtitf were yet Americans. The tory endevour- iHl to screen himself beaeath the semblance of HiSToaY OF THE WAB. .,t. «5 I^dendtsfn ; and thefederalist^ vfho ooiild weak- Jjr lend the mask, should not coniplaio^ if both riiouid be taken for tories. ;""" There were several editors of federal polities Hrho deserved and reeeived the applause of their political opponents^ for conduct pursued imme- diately subsequent to the declaration of war. The following extract from a federal paper^ de- serves particular notice : From the United S$mte9' Gazette^ firinted at I%Ua* delfihia, « The people of this country, whatever may be their opinions of this incomprehensible war, demand, itnd will insist that it now be carried on with the vi- -gour necessary to accomplish the object of all war, JiodDur while it lasts, and real peace and security when it ends." ■n. A paragraph of a seemingly different oom- plexion^ appeared immediately after the deela- ration of war, in the « Federal Republican,^' piinted at Baltimore, and edited by Mr. Wag- lier. It was in the following words : f ^'•* We mean to represent in as strong colours ^s wte are capable, that the war is unnecessary, inexpedientt and entered into from partial, personal, and as we be- lieve, motives bearing upon their front, marks of un- disguised foreign influence, which cannot bo mistalc- en. We mean to use eveiy means of constitutional argument, and every legal means, to render as odious and suspicious to the American people, as they de- serve to be, the patrons and contrivers of this highly Impolitic and destructive war, in the fullest persua- ston, that we shaU be suppoited, and ultimately ap- plauded by nine-tenths of our countrymen, an4that our silence would be treason to them." \ The citizens, in a stsUe of high Irritation, pfo- ceetfed in the evening of the 22d June> to Mr. ^ BISTORT 09 THE WAB. m ft 4 I ■.■*. Wagner's printing-ofllcey which was destroyed. This procedure was followed by some rioting ; and the paper was remoTcd to C^orgetowoy (Col.) where it continued to be printed. On the 7th July, an -order was issued from the department of state of the United States, re- quiring all British subjects to register their namesi ages, places of residence, persons com- posing their families, &c. at the office of the marshal of the United States, for the district in which such subjects resided. This order was followed by others directing alien enemies, who were engaged in foreign commerce, to remove from the vicinity of the sea or tide water. The information constantly conveyed to the enemy, from the ports and harbours of the United States, was supposed to render such a measure necessary. It would be much to the honour of the citizens, if this treasonable intercourse with the enemy were confined to aliens ; subsequent information, obtained at the navy department of the United States, has sutHciently proved that several profligate citizens have also held com - 'inunications with, and supplied the wants of the enemy. A cartel ship arrived in July, at Boston, from IBalifax, and delivered on board the U. States' frigate Chesapeake, three seamen, formerly ta- ken out of that frigate, by the Britif ^. frigate Leopard. It will be recollected that the I^eopard attack- ed the Chesapeake in time of peace, while the latter was unsuspicious of an attack, and unpre- pared for defence. The Chesapeake was nred into, boarded, and these men taken by force from her. * Remonstrance on the part of the United *r m HISTO&T OF TUB WAR. 27 >|N Stately was made to the Bpitish gof ernmenty and redress demanded for tbra wanton breach of the laws of nations. The British government dis- avowed any ageney in the aet ; but yet promo- ted the commander of the Leofmvd, not to the yard arm of a ship, but to the command of a 74. The restoration of these men had been, for some time, promised by the British govermnent ; it was pleasi;ig to see it eflfected so^ soon after the declaration of war. Whether the war had any influence on this transaction, must be matter of conjecture, in which the reader will exercise bis own opinion. This is not the only instantse in which war produced a change to those x\merieans who were impressed and confined on board British men of war. Several of them^ havipg declined serving against their country, were sent to prison aa prisoners of war, and became entitled to be lib- erated by exchange. This mode of treating them, after their character as American citi- zens was acknowledged, was eertainly uf^just f they should have been ^ily released, not hay- ing been taken in time of war, or in armsi they were entitled to rank as non-combatants. On the 12th July, Mr. Foster, the late British minister, and Mr. Barclay late censal, departed, from the Uniteu States, at New- York, on boiird the B Irtish flag of truce Colibri. These gen- tlcm^n were much esteemed for their private amiable qualities. The first British victory over the American fleet, happened on the 20th of July. On this day the United States* schooner Nautilns, Lieutenant Crane, fell in with a fleet of the enemy, and was captured, after a chase of eight hours. J^ honour was lost by the Americans on this^- ."i"'m m P ml i n f.*"-^ #i! •I'. .^ BISTOBT OV THE WAR. ^ oasioB ; the vast disparity of forccy reiulercd re^ sistBnee as imprudenty as it would be unavailing^ The brave commander's sword was retoraedy hy the British officer^ Com. Brooke» as an ae* Knowled(i;ment of the skill and bravery with whieh he endeavoured to save his ship. Lieut. Cranoy and his erew, were afterwards honourably ;aequitted» by a eourt of enquiry, of all censure In the loss of the Nautilus* On the 17th of the same month, the frigate Constitution, Captain Hull, ohased a British fri* gate into a British fleet, and was ohased in turn» •n the following morning, by the enemy, consist* ing of a ship of the line, four frigates, a brigf 1 and a schooner. The chaoe continued 60 hburK The Constitution arrived safe in Boston. TbCi^ great address* by which Captain Hull saved hia^ ship, drew forth the admiration of the enemys^ and the applause of his countrymen. \ ^ It was the wish of the Americans, as ih»f:^ also endeavoured in a former war to induce tho^ Indians to be neutral. Humanity and civili8a«| Hon plead in favour of a principle which would'^ not add savage barbarity to the other evils off war ; but unfortunately, the policy of a << mag^ ■* nanimous*' enemy was diflferent. The Ameri-^ cans soon learned that the enemy had leagued^ ^ifllKelf with the ruthless savage of the wilder* ' ness ; the known warfare of the tomahawk and scalping knife was to act in concert with thef modern invention of rockets ; in short, all means within the power of the enemy were to be com- bined against tfce people of the United States. The first act in which the allied Indians and British signalkied themselves, was in the taking of the fort of Michilimackinac, on the 17th of July, 181^ The garrison consisting of 57 ef« w 'It I if. ¥ 'r- UIITORT OF THE WAR. 29" feetive men^ ineluding offieersy was commanded by Lieutenant Hanksy of the artillery The first notice he received of the deeiaration of war^ was in the form of a summons, ta surrender the fort and island to his Britannic Majesty's forces. The enem^ contemplating a state of war, had been for some time preparing an expedition for the attack of Michiliniackinao. The place of rendezvous was St. Joseph's^ a British garrison^ distant from Miohilimackinac, about 45 miles. So prepared were the British^ that they were* enabled to embark the next day^ after being ap- prised of the declaration of war. Lieutenant Hanks having peceived. information on the idih, of the hostile attitude of the Indians^ sent Cap- tain Daurman^of the miiitia^ to wateh the mo- tion of the Indians f he embarked about sun^set^ and met the British forces within ten or fifteen miles of the islands by whom he was made pri- soner. Every possible preparatioi^ was made by the garrison to- resist an attaeky if Mich should be attempted ; but the appeai'anee c^ » powerful enemy, with artillery, scaling ladders, &c. indue ed Lieutenaat Hanka to submit to terms of capi^ tulation, by which the fort was surrendered to the British forces, oommanded by Captain Rob-^ ert^. The American garrison was made prisi^- ers, and sent to the United State8> not to servo until regularly exchanged. The British force consisted of regnlar troops^ 46 ; Canadian militia,. 260; Indians, 715. — ^To-^ tal, 1021. ^ The probability of an approaching war had determined the United States' government to a*i dopt some measures necessarily preparatory to* that event. On the l^th March, 1812, Major James R. Mul- c %. ^"-i i^r* ^ mSTOBT 09 THB WAR* ir s lanji of the infantry, was directed by the secre^ tary of war. Dr. £u8ti»9 to proeeed to Philadel- phia, and asoertain the state of forwardness in which the clothing for the new troops was. This was esceeuted, and report made accordingly.-— On or about the 12(h April, orders were received at New- York, to commence the recruiting scr- t viee. By this time the U. S. was divided into inilitary districts, and Major M iillany appointed to the command of the western district^ (NeW' York.) With his noted zeal and activity, h» arrived at Geneva, on the 20th April, 1812, and located there, witJi neeessary instructions, a val" liable ofllcer, (Captain Mydert M. Dox^^ In a few days, the officers assigned to this district^ were supplied with funds and instructions, and ■lartial music gave awful warning of what wa» Mkely to follow. The difficulties that ignorance and treacherous opposition excited, is no way in-^ teresting at present. Manly exertion, good judg- ment, and a righteous cause, surmounted CTcry scheme of faction, and soared suceessfblly over every species of prejudice. Citizens most noted for acrimonious sarcasms towards the measures necessarily adopted at that period, soon buried their mistaken apprehensions in die national good, and were amongst the most active in aiding die effiirts of the officers of the hrmy. On the 26th of May, a circular order wtfl transmitted to the following cfficers, having for lis object the concentration of the recruits of th;3 western district, at Canandaigua, to organize ihem for the field, viz. Captain Dox, In&ntry, Gene va» f Captain M«Keon, Sd Regt. Artillery, Canandaigua. . Captain David Scott, Infantry, Batavia. Captain R. H. Morris, In&ntry, Cayuga.^ .}A&-, HIITOAT OF TBS VfAM. Si 1ft Lieutenant, Wm. Clarke, Infantry^ Auburn, ' Iftt Lieutenant, John M. O'Connor) 3d Regt. Ar- tiUery, Buffalo. ' 1st Lieutenant, Samuel Chipinan» IniantrjT) Bath» 3d Lieutenant, W. Martin, Infantry, Lima. ' 2d Lieutenant Henir Whiting, Infantry, Buffalo* ^ By Oi-dcr, — J. R. Mullany, Maj. Comdg. I Signed,—-!. H. Rces, Lt. 3d. Artillery, Adjt. The official news of the declaration of war^ reached Major Mullany on the 27th June^ ±Si2, one day later than the express with it to the British, passed Canandaigua, (the head-quartern of the distriet.) The man employed on this oc^v easion, by the friends of England, was a citizen of Albany, well known by several real patriotio men» residing in the western country, on whom he imposed. He stated that he was eonveyingr express, the news of the declaration of war, t» Fort Niagaras in consequence of which strata- gem, he succeeded in obtaining every facility^ that money and horses could give him ; and thus did the British receive the news one da^ before it WM known at Canandaigua^ from whence may tie dated the fall of Miehilim&ckinacy and a irain of other disosters^ on the fron tiers* Having delivered the dcbpatchen at QueenstowD, he re» turned immediately. He met General Peter Bw^ Porter at Batavia, who questioned him oatfae re^ port then general, of such an express having' passed, but he very adroitly escape^ and wns a* gain interrogated on his arrival at Canandaigita; by Major Mullany, who was eldsely watehing^hlir return. He soon discovered him,, and placed hhii under guard, after reading to him the 57th l^t^» tide of the articles of wfo*. Hk deposiUon Walk taken before a master in ohancery, and forward- ed to Governor Tompkins, the samo nighty whem. ■'#.* •V* 32 HISTORY OF THE WAB« »^ 'M ■'^i P it reached in thirty hours^ distance 208 miles. The gentlemen iivho employed the despatch yiwe taken prisoners, and held to bail, and evidence §i\en the governor, that, although the despatches id communicate the vote of Congress, declaring war, still the communication was sim'ply mer- cantile. At this time the settlers on the Niagara fron- tier became much alarmed ; they were daily threatened with a visit from the Indians, and their houses no longer oii^red them safety or protection. Several settlements had been aban- doned, and nothing was heard along the frontier^ in imagination at leasts but the hostile yell of the relentless savage. The following letter (not hitherto puhlishedy)^ was> on this occasion, directed to lifajor Mullany r Black Rockf June 38, 181^. Sir, There is every reason to believe that the British meditate an attack on Fort Niagara,^ and that it may be attempted within twenty-four hours from this time. If they once pass the river, it is impossible to say how far they may proceed. Under these very urgent circumstances I despatch an express, to re- quest that you will immediately march the men un» der your command to our assistance. Although you may not have received orders authorising you to comply with this request, I am persuaded the occa- sion will justify you, as your men can be of no possi- ble use at. Canandaigua, or any other place along the south shore of the Lake, and are undoubtedly intend- ed, ultimately, for this place. Bring with you all the arms and ammunition in the. Canandaigua arsenal. In great haste, yours respectfully, PETER B. POKTER, Q. M. G. 0/the State o/JVewYerk^ Majou Mullant, > G^m*s Q( Canandaigua* \ miTORT OV THB 1VAB* ^ ss Major MuUanyy in consequence of the receipt of this letter, marched with his command for the protection of the Niagara frontier. Another evidentljr material precaution, was tlio stationine a competent force in the Michigan ter« ritor^y for the protection of the inhabitants^ against the incursion of the enemy, as well as for the purpose of acting offensively, if sueh should be deemed prudent. General Hull had been at the seat of Government in the spring previous to the declaration of war, where ho made arrangements for conducting a force to Detroit. He accordingly proeoeded to Dayt0B» on the Mad rivor, one of the waters of the great Miami, 60 miles by land, and about 7B miles hj water» from its mouth. Here Governor Meig^ of the state of Ohio, surrendered to the general the command of 1500 volunteers; who had been raised for this purpose, and i^ere commanded by Colonels M'Arthur, Cass* ar.i Findlay, by tho eleetion of the volunteers. On the 27th May, General Hull pitched his tent in camp Meigs, when, the troops being form** ed in a hollow square^ the flpg of the fTnited States Was unfurled, on which oceasion, a shorty but animated and impressive addressj was do* livered by Colonel Cassir On the 1st June, the 4th United Sfotes' regi- ment, oommanded by Colonel Miller^ joined General Hull, when he resumed his marafa, and reaehed the rapids of the Miami about the last of June, having then under his command about 2500 men. From Dayton to Detroit, a distance of moro than 150 miles, the army had to cut a road thro^ the wilderness ; the land was soft or swampy* and the labour of bringing on oarriagea and H^* m iM «'1 di* UlfeTOBT 07 THE VfAH, .i^fi H^' tiHery, exoessir?. Tlie Indians showed liiUe dis- position to obstruct the passage of the troops. Governor Meigs proceeded with the army as far as the Urbannuy where he held a couneil with some Indian chiefs^ when it was agreed^ that peace should be maintained between them and the United States. The genera] put on board a ves- sel^ the baggage and hospital stores of the arm^i with an officer and 30 men, with directions to sail for Detroit, The British having been ap- prized of the dcdaration of war, captured thi» vessel at Fort Maiden, mouth of Detroit river ; and thus the army suffered a serious loss. On the evening of the 12th July, General Hull «ros8ed the river Detroit, which divides the United States' territory of Michigan from the British province of Upper Canada, and nxed his head quarters at the town of Sandwich^ about two miles within the British province. From this place he published a proclamationy of >%hich the following is a eopy : BY WILLIAM HULL, Brigadier General and Ctmmander of the ^ortfi Western army of the United States : A PROCLAMATION. Inhabitants of Canada^ After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the United States have been driven to arms. The inju- ries and aggressions, the insults and indignities of Great Britain, have once more kft them no alterna- tive but manly resistance, or unconditional Bubmis- «ion. The army under my command has invaded your country ; the standard of the union now waves over the territory of Canada. To the peaceable unoffend- ing Inhabitants^ it brings neither danger nor difficulty. I come to find enemies, not to make them. I come to protect) not to injure you. migl prepi will the youi coui test,| and forel •'a* HIBTORT OV TUB WAB. 35 Separated by an immense ocean, and an extentive wilderness, from Great Britain, you have no partici- pation in her councils, no interest in her conduct. You have felt her tyranny ; you have seen her in- justice y but I do not ask you to avenge the one, or to redress the other. The United States are suffici- ently powerful to afford every security, consistent with their rights and your expectations* I tender you the invaluable blessing of civil, political, and re- ligious liberty, and their necessary result, individual and general prosperity ; that liberty which gave de* cision to our councils, and energy to our conduct, in ^ a struggle for independence, which conducted us safely and triumphantly through the stormy period of the revolution— the liberty which has raised us to an elevated rank among the nations of the world ; and which afforded us a greater measure of peace and security, of wealth and improvement than eyer fell to the lot of any people. In the name of my country, and the authority of Government, I promise you protection to ycur persons, property, and rights ; remaiii at your homes ; pursue your peaceful and customary avocations ; raise not your hands against your brethren. Many of your fathers fought for the freedom and independence we now enjoy. Be- ing children, therefore, of the same family with uSy and heirs of the same heritage, the arrival of an army of friends must be hailed by you with a cordial weN come, You will be emancipated from tyranny and oppression, and restored to the digniiied station of freedom. Had I any doubt of eventual success, I might ask your assistance ; but I do not. 1 come prepared for every contingency — I have u force which will break down all opposition, and that force is but the van-guard of a much greater. If, contrary to your own interests, and the just expectdtion of my country, you should take part in the approaching con* test, you will be considered and treated as enemies ; and the horrors and calamities of war will stalk be- fore you. If the barbarous and savage policj of 1 ^^'H $s ■ItTMY OY TAB itAB. Si Great Britain be pursiiedy and the savaffes are let looae to murder our cttisen«9 and butcher our women and children, thia war will be a war of extermination. The first atroke of the tomahawk— the first attempt with the scalping-knife, will be the signal of one in- discriminate scene of desolation. No white man» found fighting by the side of an Indiani will be taken prisoner — instant death will be his lot. If the dic- tates of reason, duty, justice, and humanity, cannot prevent the employmeot of a force which respects no rights, and knows no wroug, it Will be prevented by, a severe and relentless system of retaliation*' I doubt not your courage and firmness— I will not doubt your attachment to liberty. If you tender your services voluntarily, they will be accepted rea- dily. The United States offer you peace, liberty, and aecurity.— -Your choice lies between these and war, slavery aod destruction. Choose then $ but choose wisely ; and may he who knows the justice of our cause, and who holds in his hand the fate of nations, guide you to a result the most compatible with your rights ard interests, your peace and hap* piness. By the General, A. P. HULL. t^fitcin qftheXSth United States* regiment qf Ir^/aH" tryf and Md'de'Catnfi, Head-quarters^ Sandwich^ July J2, 1813. WILLLAI* HULL. .^ Thb proclamation was well oaleulated to Sire eoofideaee, and secure the friendship of tlie madiaaaw The AmerioAB troops were in higli •pirits, anxious to be led against the enemy's postal FortMaklen^ The British foree, eon« nsting of regolarsy militia, and Indiansy was in** lerior to tbie Am^jrieans, as^ appeared biy the offi- j^l eommunieatlon of the British general Broeky to hJb, |[9¥4BC»iiieiit The moment neemed fii- arm: Foi Mali officj the plat cuai thed Ami ■ S", 41^ aiBTORT OV THE WAR. '^^m yoarable to strike an important, perhaps a deel* sive blow. Tiie Indians, except a few of whom had joined the British, remained neutral, watch- ing with their usuhI sagacity, until thej could discover on ivhat side victory was likely to perch ; nearly all the Canadian militia had deserted* Colonel M* Arthur was detached with 150 meny to the river Thames, where he capturt;d a con- siderable quantity of ammunition, arms, and blankets. Some hundreds of Merino sheep were captured by another detachment. On the 15th July, Colonel Cass, with about 300 men, reconnoitered the enemy's posts. The Colonel aseended the river Aux Canards, to a ford, where he crossed, and descending on the south side, attacked and repeatedly drove a par- ty of the enemy's regulars, which was stationed at a bridge, five miles above Amherstburg, the enemy havmg formed and returned three times ; night put an end to the pursuit. The Americans returned the following day to camp without in- terruption. Frequent skirmishing was kept up between other detatchments of the Amerioatt army, and the enemy, in the neighbourhood of Fort Maiden. The time of attacking Fort Maiden was determined on at a council of field officers, and preparations made for advancing tor the attack, when, by an unexpected order, the plan of attack was abandoned, and Canada eva- cuated on the Stb August, shamefully leaving to their fate, the Canadians who had joined the American standard. This gave time to the enemy to be reinfore- ed, and it soon was rumoured m the Americap eamp, that the commanding officer intended to surrender his army, in the event of an attack by fk^ enemjF. This seemetl so naaet^optaU^ n L ,^ ti. if! '• rfl. Jf ./*■■ W-f"^ M >i.W> sa t HISTOBT OF THS 1¥JIK« , V at a time Dirlien superiority of foree was mi ihf^ American side, tliat the officers had resolved, in the event of the rumour being well founded, ta divest the general of his command. The exe* <»ution of this plan was prevented by the ab^' senee of two commanding officers of regiments^ "who were ordered on detachments. The Brit- ish being reinforced by about 400 men, and the Indians liecoming more decided, General Brock ad^^anced, and took a position opposite to Detroity 'where, without interruption, he established a small battery. On the 15th August, the town of Detroit was summoned to surrender, which being refused, a firing began from the British batteries, which vas returned by the Americans, and continued, ivitli little effect, until night. At day-light, on the 16th, the firing recommenced on both sides^ the enemy commenced the landing of troops be- low Detroit, which being soon effected, they marched in close column of platoons^ twelve in front, toward the fort of Detroit. Against this body of troops not a shot was fir*^ ied, although it advanced in a situation within the range of the American cannon. When the British reached within 100 yards of the Ameri- •an line^ orders were given by Gen. Hull for the troops to retreat to the fort ; and soon after, the fort was surrendered, and the Ameriean army liecame prisoners of ^war. By a proclamation immediately issued by the British commancicr, (Gen. Brock,) it appeara that General Hull had also surrendered the te r- Tltory of Michigan. '^ r This was a severe and unexpected blow against the Aroerioans. It gave rise to a oourt.mai*tial Qfk the eonduet of Genend Ball^ which willl^ % H HISTORY OF TdE WIB. m noticed in its proper place fit, in a great degree, destroyed the conftdence the Canadians had in the government and arms of the United States ; it determined the Indians to take part with the enemy ; and led not only to a prolongation of the V/W9 but to many 9 or perhaps all of those savage aets of murder, in which the Indians were sub- sequently engaged, against the citizens of the United States. General Hull, in his official account, states that at the time the enemy advanced against De- troit, he could not bring into the field more than 600 men, that' the regular force of the enemy* th«B advancing, was mueh more than that num^ ber, and twice that number rf Indians* An oflioial letter from Colonel Cass, who ha4 A command under General Hull, put the business la quite a different light, concluding with the fol- lowing paragraph. «I was informed by Gen. Hull, the morning after the capitulation, that the British forces consisted of 1800 regulars, and that he surrendered to prevent the effusion of human blood.— That he magnified their regular force nearly five fold, there can be no doubt. Whether the philanthropic reason assigned by him is a sufiicient justification for surrendering a fortified town, an army, and a territory, is for the go- yernment to determine. Confident I am, that had the courage and conduct of the General been equal to the spirit and zeal of the troops, the event would have been as brilliant and successful, as it now is dis- astrous and dishonourable." The British official account is positive as to the inferiority of the enemy's force. The following extriict from the official report of Sir George Prevost, will show how weak the garrisoii of Amherstburg, or Maiden was> €t ■0 •P' -4 ;^ ^ ^>.X 40 msTORT OV THE WAR. >l^j'^^ the time when General Hull passed into Qanada^ having then under his command nearlj 2500 inen. ** « The garrison of Amherstburg consisted (at the lame when General Hull passed into Canada,) of a subaltern's detachment of the royal artillery, com- manded by Lieutenant Troughton ; of a detatchment of SCO men, of the 41st regiment, under the com* mand of Captain Muir; and of about as many of thft militia ; the whole under the command of Lieuten- ant-Colonel St. George, inspecting field officer of militia in the district." 4 f i. A few dajs before the surrender of Detroit^ Major Van Horn^ of Colonel Findley's reglmeDt of Ohio voluDteersy was detatohed with ahotit ^00 men^ to proceed to the river Raisin, to t*e]n- force Oiptain Brush, who, with a company of Ohio volunteers, were escorting provisions for the army. At Browostown, a large party of Indians formed an ambuscade* and the niajor'a detachment received a heavy fire at a few yarda from the enemy. The whole detachment re- treated in great disorder, and could not, bj any exoHion of Major Van Horn, be rallied.-^ On tliis occasion, there were 7 officers and IQ privates killed, besides a considerable number wounded. _ __ __^_ • lit, ^ Before the return of Major Van Horn, an- other detachment consisting of COO men, undei* the command of Lieut. Col. Miller, was ordered to proceed to the river Kaisin, to open the com- inunication to the river, and protect the provi* sions, which were under the escort of Captain Brush. Lieut. Col. Miller marched from De- tf'oit on the 8th of August; and on the 9th, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the van-guard, comf ttanded by Capt. SaeUingf of the 4th U. S. re(^ ti ' I 4 HISTORY OF THE WlR. U ment, was fired upon by an extensive line of In- dians and British, at the lower part of Maguago^ about 1^ miles from Detroit. Gapt. Snellmg maintained his ground in a most gallant man- ner, under a very heavy fire, until the arrival of the main body, under Lient. Col. Miller, when a general attack was made on the enemy, who was compelled to retreat before the Americans. The route continued until feitigue, and the ap- proach of night, rendered it necessary to desist from further pursuit. A short time previous to the surrender of De- troit, a provisional agreement was entered into by General Dearborn^ and Colonel Baynesy the British Adjutant-General, that neither party should act oflTenslvely before the decision of the American government should be takeil on the subject. This suspension of hostilities, was grounded on a letter from Sir George Prevost> Governor of Lower Canada, to General Dear- born, suggesting the probability of a genend suspension of hostilities, in consequence of a pro- posed suspension or repeal of the British orders In oounoiU of which Mr. Foster* late ministetr to the United States, had reoeived advices on his lirrival at Halifax. Whether Governor Prevost seriously believed all which he represented* or Hiat the suspension of hostilities, which did not include the operations of Detroit, was intended to favour the British army ia that quarter, can- not now be determined; it, however, enabledt- tfae British to reinforce General Brock, and pro- tialily contributed to the fall 6f Detroit. The American government, viewing the British pro- eittidd as coming in ati indirect manner, ofl^r^ j^no satisfactory seiDurity for its observailoe^ aiSl adhering with tittlis variation to their f<^ ^1 I I* ••■■.if,.'.' ■n^l m m m ',* ■KM 1^3 HI8T0BT Of THB WAK. mec pretencesy did not hesitate to disagree to^ the proposal. The armistice terminated on the 8th September. The disgraeefttl surrender of Detroit was^ !■ some degree^ to be compensated for, bj the bravery of American seamen. On tlie 19th Aug. 1812, the American frigate ConstitutioD* Captain Isaac Hull, fell in with his Britaimie jnajestjr's frigate Guerriere» Captain J. B. Da- cres, in lat. 40, 20, N. Ion. B5, iv. and after a severe action of SO minutes, during which the Americans displayed great superiority in taclios and courage, the British shi^ surrendered. ""^ The Guerriere suffered so much in her rig- ging and hull, and was so entirely disabled, that it was found impossible to tow her into port ; the was of course burnt, by order of Captain Hull^ as soon as the prisoners were removed. ?' The Guerriere had been formerly a Freneli 4^, but was rated only at 38 ; she earned 48 guns. \w ^- The following official account of her eaptaro from the French^ hy the British naval captaifly Lavie, places this point in an indisputable viewy as the advocates of Britain, sorely hurt by this proof of the superiority of American oavai tae« tics, endeavoured to misrepresent the relative site and force '6f the American and British fri- gates. ' ^ From Capt. Lavib. to Lxmrn Kbitik. ^ Blanche, Yurmoutk^ July 26^ l$06» ** Mt LoRf>— 'I have the honour to acqusdnt you of my return to Yarmouth to-day, having in. company ihe Guerriere frigate, commanded by Monsieur Blu,- bert, of the Legion of Honour, whom I captured on the I9thinst. in long. 62, off the Faro Islaiidt^ after a sharp contest of 45 minute^/' Sa< im rei v# BISTOI^ OV THE WA^t ^ «Le Guerriere is of the largest class of frigateSf mountiag fifty guns, with a complement of 3 IT meo^ but they were very soon sadly redticed by our de- structive fire, and the ship has also suffered very se- verely, while the damages of the Blanche were con* ^ned to the topmaatSy rigging, and sails. "THOMAS LAVIE." The following is a return of the killed and i^ounded. On board the Constitution, one lieutenant ofma* rines, and six scamen-*Total killed, 7« Two of&cersy four seameny and one marine-— Total wounded^ T^ Tptal killed and wounded 14. '^' ^On board the Guerriere, killed 15, wounded 63 f inissing 37— Total, 105. The most enthusiastic joy was manifested throughout every part of the United States^ oil the arrival of advices of this engagement. Cap- iain Hull and his men received, wherever they appeared, the most unbounded applause. ThanM were voted by Congress* and by several publio bodies; and Congress appropriated 50,000 dol- larsy to be gi?en to the officers and crew of ihp .Constitution^ as an indemnifieation for the losji sustained by the destruction of the Guerriere. , > Her navy was the chief boast of England^ and on It was her chief reliance ; yet she was de|« tined to meet her greatest wounds and di9a8tei^ on the watery element. t On the 17th July, the British appeared befpre Sacket's Harbour, with the Royal George^ of iSli %unB« the Prince Regent^ of 229 Elroira^ of 20» 8eaeea» of I8i and another armed vesfeL A message was sent ashore^ demandiog the sur- render of the American vessel of war« the Ono- Ma; and also the late British 9<^ooiieY^ Nelmir> >),'■■' 1-5 »»* '} 1 - m %i M !'<¥' Sfl'J 44 BtSTOBT 09 THB WAI. seized for a breach of tbe reyenne Uws. A- compliance y/lih Uiis demand being perempto- rily refused) the enem;^ advanced ivithin gun shot. A firing began from a S2 pounder asbore, and y/M returned by the squadron, which stood off find on. A brisk cannonading was continued for more than two hours, when a shot from the 32 pounder having raked the flag ship of the ene- my, as she was wearing to give another broad- side, the squadron flred a few guns, and bore away for Kingston, tbe citizens greeting them with the good old tune of •< Yankee Doodle,'^ from all the music at the post. The British shipping appeared to be much iiUured. Not a man lost on the American side. \ t The steadiness of t|lie American troops, and the alacrity with which the neighbouring detach- ments and volunteers, to the amount of nearly 3000, assembled for the protection of this Im- portant post, was, at this early stage of the war^ a pleasing presage of what might be hereafter expected, when men would become more inured to danger. Col. Bellinger commanded the Amer- ican troops. Capt. Woolsey, who comniand<- ed the Oneida, having sailed from the harbour^ and reconnoitered the enemy, returned and moored his vessel, with a spring on her cable* near the battery ; and giving tbe command of her to his lieutenant, he went ashore and took command of the 32 pounder, which, under his direetion, did very considerable damage to the enemy* The Frigate Essex, Captain Porter, sailed on fteruise, from New-Tork) on^ the 3d July, and arrived in the Delaware, the 7th September. On the 13th August, the Essex fell in with Hkt Brltiib sloop of war Alert* The Alert bore^ t r a ^111 Jul pa] \'M ^M. HIST0B1^ OF THE WAR. ifir down^ and ooramenced an action* ivhioh lasted eight minutes ; she was much cut to pieces, had seven feet water in her hold when she struck^ and three men wounded. The Essex received no injury. ' Captain Porter having thrown the guns of the Alert overboard, despatched her as a aartcl to St. John's, in Newfoundland, witb about 500 prisoners which he had taken in the Alert> and from other captured vessels. This measure was adopted in consequence of fk written agreement between Captain Porter of the £s8ex, and Captain Laugharne of the Alert* It was calculated to convenience both partieSf and to lessen the evils of warfare. A prbpoai- tion originating in the humanity of the Amerloail commander ought to have been met by the mott^ jprohipt and faithful acquiescence by the prlsoiii^ ers;and the BHtish commander. LIcutehaiit P. Wilmer was sent in command of the Alert, Which was to be sailed by her own crew, so great was the confidence placed in their hoooni* ; yet it appeiit*s that the crew took the coidbmand of tbt vessel from Lieutenant Wilmer» and went ott shore without submitting in any manner to lAm •ohtroul. Admiral S. T. Duckworth, who eommanded at St. John's, countenanced this ooii« duct in the first instance^ but afterwards subtnit- ted to the arrangement, which, he neverthelessj^ i^ontended, was << utterly inconsistent with the laws of war." GtkVernor Prevosty of Lower Canada^ issued a proclamation on the 19th September, by which fill Citizens of the United States are ordered to Suit Canada hy the Idth of October ; till which me they nfay depart With their moveable pro- ferty, by permission of three of the oouaeil.; '','^IjPVi''. if 'h::^ 40 BKTORT Of TBX WAS. 'M (»-i^ After that timey every citizen of the United States, found In Canada^ iiviil be treated as a pri« 9oner of war» unless he h^s taken the oath of aU legiance. ,r A considerable force having been assembled i« the neighbourhood of Niagara rivery under the eommand of Mt^, Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, with the view as was generally understood, of effecting a descent upon the British provinoe of Upper Canada ; a strong and impatient desire was discovered among the troops to try their ttrength against the enemy. This gradually rose to sueh a height, that resistance to it seemed scarcely, If at all possible ; patriotism was pastp ing the limits of subordination. <« This (^aj* the general in his official oommunieation to Gen* Qearborn) was exprossed to me through various fiiannels, in the shape of an altemaiive ; thajt they must have orders to act; or» at all hazards^ they would go home.** Impelled by this consideration* the general ^ade dispositions for the intended attack on the British post at. the heights of Queenstoh. Some Information gaiped from a person who was en* gaged to pass over to Canada, and who returned sale, seemed to warrant an attaok, which, be<, sides the immediate object might have a eon-* trolling effect upon the movements at Detroit* where it was understood the British General Brock had gone, with all the force he could spare from the Niagara frontier. ^ An intention to transport troops aerost the river, on the morning of the litb Oetober^ was frustrated through means of a boatman, selected for bis skill and steadiness ; but who, going a^^ head in the extreme darkness, passed, the intend* ed plaeo far up the river^ and there fattoaed litK boat to In this all the was gi oamp. * Tills ardour force t A seco Ad< slsting CoLC edby < the ge mornii feeted struoti BritisI Inc one Q were far b< Col. guidej «00 howl ibri theyl of wl #«i 1 m boat to tbe sbore, and abandoned tbe detaebment. In this front boat nearly every oar belonging to all tbe boats were deposited. The expedition was givt}0 up, and the detachment returned to oanip. Tldv eireumstance, so far from damping tbe ardour of the troops, seemed to give additional force to the desire of encountering the enemy.-— A second attempt was determined on. A detaebment from the ISth regiment con* sisting of abou< 300 men under the command of Col. Chrystie* and ahout 500 militia, command- ed by Col. Van Rensselaer* received orders from tbe general to eruss the Niagara River on tbe morning of the Idth inst. which was in part ef- fected before day, under a very heavy and de- »truotfvc fii*e of grape and tnusket shot from tbe British. In crossing the river, three boats with troopa one of which contained Lieut. Col. Chrysticy were carried by the rapid current of the river far below the point of landing ; and as soon as Col. Chrystie*8 boat touched tbe shore tbe only guide to the ground left tbe colonel. In consequence of this disaster not more tbail 300 men, at first efl^eted a landing. Those feWf bowever, marched on under a b«avy fire, and iformed a line on tbe f iH>nt of tbe battery, wber^ they were sheltered by a bank, upon tbe summit of which there was a battery, which bad proved very destructive to officers and men. From tbe fire of this battery, and that of a bouse on their right bank, Col. Van Rensselaer was wounded and Hkewke Capt. Armstj^oug, Capt. Lawrence^ Capt. WooU and Lieut. Lent f killed, LiUnt. Tal^ ieau and Bn^gn Mlof^ls, all of tbe iStb. CSal^ Van Rensselaer's wesulds were seve^ • t r 'mm vs.''' li.^ SJ«3 m BIBTOBT OT THE VfXB* ■f-.'-'v/i ball passed through his rigtit thigh, entering just below the iiip bone ; another shot pasHed through the same thigh a little below ; a third through the calf of his leg^ and a fourth cartoused his heel. Lieut. Col. Chrj^stie did not arrive until some time after this, and was wounded in his hapd, in passing the river. Col. Van Rensselaer inras still able to strand ; and. with great presence of mind, ordered his men to proceed and storm the fort. Sixty determined men* led by Capt. OgilviCf seconded by Capt. WooS (though wounded) and |jieut. Kearney, Lieut. Oarr, Lieut. Hugginan^ ami Lieut Sammons, £nsign Reeve, of the 13thy Lieut. Randolph, and Lieut. Gansevoort, eirou- itously mounted the heights, gave three cheers, and immediately charged n and, after the third charge, gained complete possession, whioh they kept about ten hours. Among those sixty wer^ ten of the militia. During the time they had possession of the heights, they received some re- inforcement. Lieut. Col. Chrystie effected his landing, and a body of militia, amounting, in the vhole, to about 500. Col. Scott superseded Capt* OgUvie in the command ; soon after which the British reeeived a reinforcement from Forts George and Chippewa, amounting to about 1100, including Indians. The Indians were soon re- pulsed, and driven to the woods. Capt. Ogilvie, of the 13th regiment, who led the detachment that succeeded m taking the re- doubt upon the heights, was much exposed while lat the top of the precipice ; he resolutely continu- ed brandisbinghis sword as a signal to his men to advance. The exertions of Captain Wool> in lirp^ng on his men, after he was wounded, were Spirited and conspioaons.^ ,m: mtmVKt OV TBK VAB. «•» ■K AfUiT thi«» both parties were consiflerablj re* in&reecit and the oonftiol became severe and general ;. tlie enemy was oompelled to retreat at every point of attack* and the route was follow- ed npf with great spirit by the Americans. i JMnforcementt continued to arrive under Cap. GUMoa» of the artillery* Captains Maelcesney and Lawrenoe, of the infantry ; and Colonels Mead» AUen, and Stranahan* of the militia. A little before 2 o'olock in the afternoon, Gen. Wads- worths lievt. Col. Chrystie* and Maj. Mullany * passed over, 't'he enemy* at this moment* re^ eelwd'Si reisforeement of several hundred I ndl- ms from Chippewa* andcommeneeda furious af- «•*•.••••••••••• ••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••• •••••••••fc *TbiB sutcment is given from the. best account that could be procured. The compiler has Col. l^u^lauy's luth^rity in saying, that this was the fiftli time l\e passed over during the eng^ement. Froo^ ati official report of Col. MiilUny to Uen. Van Henso seleari dat^dSth Jan. 18 1 3, (the original of which if ta tht officfe of th6 War Department, but which hasi Hbt bisen pubffshed^ the fdllowitig ektt^tt is given ^ ;t4 wf Cannot in' jiistice close this communication^ wkhottt^xpreisshsg my astonishment atthiJ omiiiiA^ efic8(Coi« MulHii^'s de^chment) ardnods, its deiM perate dudeaioyour official detail of that day, id^ though iadtfferent as to mjrsolf satisfied I witt vei^ have justice done, when the scones of ti|aV4oiefpna# aM hoitfr knuiwn« AHaoy of mj otiicers merited a fuU ,sharo^f Pllbli^ notice; and, ^m my know^ ^^!^ ^Y9^J^U% to a want of correct informationy 1 aj|c^i|}etbe causeofcQQipl|4nt.'* * */ ^General Vj^n|tensseUer,i^^ reply to Col Mullai^ %ted^lbany, Jan. ^^3^^^^ 1813, acknowledges juid ro- ^etii ^e dliiistdn ih ..is official detail in which thier Hrltcei of ^0 Cotandhis commanil were omitted^ m--:^-- t :te- ■■ V ' Si y t'iy bJV'1 ':^m .'*,. ■i'l $0 SItTOBT OV THE WAB^ taek* but were promptly met* and routed bj |ho flAe and bayonet. Yiotory teemed c^omplete. The General obserylng a be»itaiion in the em- barkation of troops, he patted over to aoeelerate their movementt. Could the detaili of thit day be here eloted^ all would be bonourt all would be glory to the Ameriean eharaeter. But it mutt be recorded ; alas ! it eannot be eoneealed* that no pertuation of the general, or of Lieut. €oK Bloom, who, although wounded, rode through the eamp, nor of judse Peek, who also exerted him- self on thin oocation, eould influence the remain- ing troops to pats Into the boats. A large rein- foreement from Fort Greorge, toon afterwards yfM seen eoming up the river ; this reinforce- ment obliqued to the right from the road, and formed a Junetion with the Indians in the rear of the heights. t The superiority in numbers of the British and their Indians allies induced the American oiScerf to hold aeoBsultation, at which they were dis- posed to ^lispute the ground theyhekl; but .ft note was reoeivedlh>m Gen. Van Renstelaeiv iof forming them he could afford them no assittancef and that he would e-over their retreat at the bat- tery, at Fort Grey, and fiirnish boats to re cross the river-; and finding by Colonel Stranaban that the militia would no longer act, a retreat was re- sol ved upon. They retreated in good order, with- out the loss of a man, to the mai*gin of die river but, to their extreme mortification, not a boat wail there to reeelve them, nor did any arrive. 'After remaining in this extremely painful situa- tion about a quarter of an hour, this little iiand^ eurrendereil to about Aife times their Aumber. Previous to this« however, a eolumn of British regulars adnuivtedy commaiuied by Ghxi. Broet^ UltTOmT Off THE WJLB. i^. ^e British Gen«ral*s horse was killed by a pri^ vate of the name of Wilklowt who was enlisted in Orange eountj ; shortly after whiek the gen- eral himself felly within pistol shot of the Ame- riean troops, ' The enemy consisted of a part of the 49th re- gimenty who with Gen. Brooke had signalizetf themselves in Egjpt» and from their valour were called the invinoibles. Before this they ht»d ne- ver been known to give an ineh of gt'ound* and acknowledged* after the sarrender^ they had ne- ver fought with sueb brave roeii. They treated their prisoners with tenderness ik«id respect* and allowed them as much merit as brave men eould desire. The number of American troops killed amounted to not more than 60* and about 100^ wore wounded. The number of prlsonersr iaelit- ding the wounded, amounted to about 700: ; But the victorious enemy* though generous and tender to those who* by the fortune of war^ had fallen into their power* imposed no restraint upon their Indian allies from stripping and soalp^ ing the dying and the slain that remained upon the field of battle. Captain Ogilvie himself saw the lifeless body of Ensign Morris stripped even ^f Its shirt* ami the skull of one who bad beep wounded* was seen oloven by a tomahawk. ^ " The general, in his offieial despatches* bears evidence to the bravery and good conduct of all engaged; noticing, in particular* General Wads- worth ; Cols. Van Rensselaer and Seolt ; Lieut. Cols. Chrystie, Fenwlck* Bloom* Allen, Stran- ahan* aiid Mead ; Majors Spencer* Mosely, and ' Lush ; Captain Gibsim, Lieut. Smith, apd En- sign G'rosvenor. ,. Major General Tan Rensselaer resigned the llie firmy^ OB tha.Niagara frontier^ M 1«'; •vr-;,*:; M -1- W: 52 HlBTdBT OV TRE WMl. Brigadier Geaeral Smyth, on the 14th Oe^ tober. V. \- - '.•'• On the 10th NoTembery General Sn^li fillip' lished a proelamation from hi« oamp near Buf- faloe. As this document became the snljeet of mitch comment, k is given here in foil. It wa» In the following words : TO TU£ MEN OV N£W-¥OBK. Formany tears yoti have seen your country op- pressed with numerous wrongs. Your government^ although above all others^ devoted to peace, have heen forced to draw the sword, and rely for redreaa of injuries on the valour of the American people. That valour has been conspicuous. But the na«K tlon has been unfortunate in the selection of spinO; p.f those who directed it. One army has been di^r, gracefully surrendered and lo&t. Anptlier has beeit, ^cri£cedby a precipitate attempt to pass it over ai the strongest point of the eneiny's lines, with most incompetent nieans. The cause of these miscart riages is apparent. The commanders were popular rnen, << destitute alike of theory and experience*' In the art of war. In a few days, the troops under my command, will plant the American standard in Canada. They are men accustomed to obedience, -siirlenGe, and steadii uess. They will conquer, or they will 'die. Will you stand with your arms folded, and look on this interesting struggle ? are you not related to the men who fought at Bennington and Saratoga! lias the race degenerated ? Or have you, under tho baneful influence of cpnte>iding facttone, fprgotyour country? Must I turn.frooi you, and ask men of the six nations to support the government of , the United States ? Shall T imitate the ollicers of the British king, and suffer our ungathered laurei|^^p be tarnished by ruthless de^d^ t Shame where is thy blush ? -No. Where ! command; the Vanquish^ cd and the peaceful man^ the child, the maid) and} ^4!t:,r BISTORT 09 THB YlkR. 5ft the matron shall be secure from wrong. If we con* quer, we will " conquer but to save." Men V J^ew' York ! ^ The present is the hour of renown. Have you not • wish for fame ? Would you not choose in futur^ times to be named as one qfthote^ who, imitating tho heroes whom Montgomery led, have, in spite of the jieasons, visited the tomb e€ the chief, and conquered the country where he lies ? Yes. You desire youv ahare of fame. Then seize the present moment* If you do not, you will regret it ; and say, << the valiant have bled in vain ; the friends of my c&ntry fell-^ and I was not there." ^ Advance then to our aid. I will wait for you a few dayft. I cannot give you the day of my de<^ parture. But come on. Come in companies, half companies, pairs, or singly. I will organize you for a short tour. Ride to this place, if the distance isi^ far, and send back your horses. But remember, that every man who accompanies us, places himself un» der my command, and shall submit to the salutary restraints of discipline. ALEX. SMYTH, :« Brig.-General. i^ Camfiy near jBuffalo9,M)v^ 10 f~ 1912,. 4 This proclamation- had the effect ofbringingr to the frootier a very cofisiderable number of ToliiBteerd, mea wha lived the hardy Hfe of farm- ers, were acoustomedto the woods^, knew well the u«e pf the rifle, and feared Indians- as little a» they did Englishmem On the 17U1 Novemhery Gem Smyth iissued a public address to hhi sohliersy preparatory to aor immediately Intended entrance Into iihe enemy'a^ territory. The sentiments contained in this ad-^ dress are noble> . hiloiane, and soldierly* Froin^ such a general and such an army, the publie lieoted a. very successful campaign. li UYSTOBT OV THE WAB*^ On the morniog of the 21st November) IStS^K heavy eannonade was opened upon the garrison* of Fort Niagara, from all the battei4es in the neighbourhood of Fort George, eon^isting of five detaehed batteries, two mounting 24 pounders, one mounting a 9, and two mortar batteries, The firing continued thirteen hours ; some buildings were set an lire by the hot shot f i*om the enemyy but extinguished without doing material injury* The garrison at Niagara, in return, opened at ! building in Fort George. CapC ^rXeon commanded a 12 pounder in the S» £» bioek-hpuse, and distinguished himself by his usual gallantry and skill. Capt. Jacks, of the 7tll regiment militia artillery, «ommanded a 6 pound- er on the N. block-house, and together with a part of his own eompany» though placed in a sit« nation most expose>d to the fire of the enemyi maintained their poskion like yeterans. Lieut» Bees, of the artillery, had command of an 1 8 pounder en the S. £. battery ; until 10 o^eloek, when be received a wound, which compelled him to resign the command to Capt Leonard, of the artillery. Ueut. M^endell, of the dd artillery, com* mandcd an 18 and a 4 pounder on the W. battery, Dr. Hooper, of the militia, commanded a 6 pound* er on I he mess house ; Lieuts. Ganesvoort and Harris had the command of the salt-battery at Youngstown, mounting one 18 and a 4 pountler^ {These several posts were maintained with reso* lution, judgment, and great fffect. Lieut. €d. Gray commanded the artillery, and gave the most satisfaetory proof of his zeal and science. Major Armttead of the corps of engineers, was indefatigable in extending his exertion to all HI8T0KT 01 TH11 WAV* 55 pttrts of the garrison. Lieut. Col. George Me. Feeljr oomiUAnded the fort. The American loss oonsiftted of four kilted and seven woiinded. rhe hopes which General Smyth had raised bj his proclamation were not to be realized. Twice the troops embarked, and as often disembarked. Public opinion^ hitherto on the side of General Smjthy now began to veer. His eourage as well as his patriotism was questioned ; censure was followed by insult and menace. The project of invasion was finally abandoned. The volunteers were dismissed, and the army ordered into wiii- t«r qnarters. Thus ended the operations, for this season, of the army ofilie centre. ; Gen. Smyth justified himself on the groirnds that lie had directions not to pass ovor with less than ^OG Mnea ; that he eould not prevail on more th^ a ^ 00 men to embark ; and that an at* tack oa the enemy under such circumstances, was eontrary to the opinion of a council of his officers; « My orders (says the general, in a reply to II committee from the patriotic citizens of tne west- ern counties of New- York) were to pass into Ca« juida with ddO& men at once. On the first day of embarkation not more than 1400 men were cmbarkedy of whom 400, that is, half of the re- gular infantry, were exhausted with fatigue and want of rest. On the second embarkation, only 1500 men were embarked, and these were to have put off immediately, and to have descended the river to a point where reinforcements were not to be ejtpected. On both days many of the re- gular troops were men in bad health who eoulil not have «tood one day's march | who, althooeh they were on the sick report, were turned out by their ardent ofllcers.'' '^ 1M% reply waft dated Id December. On (be v:t:' l-'y ■fi4i '!> »*•■ ^6 HISTORY OT THE VAR« m- 8th of the same month, General I*eter B. Porter gave notice in the BuflTaloe Gazette, thathevould soon publijth a *< true account of some of the most •prominent transactions of those ^da\Sr" In this notice General Porter ascribes the failure of the expedition to the cowardice of General Smyth* ^ \ General Smyth roust remain convicted, in th^ eyes of the world, of falsehood and cowardice* if he continned passive under such charges. Mo* dern chivalry pointed out the course which musi be pursued. General Smyth sent a challenge to General Porter, which the latter accepted. v» The parties passed over to Grand Island, on the ISth December; a shot was eitchanged, in an intreiMd manner, but without e^ot, wheUf on the suggestion of General Smyth's second, a mutnal explanation and reconeiliation took plaee ; and the parties separated. General Porter, on the following dav, deliver- ed Iho promised statement of transactions to the editor of the Buffkloe Gazette, in which paper it aceordfngly appeared. The statement is plain and satisfactory ; and divested of that asperity, which was probably in- tended to accompany it. . In this statement, it is represented, that, on ihe 27th November, there were collected in the neighbourhood of Niagara, 4500 effective men ; that the ;vessels collected for the purpose, were snflieient for the transportation of 3500 men ^ that the number of men actually embarked were eitimated to consist of between 2000 and 2600 ;'. that about 2000 more men were paraded on^ shore, seemingly ready to cross $ that several boats of 9u(Bcient capacity to carry about i000« men were still Ijring unoeeupied ; and that.tho •nemy, estimated at about 500 men, were dsawn i|i in a line;, at about half a mile from therher*. mSTORT OF THB WUBt Wii> As a proof of what oould be effecledf had tbo men been permitted to pass o^epy General P(n% ter states the bravery and soeoess with which a detachment which crossed over by direetioa of General Sm3rth9 accomplished Its mission ; having completely routed the enemy^ spiked hit oannon and taken several prisoners. « Out of ^ 15S naval offieersy who embarked onthisenter* prise, nine of them, (says General Porter,) witli more than half their men* were killed or woim^ > ded,'* .^ General Smyth, in a letter lo the editors of the National IntelligeDGcr, dated 23d January, l$t5f refutes the statement of General Porter. r M I affirm, (says General Smyth^) that on the 37th'' November, there were collected in the neighbour- hood of Black ' ^ock, not more than BSQO^ecir&e} men, non-commissioned officers, and privates, Of every corps under my command; not more than I dOO of those were liable to be ordered to cross %ha . Niag^ara, according to opinions generally received** On the 21 St, there were 1050 good troops embarked and also as many irregular volunteers as occupied fiveboats, estimated dt 150. On the morning of tlie 1st December, the number of men armed with n^iis- kets, who were at the navy-yard, embarked or lypi* embarked, did not exceed dOOO ihen.*' In this refutation, General Smyth Insinuates that General Porter, acting a^ contractor to the army, was not prepared to supply the necessary rations, having on the 80th November only 35 barrels of flour on hand, << not two poui^k of fiourtoeach man.*' — The hostility of General . Porter to myself, (says Gjcneral Smy thu) grew out of the (Contract. J^ % While the expedilloh thus progressed froQi Ul-designi to its uaivoitlable ooiiSQ;^u^noot an? '*■ 'ii >^ mm] W £i t fiistoBT 6i tAb #iv« 1% M (b Buoeessful terminatibny the minr expeditions di4 honour to the offlcers who eoiut anded, and the few men who were engaged in them. Among thi^ the following must nothe omitted. The Brigs Adams and Caledoniat whieh #m •urrendered to the enemy hy General HolK at Detroit^ having arrived and anchored under the British Fc»rt Erie, on the 8th Oetoher, 181^ Captain filliot, of the navy, who had arrived at Blaok Book the same day, with a hody Of sailors from New- York, determined on an attempt to regain them. Having made the necessary dis- positions, he advanced at i o'clock in the morn- ing of the 9th Oetober, having under his com- mand, 100 men in two boats, iocludirtg SO volun- teers from the army, with Captain Townson,and Lieutenant Roache, of the artillery $ at 3 o'cloek he was alongside the vessels ; in ten minutes they were under way, and Uie prisoners se- cured. An unfavourable wind obliged them to run down the river, by the forts, under a heavy lire of round, grape, and eannister shot^ from a number of pieces of heavy ordnance find fly- 11^ artillery ; and he was compelled to anchor atlout 40 yards fVom one of their batteries ; the Caledonia being got into a safe position, a fire was returned ft*oni the guns of the Adams, as long as ammunition tasted. ^ It being found im- possible longer to withstand the lire of the ene- Itiy, which would prohably sink the vessel fti ^ short time, he was compelled i6 cut the cablCj^ Aid drift down the river, out of i^ach of thebat- tl^ries, but reriiain^d sfill exp^ytedtO theflvfng tfrtiHcEj ; having thus dTopt astern for ttho^t ten tfiinutes, and being deserted by the pilot, h« was brbttgfat tt{^ on the slioi^e of 8^a# Isflilid, From this place he sent the prisoners do shor^ It 16 rs to BTITOET 09 THX WAS. with mueh difllcultj^ ; aiid» having himself pass** ed from the brig to the shore, he soon discovereil that about forty soldiers hi^d crossed in a boat^ from the British side, and boarded the brig ; bul they were soon eompelled to abandon her, with the loss of nearly all their men. During the whole of the mornings both sides of the river kept up alternately a continual ilre on the brici- and so mueh injured her, that it was impossibhi to have ioated her— he a of course destroy ed# ^ A patrole was sk^tiouv on theslior . '9eo« operate in ease of emergeney ; it was commandf. ed by Lieut. Coh Soott, of the artillery, having under him Majpr Mullany, of the infantry, ast a volunteer. Major Cuyler, Aid to General Hall^ and J. BanMiead, Brigade M^yor to General Smyth's brigade. As Alsgors Mullauy and Cuy» ler were riding elose together,^ the former re- ceived an order from Col. Scott to proceed to the navy yard, to direct two boats to be mannedft and sent to the assiatanoeof the captured vessels; be had but just sprang ahead, in execution of thif order, when a round shot from the enemy, whioli; passed throiigh the fore-sail of the Adams^ struok, and instantly killed Miyor Cuyler, aad thus deprived the serviee of a brave and useful ^eer. * Midor Young, of the Troy Militia, command*-' ant of a detachment stationed at Freiioh Milts, on the St. Regis river, having received informa«r. tion that a party of the enemy had arrived at the village of St.. Regis, and that more wera Khortiy expected, formed a resolution to tAk%i them out before they were reinforced. For this purpose 'he marchetf a detachment at 11 o''olo<^kr on. the aiglit ofthe.^lst Octoher» orosted tho .* V u A' m m Ill ■•': '■'•;'h!fl *,•?■'.," •ft^' ttlSTOBT 07 THS WAY. ifffl •\i'"',m €l fmsult of this af- fhir was, the eapture of 40 prisoners, with their arntis, equipments, &c. one stand of colours, and two batteaux, without a man of our party beine hnrt. Tliey got sate back to camp at ti o'clock in the morning. The prisoners were sent off to Plattsburgh. Major Young has had the honour of taking the first standard from the enemy in the present war ^ The movementfl of the enemy, during these times* were not to them equally honourable or Important. > llie village of Ogdensburpr^ on the St. Law- venne, was bombarded on tb 2d Oct. 1812, for S hours, from Prescott, opposite ; between 20 and SO twelve and nine pound shot were pieked up in the gardens and streets, but no damage was donO; The firing was brought on by the attempt of a party of Amerieans to take some Canadian boats, but they did not socoeed. The garrison at Og- densburg consists of 500 men, under General Brown, from tFefierson county* The Sunday following, the British prepared 40 boats, with from 10 to 16 armed men in eaoh| and six pieces of artillery, with which they ad^ ▼aneed to storm the town. When arrived withJ? in a short disfanee, our' troops opened a wariii fire upon them, and the contest continued about two hours, when the British, having two of their^^ boat^ so knocked to pieces, as to oblige them tot f»e abandoned^ and one takoD^ on board of whieKf I m HISTORY Of TUB WAB. .^^ yveve bix men fled [ireeipiUtely to Preseott. No damage was sustained on our side. From the jn^ioious arrangements made bj Col. Benedict, ^apt. Forsyth, Capt. Griffin, Ma- jor Oimuok, Adjt. Uotebkiss, Captain Hubbard^ Capt. Benedict, Capt. M Yankees will not deoline a combat, when at- tacked by 1000 of their troops. Colonels Leth* bridge and Breckenridge, led the British in per- son. .. On the 3d October, the British brig RoyaA George, went into the Genessee river, and cut "^ut the schooner Liidy Murray, and a revenue cutter.. There was no force then there that could resist the enemy. ^^ The national pride had been already highly gratified by success on the oeeiin ; the publio eye was anxiously directed to that element^ is expectation of further glory. The pttblic-liope was not to be disappoint^. ^' At day light on the 18th Oct. iai2, about th# lat. of .^7 degi north, and Ion. 65 ileg. west^ Cap^ lain Jacob Jones^ commanding the UnlteA States' sloop of war Wasp, of 18 guns, go#: sight of a BritiMh convoy of six large aroie# merchant ships, under protection of the British^ llloo|><^war Frolic commanded by Ci^ Whki-«t ^ates. A signal was made by the 'FroBe I thQ fleet to disperse. At 30 minutes past eleveii M 9 W <,,\g •" m %t : Jji I^A i''-^ #•£ (» ¥ H^iX6Ey Of XBM V/kfL A* M. an engagemont commenocd between tli* two sloops^ al a short (Uttancey and continued UDtil tbe vessels were so close, Uiat the rammers of the Wasp wcre^ while loading.the last broad- sidcy shovea against the side of the enemy. The Frolie was boarded on her forecastle, and im- mediately surrendered. The manner* in which this engagement was maintained, was biglily bonourimle to the Americans. The Frolic mounted 22 guns ; sixteen of the 32 pound carronades;, and four 12 pounders on the main deck, and two 12 pounders, carronades, on the top-gallant (broeastle, making her superior in force to the' Wasp, by four 12 pounders. On board the Wasp, there were five killed, and five wounded. Tlie exact loss nf the enemy could not be ascertained, as many of the dead lay buri- ed under the masts and spars that had fallen up* on the deck, which two hours exertion had not suiBoiently removed. Lieutenant Biddle, wJiohad aharge of the Frolic, states, from what he saWf and by information from the officers, the number «f killed must have been thirty f that of the wounded, about forty or fifty. The Wasp sufil^red so much in this action^ that both masts fell on the deck a few minutes after separating from the Frolic ; every brace» imd most of the rigging, had been shot away during the action. In this state she nearly remained^ when, in two hours after the action, the Britisii ship PoietierSf of 74> guos, hove in sight ; and, soon after took ppssession of the two sloops, and or- dered them for Bermuda* The captain^of the Frolic, in his official let- ter to Adiiiiral Warren, states that every officer ^iMis wounded, and the greater part of the mipn, f/,. BIlTCmT OV THB WAR. m- '# eitfiet* ktlled or wounded ; there not bein^ twenty persons remaining unhurt. The following resolution of the Common p- CouttHl of New^Yorky will show the high ligplit in which the^ held Cnpt. Jones and his orew. , << Meeolvedf That an elegap^ sword be presented to CSafitaln Jonss, late ofthetjmted States' sloop of jiijlr Wasp, and also th^ ft|eeie|pm of this cityi as a testimony, of the high c^intbn this Corporation en- teHaiii olhis galldiit cfbhduct) in capturing the Brit* is^ slodp of war Frolic' |*and that the thanks of the HlMnnion Council be presented to his brave officen^ Jftld crew." ^Ift > ■ • V The United States' frigate United States* Captain St&phon Decatur, being on a cruise* fell in* on the SMh Oetobcr, 1812, with liisBHtan* nlo Majesty's frigate Macedonian, Captain J. S. Cat'den, in lat. 29, N. Ion. 29, 20, W. and^ aftpr an aetion of an hour and a half,, (17 minutes of which was in elose action») the British frigate was captured. The Maccedonian was of the Isirgest elass of British frigutes, two years old* but four months out of dock, and mounting 49 gpns* (the odd one shifting.) This engagement 4^ve another indisputalile proof of the superi^ fiViiy of Amcricao discipline and gunnery. I The loss on both sides was as follows : On board the United States 2 seamen, 2 ma-, ^nes, 1 boy—Total killed, 5. % Wounded, 1 lieutenant, 1 carpenter, is seameni. - :'B. martne^-^Totai wounded, 7 ; of whom, Uedt*. Funk'^ and John Archihak% died of their wounilt* On board the Macedonian, there were S6 kll- vied, and 68 wounded ; so of whom severely^ ' By the muster roll Df the Macedonian, it ii|y- ,^ared that there were seven imprwsed'i^lBiir v;t'.!,iv,;i •?',•'• ij ij:i^ .lis ■^si '4^ m Ml ;inl-^ peot^. added tr the serious loss of a fine army^* n Km «r ■»TOKT or'VBK WAS. i,«'"'^: threw a temporary gloom over tlie citizefis.--^ 7'his soon gave way to resentment, and a deter- mination to ^()e ofiTthe << foul stain.^ The spirit of the nation rose, and that of ' 76 seemed to re- turn. Tfalb sentiment, whieh pervaded a great proportion of 4he nation, was most powerfnl in the western country. All felt the necessity of immediate action ; Kentucky and Ohio may he said to have broken loose ; an army was ready » as i^ by: magic, prepared to avenge the i ate dis- giHii|^ A leader was wanting — all eyes looked, w ith a common impulse, towards the hero Of Tippecanoe ; the united voice of the people call- ed on the governor to dispense with all formali- ties ; and William Henry Harrison was ap- pointed a major-generfil, with directions to take command of the north western army. This ap^ pointment was confirmed by the President of the United States. The exposed situation of the north western frontier, after the surrender of Hull, requh^d the utmost exertions for its protection. It ^iiras not possible entirely to avert the impending dan- ger. The Indians had already commenced their sa- T|^ warfare^ by an attack on Fort Dearboniy and the massacre of its garrison. Fort Dearborn (Chicago) was but a weak garrison, consisting of about 50 men, there were also in it a few wb- Hien and children. A large hody of Indlfttit hn- ving menaced the fort, it was agreed in a coun- eil, which was held with the fhithless tribes, that the garnson should be spared on condition of su rrende ring the place w ith out resi stance. 'Irhisy marohed out on the 15th Sept. and whena^at a mile from the fort, were fired upon, ami fniH»- dcred, with the exception of abot^ten or tW«ll>«^ who escaped. niBTORT 01 TH& \VAIK. -« 67 . Fort Belvi«w (Madison) on the Mississippi^ was attaekiid on the '^th Septemhcr, by the In- dians, wHii! ail the d^^speration that a vant of real eonrage could ins^nre ; the attack was re- newed daiiy until the Sth^ when the Indians* af« ter suflTei'ing very severelyt withdrew, leaving the brave garrison safe. One sitidier, who was out of the fort when the attack i^omr>^encod» was ina»saored : no lives were lost in the fort ; and only one man wounded. About eleven o'clock in the evening of the 4t[ii September^ Fort Harrison, in the Indiana Terri- tory, was attacked by a vast number of Indians. The garrison was weak, and the most ofthemy including its intrepid commaiidery Capt. Z. Tay- lor, either siek or convalescent. The attack was eontinued, in a most furious manner, until about sun-rise the following morning, when tlie savages retired, driving away or shooting all the cattle they could find. ^v Several expedithms were formed against the Indians, for the protection of the inhabitants, and keeping opofi the necessary communications. Colonel Russell, with a small detachment of th& Unked States' ranges^s, proceeded to the hea^ of the Peori Lake, wheve he destroyed the cele- brated Pi mer tain 'a town. Gen. Hopkins, with about 1200 troops, left Fort Harrison on the lith December, and succeeded in destroying several Yilli^ges along the Wabash ; a party of 62 that left the eamp, in search of a m^^n who^was mis- sing, fell in with a large force of horse and foot £fi4ians : this party suffered a defeat, with a loss of 10, making with the missing mari, 17. Gen. Tnppfi^iiefostted a nnmerons b^y of British and ludianSf near the Rapids of the Miami : the dif- ftedty gf €n»siln|; the viy^f and want otjftwU m mm iii m m ■■^w f ■.(•Il ^t M ■m ^1$ m ;«. « HI»TOBY Of THE WAS. sionsf obliged the expedition to return^ having lost 4 killed; and one being wounded. Colonel CatnpbelU with 600 meny attacked one of the MasMssinewa towns, on the 17th and ISth Dee. and defeated the Indians, after a most desperate conflict : the American loss was 8 killed, and 23 wounded ; the Indian town was burned. Colonel John B. Campbell, on the 17th Nov. attacked the savages at a town on the Massissinewa, which he burned, as well as three other towns further down the river, killing several, and tak- ing 37 prisoners : on the morning of the 11th Bee. his camp was attacked by about 300 In- dians, who were defeated, after an engagement of about three quarters of an hour. The loss of the Americans in these affairs, was 9 killed, and about SB or 40 wounded ; about 40 of the In- dians were killed. The Indians also suffered a defeat from Col. Williams, commanding the Tennessee troops. These actions were well ealculated to inspire the Indians with a proper respect for the Ame- ricans ; and, if followed up with continued sue- cess, would tend to estrange the savage enemy from his British ally ; but a sad 1*everte soon oo^ eurred. A detachment, under the command of General 'Winchester, being attacked on the 22d Jan. lSiS» at Frenehtown, on tUe river Raisin, by a greatly superior force of Indians and British, aided by several pieces of artillery, suffered a defeat. The Americans lost no honour on this oceasion ; they defended themselves, and fought with despera- tion, even beyond the time wheft prudence and honour would have sanctioned a surrenden* Gen. Winchester, being himself a prisoner, agreed to a anrrender of the troops undef his comwan^ ofk^ t H18T6VT OF THK WAB. 69 condition that they should lie protected ngaintt the savages, and allowed to retsiin their private property and sade^arms. Thirty-five oiiieers, and 490 non-eommisaioned- officers* and privates wer« made prisoners I the nuuBiber of killed was coa^ siderable. - * The prisoners ^ho were in health were march- ed to Maiden ; the wounded were^ contrary to the terms of capitulation, left at the mercy of the Indians. On the movnliig of the SSd, such of (he wbunded as were unable to travel^ were to*^ mahawkediand scalped. The following is a copy of the report of a eom^ miitee of Congress, on this subject : ^ ■'*■*- << The massacre of the 33d Januayy, after the tvcph^ ttitation, was perpetrated without any exertion on their part to prevent it ; indeed, it is apparent, from all the circumstances, that if the British officers 4id not connive at their destruction, they were crimitmll^ indifferent >ibout the fate of the wounded priarners. But 'what marks more strongly the degradation of the characrer of the British soldiers, is the refusal of the last offices of humanity to the bodies of tlie deaif. The- bodies of our counti*ymen were exposed to every indignity, and became food for bmtes, in the sight of men who affect a sacred regard to the dictates of honour and religion .-r-Low indeed is the character of that army, which is reduced to the confessiottf thut their savage auxiliaries will not permit them to perform the rites of sepulture to the slain. The committee have not beeh able to discovei^ even the expression of detestation, which such conduct mu&% inspire, from the military or civil authority on the ^Canadian flintier, unless such dbtestation is to be ^[^sumed from the choice of an Indian trophy, as an ornament for the Legislative liall of Upper Canada.*' At a meeting of the officers who survived the bnttle of Frenchtown, held ^at Eiicf, (Pft.) the ■I ^'4^h' ■I 'a ;'v.V'. ?;ii' ■* 111' KS'^; . . •■■'. Wi, i>h, .X. , iL f nil •••• ll''-f"'Jli! m mm -y •' * ^ Si -^ ft' \'4 # ; '1 m ■TWt ■ft m %' 1\T 70 ^mt%T^Xt OV THE WAS. 80th Feb. ISIS^ the following statement and re- solutions were'tii^reed to. "Whereas it is deemed necessarf, that our fellow-r citizens should be informed of the late perfidious and brutal acts of the British goveroiment) performed by their officers at the battle of Frenchtown. Retchedy That the following statement of the Conduct of the British officers, be published lo c ir •ountrfmen: That when General Winchester was taken pi i« soner» On the 2 2d January^ fi 13, and brought before Colonel Proctor, the British commander, he directed Ihe commanding Officer of the Americans (Major Madison) to surrender. Major Madison refused so 10 do, unless those who surrendered should be free from savage masaacj^f ^ this was agreed to;, aod the British officers pledged themselves to have a suffi- cient force with the wounded, to protect them, and that they should be conveyed to Maiden the next morning. They likewise promised to return to the officers their arms. Capt. N. G. F. Hart, inspector to the north-west- ern army, beins among the wounded, it was pro- posed by his friends, that they should carry him with them—this they were prevented from doing» by Capt. Elliot, a British officet*, and an old acquaintance of Captain Hart's, who promised Capt. H. his special protection— to convey him in his own sleigh to Mai- den that evening, and Informing him that he should be welcome to remain at his house there, until ho •hould jvcover. ^^ ^^ These were the promhea of the British-^Le^ 16ftt countrymen and the world see how they were fulfilled. At the break of day next morning, the sairages were suffered to commit eveiy defiredation upon ouf^ wound fdf which they pleatied. An indiscriminatt tlctughter took filace qfall who were unable Ko wi^lk-^ many were tomahawked^ and many were burned alive 'in the houaet. Among the unfortunate t^^s mur-* dercd* it 18 with regret and sorrow we huTC to naii|e Captains Hart and Hickniatii HI&TOBT OV THE WAl|. n The arms of the ofiicero, as promised, were nerer returned. Every species of private properly re- maining in the tentS) )>elonging to both officers and soldiers, were plundered by the savages. Reaalvedy That in consideration of the high re* spect we hold to the memories %f both officers and soldiers, who irere thus cruelly muruered, by per- missioikof the British commander Proctor, and his subalterns, and those who gloriously fell in the Jleld^ defending the only free gorv^mment on earthy that each of us wear black crape on our hats, and left arm, for the space of ninety days, Reaolvedf That a similar procedure, testifying their respect for those who were murdered and fell on that day* be recommended to our brother office]^ andsoldiers, who survived it. ■ ^. . . SAMUEL W ILLlfAMS, President. ^OHN Bbcklst, Secretary." ^ The little progress hitherto made by landy against the enemyt had determined the eongress and the general government on adopting a more efficient plan of warfare. Several* new appoint- ments of offioers were made; and Commodore Ctiauneey was appointed to the command of the Wee navy. Tike Comraodoi*e arrived at Saeket's harbour ir October, 1812. His great exertions enabled Mm to prepare a fleet in less than a montli, with which he resolved to try his fortune on the lake» although the British fleet was saperior in number •f vessels^ guns, and men. The Commodore sailed from Sachet's harbour ||i»n Lake Ontario. On the 8th Nov. fell in with and ehased ^.he Royiftl Geofge, until he lost sight of her in the night : ^m the following day renew- ed the ehase, and followed her into Kingston ^iar« boar# where he engaged her^d the batteries, for >h.' 'irii H Si !r;>a -M \fm *^- ri aUlWRT ox TB£ WAB. ?v>Mi\ mi nearly two liours— >at sun down he hauled offV being ohUged» by badness of the weather^ to re- turn to Sacket's Harbour. ' The Constitution frigate, having undergone every neeessary repair, proceeded fk'om Boston on a second cruise in October. On the 29th i)eeember» 1812^ in south lat. 13. 6. and west Ion. 38. ten leaguof distant from the eoast of tiirazilsf fell in with» and captured his Britannio Majesty's frigate Java, af<«r an action of one hour and 55 minutes. Ttie Java earried 4iJi guns and upwards ^nf ^00 men, and was commanded by Captain H. Lambert, a brave and gallant officer* The Java was so perfect a wreek,that it seemed extremely doubtful whetheu she could be brought to the United States ; she was therefore burned in two days after being captured. The Java had been lately out of dock, having undergone a thorough repair in order to carry out Lieut. Gen. Hisfop who was going as com- mander in chief to Bombay. Besides her full complement of men, the Java had upwards of 100 supernumeraries, going to British ships of war in the East- Indies ; also several officers, pas- sengers, going out on promotion. The nnmbei* of men was considerably more than timt of the Constitution. By her quarter bill, she had one inan more stationed at eaeh gnn than the Onttitu- tion had. The loss on board the Constitution was nine killed and 25 woundetl. Tile enemy had ^'0 Itilled, and 101 wounded ; but by a iHter written an board the .Constitution, by one of the officers of the Java, and accidentally A>und, it was evi- dent that the enemy's wounded must have been considerably greater ; the letter states 60 killed, And 170 wounded. This additional nnmbei^ of wounded men hav^^fprobably died befbre they Ni m •c- ne en th y HISTOEY OF TI-'U «4 '''^- mt '7* HrsfOBY OB TUB WAll. I'- *i :-^ .'.'-1 f^^"* l: lieutenanls of the Java^ oharging llie Americans ivith cruelty^ &o. Mr. Amos A. Evans, surgeon of the frigate Constitutiony published in the Bos- ton Chronicle, a complete refutation of the British slander, concluding with the following words : << I challenge the British to produce a aolitary in» etancci where they have given a faithful and candid relation of the result of their actions with us since the declaration of the present war. They have^ of late, established for themselves a kind of national charac* ter, that, 1 trust, none will envy them the possession of ; they have proved, that although they may not always be able to conquer in battle, they can preva*» ricate, defame or mistake, with as much ease as any nation on earth." Commodore Bodgers sailed from Boston on the 8th Oct. 1812^ on bis second cruise^ having un- der his command the frigate President, the Unit- ed States, Captain Decatur ; Congress, Captain Smith ; and brig Argus^ Captain Sinclair. The President and Congress arrived at Boston in De- cember. During their cruise-, they captured the British packet Swallow, with 168,000 dollars on board, and British ship Argo, laden with oil and whalebone, both of which arrived some time before. They saw no enemy's cruisers but the Nymphe and Galatea, which they chased, but lost sight of in the night. The squadron have been as far east as long. %2, and to the south as far as lat. 17 N. From the 1st to the 30th ]^ov. they never saw a sail. On the 22d Oetober^ ly- ing to In a gale, the President sprung her main- mast badly, and on the 21st Deo. while lying to in the Gulph Stream, shipped a heavy sea, whieh swept the starboard gangway, started the boatSf killed 2 men and wounded 7. The President brought in bp prisoners. m \ HIITORT bi THE Wl1b' n The specie was landed from the President, at the navy.yard in Charlestown, and being placed in six waggons, each carrying the national co- lours, was thus carried to the state bank in Bos- ton, where it was safely deposited, amidst the buzzas of thousands of spectators. The Commodore parted company with the United States and Argus the 12th October. The U. S. brig Viper, Captain Henley, of 12 guns, was captured on the 17th January, 1813, in lat. 29, N. 83, 30, W. by his Britannic majes- ty's frigate Narcissus, of 32 guns, after a chase of five hours.— No fighting. Commodore Bainbridge left the U. S. sloop of war Hornet, Captain James Lawrenee, off* the harbour of 8t. Salvador, where she remained from the 6th, until the 24th January, blockade ing the Bonne Citoyenne, and another armed vessel. Being at length driven from her sta** tion by the Montague, of 74 guns, which was sent to relieve the Bonne Citoyenne, Captain Lawrence proceeded off* Demarara river, where* on the 24th February, 1813, he fell in with and engaged his Britannic majesty's brig of war Peacock : the action lasted but 15 minutes, in which short space of time, the Peacock was literally cut to pieces ; an ensign, union down^ was hung from the fore-rigging, as a signal at once of distress and surrender, Lieut. Shubrick who was sent on board her, returned with a re- port that she was fast sinking, having then six feet of water in her hold. The boats of the Hornet were immediately despatched, and every possible exertion made to keep her afloat until the prisoners could be removed, by pumping an4 bailing, without efibct, as she sunk in five and a half fathoms water^ carrying down nine of her ♦'.' ■^^^ 5^ lOSTOttY 09 Tfirs WAB; ,* '»W5'"I^ I' ^'M If ;w drew. And three of the erew of the Hornet^ yiz. ^hn Hurt, Joseph 'Williamsy and llannihal Boyd. Several of tho Hornet's cre^r narrowly escaped a similar fnte, being saved by jumping into a bout that was lying on the booms^ as she Avent down. I'lie Peacock was one of the finest vessels of her class in the British navy ; she mounted 16 twenty^four pound carronades^ two long ninesjt one twelve pound earrunide on her top-gallant forecafetle, as a shifting gun^ and one four or six flounder, and two swivels mounted aft ; her crew eonsisted, at the time of the action, of one hun* dred and thirty men. The loss on board the Peacock could not be ascertained by Capt. Lawrence, but must have been considerable. Capt. Peake, her command- er, and four men* were found dead on board> and 33 wounded, most of them severely, three of which died of their wounds, after being re- Bioved. The total of killed, wounded and drown- ed, was certainly 42, and probably more. The Espeigle, a British brig, mounting 10 ihirty- two pound carronades, and two long nine's lay about six miles on shore, and within sight of the action : she declined coming in aid of her consort, or to approach the victorious ship al- though Capt. Lawrence cleared his sliip, in ex- pectation of a second engagement. Captain Lawrence stated, that there were two impressed American seamen on board the late British sloop of war Peacock, one a native of the state of New- York, and the other a na- tive of Norfolk. One of them was prcesed two years and a half, and the other about 18 months previous, neither of them entered, and both were €om pelted to fight during the engagement with the Hornet. aiSTOET 0¥ THE WAB» TT '^ 'Before the engagement commenoedy the above , mentioned Ameriean seamen left their station* Y ^ont to the Captain of the Peacock, and asked his permission to go below, with the erew of the brig Hunter, of Portland, as they could not fight against their country. This request was per- emptorily refused by Capt. Peakc, and the two Americans were forced to their station^ and corn* pelled to fight. Captain Lawrence further stated, that another impressed American was reported to have been on board the Peacock, and that he wa» killed -during the action. The reader should not be carried away with the belief, that the commander of the Espeiglo was a coward. That may possibly have bee» ^^iho ease, btit it is far from being probable— Those who wish to allo^w t6 Amerieao naval he- roes their well earned honours, will be readier t» ascribe the modesty of the Englishmen to the effect of American prowess, thanr ta British cowardice. Prudence is a virtue wliieh often requires courage to exercise. Had the com'- mander of the £speigle encojuntered the victo- rious Ameriean he would be defeated. He pro* l»ably believed so ; and, believing it^ he acted with prudence. The fallowing comment on the capture of the Peacock, is extracted from the London Globe. « The late captain of the Swallow packet^ captu-red bjir the Americans, landed on Monday at Falmouth^ from on board the Childers sloop of war; He eoo- jirms the loss of the Peacock, which struck to th& Hornet, after a severe and sanguinary conflict, and went down while the^ enemy were taking ont her crew. Sixteen English and four Americans went: dowa in her* The force of the two ye»SQlii was 1 V o,)f .J^df^O ^^^■^'■p- ^n nuTQUj mf Tni wax*, i ir-f '1. '^ ntady^ equal. The circumstances, tbereforey ;f <>!h .have enabled America thus to add another lau re l€ her brow, it is most important to know, and wc trust they will be fully inquired into. In the cases of capture by large American frigates, the mercenary writers for the Admiralty have assured their read- ers thatfthey have, by some charm, been able to prac- tice a dece/iHo viaut upon our navy ; that although apparently frigates, they are in fact great ships of the line ; but as no disparity of size is supposed to have existed in this disaster, Mr. Crocker's scribes Avill probably give out, that the crew of the Hornet ^vere not of the ordinary race of sailors, but that ev- ery one was a Hercules in strength, and an Archi- medes in science." The following appeared In a Halifax paper : <* In our extracts from American papers, our read- ers will find an account of the capture of the Pea- cock. The good fortune of the Americans has not forsaken them ; on the contrary^ it is more conspi- cuous in this than their previous actions* £very , •nr conv(r»dnt with gunnery mutt know^ that had a ve99el been moobed J^or the sole fiurfioae (if making an EXFERiMKNT, it ia not at ail likely she would have heen SVJXK in so thort a time» Previous to the action with the PeacoQk^ 'Capt. Lawrence ' captured^ on the 4th Feb. the English brig fiesolutiony of iO euns, from Rio^] Janerio, bound to Maranham, which he biirned, ^ after taking from her about SS^OOOL sterling, iii< ^ specie. On mustering the morning after the ^'' action, there trere found on board the Hornet' Z77 souls, including the crew of the Americatt brig Hunter, of Portland, taken a fe^ days be- fore by the Peacock. This additional proof of the superiority of American tactics has not been exceeded by any former instance* It mayi iDiked be saki to have decidod the relative mes^ i( BIfTOmT n THB Willi 79 its of Aroeriean aVid BfitUh seamoii) the Yufe- riorit^^ claimed by the British is nci longer main- tainable-— the Americans rank deeidedl^ as first in naval tactics. Capt. Lawrenoe> while off St. Salvador, sent a challenge to Capt. Greeney of the Bonne Cito- jenne, which the latter prudently declined ac« •epting. The following resolutions passed the Common Council of the City of New- Yoik, on the 29th Marohy 1813. « Resolved, That the freedom of the 'city be pre- sented to Captain Lawrence, together with a piece of plate with appropriate devices and inscriptions^ and that his honour the Becorder be requested to forward the same, with a copy of this resolution. **Re80lvedy That in testimony of the high sense which this Common Council entertain of the con<* duct of the crew of the United States' sloop of war Hornet, by the capture of his Britannic lidajesty's sloop of war Peacock, in the unexampled short pe« riod of fifteen minutes, that tlie Common Council will give a public dinner to the crew of the United States* sloop of war Hornet." Tliese many and splendid naval victories de« served not only the applause^ b t the gratitude &f the nation. Congress was nat insensible to this. J^ law passed that body in Marehy t813» appropriating the sum of $^5,000, to be distri- buted among the oflioers and crew of the Con- stitution* for the destruction of the Guerriere; and a like sum of S^d^OOO, for the destruction of the Java ; and the sum of S2d,000, to be distrK tiuted among the officers and erew of iiie Waspr^ for the capture of the Frolic. ^ The United States' frigate Chesapeake^ Capt*. Evaos^ arrived at fiostoa the 10th April, 18|3,. m' " m Jl.' .■■"■""■ HISTORY OF THE WAV. f .ifi'-i f'-i from a cruise of 115 da^rs^ bavin^ sailed from I the same port tlie 17th Dcijember, 1812. From Jloston the Chesapeake rat^ down by the Madeiras* Canaries^ and Cape de Yerds.; Ihenee down on the equator, betv'ccn long. 16 and 2Bf where she cruised six weeks ; thence down the coast of South America, passing with- in 15 leagues of Surrinam, (was in the same place the Hornet sunk the Peacock the day af- ter she lefty) down by Barbadoes, Antigua^ and most of the windward West-India islands; thence on the United States^ between Bermuda and the Capes of Virginia, by the Capes of the Delaware, within 12 leagues, hy New- York, within 20 leagues, theoce through the east ahannel to Boston. ^ The Chesapeake captured, during her cruise, S British, and one American vessel, sailing under a British Hceoee; and re-captured an Ameri>- ean schooner. The Chesapeake was chased by two ships of war, (a 74 and a frigate) off the Western Islands. Off the Capes of Yirginia, gave chase to a sloop of war, and continued chasing for 2 days, when the sloop escaped in the night. Seven men died of a malignant fe- ver ; and 3 were lost by the carrying away of the main-top mast, during a heavy flaw, the day before her arrival in port. General Harrison was at Fort Meigs the 20th April, 1813, and gave directions to prepare to defend the place against an attack, which he ap- prehended, from the movements of the enemy. Fortifleations were accordingly carried on with great diligence, and every means used to animate the men to defend the post. On the 26th and 27th, the reconnoitering parties of the enemy ti^peared on the opposite shore^ bat sooa raticed^ :4^ ■•»2 lUTORT OS THE VfAR. i fti }m by 18,; 16 loe th- me »' af- and k lice ■if the IPC, K: 20 to r i i ^j' t The Indians were sent across the river during the night of the 28th, and was placed so as to surround the garrison. The siege commenced in form, on the 29th, and firing was kept up dur* ing this and the foUowing day, by the encmy» whose works were considerably impeded and in- jured by tlie firing from the fort. By tlie 1st of Alayr the works of the fort were so far eomplet<>> 6d, as to enable the liesieged to give the enemy a very warm reception, silencing one of their guns several tiroes. Durisig the 2d and dd, the fii^ on both sides continued very brisk. (to the 4th, General Clay reached Fort Wifi*» ehester, with upwards of lOQ men, for the relief of the American garrison. On the 5th, a part of General Clay's men arrived, and instmctionfi were sent to him by General Harrison, diteeting liim how to act in his advance t^lwards the fort> Great zeaf, and ntidauiiied courage, fii*e true ftharacteristies of the ATnerioan soldiers; to these qualities the Kentuckian adds a wonderful eontempt of danger. On this oecasion, the ene- my received much benefit from that cool caution which enabled him to draw the nncalculating soldier into defiles, and within the reaeh of his ambuscade. Col. Dudley, who was charged with despatches ^r Gen. Clay, reeeived the command of a detachment of Clay's men, landed, on the opposite side of the river, with a view to attack the enemy'<^ batteries ; he behaved with great courage, but pursued the enemy until be wa6 drawn into an ambush, where the greater num- ber of his men were destroyed by numbers vastly superior ; many of those who surrendered, were afterwards tomahawked and soaYped by the sav- age;.?. Col. Dudley was among the killed. Gen. iii^St ^f^ho aoatinued in command of the remain^ ; m\ ^m-^ !0'^' BI8T0BT OT THE WAB. der of his detachment^ having landed near the fort, permitted the men to pursue the enemy in- to the woods, and was saved from a fate similar to that of the heroic and unfortunate Dudlejiry hy the prudence and foresight of Gen. HarrisoUf who sent out a party to support Clay, and defend his retreat. The Indians took advantage of the opportunity this afforded them, to attack the boats, which Gen, Clay left unguarded ; the sick men in the boats were butchered^ and the bag- gage carried off. The bravery of the American troops during these conflicts, were remarkably brilliant. Fre- quent charges were made, under direction of Col. Miller, Major Alexander, Captains Croghan^ Neving, Bedford, and Longham. £very bat- tery on the American side of the river were sue- eessfully carried. The enemy, after this, thought only of retreat- ing, which he effected in great hurry on the 9th* An exehange of prisoners was previously effected. The American loss, during 13 days the enemy were before the fort, amounted to 81 killed, and 180 wounded, exclusive of the loss of Dudley's detaehment^ which exceeded 200 in killed an4 missing* The enemy's loss must have been much great- er, as his number of men far exceeded that of the Americans. The enemy was frequently de- feated by detachments not more than u third of his number. Col. Miller, with S50 men, made a sallie. In which he defeated the enemy, consisting of 200 regulars, 150 militia, and 500 Indians. Captain Sebre's company of Kentucky militia, maintain- ed its ground against four times its number, un- til rescued from unavoidable destruction., by tKo i HISTOBY 01 THE VIXB. Sd bravery of Lieut. Gwynne, of the Idth regiment^ and a part of Capt Elliot's company. From the best account^ the besiegers consisted of 560 regulars^ 800 militia^ and more than 2000 Indians. On the 25th April, 1813^ Commodore Chaun- eey sailed from Sachet's Harbour^ having on board his fleet about 1700 troops, destined to commence operations against Canada. They arrived opposite Little York, the capital of Up- per Canada, on the morning of the 27th Aprils and immediately commenced the landing of the troops, under a heavy flre from the enemy.—* After a very severe and sharp contest of half an hour, the enemy was repulsed by a number far inferior to theirs. As soon as the remain- der of the ti'oops had landed, the enemy retired to his work« One battery being carried, the troops were a^ivancing towards the main works^ when a tremendous explosion took place from a magazine previously prepared, and which threw out an immense quantity of stones, by which the Americans lost in killed »nd wound- ed about 200 men ; among the killed, ^he gallant Brigadier- General Pike. The !?riti ^ r^^ular troops having retreated, the comm^ndi ig officer of the militia agreed to terms of capitulations and the capital of Upper Canada as surretit^er- ed to the American troops. The Amerieaik loss in killed* and wounded, was 269. The enemy's loss in killed, wounded and priso^^^rs^ 930. As an evidence of the barbarity of the enemr, the following t0* ''0mi< '»^ «i i»-. •.i^i aiif ORT OV THE VPAB. Ht York on the 2rih April last, accompanied bjr the mace, over ^hich was hung a human scalp*—. These aiticles were taken from the parliament house /by one of my officers, and presented to me. The scalp I caused to be presented to General Dearborn, who, 1 believe, still has it in his possession. I also send, by the same gentleman, one of the British flags taken at Fort George on the 27th of May. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, ISAAC CHAUNCEY. The riflemen^ under Major Forsyth, first land- ed, under a heavy lire from the enemy ; General 'Pike, to whom the immediate command of the .troops was entrusted, landed as promptly as |M)s- sible after, the remaining troops soon followed. 'The contest, on the first landing of the troops, was sharp a^td severe ; the enemy deriving much advantage from the circumstance that Maj. For- syth was driven iiy adverse wind from the des- tined point of landing. As soon as Gen. Pike landed, he ordered his men «to advance up the bank, which they resolutely performed in face of a warm discharge of musquetry. The moment pike reached the top, and was about ordering a .idiarge, the enemy hastily retreated. General Dearborn went ashore as soon as he learned that General Pike was wounded The town capitu- lated to Col. Pierce, of the 16th infantry, on whom the command devolved after General Fike ^as disabled. General Sheafie eommanded the British. On the aad May, 1813, Commodore Cbauncey sailed from Sacket*s Harbour, having 3£»0 men of Col. M«Comb*s regiment on board, and arriv- ed near Niagara on the 25th; the other parts of Ids squadron had arrived before^ and landed their -i( p«»nc* silen dt*r o'< it*r Boyd ligiii Ji*r f and the Whs Juan pure • lat BI8T0BT Ot THE WAB. 'i^ ^rDops. The commodore had an immediate in- terview with Gen. Dearborn, and a plan of ope- rations against th' ^^f^my was agreed on. On the :26th the comn e reconnoitcred the posi- tion for landing tli .1 oops ; and, at night, sound- ed the shore. The morning of the 27th, was ^xed on for an attat;!^ on the enemy at Fort 'George. The heavy artillery, and as many troops as could be stowetl, were taken on board the fleet, the remainder were ordered to embark on l)oard boats, and follow tL fleet. At 3 o'clock in the morning, a signal was made for the fleet to weigh, and the troops were embarked on board the boati before four ; atsd soon after Generals Deai'born and Lewis went on board the fleet. In the course of the morning the different vessels advanced, and took positions as directed. All the vessels anchored within musket shot of the Canada shore ; and in ten minutes after they o- pi»m*d upon the batteries, they were completely silenced and abandoned. The light troops, un- der (vol- 8cott and Maj. Forsytli, landed at nine o'i^lock ; Gen, Lewis's divisions with light artil- lery, under Col. Porter, supported them. Gen^ Boyd"s brigade landed immediately after the lighr tro^>T>s ; and tTenerals Winder and Chand- ler followed in quiek succession. The moment h'Ad arrived which muit put the eourage9 skill, bnd patriotism of the soldier and the citizen t* the moat trying t«st. Every apparent advantage ■was un the aide of the enemy. The Britiah com- mander expected the attack, and he was pws pured to ven'M it ; it was broad day-light before a landing could be effected, which circumstance gave to the enemy suflicient time to ascertain the point of attaek, and ^o collect and arrange hk whole force ; a ravine and wood eooeealod >s 1 %'•-: t ag only 1800 men, raw ret* ruits, almost strais- ^u^s to discipline, not innured to danger, and trw " t' v/hom had ever seen a battle. Such was the disparity, such the damper to be eneoufifered, and sueh the enemy to be vanfjuished. fhe Ameri- can lioats being too few in number, were crowded with men ; on their approa<'hing the shore a most tremendous flre was opened on them. The lake was covered with foam, and the bank was en- Tcloped in a continual blaze. Fortunately the aim of the enemy was not so accurate as his ^re ^as rapid. No sooner had the light troops under Col. Scott landed, than* under their gallant lea- fier, the> attempted to gain the bank. Thriue with the most persevering courage was the at- tempt made, and tijvicr they were repelled by an ' enemy more than lUe times their number. Boyd with the first brigH^le, had by this time landed, about five minutes after Scod. The troops were immediately formed in platoons and companies, and rushed up the bank. Boyd was the firin this perilous situation. He was quickly surrounded by his brave companions, and our line was soon formed at a distance, varymgfrom five to ten yards from that of the enemy. It was not till this time that the battle could be said to have fairly commenc- ed. The patient courage of our raw recruits had been mo9t severely tried, in approaching the shore, amidst showers of bullets, in receiving with unshrinking firmness, a tremendous and dir- structive fire, which they could not return. — l^heir intrepidity was now to be proved in the face of superior numbers of veterans, strength^ ened by a considerable irregular force of militia and Indians. The fire of our men was rapid and exact, to a degree seldom surpassed ; but the su- periority of the foe enabled him to maintain his ground about fifteen minutes. The victory wa& yet doubtful, when the men heard the voice of their chief exclaiming the enemy fly. The effect of this cheering sound in our ranks was decisive. It produced an instantaneous movement of our whole line. And the enemy before crossing bay- onets, broke and fled with the utmost precipita- tion, leaving upwards ofooe hundred dead on the field of battle, two huiuh'ed wounded, and one hundred prisoncr^i. The victory was complete. Boyd*s brigade, and Huott't light troops, who alone were in the battle, pursued the enemy to Queenston. If any thing could enhance the value of the victory, it was the fact of its being purchased at so trifling a loss. The enemy lost 108 killed, 163 wounded, antl il3 taken prisoners. The Americans lost 3SK '^'I'^il m^-'-if .ma terartii, m ^ HI8T0ST OF THE WAB* killed, and 111 wounded. In tbe enemy's lb%9p 507 militiay who were parolled, are not included. The merits of this battle» so far as they apper- tained to the oommander, belonged to (jeneral Boyd. He commanded during the whole of the Action, the division under General Winder net being able to reach the scene of aetion until after the enemy had fled. Prior to the taking of Fort George, three A^ merieans in the camp, who refused to bear arras* were, by order of Colonel Clark taken out, and without ceremony shot / This infernal scound- dr6l met with bis deserts soon after-*he was kiU Jed at the time of the surprise of Generala Wiv;? der and Chandler. ^ A fire was kept up at intervals, during the 9iiceeeding night, from the batteries at Fort Erie» On tbe morning of tbe 3Stb, all the magazines from Chippewa to point Albino were blown up ; file enemy retreated, and Fort Erie, was entered in the afternoon by the American troops. In these diflTerent transactions. Commodore Chauncey bore a spirited and useful part. The loss on board his fleet consisted of five killed, and eleven wounded. Capti Perry, afterwards known as tbe bero of Eric, volunteered his ^rvices on this occasiouf and materially aided in securing success. << He was, according to Com. Chauncey's report, « pre«< sent at every point where be could be useful, un- der showers of musketry, but fortunately escaped unhurt.** The enemy, probably w5th a wish to perform some exploit that might balance his losses in the neighbourhood of Niagara prepared^ with a strong force, to attaek the American force at Backet's Harbour. On the 28tb May the enemy's fleet HISTOBY OF THE VAR« sr appeared, accompanied by a largo number of boats. Lieut. Chjuncey, of the navy, camo in from the lake, firing alarm guns. General JacoU* Brown, who commanded the fort, made every possible disposition to repel the menaced attack. On the morning of the i9lb, 33 large boats, filled ivith troops, came off from the enemy, and pro- ceeded to Garden Island, under cover of some gun-boats. The militia, stationed near ^vhere the enemy proposed to land, fired with consider- able effect, and then fled from their post. The ^nemy effected a landing with about 1200 meii at Horse Inland. A detachment of militia, un-^ der command of Capt. M^Nitt, threw themselves^ ifVith considerable efl^ect, on the .. arofthe ene*. my 's left flank, whrle the regulars, under Co1« Backus, engaged and routed him. Gen. Prevost who commanded the British es|)edition, retreateci with great precipitation, under protection of the guns of his vessels ; ami thus saved himself anti men from being made prisoners. According ta a previous arrangement, it ^Yas agreed, that io' a certain event, the stores, &c. at the navy- point, should be destroyed: This event did not happen ; but some i^erson, unauthorised, brought information to Lieut; Ghauneey, that the battle was lost — the stores^ accordingly were destroyed* • Gen* Jacob Brown, of the state of New- York^ who commanded the land forces at SacketV Harbour, gave a substantial proof of those mili- tary talents, which, in all his subsequent opera-^ tlons, were so conspicuously usefuT tobis coun- try, and so uniform^ honourable to himself, thati even envy never dared lisp an ibsinuation dis- creditable or dishonourable to the general. Sit- James Lucus Yeo commanded tke British fl€6t»> I?; r,.'^l I'l: I H^W m' ffi. iS lit K.;aK 4m' S-4X M' W'*^^ ^ H'r.lSX xjl'' ir BISTOBT 01 THE WAX* Tlic enemy's loss was very conftiderable, induct ing several officers of distinction. The Ameri- eann lost about 150 io killed and wounded ; Col. IV] ills was killed^ and Colonel Backus mortally wounded. About 400 regular troops su: 'alned the heat of the action. ■'^ At the close of the action, a British barge^ with a naval lieutenant, under a flag of truoe* eame to the bank of the river, and demanded of an officer^ who was standing there, in the name of the general and commodore, the surrender of Sacket's Harbour. The officer replied ** N09" and the flag returned. ^ The pride and presumed authority of Britain dn lier oton demain, the oeean, was materially tarnished. The laurels plucked from France^. Spain, Portugal, and Holland, were withering^ and seemed to be transferred to adorn the browa^ of the hitherto despised commanders of the lAU lipuiian fleet of America. It wr» resolved, by Ihe enemy, to retrieve lost honour. An expe- dient was resorted to which was successful, so- far as t^e capturing of a ship, yet an astonished and admiring world remained unaltered in the opinion, that the superiority of American tars^ was not lessened by the event, nor the fading lustre of British Invincibility^ in any manner re*^^ t'rieved. For some time befbre the first of Jane« the^ British frigates Tenedo», Bellepoulcy and Shan- non, were off the harbour of Boston, where the Chesapeake lay. The Tenedos and Bellepoule^ having put a part of their erew on l)oard the Shannon, proceeded to sea. The Shannon (the best frigate in the British navy,) appeared alone- oflT the iiarbour, on which the Chesapeake got Hui^t wjeigbi ai laeridian^ on 1st Juncf at 15 BISTORT OF THE WA£« i^ minn lei before six, an action commenccdy ivitliifi' pistol ihoty and in a few minutes the vesAcla^ . •loHcd ; the arm chest of the Chesapeake was* • hlown up by a hard grenade^ thrown from (hd^ enemy's ship* and imntcdiately after, the Clies- apeake was carried by boarding, and the pri* tate signals of the navy of the United States fell iktto the hands of the enemy. The enemy boasted not of tliis victory, it cost him too dear, and was an in<)i»imtable proof of American bravery. Nev^r whs tliere such ear- sage between two sJiips, in shoi't a time.-^^ The loss on board the Shanno nftot be exaet^rt ly ascertained ; the loss on tK>ard the Chesa- peake, was 48 killed, and 96 wounded. Total killad and wounded, 141*. Ev<*ry officer, npon whom the command olT the ship would devolve, was either killed oih, wounded previously to the capture of the vcs-;* sel. The brave Captain Lawrence was mortally l^'ounded. On the authority of Capt. John Upton» com- mander of the privateer Cossack, of Salem, the following eircumstanees were published in a»^ eastern paper : « Afterthe enemy had complete possession of the- aihip, and the men were ordered from the tops, Mn Berry, a midshipman^ who commanded the misea tpp, surrendered himself as a prisoner, when two^ sailors rushed up, and seized him by the collar, a#» temfited to throvf him overboard^ but he got within the shrouds, when they seized him by the heels, and> threw him on the deck ! Being stunned by the fall, he lay some time senseless, and when he came too^ he was cut over the head with a cutlass, which near>- ly terminated his existence. Mr. Livingston, ano- ^er midshipman^ after receiving a musket bsA ■,M-..,V>»,J at. ! (* I ■1-: (■■I .■.'■(;f/| ri* ▼^ .0. >!? t IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 12.8 u lU u IL25 i 1.4 6" \15 2.2 2.0 I 1.6 Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4^ 4% ^ O^ 9% HISTORY OV THE WAR. ty»rough his body, ¥?as run through the body three times, notwithstanding his repeated cries for quar- ters, (and after the enf-my had possession of the ship !) he lived long enough to express his indig- nation at the brutality of bis enemies, and expired- in a few Iwurs. Thr,^e men were killed in the hold after the capture of the ship j and they even fired in- to the cockfiitf among the wounded and dying I Ele^ ven of the Chesapeake's officers were confined in a small place nine feet by six, with a guard at the door> till their arrival at Halifax, and only one or two per- mitted to come out at a time. Men were shot at in coming down out of the tops to surrender them* selves, and other instances of barbarity took place> disgraceful to a civilized people." The boasting of British editors and the re« joicings of British partizansy were rather inad than enthusiastic on the recover)' of her tri« dent by the mistress of (he deep; hut (hk re- joicing did not long eontinue ; the facts con- nected with the engagement could not be long^ concealed. The cowardly superiority of the enemy, the unexampled bravery of the Ameri- cans, and the great loss of blood in defence of their flag, especially when contrasted with for- mer engagements in which the enemy was de- feated, left no solid ground for exultation, no- thing of which to boast. The unprejudieed' reasoner will be yet found holding the laurel^ and doubting whether to award it to the victor or the vanquished. The honours conferred on Capt. Broke, by his cbuntrymen, were justly due to great valour, of which he is certaiDly posses- sed, although in this instance, it was tarnished by a dastardly plan to render success certain. The body of Captain Lawrence was interred; «t Halifax^ on th^ Sth June^ on which QccaaioQ^ fas MMIi 1 i UISTOBY OF THE VfAMm Oft tb^ British officers joinod in proeession, to sLow their respect for a naval 30DiiMander» whose ho-^ roisiu* skill and demeanor^ drew respeet from all, even from the enemy. . Captain Crowninshield, of Salem, (Ms.) hav- ing obtained a tlag of truce, proceeded to Hali- fax in the brig Henry, at his own private ex- pense ; and, being permitted to ttike on board bis vessel, the body of Captain Lawrence, and also that of Lieutentant Ludlow, brought the (Jorpscs lo 8nlem, where a funeral prucession took place, on the 17th August, with every mark* of regret, esteem > and gratitude, which the citi- zens could bestow. Judge Story delivered » suitable oratk>n : the eflTec^ produeed on the au-( dleniie when the orator pronounced the Is^st 4yt ing words of Lai?i*fnce, <*i>oi9T givb.itf O'uii 0HiP,^ may be conceived ^ to describe it woidil be impossible. . ^ jj,., .^ . Mn Edward N. Cox, brotber*into Cap* tain Lawrcnoe, proceeded to Salem, and, having received the fai>dies of the two hevwn, convey- ed them tofthe dty of New- Yorkt where they were finally interred. The arrangements for A pttblie fotieral w^ere made, under the direction of a eonimittee of the common council of the city. ' 'On Thursday, the 16th September, pursuant to arrangements, the bodies of our valiant coun- trymen, Lawrence and Ludlow,, were finally consigned to the peaceful tomb. The unusual number which swelled the mournful procession^ and the uiidissembled sorrow which marked ev-, cry countenance from the highest to the lowest^, order* evinced in an unparalleled degree, the public sympathy, and that the honours paid to the « mighty deftd" were not more conspicuouft tbw^ deierved. On no similar occasion have va 11 Mk HISTOBT OF THE WAB^* 'y^Si«4i ■ *k.\ ''■(■. ,^.mD' witnessed a tcstiniooial of reject so uniTerw. sal and sinoero. It was indeed a day of mourn- ioe. The hearts of hoary patriots, and youth-* ful heroesy beat in solemn unison^ and the bright eye of beauty glistened with a tributary tear. Not only the reflections arising from such a scene, but every transaction connected with the proceedings of the day, were calculated to in>- spite with reverence the coldest and most disin- terested spectator. The concourse of spectators who witnessed this interesting and impressive exhibition, was innumerable, and is supposed to amount to for- ty or fifty thousand. The streets were lined^ the windows crowded, and the roofs oovered witli citizens, viewing the grand and •olemn' speotaoie. The procession of boats in the^ har- bour, from its novelty in particular, attracted much attention, and the wharves and the rig* ging of the vessels in the doeksy were orowd^ with spectators. The corporation made a provision of 1,000 dollars for each of the two infant ehiHren of Captain Lawrence. An application to the British naval officer^ Captain Oliver, for permission to convey the boflies of Lawrence and Ludlow, by water^ to New- York was shamefully refused. The following extracts, translated from il French paper, is wort by of a place here. *' ■m 't'?^^" HISTOBT OV THE WAB. m carrying offa six pounder, howitzer, and a oals- son» to the great oi irtifieation of our brave ar- tillery. It is presumed it was on that occasion al- so that we lost our generals, who were distinctly beard encouraging our men to light. The squa- dron of dragoons remained formed and steady At their posts, but oouldnotact on account of the darkness of the night, and the thickness of the adjacent woods. Jtefiort qf killed^ wounded and miaaingy in the actiop qfthe 6th June^ at Sitoney Creek, JGiled — I Serjeant, 1 corporal, 15 privates. Wounded '^l captaiH) 1 serjeautj 2 corporals^ and 34 privates. Aiiasing^-2 brigadier-generals, 1 major, 3 captains^ ] subaltern) 9 Serjeants, 4 corporals, 80 privates. STo^a/— killed, wounded and missing, 154. Correct returns from the reports of the different corps in the action, of the 6th inst. at Stoney Creek. J. JOHNSON, Ast. 4dj. Gen. The enemy acknowledged to have on this oe* oasion, the 8th, or king's regiment, 280 men ; •if9th regiment, 430-^Total ;f;^;ular 710, besides «< a powerful body of Indians under the Chief ^Norton.'* As the enemy makes no mention of his militia, and he is known to under-rate his actual force in every action, it may be supposed^ vthat his force', in the engagement at Stoncy-creek> was very considerable. The Ameriaan army took up a position at Forty-mile creek, ten miles in rear of the ground on which It had been^ attacked. Here it was join- ed at five o'clock in the afternoon of the 7th June» by a reinforcement under the command, of Gen. lie wis. At six o'oloek in the evening, the hostile ileet bove in sight ^ the Americans lay on their arms during the night. At dawn of day the * r^^ ^- ido HISTORY OF THE 17AB* hi ■ squadron appeared about a mile from the shotre ; about six o'clock towed in a large sohoonery (it being a dead calm^) with a view to destroj[ a num- ber of boats attached to the American army which lay on the beach. By means of a tempo- vary furnace, construcled in half an hour^ under diremion of Capt. Tottcn, of the engineers, and by the successful fire from four pieces of artillery, worked by the men of Captain Archer and Tow- son's companies, the enemy's schooner was com- pelled (o retire, without effecting the destruction of the boats. A party of Indians having oecu- pied a commanding eminence, commeneed an at- tack on the Americans, but were soon dislodged, and forced to retreat before a party of volunteers, under command of Lieut. Eldricige, adjutant in Col. Chrystie's regiment. Sir James Yeo, com- mander of the enemy's fleet, having failed in his attack on the boats, sent a flag to the American commander, demanding a surrender of the army ; to this a verbal negative was given. On the 1 4tb, a part of the camp e^quipage and baggage were put in boats, and the weather being fivoura- bie, the boats put off, without waiting for a de- tachment of 200 men, which was ordered to eo on board for the purpose of protecting them, m case or being attacked. It was a short time calm, hut a breeze springing up, when they had progressed about three miles, they were borne down upon by an armed sobooner ; the most en- terprising kept on and escaped, others ]ran to the shore and deserted their boats ; twelve of the boats, principally containing baggage of the of- Qcers and men, were taken. At ten o'clock, Gen« Lewjs put the army in motion, in order to return to Niagara ; the Canadian militia and savage^ hang on their flanks and rear^ during the retreat. •t*- ^ HilTOBT OV THE WAIt. •H^Jpi lot ^ liieitt Colonel Qcerstler was detached on the erening of the 23d June» with 570 men to a place called Beaver-damB, about 9 miles from Queens- ton, to tdisperse a body of the enemy collected there. The enemy's force was understood to consist of aliove 80 regulars, 150 or 200 mililia* a id 50 or 60 Indians. Col. Boerstler's detach- ment reaclud within about two miles of Beaver- dams, at eight o^clookin the morning, when it was attacked from an ambuscade consisting of 500 regulars, and 100 Indians, but soon repulsed the enemy, and then retired to a clear field, and sent an express for reinforcements. A reinforcement of 300 men, under command of Col. Chrystie, was quickly marched to the aid of Col. Boerst- 7or ; bu<, on arriving at Queenston, was in- ff*' ifiied, that Lieut. Col. Boet'stler* with his com- inand, had surrendered to the enemy. The re- inforcement returned to camp. The American troops fought with great bravery for two hours^ while surroundediiy superior numbers. General Dearborn, in his official statement, dated at Fort George, June 25th, expresses his surprise, ^* why it should have been deemed proper to remain- several hours in a position surrounded by woods^ without either risking a decisive action, oreffect- ihg a retreat, remains ta bo accounted for, as well as the project of waiting for a reinforcement from a distance of fifteen or sixteen miles." l^his difficulty was soon cleared up 1^ Major Chapin* who commanded the militia atthe battle of Bea- ver dams, but who arrived at Buffaloe in th& ilight of the 13th July, having, together with his company, escaped from the enemy, after be- ing prisoners of war. Capt. Chapin stated, that' the enemy was considerably superior in number^ Qotwithstaading which, Lieut. Colonel Boer stler I 2 '•-'.'. I *;:^ 102 nsTOnT OF THB VA». 4? would have been able to maintain his position, or eut a passage through the enemj^ so as to effeet a retreat ; but at this Juneture a British ofSeer rode up and demanded the surrender o£ the A- meriean party. The demand was made, he said* to prevent the effusion of blood. He asserted also, upon his lionour, and declared in the most solemn manner, that the British regular force was double that of the American, and tjat the Indians were 700 in number. Lieut. Col. Boerst- Jcr, under a belief of these facts, and thinking it impracticable to get off the wounded, whom he was unwilling to abandon to the mercy of the sa- vages, and deeming it extremely uncertain whe- ther a retreat oouTd be effected, thought proper to agree to terms of capitulation, which, were at length signed by himself on the one part^ and H|| Lieut. Col. Bishop on the other. Capt. Chapin makes the following statement : M The articles of capitulation were no sooner sign- ed, than they were violated. The Indians immedi- ately commenced their depredations, and plundered the officers of their side arms. The soldiers too were stripped of every article of clothing to which the savages took a fancy, such as hats, coats, shoes, &»c.*^ By the articles of capitulation, it was stipulat- ed that the wounded should be taken good care of, the officers be permitted to retain theit side- arms, private property be respected, and the mi- litia Immediately paroled. How oharaeteristiq of a savage and faithless enemy was this shame- ful violation of honour and good faith. Major Chapin and his corps were detained un- der guard at the head of Lake Ontario, and no attention paid to the articles of capitulation, ^ich provided for their beln^; paroUed^ Qn Uie ^M BlITORY Of THB WAS. ia? I •it- 12th inst. tliry were ordered down the hike to Kingston ; fur which place they were embarked iu two boats, aooompanied by a guard of 15 men» under the command oi a lieutenant. Tliirteen oftheuien» with the lieutenant, were stationed in the forward boat with Major Chapin and tho other officers, while the remaining two, (a ser- geant and one man,) took tlie direction of the other boat, which contained the soldiers. An agree- ^ jnent had been entered into, previous to their de»^ parturc, of seizing the first opportunity that of- fered to regain their liberty, whieh they deter- mined to eifect, or die in the attempt. When they were within about 12 miles of York, the boat which was filled with the prisoners, was rowed" by them along side the other, under pre- tence of taking something to drink. I'ho signal being given, they sprang upon the guard, who little expected such a manoeuvre, and in a short time disarmed them, and gained possession of the boats. They immediately altered their course from Kingston to Fort Niagara, and after row- ing hard fir most of the night, and escaping with difficulty foom one of the enemy's schooners^ which gave them chase, arrived in safety with their prisoners, at the American garrison. The following extract of a private letter from Fort George, made its appearance in a publie newspaper, in the first week in August : out a mile and a half from Fort George, when ^ LieTit, KiOriiige, with 39 men, who volunteered / uuder him, went to relieve them ; but, io his zeal to t^xtcute the order, he unexpectedly fisund himself surrounded In the wood by Indians, wha opened a deadly fire upon his little corps, which «ut down 18— a few fled^ and the remainder were =u.-..- M » ts^t- ill > ' * sssm .(».' Tis^ .''. it. , m III ■■' 'ft $ i06 BI8T0BT OV THE WAB. ,#' taken by the Indians, and stripped, scalped, and mangled in a horrid manner. Only nine of the eorps escaped. During the night of the 4th July, a party of the enemy, consisting, according to the British account, of 41 men, but known to exceed that number, passed over in boats from Chippewa to Fort Sohlosser, which was guarded by only 12 men, whom the enemy made prisoners, together ' with three of the citizens ; and also succeeded in parrying off some flour, salt pork, whiskey, &c. ; one brass six pounder, a few stands of arms, some ball cartridges, &e. with whioh they has- tily retired. The enemy being reintoroed, re- . turned on the succeeding CTening to complete the plundering, which his hurry and fears compelled ,iim to leave unfinished daring his first visit, but observing a guard, he retreated without attempt- ing to land. A body of the enemy, consisting of about 200 men, besides Indians, attacked the pickets at Fort (jieorge, on the 17th July, but were brave- ly repulsed, after a contest of one hour. Al- though this affair was not otherwise of much consequence, it was in a degree so, inasmuch as- it gave a full opportunity of testing the conduct of the American officers engaged ; as it was fought in detachments. Col. Scott had command of the troops on this occasion. ( "^n. Boyd, in bis official report, highly extolled ihe activity and bravery of those engaged, particularly Ma- jors Cummins, and Armstrong ; Captains Yan- deursen, Madison, Birdsall, and Tow son. A declaration of war, of which the following i» a copy, was issued by the Six Nations of New- Turk Indi&ns, immediately after the invasion nf the fttate by the British. K ■' ■mi /» H19T01tT OF THE W4S. ley DECLARATION OF WAR, ? BY THE 8XX NATIONS OF INDIANS. '^ WC) the Chiefs and Councillors of the Six Na- tions of Indians, residing in the state of New-Yorkf do hereby proclaim to all the War Chiefs and War- riors of the Six N'ations, that WAR is declared on our part, against the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. Therefore, we do hereby command and advise all the War Chiefs to call torth immediately the War- riors under them, anf the British Indians^ and four whites. The '•W *l .^■- ■■'.- -^, ^ B|8T no insult wat offered even to the dead. At d^ break on the 34th August, the enemjy with his whole foroe» 0Ommandeaby Sir George 'Prevosty drove hi all the Amerioan pickets aft Fort George. A skirmish ensued in the vil- lage, with little efl^ot, when the enemy retired* leaying Id of his men dead on the field,. and a few prisoners, ineluding a captain of the 49tb. ^h6 Americans lost two men Killed^ and aibw Inrounded. • The pulh of beiifg compelled to relate the bar- barity of a fitthkiss enemy, on almost every oc« oasion where l^^4powier, is^ pleasingly miti- gated, by ^6 iMHR^ which the acts of Ameri- can soldiers ai^^men produce. Among the .^any, too numerous for reculiection or^etatl, Hhe following will be read with satisfaction : ; On thcrJ^ st Septemb«^ a company of volun- ieers, mpMc^pally of the village of Mffaloe, em- jbiitkc^fbr Sugar Iioaf, (ahout 14i miles from iFort SHe,). under command of Major Chapin* with iin ihteutiou to^silrprise attd oa{»ture a Brl- jlish gd&rd, commanded by Col. Warren. The '<;olonel had anticipated the attack^ and had ^Mritbdrawn himself and guard froin the^ lal^ faome miles, into the ilfterior of the country .-~ Thepikrty took several prisoners, who were im- ^Inediatety paroled; and 54t barrels of fiour, and .a bale of blankets, all of wbieh was the proper- ty of government. There were sevisral huiidred liarrels of flour at the mills, but there being no |H*oof of Its being public property, it was not ta- ken. The eoiidttoiJ»^ll^or Glia]piQt in ftit liit. ffr' ;> 'f/ 11(9 BIS TORT 6V TBB WAB. M-'- ineursions into the enemy's territery» hat Iw^eo »trictly honeurable ; oare folly distiiigitiiliiiig be- t kuded without op- po ot or .4 -^, Ill lich On HISTORY OF THE WAB.- Hi po»l»»)( 3 4«i 1 -I* I 1 ilS IHSTOBT OF TWB WAR.I*^ etit off* the Araerioaii t^booner, but ibe^* Were able to c^nre into their slatioii before' he eoiil4 reaeb them. Night coming on« and tlie ireather^ as on the former nif^t, squall jy the Commo«> dore, to gtinrd against fuplher aeeident^ as well as to ttlTord some rest to his meny Vfho bail beea 40 hoars at quarters> ran in towards Niagara» and aneliored outside the bar. Here he veeelveA on board, and distributed in different Tessek, ISO men, to aid in boarding, in ease he eould elote vith the enemj. 'fl v Soon after dayJight on the Othy he diseovered the enemy, weighed anchor, and litoed after him* I'he winds were light and variablei and before noon quite calm ; at 5 P. Af . the wind sprang u|i» pursued the probable eourse of the enemy duriiig the night. In the morniiig of the lOth* diieeT^ ered the enemy and* gftve %tm ehase f befbre the wind ehanged, brought the enemy, to wiadward^ by v^bieh he was again enabled to avmd an ae» ^ion. Both fleets eontinued manmuvring untU .11, when a firing commeneed between bothfleets» The Wind favoured the enemy, and enabled liim to effect one purpose of all his long and oowai^ly fnanmuvringf. by separating two vessels from the remaiiMer of the squadron^ and capturing the Grolvler and Julia. . On the morning of the 11 th, the Commodore !^t sight of the enemy, but he still refused bato Je, notwithstanding his increased ad vantage^ 1^ the eaptureof two vessels, and a wiml IbvouraUe to him^ A gale coming on, CommeAore €>haun« eey returned to Socket's Harbour^ to obtain pro- Vision^, of whioh bis sh^ was iieiirly^^esti« after s^ruok to the Sylph ; and on the following morning, the Sylph took possession of the Lady Guree. But one of the enemy's- vessels, a small schooner, es- caped, and she owed her safety to the darkness of the night. ^ ^ Commodore Chaanoey proceeded to Saoket^s. Harbour with his prizes. The oaptured vessels inounted from, one to three guns eaoh, and were returning with troops from the head of the lake.. The following are the number and description of troops of the enemy made prisoners on this occasion, viz. 1 major, 1 captain, 3 subalterns^ i surgeon, 10 sergeants, 4 drummers, 202 rank and file, of De . Watte vile's regiment; 1 lieu- tenaotf 2 ipaster's mates^ $dk seamen and ma.-^ »5!' !.f; ';'!' ■••«'. >., m m U u ■r".j '■:*M., IV;^-^^'- ■'(J 4 / ■;;,a a* ■w. .,4«( A' li '1 116 BVITOmT OV TRl WAV. Vines of the royal navj ; anil four sailing- mn iter* of llie provincial navy. The enemy*H tM|iiH«li'on WHH sern going into Kingston lh«^ same evening. It was eause ofniueh iturprise that the llri- iish were permit ted to ohiain an aseendancy as to actual force on tlie lakes (.'hamplain« Oniiir'O* and £rie ; if they did not make ail tlie use of their numerical superioi'lty which they ought to have hmde, it must remain for themselves to explhin. Commodore Yeo w\\» brave, and an experienced offii^er. His ap|iarently oowardly conduct on Lake OntaritN must have bvien ttie result of his private instructions. It must be eonfessedy tliat this surmise is ill suppoi'tcd when eontrasted with the policy of the British oom* manders on lakes Champlain and Krie. On both these lakes, the enemy reckcmed on suoeess* as what roust certainly result from his supeiior taetios, supported by a supenor force. He did tiy his strength and talents against the Yan- kees, and with his ships and invincibility, hand* ed over to the Yankees, all the laurels which were gleaned from every other naval power .-~ The American war, on the sea and the takes, has disgraced^ degraded, and humbled the proud mistress of the deep, and raised the aspiring, and noble minded American to a height, whi<'h every nation in the world, except England, has witnessed with a pleasure of enthusiasm, that speaks a language to the Briton, not equivocal^ but galling, dreadful, ominous. ^ For some time, the enemy assumed, and In fact, held the command of Ijakc Erie. His fieet was commanded by an officer of exper!enoe» Who tauntingly boasted of his superiority .-<» Commodore Oliver H. Perry was appoinfted ta Uk% cottuuuid of th« AflMTicaA fleet. The ftk I* 1/ V '^. mrron tm Tim wab. iir Mwinnf extract of a letter from him to tbe seere* tarj' of the navy, wai dated 4tli August, and an- nouncert his indention ofmeelingthe enemy. ** 1 have great pleasure in informing you, that I haye succeeded in getting o?cr the bar, the U. S. Teasels, the Lawrence, Niagara, Caledonia, Ariel, Scorpion, Somers, Tigress, and Porcupine. The enemy have been in sight all day, and are now about four leagues from us. We shall sail in pursuit of them at three to-morrow morning." The following offloial letters from, the Com« Bfiodorot are proofi of the modesty, as the result of the engagement was, of the undaunted hero« hm and naval skill of this great eonraiander. Co/iy qf it letter /i^om Commodore Ferry to the 8ec» retory qf the Mivy, ^ W. S. brig Niagara, off the Western Sisters, Head of Lake Erie, SeplU 10, 1813,4 P.M. ** Sir,— It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arais of the United States, a signal victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, con- sisting of two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and ono tloop, have tbiA moment surrendered to the force Uinder my command, after a sharp conflict. 1 havo l^e honour to be, &c* »* itoD. W. Jipnea, Secretary of the Navy. O. H. PERRY. f Cojty qf a letter from Com, Perry to the Seeretari^ qf the Alavy. X^ U. S. schooner, Ariel, Put-iurBay, Idth ^ Sept. 1813. Sir,«-Ii| mj last I informed you that we had cap* ture^ the enemy's C'^et on this lake. I have now the honour tb give you the most important particulars of the action. On the morning of the 1 0th inst. at sun-riie they Vref^ discovered from P^t-in-Bay, AiT-'i vAj .<.'x; 118 tmiSTOST OV TBS M \m when I lajr at anchor with the squadron under mf command. We got under way, the wind li||;ht at Sk W. and stood tor them. At i Q a. m. the wind haul- ed to S. £. and brought us to windward ; formed the line and bore up. At 15 minntes before 13, the enemy commenced firing , at fi^ve minutes before 1 3| th^ action commenced on our part. Finding their fire very destructive) owing to their long guns, arid its b^ing mostly directed at the Lawrence, 1 made s'ailf and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. £ver^ braee ahd bowline being soon shot away, she became unmanageable, notwithstanding the great exertions •f the sailing-master. In this situation she sustain- ed the action upwards of two hours, within cannister distance, until every gun wa» rendered useless, and the greater part of her crew either killed or wound- ed. Finding she could no longer aniiojr the enemiy» I left her in charge of Lieut. Yarnell, who, i was Convinced from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what would comport with,the honc^ur bf the flag. At half past two, the wind springing upi Capt. Elliot was enabled to bring his vessel, the Ni^ agara, gallantly into close action ; I immediately went on board of her, when he anticipated my wishi by volunteering to bring the schooners, which had been kept astern by the tightness of the wind, into close action. It was with unspeakable pai^, that I saw, soon after I got on board the Niagara, the flag ofihe Lawrence come down« although I was per* fectly sensible, that she had been defended to the last, and that to have continued to make a show of resistance, would have been a wanton sacrifice of the remains' of her brave crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of her, and circumstan- ces soon permitted her flag again to be hoisted. At 4j5 minutes past two, the signal Was made for « close action." The Niagara being very little injured, I determined to pass through the enemy's line, bore up and passed ahead of their two ships and»a brig 5 • ■■'■; BIBTOHT OV THE VTKtU il9 giving a raking fire to them ftom the starboard giiriii and to a large, schooner and stoop, from the larboard side, at half pistol-shot distance^ The smaller ves- sels. «t this time, having got within grape and cannis- ter distance, under the direction of Capt« Elliot, and keepiiig up u well directed fire, tiie two ships, a brig, and hi schooner surrendered ; a schoouer and sloop making a vain attempt to escape. .^ »« Extract of a let ter from Commodore Perry, U. S. schooner x\riel, Put*in-ELair« 13th 1^ September, 1813. *'« I also beg your instructions respecting the. vtrounded. I am satisfied, Sir, that whatever steps I might take, governed by humanity, would meet your arpprobation. Under this impression, ( have taken Upon myself Schr. Lady Prevost, ■ Brig Hunter, ^ Sloop Little Belt, 1^ Schr. Chippewa, y ' , 63 guns. ^|llb/«'.— -The Detroit was a new ship, very strongly built, and mounted long 24*8, 18's, and I2*s. Statement qfthe force qfthe UJtfjd States* squadron* Brig Lawrence, So guns. . /r Niagara, 20 do. Caledoniat 3 do. ■*^i%^- irdo. 1 do. J 3 do. 1 do. 10 do. V %f 3 do., 1 do. and two swivels. ^«i L if m ~>r 'a: ?•■ II ^^^ ■ Mm mm 111 hi. ^«o BI8T0ST eS THB iNlll. -';'•« Schr. J^rMi ^^^- *^' ^' '-* -^ dWl^«rsf oar Ijr in the 1i it-iP » if.-'c fi aodoiri.} ..5 Somersy ' nu-M '. m i2 do.. and AjbwItoIs* ' on tbepart of tire Amerieaiis/thiB ll^ follows J - [Xilied. Wounded: Msaink* t'' •' «^ r ' il-j- ^^»' l]kW^eri(d^, • i% 61- ' "'U' ^^ ♦•^:>^J^ikgara, •^-^ 'a*^. '25 ' * ' 2^ '^''^^ '*'' -^» ^ taledoniai u>*'f-- ^ -^n!3. ^* ^^Soniersi 2 '2" ■•■<'-!•■■' i&tfJ Arier,:> 2 8 • lU^r^.,.i1 Trippc, 2 ■ 2.;.,^ ■■f. ^H?-6corpion}i:*ii; ;,|| 2 ^ ^ •? -^>;. 4^'|fi ..i»«itn,. . ■ •• . -^ •'•T» 27 96 1Q3 TifFO days previous to the action> 57 men upfit ftt' ^y^tj Ji,n the small v.ess^ls. , ' / ^ i While giving the Cofnniodqre'^ pyft^i, ^0Q^if^nt «f^tl|i9 ti'tiouy we cannot omit his lacpnia' ittter to General .Harrison. > It^ hasi hem ^^all^d* li^f a writep, ««Ce8arean^ brevity.?.. Cies»r sa^dM ;ye- ni, vidi, vvici," but-Perpy did jiiot eoni]ue4*;>in«re- 1^ by showing himselC^o an enemy » w4io> Ti?ekCf;- Jng^ 00 his own knowa superiority of 4ori'6y rito presumed superiority in tactiosy calculate iHwUb great certainty^ on conquering tjiie Yankc^iir.- /fhe battle was , hard fought* and the los«{ on both sides very great. Ferry might haVe saidi <« vcniyici,'^ or as he would'transTate'the noida of t)\e Roman general — <« we m»t thcv«noiiiy«^n• 'i-f; •f: fi r Tfato ComnMMlore wai preMitted with the firei^ dom of the cities of New- ¥ork add Albany. The thanks of Congress ; were voted to the Comniodore, his officers, seamen ami tiKkriaer^ and medals was preseilted to him und his offi- cers. - ' ' ..'^!!' : i The thanks of the Sebaie of Peimsylvfiniftt ^ith medals* were also voted to ibe Conimod tally the following particulars of a tirei^nt fi4»ii| the Citizens of Bostoa, deserves to be eayinf fat^ cd, vjz^ ■',;■' V ' ■ ':" W^4^a '4' *^ A Salver J of an oblotig squnre sbape, 33 in^h^ long;) by )6 1-2 wide, with a bright gadroon ^dge. t , i'^' Two Icf Pailtiy or Decanter Cooierty barrel shaji^ hooped round wiUi a blight gadroon ^ail o^ oblong shapes, standing on feet, with balls at the corners, ornanlient^ ed with deep borders, impressed with roses and leaves, and with bright gadroons'at top and bottom. The large pieces bear the foUowiilg inscription : :*• SEPTEMBER 10, 1813, Stgnalited our Jint triumph tn aqu&dron^^A v$ry sujierior JBritiah force on Lake Eirici^xitLt entirely gubdued by a: ./> '^'K >»Cl k COM. e. U.PERRY; the tern ord< the out - I liist Hirr«BT OV TAB WAU.4sii ±23i u, >•'» humtiniiy intfietdry. -i^- in »u\fm ffthonottr (lif^Ae . Victory dy th^ CITIZ£JVS (XM M 'The CApture of the BritUh fleet vemovcd Uw «bieroi^eft of'the eapture of M»ideQ f find GofiemI HiirrHon. maile dUposttioiiB to^ avail lii atseftf of it. ' Boats' were oolleeteil, und troops gfsemhieil. ^ GoyefnorShelhy arrived on the^rth Bcptembcr^ aA tto moath of Porlage river^ witti llboiH 40(K> yolliuleert^ Oea. MfArlhvr joined ilv^ family ifi ilHtib days aiW with, his brigadfi Irojtn; Poi^t MefgSi,. >Oa the 21 st, the erahaplKatibii ^Ii;oofiiiisoiifiii^ia^. Patfio^bay Island was the {lia^OfOl* cen<^voiis» i -.: Comoiodofe. Perry^s fleets UKilii^iiigi the captuitodsvosidsy werif engaged i0r jpvet^el iog difd as«isling tlie men .and ImmiIs^ a9' well as in eonve^iag stores, baggage^ &e. Thei krmy' again «ml>at*ked oki Imard die fleet and tioatsat Pttt^in bay; bn the 25thy and arrived the t^me everting at the Eastern Sister, a smaH is- land about sixteeii miles from M^lckn. Her0 ^e expeditioil llvafi dibtaioed some time by bad W^atl^er, dnriog wiiitsh time, a reooonoisanee of tlie enemy^fr coast wAs made by Gen. 'Harrison^ apcl Com< Pervy i ; , a distuliejU was also sent to api^ize. Cfd, Johnson of their movements, whi^ witth^his mounted rangersr waSv to co-()peraie iii^ l^e I'eduftioa of Maiden*. vTfQn the^i 27th, the army embarked nt the Eas* termfii#ter«'and landed ntfait Maiden, in exeelient prder« The enemy ilaving previously evacuated the tiiwoMt ^As eaterf d by the Amerieane witb- out fppositwn4.i^ft*^M«^ivu^.iAJ n:. ■■ ,^'--A^ . It has been^reoiarked in ihe early part b? this bistory, thatj, ;f tevkiiir^o Ihe surrender of De- h? I If: », iV,f is,, m 'm.^i ISJ^ HlftTMIT OV TUB 1IAB.»A' Iroit to tlw cniMn.?^ ttie inditnsy MfUh the Ji^±» eeptionofafewwholiad joiniMl the enemy, re« mained inaelivc, ^leliiiig» with tbeir usual §f^ gaeif^y until tbey eould difleo?«r on what side victory was likely to pe reh. Truo to their own Jm^^dcout: and' eowardly policy, they w^nt oveif^ to the victorious Brkon»; but no sooner was tbfii effeei of treason wiped off> by the eonrage^of pa** trioti, tban the savage withdrew from 'his em* ployersr and sought peaee lt*om thoBe, againsf whom be bad so lon^ raised the tomabawk(-»«!» B^ an ofBelal letter^ written b|y Gen. I^Artbuv to the secretary of war, and dated 'at D^ro^i subsequent to the retreat of tho^Brltisb^ it api> pears Ihatiive nations of Indlass^'^iiSb tbe^Otti-^ wasy Cbippewas, IBattewaf tentief* MUiniiett* ami Kiekapoosy have sued forpeaee. By aoagreo* ment entered into lietweea tliem and Gen. JM^AN tUur, on the part of the United States^ < After the evaeuation of Maiden by ibe enemyr Geor. Harrison pursued the Britisb^i^tbougb bo (iiarpi«on,}bad very few horses* •<^^iflareejly«# suffieieney to mount the general officers," whilst t^o retreating enemy mid tipwards of iOQ&^ horses. Notwithstanding tbis disadvantago,. tbor Amerieans pursued their objeet with so -muel^: diiigenoe, that ibey came up wiib^ the onOBly. The force desttaed for this sr^viec, ooiinisieil,, ^f about 140 regulars^ J^bnMn%> inooatedvegi mentis (Kentuokians,) throe ^mpanie» of Coi^v^aH'jf legion, and such of Governor Shelby ^s Vol UAleem as were fit for a rapid 'march ; the whole ^a- mounting to about a>d0O tmm» Jhws ^^ J^'^ i mSTOBY OF THE WA«W 12^ suii» tvbich Wfis attemled vrlih «eTcre |)rifatioliSf ('the whole army subsisting for several days upon ireshbevf, 'Without bi*cad or salt^ and thb infant try bi^lfig' without tents f^ a considerable quan- tity of arms were taken, being delerted by the ^enty, and itiuoh raore deS(roy6<1 ; these oonw iristed 'ehieily of maskets taken, or rather gireiii t& tbiein tiy the oat^itolation of Detroit. Two 246 pottnde^Sy with their eairrtages, besides a largie^ Quantity of ballsimd shells, and two gun-boMs* and isereral jmtteaux, loaded with provisions and' simmunitionf also fell into the hands of General ilarrison. The destruction of these were at* tempted by the retreating enemy» but were saved by the activity of the pursuers. Near a plae«^ Called >M'Oregor*8 Mills, on ojie of the branches of the rtver Thames, the Indians were placed irit great numbers, to dispnte the passage of the riv- er. Upon the arrival of the A mericaii advanced fuard. n heavy fire was cbmmeneed c^ it by th^ hiHans, 6n the opposite side of the river. Gen. Harrison, eXpiBcting the attack would be support- ed by the whdle fbroe of the cn^my> drew up hift entire iariiiy in oi^der- orbattfe, and brought up two six pounders to cover a party which was or* dered to repair a bridge, partially destroyed liy the Indians* The Indians^ as usual, when not early successful, fled after suiHsring a eonsidera^ bie loss. The American loss was two killed^ and' three or four wounded^ On the 5th Odt(^er# Genera] Ilarrison 'earner up with the enemy $'tbe result cannot be given more satlsRiot«rily tban wyII be found in the ibllowing^ejctrBet ft^eibbis letter iotbe secretarjp * - ■'* From the pl^ce" wliere olir army was last hatted, to -the MpiiiYiantownisi a distance of abo^jt 't!ixe& •f. ; '.: I ' ' .y- : :*i:ii**1 5;tii ''..'■■ t't^Q *•; r. m ' -"ifU Ml i» RIBTOIIT tii Tin tVAK. I* ' .0} M m u iiu^it %: :m m ■3 M VM-l.. •nd half milies, the rotid ^ptsses throtigh a tcWit forest) without any clearing, and for the hsH two miles, near to the bank of the river. At , from tw« to three hundred jrards from the river, a. Hram^ ex- tends parallel to it throughout the whole dblance. The intermediate ground is dry, and although the ^rees are tolerably thick it is in many places cleac of underbrush. Across this strip of landy its left aftpayed upon the river» supported by artillery ^ placf. ed in the wood, their right in the swamp* Gov^;*ed |>/ the whole of their Indian force, the British troops Wci'e drawn up. '^ The troops at my disposal consisted of about 1 ^0 regulars^ of the 27tH regiment, five brigades of Ken** tu<5ky volunteer militia in&ntry, under his excdleu« «y Governor Shelby, averaging less than five hun* ilred men, and Col. Johnson's regiment - of 'mdunfeed infantry, fmikiiig: in the whole an aggregate some* thin above sooo. No disposition of an army op^ ^osed to as Indian force,, can be 8afe,iimless'it as s«* ^uredon the f}aul»t and in the rear* t I had, .|h#re«r fore, no difficulty |ti arranging the jui£»iiiry^oii^rmaf bly to my general order of battle. Qea. .^i^ter'a brigade of 500 mjBnt formed the fronMii>|5»JW# light upon the road, and hi^ left uppn the awamnto .v^Dt iKing^s brigade, as a second lihe, 150 yards in .t|if i^ar of Trotter's and Chiles'a brigad^^ as a c^tpa of reserve, in the rear of it. TheSi^, thFce ||rig^e| formed the command of Msj. Geo. Uenry ; the wbolil^ of Gen.j'^esha's division, consisting of two brigad^s^ v^re formed cm ^o/fmr^ upon the l^t of Trotticr. ,, . " *^ While I was engaged in- forming the info|itr|F94 had directed CoK iohns^p's rfl|[iihcat,'<.wlufib was still in front to be formed in two lines «ot>posita t(» the enemy, aod, upon th^ advance ol. the ' mfoBtry^» to take ground to the^ left, and . formii^f^ < up^j^tliat Aank, to endeavour to turn the right' of the Jui^i^Sft A moiQent's reflection, however, Gonyincedmf> ^Nl l^roDi tbethickpesa of thb woodsj and swatnjilipe^a.of ilie ground, tbey would be udable to )do any thing on BISTORT or THE WAV. '^ 127 horseback) and there wat no time to ismount them Mid plftce their hones in security ; I, therefore) de- termined to refuse my left to the Indians, and to break theBritish lines at once by a charge of the mounted infantry ? the measure was not sanctioned by any things that I had seen or heard of) but I was hiWf convinced) that it would succeed; The Ame« rtcan backwoodsmen ride better in the woods than any other people. A musket or rifle is oo impedi« itkent to them) being accustomed to carry them on horseback from their earliest youth. I was per* tfuaded)toO) that the enemy would be quite unpre- pared for the shock, and that they could not resist H. Conformably to this idea) I directed the-regl- tatrit to be drawn up in close column) with Us right at the distance of fifty yards from the road, (that it ihf jg:ht 'be, in some measure) protected by the trees A*otn the artillery,) its left upon tlie swamp, and to dtfurgeat full speed as soon as the enemy delivered fheit (ire; The few regular troop>s of the- 2Tth- rcfc- (^iineht) under their colonel, (Paul) occupied) in- co« liAta of' sections of four, the small space bctWbefi tfietbad' and the river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's artillery ; and some ten or twelve friend* 1^ liidians were directed to move under the bank. The irro/rAer formed by the front line and GenerM Desha's divieion was an important pctnt. At that j^lace, the venerable governor of Kentucky was post* eld) who, at ^e age of sixty-six, preserves all the v|- l^r of youth, the ardent zeal which distinguished him in ^e revolutironary war, and the undaunted bra- vei^ which he manifested at King's Mountain. With ih^ aids-de>camp, the acting assistant adj. general* Cftpti Butler, my gallant friend Com. Perry, who dld'itl^ithd honour to serve as iiiy volunteer ald-de« <^iiip^ ihd Brig. Gen. Cass, who having no commattdi t^^eried me his assistance, I placed myself At the hekd ef the front line of tnfsntry^ to direct the move* iiAt%fitst>f%he cavuby) and give them the necessary suppoirt% The army had moved on in this order but iS^I i f<;# m •■hit * *'« . if'!' I ,i.'.:r. mi a": Jk 128* mSTORT OV THB WAS. a short distancci when the mounted men received the- fire of the British line, and were qrdercd to charge ; the horses in the front of the column recoiled 'from the fire ; another was given by tl»e enemy » and buCi column) at length, getting in motioni broke through the enemy wiih irresistible force. In one minute), the contest in front was over ; the British ofiicefSi seeing no hopes of reducing their disordered rai)k8' tp order) and our mounted men wheeling upon t^ei^^. and pouring in a destructive fire, immediately 8^rJ, rendered, it is certain that three only of our troops^' wer? wounded in this charge- Upon ihe leAf how-^/ ever, the contest was more severe i^ith the Indians. Colonel Johnson) who commanded on that fitok of his regiment, received a most galling fire from theniy: ii^hich was returned with great effect. The IndiaitB». still further to the riglit advanced* and fell in with our front line of infantry, near itsiunction with De8«< ha's division, and, for a moment made an impression QP it' His excellency Governor Shelby, howevefi^, brought up a regimei\>^^ lo its support, and the enemy« receiving a severe fire in front, and a part of J^n«: son's regiment having gained their rear» r^trei^iedC with precipitation." . The active Indian Chief Tecumsebt afteifr evincing great resolution^ and eontii.uing to fight although being badly wouodedy fell, nvbile di^ reeling a deadly aim at Col. Johnson. The id- vineible courage of the colonel, and bis great* presence of mind, saved bis own Talttable life^ a^d put an end to that of an irreeoncilcable foe. White the sanguinary Tecumseb was aiming at the colonel, the latter, although wounded in se* Teral parts, and much exhausted, discharged his pistol with great coolness, and brought the fe- rocious savage to the earth, where be was found, dead. The American loss amounted to seven kill- ed and ^2 wounded ; the British loss vas. l^J^Ud: . -jftiy t ■»- t»* 4{»*- if V ■» * 5» ■*??■.'-:* •? '"*e i»- '4A 1 ■^^ MITOBT O? THB WAS. fl2 woimdtfdy anil 601 r«g«lar« t»keo prisdner*. The Indianfl* from the l^tt iafermation* lufRsrMl •ev«relj» S3 of them were found dead on the field. 8fX brasB pieees of artilk ry, and two iron JBi pbaiNlert, and a large «}uantU3r of small armt» fell into the bands of the vietort^ £yery Ameri* can will be pleased tn leant* that among the field pieees* were three* wbieb were tal^^en fV*om the Brttisli during the revolutionary war* bearing the motto «< murendered by Burgotftte at Sarata ga/* and lately surrendered to the enemy by^ Gen. Hull. Major General Proetory who com* mawkd'the eneroy't ftir«es> eioaped withdiA* tally, accompanied by about 50 persons^ eoniisto iiig ehieHy of officers «f the army* After this total defbat of the enemy, the mill* iia were discharged* and Gen. Harrison^ with kis disposable regular force* moeompanied by Commodore Perry, arrived at Pres^e«lsley «• tfte 3ii October, from Detroit ; iVom whence -be sailed for B1ac% Rock, with a view to «o<«perata iHth the a^my there* or at Backet's Harbour.-^ By (his excursion he, in the short space of Icsa thati a month* recovered the territory of Miebi- gan> punished and forced into peace, the nume« rons hordes of savages* eaptnred a British regu- lar army, brought security to the inhabitants of tffe tiortb- western frontier of the United States, anfd marched triumphantly through a great por«^ tion of the Upper Province of Canada. General €n8s was left in the provisional government cff MIchigaif territory. ^ ^ 'The Instances of soccessnil bravery* whicli had bitberio been fi^quent, were In a manner, eolipg* •d t^y the following : - M*»j t( Fort 8fephei8on« (Lower Sandiitky.) • In . the eoiirie of two weeks (here h«d been * no fewer Ihan ten reneounteri ; in one of whicbiL the enemy earried a bloek-hoiMe at Fori Madif» son on tbe iOth Jnlyp from wliieb they aitaoked the fort, but wHhoat sueoesi. Four men were butchered in the bloek-honse. , ^ ' ^^^ " It would appear, that it wa^ Clem Harriflon^t intention, not to expose the tman forcd at Fort Bteiihenson, to be eut off bj an e oeihj very 9U rlvjir, from the bay^ commetfeed' fvom tlifeir boats a heavy eannonading u|)on the fort, and . threw iii a great number of shells from their '9 bomb batteries. The tnern^ (''Ontinued his ope-^ rations without siicness until the eVeoing of the 2d« when« after throwing a great number of balls tVoro a siX'ponnder, at the north-west an- gle of the fort, for the purpose Of making a breach, a column, under connn^nd of Lieuteim ant ColoneJ Short, advanced to^ the point on whic|]( the aHillery liad beeh played, with intention of ^tormirigf but the j^]dlc*ioHs management Of Ma- jor Croglian, foiled the enemy in his attempt/ The ditch, which surrounded the works, was about eight :feet wide,- and of equal depth— 4 his Ibe enemy had to enter befot'e they oot^^ iijp«t ''•■-'' i "' .7 BttTOaY OV TI1« WAI^.j «H t* proaoh the piekets : (through the top of ea<*hf a bayonet was driven in a horizontal direetioti.) while in thi» situation, the ^ixpounder, which WM masked in a bloolc-holise, and a ravine ad- JMietlt poured upon the storming column a ti*e« mrndous sliower of musket baUs* whi< h did ter-< ribi« exeouiion* and so confounded the asetail- antsy that Lieut. Colonel dhori, who had pre^t Viauslj ordered his men to»**se4le the picliets» and show the damned Yankee rascals no quar- t^rs," exhihited a white handk«^rohief as a Mig- •ai ttf distress, evinoing his disponltion to have tquarNsrs* given him, auer he had proolaimed I hat the garrison should he maHsaered. It was» Wwever, too late— 'the next disi^harge proved fatal — he fell— -and Lieut. Gordon of the i^Hlli fegiinent died h^^ bis side. This Wiis near two hours before suii^set. The Hring from the block- house was prineipally directed at the en- emy who had taken refuge in the direetiim of the ravine — the slaughter there was immense^ and Gen. Proctor^ who commanded in persoiip ordered the aUied ^nemy to retreat to their b<»Hts. The greater part of the night was oc- cupied in carrying off* the dead and wounded— from the number of trails discovered in the grass, it is evident that no less than oO of the dead were dragged away. Abont 30 killed, in- eluding the two officers mentioned above, were left in the ditoh and ravine — and 30 prisoners, 18 severely wounded, which Gen. Proctor in his liurry, left behind, were aflterward« brought in- to the fort, it is a fact, worthy of observation that net one Indian was found among the dead although it is known that ^ from 3 to 400 were present, under the celebrated Captain Ii^lUot.-^ ThoQamberof British regulars was At9Q, from ii% nitTSRT rested him ; and the wi eteh was obliged to sue for that merey which be. had determined not to ,oxtend to others. It may be observed here, in honour of tho eharaivter of the American soIf diers, that althongh their little hand were well Aware of the fate which the enemy had prepared £»r them, yet, they we^re no sooner subdued^ than the Americans forgot the erimes of the en* em.v in their sufl^rings ; and the wounded in thi dileh^ whose groans and constant calls for waieTf were Iward by the men inthefort, were supplUi with tluii necessary article^ on the night sveeeed^ ing the diseomfiture of the enemy^ ly, the geuero^ sily of the jimeiiicatis* who* with considei able ha%ard» ventured to lisk (:heir Hves in order to fUleviate tlie sufferings of the very men vdio hoi plaited iheir ei^irt de§truetwn» #' ttlSTOllT OT THE WAB. idi^ ' ^'^31i« breVet rank of lieutenant-colonel lias been conferred by the president of the United States •u Major Croghan. \ j ^ vThe ladies of Chillicothe have presented him urith a aword. and a llHttering address. '. On the 3d of June, a detaohment of the ene^ my* with a number of ggn boats, from Itile- Aux-Noix; sueeeecled in capturing the U. S^ armed vessel** Cirowler and Kagle, on Lake C'hainplain, after a well contested defence by 4 he brave iereWsof these vesisets, against a very superior foree.' The oonsirqui^nee was, that the enemy gained a very decided superiority on the lake.t. . , *• ' :<■ ^- ^# ^>'t^e enemy roekonod on success in his future operations in this quarter, not only from his i»wn superior force, but also from the unprepai*ed state of the Americans* Com. Maedonough liadinot a sufficient numlier of seamen to man Ms sloops, and would be highly reprehensible liad he been defeated in an attempt to i*e(?over the ascendency on the lake. There were ne troops stationed at Plattsburgb. While thingt "were thus situated, the British flotilla^ eofiiii^t- Ingoftwo sloops of war, (the Gagle and Grow ler^y lately captured, three gun boiUti,and i4 batt^auXy loaded with troops,' sailors, atid marines, about 1^0 in all, under the eommand of Cul. Murruyt erossed the line at Champlain, on the SOth Ju«> ly, and entered Plattsburgh on the following day. " (lb the first intbrmatien of the appf*oach of 4he enemy. Gen. Mooers gave orders tor calling eut the militia f and when the enemy arrived* about 300 from-^ Plattsburgh and the neighbour-i> Ing towns, had collected, who reitired baok a few ^iies« where tbey were joined by the residue isf the regiment from the eouatjr eC KfMi^* "- ^1 •a ■■..'P :' ' ■ 2-«l ■# ^^ -m idir 3I8T0BT 09 tQlB ^AR. Although the officers ivho had the command of the ejcfedition, assured the civil authority of the village, that private property should be re*' ispectcd, and that citizens Bot in arms, should reumin unmolested— *yet these promises were no sooner made than violated ; the enemy, not sat- isfied with destr4)y]ng the pubiio buildings, suefa as the block- house, arsenal, armory, hospital, and military cantonments, wantonly burned two •tore-houses, belonging to Peter Sailly, esq. and one belonging to Jilajor ]N. Z* Plail — took, and carried off seyerai thousand, dollars worth «f hardware, belonging to Frothioghamy & Co. tof Boston, which had been stored with Mr^ Sailly. The destruction of private property was not limited to such as they could eat, diiiik» and carry away, but furniture, which could not be of any use to the plunderers, was wantonly <]estroyed — tables, bureaus, clocks, desks, oup<- boards, and croctkery, were cut and broken to pieces, and thrown al)out the houses^— books and writings were torn to pieces, and scattered about the streets. fjfTlie various successes of the enemy, during iheir short visit to Plattsburgh, are described by several respectable authorities, to be »o of them went in, to keep the husband in cheek* while the third attempted to gratify his brutal desires upon her. Uer hus- band, tiearing her screams, eame to her assist- ance, at.d m (he struggle, the woman diseharged the villain's gnu, disengaged the bayonet there- from, which slie stuck twice into his own baek^ and wounded him pretty severely; the other twa fled, and UTr. Wtlliams and his wife bound the rascal) and sent him in; the inhabitants on Point- au- Roche, took the skiff in tvhteh tliey came^ anil the other soldiers. '^ The IThited States* tro<»p9 at Burlington, un- di^r coihrmand of Maj. G«it. Hampton, consisted^ of about 4^000 men. They were under arms» Wliifing thefapproadh of the enemy, and would^ undoubtedly, have defended their post against any attack they could have made on it. / On the 3d August, the enemy appeared befbrv BurKngton, and fired inta the town for somo time, l>ut no considerable damage was done. In th6 evening of the same day, a detachment pro- Iseed^d to Shelbunie, four or five miles south of BurHhgton, where they seized a sloop, with about 400 barrels of ftonr. The limited force under Oen. Hampton, would not .fustify bis detiiefiing arty part of his troops from the proteotioti of pi^o|ierfy aYid stores under his immediate care : the marauding enemy wisely retired before re- inforcements eould have arrived. It was the intentioii of the fJ. S. government^ to make an attack on Montreal, before the win- ter would put an end to the campaign. The ef- Acting; of this o]>ject would g^ive to the United ... i»- i Zl;. v\: r'il -; '■-'-•••-HI ■•irivft K^^V4 ■f^ ■» ft v> h^W 1; .'^ ^m ■ ;1 r ^"^9 1 ' ''";^ r ^il a ■ ■:«,S| m '^ l/.f ,:!> •g y, '(Ka >7^* ^ ^^ , f.» ise HISTOBT 0? THB WAK. States the entire command of Upper Canada* completely subdue the Indians, regain the eonfi- denee of the Canadians, \ivhioh was suspended by the sudden retreat, and subsequent conduct of Gen. Hull, and make an Impression on the ene- my, which roust incline him to peace* on just and honourable terms. A large force was ordered to Sacket's Harbour : and Gen. Wifkinson, who had the chief command, was ordered to use his utmost effort, and the greatest possible expedi- Uon in carrying the design into efl^ct. On the 1st Nov. 1813, Gen. Wilkinson's army l*egan its movements from Grenadier- Island* down the St. Lawrence. They had not proceed- ed far, before the advanced corps, under General Brown, was attacked by the enemy, from the sbore. On returning the fire, the-eiiemy dls<* persed, and the army advanced. , The movements of the army under General llampton, were intended to facilitate those of (jen. Wilkinson ; and both armies were finally to unite, previous to the attack on Montreal. The army under Gen. Hampton, moved from Chateaugay on the 21st October, and arrived at its position at Sears's, on the 2^d — thus hav- ing, with inoredibic labour, surmounted %^ miles of the most difficult part of the rout, through the extensive and almost impassable forest* which bounds the Canaihi line. Alter 4 or 5 miles of open country, another forest of 6 or 7 miles was opposed to their march, (which was on the north-west side of the river.) This the en- emy had made almost an entire fortification, by crossing it with felled trees, interspersed with breast-works and ditches : through these pb« stniclions, the enemy was to be assailed— -a part of their forces^ consisting of light troops and # # '^ '^, H19T0BT OF TUE WAiB. f3T tndianSy Vf^re posted in these defences, while the iiiab body, comman(h:d by Sir Geor(;e Ppevo8t> in person, ^as lodged in the rear, tbrtifled with batteries and cannon. Tiie hardships-^the Ame- rican army had endured, the continual rains that were falling, and the obstructions in front, wouhl have damped the ardour of troops less disposed to disregard all Miilerings and perils in pursuit of glory, and in the. service of their country — hut OB the contrary,, partaking largely of the spirit which inspired their commander-in-chief, every individual seemed uncommonly emulous of" the enterprise. It was believed that the obstructions coultl* not be forced by the main body, without great loss. To avoid this, the light companies, and a Fegiment of infantry, were detached at dark, on the evening of the 25(h, to proceed on the- dpposite (S. £.) side ef the rivers to a fording place, below the enemy's advance, which they were to cross, and attack the enemy in flank and rear, while the main body should attack in front ; and thus destroy the enemy's defence at a blow. Owing ta the darkness of the night, incessant rain, and the diifieulties of the wood, the guide who conducted this detachment hav- ing lost his way, the party did not arrive at tho^ proposed point. The battalioir of the lOth re- giment^ consisting of about 209 men, were, at the appointed time (three o'clock, p. m. on th» 26th) at the entrance of the obstructed wood^. waiting the attack of the troops on the eneniy'»> flank, which was to be the signal for them tO' •dvanee. At this moment, the enemy commenc- ed a fire on this battalion, who promptly returned^ it, then charged and drove the enemy from their- lirking. places^ dispersing them entirel^^ aaili -:t m mi mi m i>tr'fi .'-.>. :'"'S ■ '.'•«i1 « 4, 1^8 UISTQBT OV THIS >VAB. Bilenoing^ their (ire ; in tliis the Americans had only one man killed* and some three or four -wounded. At this momt^nty the firing commeno- ed on the opposite side of the river, with some of the light companies, and it was here, and not in either of the main divisions of the army» that any serious loss, or at least confusion oecurrcd $ the enemy* was, however* soon dispersed in this quarter also. After waiting some time for the renewal of the enemy's attack* the main body of the Amerioan army fell back slowly* and in good order, the enemy not daring to show them« selves* or in the least to interrupt their marohf to a position four miles from the place of action* Here they were shortly after joined by tlie de- tached party wrho had some further skirmishing -with the enemy of no grent account. At this place they remained several days, without re- ceiving the Ic'Ast molestation. The pnly failure i»rthe cxpediiion, is attributable to the miscar- riage of the guide* which disconcerted apian* that otherwise must have led to the capture of a considerable portion of the enemy's force, and the complete dcstrnetion of his plan of defence* .?< ( The American actual total loss, in killed* "wounded, and missing* did not exeeed S6 men. 'i'he whole American force engaged, did not ex- ceed 22d men on the side where the greatest force of the enemy were opposed — the other re- giments did not arrive until the moment when the enemy Were retiring, and were only formed^ and in line* but took no part in the engage- ment. Colonel Purdy, who commanded the. detach* nient which fought this battle, in his report to ij^en, ^Vilkinson* is very free in his censure of :/ *^, M, HI8T0QT OF THE WAB. 139 Gen Hampton. « Incredible," 6ays> the colonel, « as it may appear. General Hampton entrusted nearl^^ one half of bis army, and those his best troops, to the guidance of men, each of whom repeatedly assured him, that they were not ac» quainted with the country, and were not compe- tent to direct such an expedition." « Towards sun down," says the colonel, « I sent. Gen. Hampton a request, Miat a regiment might be ordered down to cover my landing on the opposite side of tlve river ; but, judge my surprise, on receiving intelligence that he had retreated with the second brigade, nearly three- miles.^^ ** Never, to my knowledge," says ^c colonel^ in another part of his despatch, *< during oup inarch into Canada, and whiW we remained at the Four Corners, a term of 26 days, did Gen. Hampton ever send oflTa scouting or reconnoitre- ing party, (exeept in one or two cases at Spears*s, in Canada, when he detached a few dragoons for this duty,) nor did he, from, the time we com- menced our march from Cumberland Head, to our arrival at Plattsburgb, ever order a front flank, or rear guard, to be kept up, though a great part of the time we were in situations ivhich evidently required it. True it is, these guards were occasionally sent out, not, however, by his order, but by the orders of the officers . commanding brigades." The colonel winds up hti charges against Gen. Hampton, by saying, « Sucb has been the gene- rals conduct, on some occasions, that I bave» in e4>mmon with other officers, been induced to believe, that be was under the influence of a too. iree use of spiritous liquors." > 'The official, accouat of tbia action^ bj ih« > /■ ■■» :■.■■■. m iia IltSTORT OV THE WAIT^ .!•)' ,((«'* 1 1 .■"(!» I' V i3 H '>^ BnliHh General Baynevis very diOercnC from^ the above, but so itnjirobable and wide from the Iruth, (hat it may, wilh much safety, be averretU that it did not meet belief from a siogle reader of any party. As sooa as General Wilkinson passed Kings* ton, and that it became evident be must have designed the taking of Montreal, the troop» M'hieh were stationed for the defence of Kings- ton, were employed in annoying and delaying the progress of the American army. « The eorps of the enemy,'' says Gen AVilkinson, m his oflleial report to the secretary of war, << from Kingston, which followed me, hung on my rear» and in concert with a heavy galley, and a few gun boats, seemed determined to< retani my progress. I was strongly tempted to halt, turn about, and put an end to his teasing; but alas ! I was confined to my bed ; Maj. Gen. Lewis was too ill for any active exertions ; and above all, I did not dare suffer myself to bo diverted a single day from the prosecution of the views of government." u On the loth ?^ov. about noon, Gen. Brown, wW was with his command in front, and some dis- tance below the main body of the army, was ea^ gaged with the enemy, at the moment when a strong party of the enemy advanced on the rear of Gen. Wilkinson, with several gallies and gun- boats ; from whenee they eommeneed a fire» but were soon compelled t^ retire from the fire of a battery of 18 pounders, planted on the oc- easion. Wilkinson's army eaine to for the night, a short distance above the Longue Saut ; is was intended to pass it that day, but the de- lays occasioned by dis-embarking, and re-em-- barking, heavy guns^ jicc vented the army from i^^ ,i- / HISTOBT OF TUB WAR. ">, IK reaching the Saut as early as expected ; aofl the pilots would not dare enter the Saut, (a ra- pid of eight inilcsy) at a late hour. At 10 o elock the following daj, Gen. Wilkinson received ad- vice* that Gen. Brown, having forced the ene- my* would arrive at the foot of Che Saut early in the day. Orders were immediately given for the flotilla to sail, at which moment, Uie en- emy's gun-boats appeared, and began to throw shells among the American flotilla. General Wilkinson, calculating from reports and appear- ances, that the enemy only looked for a fa- vourable opportunity for attack, had determined to anticipate him. ** Directions.*' says General Wilkinson, « were aecordingly sent» b^ that distinguished officer, Col. Swift of the engmeers^ to Brig. Gen. Boyd, to throw thedetaehments of his command, assigned to him in the order of the preceding day* and composed of men of bis own, Covington's and Swartwout'r brigades* in- to three columns* to march upon the enemy, out- flank him if possible, and take his artillery. The action soon after commeneed with the ad- yanoed body of the enemy, and became extreme^ ly sharp and galling, and, with occasional pau- ses, not sustained with great vivaeity, in open space, and fair combat, for upwards of two and a half hours—the adverse lines alternately yielding and advancing. It is impossible to say* with accuracy, what was our number on the field, because it consisted of indefinite detach- ments taken from thc^ boats, to surre;|der safe the passage of the Saut. Generals Covington and Swartwout, voluntarily took part in the action^ at the head of datachments»from their respec- tive brigades, and cxbibitc I. -3 ^M^ -'^ '''IK ■V'^ 'jM '**4m M ^^mi ■a H» •a ;jl tifl voi(lM^l^ olrcuffiHluneiw, lung deprived of our ariiiiery ; und lliui the uvtion wati Wttinil^% and olvMiinulei^' cuiMeitted I'oi* iiiore Itiun three liuiirsy during whieli (here were but a lew ihorl cebsH- tiuim of iitii«keti^ und eHnnuii ; when uil ihttte oireumtilanees are revolleeiedt |)erha|M thin da^, may he ihonght io have aihfed boine repulauun to (he Anierkian arnm. And if, on ihu oeea- 8ion, vou ihbll helieve me to have done m^ duty» and uc»ompliHhed any one of your pui iM»8e8f I shall he ratisHid." ' Afttr IhiH engai^menl, the troops proceeded down (he river without furtlier annoyanoe from the enemy or tlieir gunlioatB, while the di*a- g<»onH, with ive pieces of artillf ry« nmrohed duwn the Conailiaii tdiore without mole^taiion.— - llie nitxt morning the flotilla parsed through the Hauty and joined Genera) Bruwa* near Corn* wall. ' On the arrival of General ^ilkin^on with General Brown* he learnt that Cieneral liamp- tf'n« instead of meeting him near that pli^ee^ was marching towards l^ake ('bamfrfain. Ilie letter of General Hampton, announcing this unexpect- ed movenieiit« together with a copy af thiit to mhioh it was an answer, were immediately Mih- mitted to a eouneil of war, who unanlmoufdy fave it, as their a|)inion, <« that the attark on lontreal should lie abandfHied for the pres' nt season, and the army near Cornwall should be immediately crossed to ('he Ameriotui sliore, for taking up winter qmirters, and that tlijs place afforded an eligible position for sueb quar- ters." Thus ended the campaign, and an expedition vhieh sremed, in every resptM^t^ well ealoulattd tf eflbet its abjeet. "S f' :<■' •• BIt7r«RY OT TUB WAB* i^ General Wi1kiii9oo> who attrlbiiteii the fvA- lure of tbis expedition to •• tbe extraopdinary^ unexampled, and it apiiears, unwarrantable con- duct ol^ Major- Gen<^ral Hampton, in refusing to J«»in tbis array, witb a division of 4000 men, uik der htfl command, agreeable tj orders,*' in a let- * ter to tbe secretary of war, of idtb November^ writes — « It is a fact, for wbich I am authorised to^ pledge myself, on tbe most confidential author- ity, that on the 4th of the present month, tbe British garrison of Montreal, consisted solely of 400 marines, and %00 satlors, wbich had been sent up tVom Quebec. l¥e have, witb the pro- %^ vision here^ and that feft at Chateaugay, about 40 day's bubsistenoe, to whiob 1 shall add SO morc.'*^ In a letter of tbe 17th November^ Gen. Wil- kinson wriie»-^ <* After what had passed between as, you can perhaps, eoneeive my amazement and chagrin, at tbe conduct of Mujor-General Hampton. The game was in view, and, had he performed (be junction directed* would have been ours in eight dayj«* But he cUose to recede in order to oo» operate, and my dawning hopes, and the hopes ami honour of tbe army, were blasted,'' The lo»s at tbe battle of Williamsburgh, in iUpper Canada, consisted of 101 killed, and a39 wounded, including officers. Tbe enemy's loss was represented, by authority worthy ofcredit» to exceed 500 in killed and wounded. 'Statement of the strength of the enem^t in the ac- tion of the 1 1th Novembefj 1 81 3^ on- K^sler's field*) in WiUiamsburgh, in Upper Ganada^-^founded on ^ ri«?the separate exammatioD of a- number of Bri^iii ipirisoaeratftken on the field 0^ battle. 4 v'i \ i •?' ./" '\ r£-B t46 BISTOBT OV THE WA1U L'l i m i> '^i^ '•'i^ Af^ '^^^i tS, m f®' ■'^m I'M '« Of the 89th regtmenty 49 th do. Voltigeur's, Cilengary'st Of the 100th, Canadian Fencibles^ Indians ilncorporated Militiai 460 % 4A0 270 80 one company 40 a detachment from Prescoit . .* 220 40 3^0 3i60 ■fr'; ,'4 Four pieces of tnoynted artillery, and seven gim* ^ boats — one Dvounting a 24-pounder. After the troops went into winter quarters, a placard wa^ distributed In the American camp* «f which the following is a copj. *< To the Jimerican •Brmy at Salmon Eiver^ NOTICE. — All American soldiers who are wil- ling to quit the unnatural war in which they ai e at present engaged, will receive at the British out-posts, the arrears due to (hem by the American govern* inent, to the extent of live month's pay. No man shall be required >to serve against his own country." This produced no desertions, nor any other effect, except contempt of the wretched author •of the placard. A very hundsomo affair was executed the 1 ^h October, by a party of men, under command of Col. Isaac Clark. The Colonel, with his party » left Chazy landing, so as to arrive at Massas- i]uoi-bay at an early hour in the morning He arrived unperoeived within a few rods of the enemy, wh«> were drawn up in order of battle^ by their commander Major Powel. The en- emy commenced a fire on the left flank, but in ten minutes after the first attack, they laid down their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. UI'STOBT 09 THE WAS. 4i> |. ^T Col, Clark, despatched Capt. Fincli, vitli his company^ to reconnokre the course of a body of about !£00 fnea> who^ ¥^ere supposed to be ad- vancing against hint. Capt. Finch proceeded with such promptness and ability^ as to surprise and capture the advanced guai'd, consisting of cavalry, except one man^ who Hed^ and giving, the informationy the enemy escaped. The prisoners were then put on board boat9> • and sent to Burlington. The whole American force engaged was 102* The number of prisoners taken was 101 ; th& • killed and'WOunded'Of the enemy, 23. The success of this expedition was materially aided by a knowledge of the country, into which be marched, which a commander of an expedition' should always be full master of. The following gallant action will be best de- tailed by giving the- official report^ which waft made in the following words : , ' •*' Charleston^ ( 8. C,J August 21, 181^* "*«* Sir— T have the honour* to inform you. that the^ privateer schooner Decatur, ^o this port, arrived here yesterday, with H. B, M. scliooner Oominico, her prize. She was captured on the 5th inst. after a most gallant and desperate action of one hour, and carried by boarding, having all her officers killed or wound- ed, except one midshipman. The Dominico mounts* 15 guns, one a 33 pojunder, on a pivot, and had a com- plement of 83 men at the commencement of the ac* tion, 60 of whom were killed, or wounded. She wai|x one of the best equipped and manned vessels of her, class I have ever seen. The Decatur mouuts seveoj,, " guns, and had' a complement of 103 men at the com- mepcement of the action, nineteen of whom were killed And wounded; I have the honour to be, witb great respect, your most obedient servant, JOHN H. DENT^ Hon.. Wm. JoneS) Secretary of the Navy." - ^- #• W^ 14S mrroKT ov rwa was. m w l^',i ."Wi" J*,;- 1/ Diiriing the eombat^ yihieh lasted an hour, the l(itig*8 packet ship. Princess Charlotte^ remained M silent speetatDT of the scency and as soon as l^e vessels were disengaged from each other» ^he taehed abont, and stood to the southward. She had sailed from St. Thomas, bo»nnd to Eng-^ land, nnder convoy^ to a certain latitude, of the Dominico. ' The loss on board the Dominico consisted of dS killed, and 47 wounded ; ^ve of whom mortally. On the 15tliofihis month, {August, 181S,) '''Vl^^B' '.■(* ♦^^wj: *|3 ll™: ■ ■■'^ '^* wkfSBfl ) > ''•> 'r^aH||t ■i»i.'' l^K ^1 s s| ^ jpK 1 ISn^B^/ ■■•^ gSjpi^V'^' Wljfi pSrjfiK^ .j^ MM^Hjjv V"'', wi 1 w 1 '^'iMi'i '^ /j^my^' .'■j* te 1 ,>'ri^j7,*'>: ■^.-.-J ^w' ''.«*:'''' .-*-* ^i« V 'iSF/i ' ■B >.'B I i >* ., islaifd of Bfanliiggin, leaving ^n board, wben the action eominencedy 104 ; whieb account a • grees ^ith the mnsti^ip-book, found on board of the Boxer. The number of killed and i/vonnded on board the Boxer, could not be ascertained ividi certainty, as many of the former irere thrown overboai*d. The senior offieer of the Enterprize states it, from the best information lie could obtain at between 29 and SO killed, and 1^ 114 wounded. Captain Bly the, the commander of f^ the Boxer, was among the killed. The follow^ ing extract of a letter from Capt. Hull to Com. Bainbi'idge, is too important to be omitted. *< I yesterday visited the two brigs, and was as* tonished to see the difference of injury sustained in the action. The Enterfirize has but one IB pound «hot in her hull, one in her main-mast, and one hi her fore-mast ; her sails are much cut with grape shot^ iind there are a gt^eat number of grape lodged in her sides, but no injury done by them. The Baxtr has eighteen or twenty 1 8 pound shot in her hull, most of them at the water's edge ; several stands of 1 8 pound grape stick in her side, and such a quantity of small grape, that 1 did not undertake to count them. Her masts, sails and spars, are literally cut to pieces, several of her guns dismounted and un- lit for service \ her top-gallant fore-castle nearly ta- ken off by the shot ; her bo^ts cut to pieces, and her quarters injured in proportion. To give you ah idea of the quantity of shot about her, I inform you, that I counted in her main-mast albncj three 1 8 ^ound shot holes, 18 large grape shot holes, 16 musket ball holes, and a large number of Bmalier shot holes, and 'Without counting above the eat har- pins. We find it impossible to get at the number killed ; no papers are found by which we can ascer- tain it-— I, however, counted upwards Of 90 ham* aiocks, ifhich were in her netting irith (bedt iti iM: HUTORT Ot THE WAS* 151 themt lieaides several beds wlthowt hammocks ; — she has excellent accommodations for all her offi»~ eers below in state rooms, ae that 1 have no doubt that she had 300 men on board. We know that she has several of the Rattler's men, and a quantity of wads was taken out of the Ratler, loaded with four Urge grape shot) with a small hole in the ceotre^ to put in a cartridge, that the inside of the wad may take fire when it leaves the gun. In short, she is in every respect completely fitted s and her accom- modations exceed any thing I have seen in a vessels of het* class." J If there is an American who would deny tbi honour due, on this occasion, to the American) tars^ let him read the following from a London paper, and yield, however unwillingly, the palm to the first nation in the world, the hitherto des- pised citizens of the United States. The follow- ing is a cQpy of the extract allnded to. « Among the ^tneriean news, which is to be found : in the papers just received from that country, it pains us to find a full con0rmation of the loss of his . majesty *s brig Boxer ^ which has added another lau- rel to the naval honours of the United States. The vessel by which she was captui^ed is represented (falsely, we believe,) as of only eq«al force with her- self.; bat what we regret to perceive stated, and ; trust will be found much exaggerated, is that the Boxer wa« literaUy cut to fiiecea^ in taiky rigffinff, afiars and htill ; whilst the Enterprise, (her antago- gonisti) vHtttin a ntuationto commence a dmilar action wmmediaPeiy ofttrward^a. The fact seems to be but too clearly estaUisbed, that the Americans have 4ome aufierior mode of Jiring\ and we cannot be too anxiously employied in discovering to what cir- . cumstances that superiority is owing. The Boxer was certakily not lost for want of heroism. The British captain nailed his colours to the mast, and bippily didlnotfiiyo to see them struck. Both com^- '■**» '?•■■ MM fM ^;^^1 »%t' £•1 jr* '. 1 ■A) K^f? V',' r-'i I '•'■n ?^»J ■'■»2 f5^ HI. roRT Ot THE WAR, mandera died in the action) which appears to havd been of the most desperate kind ; and both were buried at the same time) in the port to which the prize was carded." The loss on board the Enterprize was — one ordinary seaman killed^ one oommauder, (Bur- rows,) one midshipman, (K. Waters,) tme car- penter's mate, moitally wounded ; three quarter- masters^ one boatswain's-mate, five seamen, one marineywounded.r— Total — 14. The remains of the gallant commanders^ (Burrows- and Rlythe,)^ were buried in Portland, with military honours* Capt. filytbe, of the Boxer, was one of the pall-bearers at the fune- ral honours paid to the late Captain Lawrence, at Halifax. The following memorial was caused to be inscrib- ed on the monument of thf gallant Lieut. Burrowsi of Portland, by Mr. M. L. Davis, of New-York ; BENEATH THIS STONE Moulders |^''^ THfc BODY OF ' -mp-mMis 1VILJ. lAM BURRO WS^ 4 - Late Commander of the UNITED STATES» BRIG ENIERPRIZE, Who was mortally wounded on the 5ch of September, 1813, in an action which contributed to increase the fame of American valour, by capturing his BRIT. MAJESTY'S BRIG BOXER, after a severe contest of 45 minutes. A pasfting stranger has erected this monumentof re- spect to the manes of a patriot, who in the hour of peril, obeyed the loud summons of an injured country, and who gallantly met, fought and con- quered the foemen. The U. S. brig Enterprize, was formerly H schooner, and is the same vessel with whiett JMvlU SterretVin August^lSOl; captured 7C^t/k<^ % BIBTOBT Onp TRE VAB. ids ml the loss qfa man, the Tripolitan «hip of war Tripoli, of 14 guns, and 85 inen> 50 of wliom were killod ami wouadcd. By a resolution of Congrest, the President of tke United States was requested to present to tlie nearest mate relative of iietit. WJUiam Bur- rows, und to Lieut. R. M'Call» of the hrig En- terpr> , f Id medal ; and a silver medal to eaeh oJ the nmissioned tZl^Tdof said vessel; The President of the United States^ having •onsidered the Boxer as equal in force to tho Enterpriae, has ordered her to be delivered up for the benefit of the captors. Com. Bodgers arrived at Newport^ the -26^ Septmber^ in the frigate Pre$ddent» having siWid Srom Boston^ on his third oruiscy in eom- pacy 'with the Congress, the SOth of April pre» ceding. After parting company with the Con- gress, on ike 8th May, in Ion. 60 W. lat« ao, 30, N. be bUa^^ed his course to the southward of the Grand Bank, with the view to intercept tlie enemy's West- India trade : being disap- pointed in this quarter, he pursued a route to the northward, on a parallel with the eastern edge of the Grand l&nk, so as to eross the tracks of the West- India, Halifax, Quebec, an^ St. John's trade. Not being successful, alYer reaching the latitude of 48 N. he steered to- wards the Azores, off which he continued until the 6th June, without meeting an enemy's ves- sel. From hence, he erowdtMd sail to the N. E. in search of an enemy's convoy, which he learn- ed was seen sailing from the West Indies, to England. Although disappointed in falling ill with the convoy, he nevertheless made four cap- tures, the 9th and 13th of June. This brjought him so far to the north and tast^ that b« re^ '^: f:\ ... 'I' jyi^ V< '-.f^l m .''•'S Wt m'^ tf: * ■ ■^ MJ: IH HISTORT Of TBB ITIA*.^ Bolved on ^oV^; into (he North Sea. He fitot into North Bergen on the 27th June, to procure provisions and water, not having seen any ene- iny's vesselssinee Uie isth. At Bergen he eould proouve only watvr, and departed from thenee Ihe 2d July, stirtehing over towards the Ork* ney-l8^dnd8 ; and from thenee towards the North Cape, in search of a British eonvoy, that vas to sail from Archaiigel, of whieh he ob- tained information from tv/o vessels, whieh he captured on the 13th and 18th July. In thi8« object he was disappointed, by the appearance of two of the enemy's ships of war^a lin^ of bat-^ tie ship, and a frigate,) off the North Cape, on the 19th July. The President was chased by these two ships for 80 hours, but effected her es- cape. The Commodore next proceeded to a sta- tion where he might intercept the trade passing^ int4)andout if the Irish channel. In this posi- tion he maL three captures, between the 25tb July, and 1st August ; when, fearing the g?eat superior force of the enemy in that quarter, he changed his ground ; and, after taking a circuit round Ireland, and getting into the latitude of Cape Clear, he steered for tlie Banks of New- foundland, near whieh be made two captures. From the Banks, he steered for the United States ; and, being short of provisions, was com- pelled to make the first port, into which he could safely enter. He brought in with him H. B. M. schooner High Flyer, a tender to Admiral War« ren, captured on the a3d July. He took 27% prisoners : 216 of whom were sent home in car^ tels, and 55 brought home in the President. The movements, on the Niagara frontier, be^ gan at tUis time to wear a very serious aspect*^ '^ mSTOHT OV TBE WAH. iS$ The following address was circulated in thf West'^rn dlnirlct of the state of New-York. •» TO THE PATRIOTS OF THE WESTEim DlSTRICr. « The period h*i'in^ ut hund which is to decide the fate of he province of Upp ;r Canada, and the cointnand of the Nid^ira frontier having; devolved on me, 1 think p opcr to invite the old an t y >uiig patriut« of the VVestern District to je^iji my brigade in defence of their country and rights ->any number not t-xceuding iOOO, will be exocpied a's fiankse. We euoceeiicd in driving the enemy into the woods, when night coming on, put an end to the conflict. Our toss was trifling ; 1 have not ascertained that of the enemy. Colenel Chapin t9> a brave man. £\ery> ofiker and soldier did his dutf .'* Col. Chapin, in a private letter, to a iV'i^nd in Btiffaloe, thus details the brush, be bad witb the enenay. ** While at dinner I received information of the British army being in the toun of Newark. I im- mediately rallied a party of 100 mesvi^nd commenc- ed a fire upon them, who returned it with much warmtii — -we kept the ground till we were rein*- forced by 60 Indians, and 100 militia With this force, we compelled the enemy to retreati and pur- sued them one and a half miles, when we received a reinforcement of roo men : with this force, we drove them half a mile furtheri where they covered . nUTOBY OV THE WAR. 15/ themaelvei in a ravJne» and opened a most tremen- dcus fire of musk try upon us. After an hour and a half hard fii$htingt we drove them from the r^yinet buck to the batteries— -it being now nearly dark) we returned in good order. <* From some deserters* and a prisoner we took, we learn that we had contended with the whole Bri- tish armv, consisting of 1 lOo men, with the great Cien. Vincent at their head; and thai we killed S3. Our loss was four, killed and wounded.'* Major Chapin has recently been brevetted lieutenant tsolonel, in the Uniteil States' army. (ten. M*Clure, with the New- York militia, TolunteerSf and Indians* succeeded in driving the Brilish army from the vicinity of Fort Gcoi'ge. and pursued them as far «s Tweive-mile-creek. Col. Scotty who commanded at Fort GcorgCy having infbrmef! Gen, M*Clure, that he was un-^ der oraers to leave that place with the regulars* the general was compelled (o abandon his design* and return to Fort George. It was General M^Clure's wish, by the aid of the regitlar troops, to clear Upper Canada above Kingston, of the British armies, to establiiith a temporary government, secure the friendship and if necessary, the co-operation of the inhabi- tants, and compel the Indians to separate them- Bclves from the enemy, or iiecorapany them in tlieir retreat. That this could be effeoted, can scarcely be doubted, but it was necessarily aban- doned in favour of a design which originated with the general government, and which, had it sue- oeeded, would have been more important. The regular troops were principal ly drawn from the Kiagara frontier, to co-o|ierate with Gen. Wil- kinson in his intended attack on Montreal. Gen* HiurnfioiiV acmy was also ordered lo Sftekei'e i i^isifipip; ■ |1 0^ 1^ ti ¥• m r I 'il- isti iriSTOST Of THX WAH. •1.1 [k •^*i r- ■^ Harbour, fjen. M'CIure cndeaToared to inlltt- nnoe Gen. Harrison to aid him in attacking th« enemy ; but the Instructions from tlie general government were positive ; and Com. Cbaun* «ey had arrived >».ith bis fleet to remove the troops to Saeket's Harbour. The force I'emaiii- ingwitb Gen. M that Captain lieonard was not in the fort at tho time of the attaek, having left it at a late hour the preceding evening.'^ On the same morning on which Niagara was taken, a detachment of militia stationed at Lewiston, under command of Major Bennetr was attacked by a^ strong party of the enomy» I .«»■■' 1i-*^^' u> :v% d69 HISTOIIT OF THE WAR. W. hut the major and his few men cut their way urith great bravery through several hundreds of savages and others^ bj whom thejr were sur- rounded. The villages of Youngstewn, Lewis- tony Manchester, the Indian Tuscarora viltage» and all the intervening houses, were bume^ ondmany of the inhabitants inhumanely butcher- ed, without respect to age or sex, by saTages^c headed by British officers painted. Major MaU lory, who was stationed at Schlosser^ with about 40 Canadian militia, boldly advanced to Lewis* ton heights, and compelled the enemy to fall back to the foot of tbe mountain : for two days the major continued to resist the advance of the enemy, disputing every inch of ground to the Tautawanty ereelL. »*#; Major-General Hall, on hearing the danger- ous and exposed state of the frontier, hastened to Batavia ; and, on the morning of the 2Sd De- oember, at the request of General Melow Black fi«K$k« The troops were immediately paraded, and stdod by their arms. An attempt wi^smadeto dislodge the enemy from the sai- ]op^» battery near Conjoktie's, of which he had obtained possession* The attempt failed, througU the darkness of the night, and confusion into- Whiok'the militia were thrown by the enemy's fire* A seoond body of militia, sent on the same' service, was equally unsucccs!»fu1 ; the men« after a short skirmish, fled in disorder. A third detachment wa»' ordered on. the same service, but was Feoalled to oppose a body of men which 'wa» diseovered, as the day dawned, crossing the. river. As soon as the foroe of the enemy was- ascertained to be large, and commanded 1^ Lieut. Col. Ilrunamond, and their position re- # Gonnviteredr the best possible disposition was ■'' made to oppose^ them, with a foree inferior in nnmber, a» it was in experienoe, and ammuni-' .'0- tloss of war; General Hall thus briefly details the eflfect: - « The attack was ¥briiinenced by a fire from' our ^x pounder under lieut. Seely, b^low genera) Por- ter's house, and one 34 and two li2 pounder^^ {it tb^e- « * • '■ 'i n i fii i >> ' 'tJ 1(2 bistout ev the wait. ft,:5 battery, under command of lieut. Famuni) ofthtf SIst U. S. Infantry, acting as a volunteer. At tho same time the enemy opened a heavy fire from their batteries on the opposite, side of the river, of shellsy spherical and hot shot, and ball. The regiment un- der command of Col. Blakeslie, about 400 strongi were regularly in line, together with detached bo- dies from other corps, amounting, according to the best estimate I can make, in all about 600 men.— These few but brave men, commenced the attack ivith muske.try upon the enemy in their boats, and poured upon them a most destructive fir^. Every inch of ground was disputed with the steady cool- ness of veterans, and at the expense of many valua- ble lives. Their bravery, at the same trme that it casts a lustre over their names, reflects equal dis* grace on those who fled at the first appearance of Sanger-— and whom nehber intreaties nor threats could turn back to the support of their comrades; (< Perceiving that the Indians, on whom I had re^ lied for attacking the enemy's flanks were offering us no assistance— and that our right was endanger- ed by the enemy's left, I gave directions for the re- aervc, under command of Col. M^Mahan, to attucli; the enemy in flank on^ our right. But terror bad dissipated this corps, and but few of them could be I'aMied by their officers and brought to the attack. Of this corps there are some who merit well of their country— but more who covered themselves with disgrace. The defection of the Indians ' and of my reserve, and the loss oi the services of the ca- valry and mounted men, by reason of the native o^ the ground on which they must act, left the forees engaged exposed to the enemy's < fire ii> front and flank. After standing their ground for about one half hour, opposed to veterans and higlUy discip- lined troops, overwhelmed by numbers, and nearly- surrounded, a retreat became necessary to tjheir safety, which was accordingly made. I then mude every effog^ to rally the troops with a view to renew 'ii mSTOKT OT THE WAHr 165 the attack on the enemy's columnst on their ap* ' proach to the village of Buffaloe. But every effort proved ineffectual ; and experience proves, that with' militia a retreat becomes a flighty and a battle once endedt the army is dissipated. Deserted by my principal force, I fell back that night to the Eleven Mile Creek) and was forced to leave the flourishing villages of black Rock and Buffaloe, a prey w the enemy, which they have pillaged and laid in ashes." General Hall retired to Eleren Mile Creek where He collectt;d about 300 men; and, with these^ endeavoured to cover the fleeiiig inhabi- tants, and make a show ^o prevent the advance of the enemy. ,* ' T Eight pieces of artillery fell into the hands of the enemy* 41>out. 30 men were killed^ and somewhat more than thatqumber wounded, in the defence of Black Rock. But the worst re-,- mains to be told, or rather some faint idea to be given of the indescribable barbarity of the enemy. Black Rock and Buffaloe were destroyed., to- f*ether with every building for two miles east of Buffaloe on the Batavia road, and almost every building between Buifaloe and Niagara along the river. « Thei enemy,** says General Hall, <*had with him at Blaok Rock and Buffaloe, a number of Indian^(the general opinion in that country Is about ^00,) who pursued tbdr aecustomecl mode of horrid warfare, by tomahawking^ scalp- ing* and otherwise mutilating the persons who ti^V into their hands. Among the victims of their savage barbarity, was a Mrs*. Lovejoy, of Buffaloe, who was tomahawked^ and afterwards, burnt in her own house. The conduct of these savages struck the minds of the people on the Niagara frontier with such horror, as to make it ahsoiuiely necessary, that a more effieieat it .a h I ■' n •ii -1*1' ■». V W V9 1 '^il , < ■mj ■%i .!r^1£?- ^Ifi'?^ ?si»;t ^-^is^jwE HISTORY OB TH£ WAV« > ■. foreo than ihe ordinary nilUia of the count rf shoaM 1)6 employed for Us ppoteetion> to prevent its beconiin.8f entirely depopulated." All the settlements of a poptilous eoantry, 40 miles square, were completely broken up» and 12,000 persons sent as if intc beggary. The tomahawk and bayonet deprircd parents of their children, and children of their parents ; the sa- Tages white and red, who acteii not merely as conquerors, but as murderers and robbeirs, by a i\;il swoop, pounced upon their prey with the fe- rocity of the tiger, and the alKdesolating ruin of the locust. On the 4(h January the robbers re- tired into their own woods, not daving to wait the chastisement that was prepared for them. Considerable contributions^ of money were coK lected for the relief* of the surviving sofiererst who gradually returned to view the smoking ruins of their late habitations. ' The enemy having declared their conduct on^ the Niagara frontier, to have been committed in < retaliation for excesses said to have been com^* mitted by the American armies in Canada, the censure, or rather indignation of the suffering inhabitants were turned against Gen. M'Clurcy who had the command. The general, previou<« to retiring from command, published f n addre:i8 to the public, in justification oP his own conduct^ in which be seems to have been pretty suceess- fnl. M-W.'y-'*T-r--- ^—^■^~. ^•*^ W' >>-^i. WM If ■i' ^ a :| P f m i -^ •'1 1 1 P. |i 1 66 HISTORY OV THE WAB. j^^ ' Mvf-Torkf 6th June, \B\S: Sir-— When the army was jtt in its infancy ^ and but very few troops to garrison the old fort of Nia- gara, I had the honour to command at that station, a ; company of the 3d reg. U. S. artillery ; at this time the enemy prepared to bombard u», and raised seve- ral strong batteries for the purpose. We sustained his fire for seven hours, and had our works so much shattered, that our commandant Captain Leonard thought them ho longer tenable : he had the' guns jpiked, and evacuated the fort. According to orders J retreated with the garrison ; but at a very" short distance from the place, I solicited and obtained Captain Leonard's permission to return to it ; at the Inoment it was the depet of an immense quantity of public stores, worth perhaps a million of doilarsi and still more i^aluable in~a military point of view ; these I wished at every risk to preserve. Though I poS* sessed ^entire command of all my men, 1 took back with me but 35 ; because from tlie circumstance of the guns being spiked^ I could not employ more* and this number was enough for the execution of my plan if it should succeed, and enough, to lose if it should fail. I placed centinels on the ramparts and at the barriers, and caused them to give the usual call every six minutes, through the night, so as to impress the enemy with a belief that the fortress wat garrisoned, and the garrison vigilant : At the same time four men belonging to the laboratory had port fires lighted and fuzees prepared to blow up the mag- azine and all, if the enemy could not be intimidated from advancing upon us. • Fortunately he was intimi« dated ; the fort was saved : and the next morning at six o^clock the gan*ison returned with a reinforce- ment. Oh the 1 6th of Oct a second order was issued by Gen. Alexander Smyth, for the evacuation of this fort, and the public property was accordingly remo^* ed from it to Lewiston ; but immediately I repre- sented to CoK Winder, that the fort was nut only ten BIT' ■ niirrtmi ov thb wak. 46> ^ble, hilt that I would maintain it : he was pleased to sanction this opinion, and thus I was, in aonne mea- sure, the cause of preserying it a second time. On the 3 1st of November following, the enemy bombard- ed our fort with the greatest fury for 1 3 hours ; dur- ing this time it was my good fortune to have been most assailed by his attack and most opposite to his position. The conflagration of Fort George and Kevrark will, I trust, bear teatimony to the successes ■ of my efforts on that day. ^ ^ (Signed) JAS. MKEON", late Capt. Arl'y. le brave defence of Fort Niagara led to the following garrison order. GARRISON ORDER. Jfort Ma^ara, Octo b er 1 5/A, 1818, It is with the greatest satisfaction the command- ing officer gives to Capt. M^Keon his Aill approbation for bis spirited and judicious conduct, during the se^ verc? cannonading from Fort George and the butte« ries on the opposite side the river, against this post} for more than seven hours on the ISth October inst«. To Dr. West he begs to express his sincere fhauks for the aid and assistance received from him. To tne non-commissioned officers- and privates of the garrison he has only to say that they have his full approbation for their cool and determined courage, and their zeal asd activity during the day. N LEONARD, Capt. Commanding Fort Niagaras IfVhiY^ fbingii were thus progresning on land^ the British were preparing a naval force for ih» annoyanee of the citizens on the 8ea>hoai*d. Admiral Warren arrived at Flalifax on the 27th September, 1812 ; and having attempted in' vain to deceive the American governmt*nt with f&ise professions of a paeiiit' intpntiouf he pro^' seeded in Januai^^ off New^ York. *-. # /llfflj m u^-' BKKi.V ''W& i6B BISTORT OV TUB WAH. 'fi m Ht'val/f} v' *• . Eat'lj in February, 1818,. the Chesapeake bay and Delaware river were bloekaded. i< ,* 1 he British fleet continued in the bay and rivers connected therewitli. Their transactions^ for tlie greater purtf torm a history of petty landings* wherever no considerable force eould be opposed to them ; burning or taking every Vessel .that eame wilhin their power, plundering the inhahitanis adjacent to the waiers) burning housesy and^- tflsuttingf in the most libidinous manner, tnose females, who did not, or could not fly from them. The following deserve pariiou- lar record. A letter, of which the following is a copy, "was sent to IjewiHiown, in the state of Delaware, on the 16th Mar(*h, 1813. ' « SiRt— As soon ar you receive thist I must re* quesi you will send twenty live bullocks with a pro- portionable quantity of vegetable^ and hay to the Poictifrst for the use of his Briiunitic majesty's squadron now at this anchorage, which shall be im* mediately paid for at the Philadelphia prices If you refuse to comply with this request, i shall be under the necessiiy oi deatraying your tovm, I have the honour to be, Sir, your ob't. servant, J. P. BERESFORD, Commodore,^ commanding the British squadron in the mouth of Uie Delaware. Vhe Jirtt Magistrate qf LLetvUtov/nJ* ' The magistrate transmitted the letter to Gov- ernut Haslet* who sent a reply to the admiral on the 3Sd, eoncluding in the following words : «• I have only to observe to you that a eompli- fince would be an immediate violation of th» laws of my country, and an eternal stigma on the nation of which I am a citizen. A oooipliancei tliSireferc^ c«QMOi be HCiseded ta«f'^ ^ lu^ir«|tT •> va^ WIS. i6a and petty f'ouid evei-y ering rniQg inous dnot riieu- . ' IH the evening of Iho 6th April» tlie Belvidcra and two smsiU vostela came in close into Lewisf ftnd commenced an attack, by firing aeveral 32lb* ihot into the town* which liave been picked up ; atlor which a flag was wenty to which the folio w- kg reply was returned. •t Sir,— -Tn reply to the renewal of four d^.mani with the additioti for a <* si^piy of water." I have to inform you that neither can be complied wit)i. Thi% too* you most be sensible of; therefore I must in- sist the attack on the inhabitants of this town is both WAOton and cruel. I have the honour to bcy your most obedient servant, *T-- ** . S. B. DAVIS, Col. Commandant.'* Another message was sent, Jn whioh the Bri* tish Captain Byron, among other matter, wrotey^ « I grieve for the distress of the women'*— to which a verbal reply was given, ** That Colonel Davis is a gallant man, and has already taken care of the ladios.*' The attack cQOtinned till qear 10 o'clock.-^ The firing was kepC up during the greater part . of the foilawing day. One of the most danger- ^ ous of their gun>boats was silenced by the fire . from a small battery. The enemy withdrew oa tlie 8th, after firing on Lewis for 22 hours, > with little efiect, and without accomplishing his object. In their progress np the bay, the British landw ed at Frenehtown on the Elk river, and burnedf t the store-houses, destroying or carrying away all tho pnblio or private property which they con- tained. From Frenehtown, the enemy proceeded to Htivre-de-Grace, a fiourishing little villag eon V the Susqnehannah. where they landed, in consi* derable force^ on the 3d of May> and. proeseded ?il<3 ml Ur^ % ll * 170 HTSTOKT OF TBB WAB. 4.* H ■' I tt) plunder and burn ivith a srvageness iliat rtif quired but the use of the scalping knife, (o out- rival tlieir red allies. Twentj^-four of the best houses in the town ^ere burned, and the others plundered. A small part^ of militia were sta- tioned at Havre-de-Gra''e, who, on the approach of the enemy, made a slight resistance, and then retreated. An Irishman, named 0*Neil, with a courage pmounting to rashness, and an enthusi- asm ncc ei ntined bj' oold loyalty, opposed his sin« gle arm to the British host, was taken prisonei^ and carried on board the British fleet* but after" wards released on parole. His countrymen* residing in Philadelphia, pre- sented the brave 0*Neil with a sword. From Havre- de- Grace, the enemy proceeded further up the river, and burned the warehouse belonging to Mr. Stump, and a furnaee belong, ing to Mr. Hughes, at Princippi. On the morning of the 4tb, the enemy evaen- ated Havre-de- Grace, and proceeded down the bay. The next exploit of the enemy was the burn- ing of the unprotected villages of Frederick and Georgetown ; the former in Cecil county, the latter in Kent countyt opposite each other on the Sassafras river, in the state of Maryland. ^ The movements of the enemy on the 20th June, having indicated a design to attack Nor** folk, which place was then ill prepared for de- fence. Captain Tarbell, finding Craiiey Island ra- ther weak manned, directed Lieutenants Mealet Shubrick, and Sanders, with 100 seamen, to a small battery at the N. W. point of the island. At five o'clock on the morning of the 22d, the enemy was discovered landing round the point of Kaasemond river^ a force^ reported by deserters #: 11I9T0ST 09 THE WAB« 17i and otberS) to exceed 3000 men : at eiglit, A. m. the barges attempted to land, in front of the i»« landman additional force of 1600, when Lieuts. Neale^ Shubrick* and Sanders, ivith the sailors under their command, and the marines of the Constellation frigate, 150 in number* opened a fire, which was so well directed, that the enemy was obliged to retreat to his ships. Three of his largest barges were sunk ; one of them, called the Centipede, Admiral Warren^s boat, 50 feet in length, curried 75 men, the greater part of whom were lost. Several of the bouts fell back, in the rear of the island, and commenced throwing rockets from Mr. Wise's bouses ; but they were quickly compelled to move off, by the shot di^ rected to that quarter, from gun-boat No 67. — In the evening, the enemy's boats came round the point of Nansemond, and, t^ sun-set, were seen returning (o their ships full of men. At dusk, they strewed the shores along with fires, in order to run away by ihe light. The British troops, that were previously JancL ed, made their appearance on the main lan(f» with a view to attack the west and north posi- tions of the island, but with no better success than attended the men in the boats. Two 21- pounders and four six pounders were advantage- ously posted, under the direction of Major Faul- kener, of the artillery, which were so well serv- ed by Captain Emerson, Lieutenants Hall and Godwin, that (hey produced a serious effect on the enem}', who was soon compelled to retreat. Opposed to the large British force, there were but a few hundred militia and artillerists ; there were mounted on the island not more than eight pieces of cannon that could be brought to bear on the enemy. *< The officers of the Coostella^ r.» i^2i S1»T0BT •¥ V&r t^Am I' ^ I'/ 14 tion,*' aetording to the oflieial report of Cfom» Cassin^ '* iSifd their 18 pounders more like riHe- liien than artSllerisits/' — 'I'his defence did g;reat honour to the few Americans who were engaged* Korfolk was an important post, and the enemj determined on its occupation ; the force sent against it was large ; Admiral Cockburn com- juiandcd in person» and was in one of the bargei» •nc'ouraging the men to advance. Some French deserters reported, that a large bounty was to be given to the men in the event of sueeess, and that it was promised to them, that Norfolk would ba given np to be plundered. The loss of the enemy could not be less than 5IOO9 exclusive of several deserters ; %% prisonera were taken ; also a brass three pounder, with a lumber of small arms, pistols, outlasses, &o. Not a man ^vas lost on the side of the Ameri* tans ; the enemy used only Congreve rockets. On the 2dth June, between SO and 40 barget vere discovered, filled with men^ approaching tlie mouth of Hampton creek, from the direction of Newport's Noose. The American troops were quickly formed on Little-England plantatioDy south-west, and divided from Hampton by a nar- row creek, over which a slight foot bridge had been erected. In a short time, the enemy com- menced landing troops in rear of the Americans. A little after five o'clock, ▲. m. several barges approached Black-beard's Point, the headmost of ii'hich commenced a firing of round shot, which Was returned from a small battery of four long i2-pounder8. The entire of the force landed by the enemy, consisted of at least 2500 men, sup- ported by seyeral field-pieces, and some heavy guns, and rockets ; the American troops were eomposcd of S40 infantry and rlflc^ 62 artillerists^ rnSTOBY OF THE WAR. iry find 21) cavalry. This little foroo made the moM: judicious and b»st defence that was practicable^ manwuvi'ing and disputing every inch of ground. The contest was at one time very sharp* and was maintained with a resolution that left hope of re- pelling the invaders ; but the enem^f being very numerous, attempted to outflank and eut off the Americans, when part of the latter began to dis- perse in various directions. It now became in- dispensibly necessary for all the Americans to- retire, which they did under a continued, but ilU dii^ected fire, from the enemy, who pursued them for two miles. The Americans oecasionally stopped at a fence or ditch, and at every fire- brought down one of the pursaing foe. ^ Gapt. Pryor, with his Lieutenants Lively and Jones, and his brave, active matrosses, after slaughtering many of the enemy with his field pieces, remained on the ground till surrounded — and when the enemy was within* 60 or 70 yards of the fort, they spiked their gunS) broke through the enemy's rear, and^ by swimming a creek* made good their retreat without losing a man» taking with them (heir carbines^ and hiding them in the woods. The American loss was seven killed; 16 wound- ed, of whom 2 died of their wounds, one prisoner*, and 11 missing. The enemy took possession of the tillage of Hampton,, after sufiering a loss, by the most probable calculation, of at least 200^men». '., Major Crutchfieid, who commanded the Ame- t^icans, states the enemy's conduct, iatlie follow- ing, extract, from his official report : .| '^Togiveyout sir, an idea of the savagC'like di&(» position of the enemy^, on their getting possession of< the neighbourhood, would, be a vain-attempt. AU ^ottgiv Sir Sioney Beck with assured ix)ie>^^ titifttwnouitr* JB(^ '•■:'«.i 174. ■4 ■VJ BISTORT OV THE VAS* easiness need be felt in relation to the unfortunate Americans; the fact is, that yesterday there werd several dead bodies lyiig unburied, and the wounded not even assisted into town, although observed ta be crawling through the fields towards a cold and inhos- pitable protection. ^»!: •T^^E'^^' ,.»f:w^'V', ' , ^^■l^t;:] 'av^Kw^^' 'i^mS^WF** • n^nr^-'''' fl^-" '& m^i: ^■^ ESI PI :'%* : M* m ^*^ :li" '?'5?J 17» H19T0RT QfB TBTB W4K. '■fi'j ■At *^' M Kt^ 1 i ':f f desires upon hereafter pulling off her clotheis, stock* ingSv shoes, Sec. This fact was seen by your ne* phew Keith, and many others. Another case— si married womanj her name unknown to me, with her infant child in her arms, (the child forcibly dragged from her,) shared the same fate. Two young wo- men, well known to many, whose names will not be revealed at thia time^ suffered in like manner. -ii. Dr. Colton, Parson Halson, and Mrs. Hopkins, Iwiye informed me of these particulars — another, in the presence of Mr. Hope, had her gown cut off with a sword, and violence offered in his presence, which he endeavoured to' prevent, but had to quit the room, leaving the unfortunate victim in their possession, who, no doubt, was abused iu the same way. <» Old Mr. Hope himself was stripped naked, pricked with a bayonet in the arm, and slapt in the face— and were I to mention a hundred cases in ad- dition to the above, I do not know that I should ex- aggerate." Admiral Cockburn is the redoubtable hero,, who commanded the enemy in the manly attack on Hampton.^ On the 264 h June, three of the enemy's barges- attempted to enter Pagan creek, but were re- sisted by a detachment of militia ; and after ex- changing 14< shots, without efiect on either side^ the enemy retired. The enemy had such a total command of the "Waters of the Chesapeake, and the rivers falling into it, wherever the same were without the -^ •James O' Boyle, an Irishman, residing at Pugl^ town, in Virginia, offered a reward of 1,000 dollars, for thi head of " the notorious inccndary, and infa- mous scoundrel, and violator of all laws, human and divine, the British admiral, Cockburn/* or 5Q0 dol"^ Iblts for each of. Ms. ear& ■I8T9BT •W TOE UTAS* iry Hiaoge of shot from the shore; and his move- luents were cio variousy that a general alarm was excited in the neighbourhood of these waters ; the troops were necessarily kept embodied, and moving in a manner^ which occasioned distres- sing and harrassing diflleulties. The fate of the females at Hampton excited an indignutiony and roused a patriotism and a love of family kindred, which stifled all complaints among th» harrassed soldiery of Virginia and Maryland. — « Hampton" was a watch-word, at which every husband, father, brother, and man, took his gun and fled with willingness, to meet the ruffians^ who threatened, with worse than murder, the fair daughters of America. w It would scaroely be interesting to detail every petty landing, skirmish and adventure, that oe« eoired, while the enemy remained in the Chesa<> pe;ike>.the most conspicuous of them, will, how* •ver, be noticed. A party of (be enemy landed a little be^ow James-Town, on the 2d July, but were repulsed by the militia. Two of thvj enemy were* \iiled9 two taken, and several w uaded. The militia suflTered no loss. #n the l^th July, ftvi U. S. schooner Asp» was attacked in Yocirp'^ river, bj the crews of two brigs, who put ofi in their bo.Us, Tor that pur- pose. The boatfi, three it. number, vcre beaten off by the well direeted fire from tS*e Asp; about an hour after, the boats return i, with two other boats, well manned. There were but 2t men on board tli4> Asp* and they could not ef- fectually resist the great force sent against them 5 they, however, d^-fended iht* mselves ob- stinately and bravely ; n^r did they retreat until after the Asp wasi boarded by more than ^0 of Lw 1 ■JM %? tt .»> fTS HISTOBT OF TUB WAV, ■' "i ■ ,*j • .<- / 4l e-i;H» »V;V the enemy. The enemy set the vessel on fim After their retreat;, the survivors of the brave Amerioan crew, W4«it on board and extinguished the flames. The American loss in killed and wounded, amounted to 10 men. Mr. Sigourney» the intrepid commander of the Asp^ was among the killed. Some essays, published by the late Robert Fulton, on thti practicability of destroying ships by torpedoes, induced several persons to turn their thoughts to this subject. A Mr. Mix, of the navy, accumpanied by Captain Bowman, of Salem, and Midshipman M*Gowan, essayed to destroy the ship of war Plaotagenet, of 74 guns, lying in Lynnhaven bay. For this purr pose, they proceeded in a boa^, in the night of 524th July, 1813, and having reached within 100 yards of the ship, dropped the torpedo. It ivas s^vept along by the tide, but exploded a few seconds [>efore it would have come in contact with the vessel. }i produced great consternation and confusion on board the vessel, and induced seve- ral of the crew to take to their boats. The ship was greatly agitated, and some damage done by the violent motion of the water. Tlie noise, oeeusioned by the explosion, was loud and tremendous; and the appearance of the water, thrown up in a column of SO or 40 iVft high, awfully sublime. It has not been ascertained that any lives were lost. The fleet, under command of Admirat Cock- burn, returned to the Chesapeake on the 16(h July, after an invasion of North- Carolina, where the country was pillaged and laid waste by the enemy, for several miles. On (he 12th, a pari of this fleet, consisting of two TVs three frigates, and three schooners; appeared off Oeraeock bHr> HTSTOUT fUB VR% Vltt^ 179 h iSfor olina, and immediately despatched^ in (Kiai tween 700 and 800 men, who attaclc- ed the |.i'ivateer Anaconda, and shoouer Atlas, lying inside the hur. There were hut 18 men on b'^ai'd the Anaconda* v/ho resisted the boats as loHJi!; as they could, until finding that the vcsmcI must he taken, they discharged the guns into the hull ; hut the enemy bt»arded her in time to plug the holes. 'Hie \tlas, and 8<»me small craft, were eapturcd. IMie enemy took possession of OcracHck, and the town of Portsmouth, without opposition. Mi*s. Gaston, of \ewhurn, wife of the mem- b<'r of Congress, being told that the British had landed, and would shortly be in possession of Newburn, fell into convulsive fits, and expired in a few hours. Mrs. Cnrtis died in a simitiar manner, and a IVlrs. Shepherd was at the p>>int of death, but has recovered. Apprehensions of being treated like the unfortunate females of Hampton, it is suppOHi>d. produced this extraor- dinary ' material damage being done to the flotilla^ he manned his boatSy 10 in nuuiber, (t launehesy the rest large l)arges and cutttTs*) with between 80 and 40 men in each, and despatched them af- ter gun-boat No. 1^1, sailing-master 8head, which had fallen a mite and a half out of th« liUe, and sueeeeded in captuiHng her, after a gal- lant resistance. The enem^^ would have been totally defeated, had he not been favoured by a calm, which enabled him to carry oif the gun- boat No. 121, the colours of which were not struck until after being boaided. The sound of eannon, on this occasion, was heard at the city of Washington, a distance of a 120 miles. Saling master 8head concludes his official re* port in the folio wing words : " I found it necessary, for the preservation of the few valuable lives lost) to surrender to seven times our number ; the enemy boarding, loaded our decks with men ; wc w^re all driven below, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the officers could stay the revenge of the seamen, who seemed to thirst for blood and plunder, the last of which they had, by rob- bing us of every thing ; we had none killed, but 7 wounded, 5 slightly. The enemy's loss by us, was 7 killed, and 12 wounded, 4 of which have since died. They have conquered me, but they have paid nic »rly for it ; and I trust, Sir, when you c«)me to vie w the disadvantages that I laboured under, having been mn 7 days on board my boat, and scarcely time la -station my men, and the misfortune of entirely dis- abling my gun, and the superiority of numbers te •ppose me, you will be convinced that thf ttag I had the honour to wear, has not lost anv of that national character which has ever been attached to it." It is painful to the historian, that white he re- <»rds the nmoy instances of virtuous patriotisiH} SIfX«aT •« TUB Ifipi F^F ind gTorioui prowet8» which lignBlized the citi- oens and iahabUantt of the United States, it be- comes aUo his dutj to record their crimes and treasons. Much consolation is* however, deriT* ed from the reflection, that patriot ism was tho prevailing sentiment of a great majority of th# people. The following general crdt r was pub- lished, and dated from the navjr department, at the city of Washington, and sent, as a circular* to the commanding officers of stations, or ves- sels of the navy of the United States. ';v!! HISTORY OS THB WiJt. m sliotg (hat were fired from (be fort must have dooe some execution^ as a quaotlty of blood wa^ seen on the shore^ and two swords and a pistol were left bebindy and their barges were seen to be struck by the artillery from the town. On the morning of the i^th August^ at four o'elockf the enemy attacked Queenston^ in Queen Anne county, both by land and water ; — about 600 troops were landed and marched up to the town» and 20 armed barges made the attack by water — the attack was so unexpected, that but little resistance was made-^a picket guard of the American militia were fired on by the enemy^ one of them was killed, and two or three wound* ed — the militia retreated to Centreviihs, and left the enemy in possession of the town. Were the enemy to confine himself in the cap- turing of vessels and their cargoes* and the de- Btruetion of public property, he would be justi- ftahle; but it is due to truth, not to> conceal, thatf departing from all established rules of warfare^ he not ot»ly carried oft private property, wheor ever he could seize it, but also destroyed what* ever be could reach 9 and could sot remove. On the 2d November, he landed on George's islatid, and burned all the buildings on it, he decoyed a great number of negroes, with a promise to make them free — and afterwards shipped these wretches to the West Iiiflies, where they were sold as slaves, for the benefit of British officer^. The following device was practised with success, A party of tbe militia, (t7 in number,) stationed themselves behind the Sand hills, while twt> while ihf.n, with their faces and hands blacked, vvt ut - down upon the beach, and waved th«Me iiiUHH*. kerchiefs to theships, wlien a boat, with six nifn, immediately came ashore^ folio vved^ at some 1 -.'■■) ■p» K^''' J B it MMj^ ' ' §*?. «./!/■ P.I m WL:] : «4*ir*! ^^K^.' 3k; n^ W'-M ^E^f'' ' m i91 HlVTORT OF THB WAlUr M i m iistance^ by two others, full of men. Just %» ili# men from the first boat were preparing to land^ one of those d]8£;uised» in Talking a few 8teps« showed his bare ancles, whloh he omitted to blackeOf when the enemy exclaimed — «< White men in disguise, hy .— — ; let us push offj**'^ which they did, and at the same moment, the militia ran out and fired upon them, until they were outof gun-shot ; they killed two out cfth4 six. It would be impossible, in the compass allot- ted to this work, to do justice to the enemy :— his barbarous and plundering conduct in the Chesapeake, and adjoining rivers, can only bo equalled by the eonduct of the same enemy in a former war. " The species of warfare," sayt the editor of a Norfolk paper, « waged by Cap- tain Uoyd of the Plantagenet, on the inhaki- 'tants of Princess Anne county, is of that pitiful &nd dishonourable kind, which cannot fail to at- tach a lasting stigma to his character, and cause l)is name to descend to oblivion, eoupled with that of the infamous Dtinmore, and elogged with the bitter execrations of all who shall hear the tale of his rapacity,** The Norfolk Herald thus ably and humanely notices the seizing and carrying oflT negroes. << To take cattle or other stock, would be consis- tent with the usage of civilized warfare ; but to take Kegroes, who are human beings / to tear them for- ever from their kindred and connexions is what we should never expect from a Chriatian nation, espe- cially one that has done so much to abolish the •* slave trade." There are Negroes in Virginiai and we believe in all the southern states, who have their interests and affections as ^trongiy engrafted ^ 1^ their hearts, as the whitesj^ and who feel the sacreil B18T0TIT OF THE WABi 18^ ties of filial* parentali and conjugal afTection, eqiiallf st'ongvund who are warmly attached to their owners^: anM the scenes of their nativity. To those, no in- ducementt which the enemy could offer, would bo- suflicient to tempt th m away. To drag them a* Wjyt then, by force, would be the greatest cruelty. Yes, it is reserved for Englandf who boasts of her religion, and love of humanity, to practise this piece of cruelty, so repugnant to the dictates of Christianity and civilization." ' The greiit vi^.Uanc< nd activity of the citi- zenst tended not only disappoint) but frequent- ly to punish the marauders. On the lith of Septesnber* about 15 men volun- teered from a militia eompauy, stationed near the inlet, at Norfolk, logo and attack a party of the Britifth, who were said to be on shore at the Cape. When tb«*y cami* to the Cape, and were mounting one of the^and hills, they found them- selves in full view, and within musket- shot of a lar^ body of marines* who were exercising. \- cluster of officers were standing some distance off* tietween their main body and our militia-*tho latter bud not a moment to spare ; they took de- liberate aim at the officers and tired ; four of them fell ! The militia then made the best of their way back to camp, while the enemy's shot whistled over their heads in all directions, but without effereputhito a strong cask, with a quantity of sulphur mixed into it. At the head of the eask was fixed two gun-looks, with cords fastened to the triggers, and to the under side of the barrela ki the hatchway, so that it was impossible to hoist the barrels without springing the looks each side of the powder — and on the top waa placed a quantity of turpentine, and spirits of tnrptotlne, whieh in all probability was sufficient to have destroyed any vessel that ever floated «a the wttter^ if sh^ oouldithaYe been gpt idoBf, '0i 4r- i8t HHmst OV TAB irA». If side, which was the ohjeet in view. These kcig% were^ put on board the smack EaKle* which sailed from New- YorlL on the I6th of June, for New- London, but which the crew abandoned, on being pursued by the boats of the enemy. It was expected that the vessel would be brought along side the Ramilies; and, by exploding^ would destroy that ship. The wind dying away* and the tide being aeainst them, she could not be brought along side. When the Eagle ex- ploded, there were four boats alo|tag side, and a great many men on board her. After the ex- plosion, there was not a vestige of ihe boats to be seen ; the body of fire rose to a vast heigiity and *then burst like a rocket, Itlvery man neap or about her were probably lost, as the boats sent from the Raroilies were seen to return with- out picking up any thing. On the lOth Jone> three barges belonging to the blockading squadron* after capturing somo liloops at the mouth of Connecflcut river, at- feropted to land at Saybrook, but were beaten off D^ the militia. The enemy had three men killed •n this oceasion. The militia escaped unhurt. ^ Chi tlie 2l*th July, a ist and 3rd lieutenant, a sailing- master, and five men, belonging to thella* Billies, were surprised and taken on Gardner's Island, b^ a part of (he crew of the United States, despatched for the purpose by Com. De- •atur. The prisoners were paroled, and. be- ing at liberty, were joined by others of their •rew, when they found the mselves sufileienfly strong to seize and carry oflTthe American lioat. There wan an aUempt also made to intercept the American party, but they escaped in a whale- boat to Sag- Harbour, from whence tUey retorSf' cduLsafety te JMew-LondeM. '^. •f THE MTAII. ts» ^flfhortly After thU transaction, Mr. Joshua TpotMjf of Easthampton, Lone- Island, was ta* k^n out of bis bed during the night, by a partjr from, the enemj's ship, and, bein^ brought on board the Ramilies, was put in irons. Majoe Case, eonimanding the troops of the U. Statei at Sag-Harbour, demanded his release as a non^ •on4>i^^<^D(i btt^ ^^^ British officer, Capt. Hardy» deolined, on the ground that he was a combat7 ant^^that he conducted a party of seamen from New-l^Q^on to Gardner's Island, there to sur* prise and take eeveral British officers^— that hit name had been entered on the books of one of the frigates, and that he had been ** employed in a boat contriveAfor the purpose, under the eorui mai^d of Thomas Welling* prepared with a tor* pedQ% to iUstfoy this (Cap. Hardy's) ship,** This last oWm6 was undoubtedly that wbicH led to ^l|o oaf ture and severe treatment of Mr, F^nny* He was,, treated witli great severity while Oil board, ti^ Eamiliies, from which vessei he wat lent tp Halifax, where he was treated like other lyrisoners. He was sent to Salem in a cartel shin, in May, 1814, and probably oweij^nol onljf ^is liberation, but his life, to the circnmstaoea that.tJ^e President of the United States ordered two British subjects to be held as hostages fpf jthe safety of Mir. Penny. t h;^>5g The N^w- London blockading squadron eam(u on the 8th September, by the sounds to a plao^ ablaut io miles from the city of New-Tork, cafi^ ^ured 30 coasters^ took a quantity of sheep fron| the main, and had probably other robberies or {njuries in. view. Com. Lewis, on receiving it^ formation of the enemy's movement, proceeded up the Soi^nd, . with 2fr gun- boats. By 9 o'oloclfL •Q ihe 9th| W was at Sands's Poioti wtthin 10 I 1 ^■.J'^1 190 BIITOBT OV TH> WAS. It .41 >1 %% I^C -4 :::&!• i''i' /ni milei of the enemy. A- British fr%ate and a sloop of war got under way aad ttood toward them. At one o'oleoky F. M. the oommodore brought his flotilla to anobor in Hempstead bayi ready to receive the enemy. The Britisli^ eau •hanged 10 or 16 shots at too great a distance !• produoe any effect^ and then stood to theeasto ward^ and wer^ soon out of sight. The flotilla returned to itd former station. ' On the 5th of July,, the British tender £agi«f which had been employed by Cora. BereslbiMiy for the purpose of burning eoastersr ^o. wastan ken by a coup demam. The sm^s^ck YanlceewiM borrowed for thi9 purpose. Sailmg master Per- •eivaS went on board, and oonoealed 30 meii«ia the hold J he tied a calf, a sheep and a goose ok deeky and, thus prepared/ he stood out of Ma»« tjfuito Cove I three men appeared on deck. .The £ftgle, on perceiving the smaekf immediatoly £ve ehascy and after comiag^vp-with her»i and ding she had live stock on de^^ erderedfher ta go down to the commodorcj then about flva imws distanoe. The helmsman of the smaek an*, swerd ** aye, aye, sir,'' and apparently put up the helm for that purposci which brought iihn atong side the Eagle, not more than three yards distant. The watch wordf I^awrr nee, wa* then given, 'When the armed men rushed on deck •ora their hiding, places, and poured into her a^ volley , of musketry, whieh struck her crew with dismay, and drove them down sO precipitately into the hold of the vessel, that they had not^ time tostlike their eolours« Seeing the enemyV deck clear, Sailing- master Perceival, who com* manded the expedition, ordered his men to oease fii'ingUi-upon which one of the enemy came out M i&t hold and ttruek the eeloura of the£a^^)^ ) and a toward modore wdbaji isli^ eat* lanoelo le eastt*"' ilotiU* £agb» wa»4an ceenrfM cpFep- nunifiii ooteoB iirThe diatidjl Br»^ and ped(ier lekaa* [Mut up [btiiim » yards k» then 1 deck ) her a w with itately id not nemy's o com* 9 oeasa me out nimmw ot vm wai« tM flUilB *liad OB board a M-pound brass ho'd| two of our. own men were wounded slsghdy. Thf Ijriso^ers I send 4or your disposal. Very respectfullly yq^rmost^ot)t;dienth^ii9hlQ servant, .j.,,^^^^.^ . m^Hh JOHN KtCHOX-SOJDT. i >M/ ':U r*»«- IRtjnj Sf-l *4 Mr TTf y-^i v>^w! k''i §F^C' •i.'l %:l §..\ *'''i PI m hx i ecrn^ Jphn Rodg'er^f U. 6»li MiaUH^i^ h'M -r&k %4 fngtite Preeident i» IH VllViftY Wf VBM Wis* V. '■ ' The British Admiral ^Tarren itaued aproela^ mation on the 16th Novenher* deelarlnc Long- Inland Sound in a state of rigorous bloekade. This was an extenjion or explanation of a for- mer proi^laniation of the 24th Septenibery by n^hieh the ports and harbours df New-Torky Charleston, Port Roylil* Savannah^ and the river Misbissippi were declared in » state of striet and rigorous bloekade. A proelauiatlon was issued by the governor of Vermont on the 10th of November,- 1813, the objeet of which was to oali home from the ser- i^ice of the United States a portion of the militia which had been then serving in the state of New- York. Brigadier General Davis repaired to the arm^, and dt manded a oomplianee with the or- ders of hia excellency ; but obedience was re-- fused, and the general was arrested. A reply to the proclamation was drawn up at I'lattsburgh the 15th November, and direeted to hin excellency, signed by all the oflSeers of the yermont militia then there, llie reply con- tained, among other matter, the following decided and unequivocal expressions. « We consider your proclamation as a gross insult to the officers and soldiers in service, inasmuch as it implies that thef are so ignorant of their rights as to believe you have authority to command them in their present situation, or so mbandoned^A to follow your Insidious advice. We cannot regard your proclama- tion- in any other lif^hu than as an unwarrantable stretch of executive authority, issued from the worst of motives^ to effect the basest purposes. It is, ia •ur optnioo, a renewed instance of that spirit of dis- organization and anarchy which is carried on by a lact^ tion, to overwhelm our country with jruin and dis« |;iac«. We cannot perceive what other .oiy^^ct yo^ ^1 .'^' :-;w HI8T0BT OF THB WAB* td3 excellency could have in view than to embarrass the operations o£ the army* to excite mutiny and sedition amuiig the soldierSf anJ to iuducc them to de^tertj thau tiicy might forfeit the wnges to which they are entitled for their patriotic services*" A most pusitive iifuofof that atriual treason* \irhioU iurked under the shade of un ill limed op- position to the measures of the general govern* ment, was* soon afterward* discovered,, near New London, as will bo best explained by the foi towing comuiunioation from Com. Decatur to thu Secretary of the Nuvy, dated at New-Lon- bon, December ^uth, iS13: *< Some few nights since, the weather promised an opportuiii y for this squadron to get to sea, and it Was said on shore that we intended to make the at • tempi. In the course of ihe evening two blue lights won ! urnt on both the points at the harbour's moLth a» >i: uuls to the enemy^ and there is not a doubtt but that lUey huve by signals and otherwise, instantaneous iufoi taatio i of our movements. Great but unsuc- cessful exertions have been made to detect those who eontmunicate with the enemy by signal. Thti editor of t!ie ]S"ew-London Gazette, to alarm them, and in hope to prevent the repetition of those sij^ .^>is, sta- ted in that newspaper, that they had been obiervequadron, there are men in New-Lon« do?i who have ttie hardihood to affect to disbelieve it, and the effrontery to»avow their disbelief.*' rhe U. 8. fi'igute Congress, Capt. 8mith» ar« rived at Portsmouth in December, after a cruise of nearly eight months. During her cruise« she Spt sight of an caeiuy*s line of battle ship$ with a K .#. -n. #•4 vuoromT n thb wab* ..fl ^i^^^ri^ IHgate in company. She captured and dcfttrog^ •done ship ami. one. brig; and sent another eap« tured brig at a cartel to the West-Indies. It will be recollected that the Congress sailed from Viewport in Aprils in company with the Presi- dent and parted company the 8th May. The hostile attitude of the Indians* and the battle with them at Tippacanoe* previous to the ^ar> excited alarm» and caused an enquiry into Its cause. A committee of Congress* on that part of the President's message, which related to Indian affairs* turned. their particular attention to the following enquiries : «lst. Whether any« and what agency the nubjeets of the British government may have bad in exciting the Indians on the western fron- tier* to hostilities against the United States. « 8d. The evidence of such hostility* on thei part of the Indian tribes* prior to the late earn* paign on the Wabash. « 3d. The orders by which the campaign wat authorised and carried on.'* llie committee reported* that <• the evidence before them was as conclusive as the nature of the case can well bo supposed to admit of* that the supply of Indian goods furnished at Fort Maiden* and distributed during the last year b/ the British agents in upper Canada* to the luf^ dian tribes* were more abundant than usual ; and it if difficult to aceount for this extraordinarj liberality* on any other ground than that of ai» ^.ntention to attach the Indians to the British cause* in the event of a war with the United States.". ** Additional presents*" continued the commit- tee* <« consisting of arms and ammunition* givev j|t a lime when there ia evidsnee thai the BriMi|k % BISTOilT 01 VRB WMM» tH Were apprised of the hostile disposition of tbo lodiansy aooompanied with the speeehes nddresi- ed to them* exeiting disaffeetiont are of too deci* live a eharaeter to leave doubt on the sujeot.'' The part whieh the Indians (ooIk in the wap between Great Britain and the United StateSf tras an additional and strong evidence in support of the ageney, which the British government had in the early hostility of the savages. Scaroely was the Indian war with the north western tribes brought to a conclusion» than tb^ tomahawk was raised on the south-western bor* der. The touthem tribes were divided into parties; one hostile* the other friendly* to the United States. The former was the stronger party; the latter needed proteetion» and were so bent on hostility* that it was found impossible to enforce on them a neutral policy. A departure from the usual forbearance of the United States' govern- ment, to accept their services* was unavoidable; and the proffered services of friendly Indiana were accepted. It having been discovered that in eonsequence of an order from a British general in Canada* a large quantity of munitions of war were distri- buted by the Spanish governor of Pensacola» among the hostile tribe of Indians* Colonel Col- liet** with about 180 men* marched* with a view to intei^ept the Indians, on their return. On the 27th July* 1813* on the east side of Alaba- ma* and waters of Escambia* he fell in with^ and gave battle to the Muscogees. The fight was* for a short time, well maintained on both aides. At the moment when victory was about to declare in favour of Col. Collier's party* a Jnoior offleer^ without authorityf «ried out **v^ :% J 196 B18T0BT OV TSS WAB. It ( d y »1 ¥r .j| it treat !'^ It passed through the ivholeline, mndf notwithstanding the exeriions of Col. Collior» it was impossible to ralJ;^ the militia: the enemy was left master of the field. Col. Collier lost two men killed^ and 10 \iound(>d. The Indians acknowledged a less of six killed* and several ivounded. A considerable part of the presents brought by the Indians from Pensaeola^ fell into Col. Collier's hands. Fort Mimmi, on Tensaw* was unexpectedly attacked on the SOth August, by a large force of Indians. The front gate lay open, and the Indians were rushing throueb, when first per- ceived by the garrison. Tlie men, under com- mand of Major Beasley, were quickly formed* and a part of them contested a passage through the gate with great bravery ; the action soon became genera) ; tbe port-holes were taken aad re-taken several times. A block-house was de- fended by Capt. Jack and a few riflemen, for an hour after a part of it had been possessed by the enemy. A galling fire was kept up from the houses, until the enemy gave fire to the roofs. 'I'he place was no longer tenable. A retreat was attempted, under direction of Capt. Bailey, of the militia, and Ensign Chamblessi of the rifle company, hut a few of the partj^ were able to aflTeet it. Major Deasley fell while de- fending the gate, at the commencement of the aiitibn, which continued for about six hours. — Ninety-two men* including oflleers, were killed^ and many respectable citizens, with numerous •families, who had abandoned their farms for sc^ curity, were also killed or burned in the houiies into which they had fled. I'he loss of the ene^ my could not be ascertained^ but must have been Tery considerable* *%: !.:•*. 1^ HIITOST 01 THE WA«# itr Capt. Kennedy, who wis lenty after the re- treat ot* the Indians, to bury the dead, made i^ report to €h)n. Claiborne^ of whieh the following if an extract : **- We collected and consigned to the earth TWO UUN^DREO AND FORTY SEVEN, including^ men, women and children, « The adjacent woods were strictly searched fov our couutrymen, and in that pursuit we discovered at least one hundred §laughtered Indian9, They were covered with rails, brush, 8cc. We could not be mistaken as to their being Indians, as they were interred with theik* war-dress and implements— and although they have massacred a number of our help-> less women and children, it is^ beyond doubt, \.9 them, a dear-bought victory/' The masaa 're at Fort Mirnms, wat followed bv several other cruel murders in differenft> plaees. The general government, having been inform- ed of these transactions, made a requisition on* the states of Tennessee and Georgia, for detaeh*^ ntents of militia, to be sent against the hostiloi Indians of the Creek nation. The legislature of the state of Tennessee, adopted a resolution, on the 27th September^ ior the folio w tug words :. <^ Resolved^ That the governor of this^ state bey andii he.is hereby required, forthwith to give immediat» information to the executive of the United States^r < of the time when, and the place at which, the 3v50CP men will be prepared to obey the orders of the gene- ral govemm&ot, accompanied with a request that the^V said troops be immediately received* into the publics? service/^ Tho legislature or Georgia gave authority ti0>, the governor, to call out sueh portion ef tfao mW litia,, as. he mig|it deem neoe8Bar2>>f«c tlie' i ■ I **• 1 V. " "i- ^1»^ %9% HISTORT OV THB WAS. I) ii 1 *• mm. 1. ^11 I* /'U.I' # % rity and protection of the frontier inhabitants ; and requiring that ho call on ihe genera! govern- ment for subsistence for the troops that migiit be thus called out. This was, in effect^ putting them at the disposal of the general government. The militia of the states of Georgia and Ten- nessee, with the nearest regular troops and 6ther corps from the Mississippi territory, were ihardied against (he hostile savages. General Andrew Jackson commanded the entire. The first victory (for every battle after this p<^riod was a victory,) is thus detailed by General Jackson : ' i^ " We have retaliated for the destruction of Fort Mimms. On the 2d, I detach;;d Gen. Coffee with a part of his brigade of cavalry and mounted riflemen, to destroy Tallushatches, where a considerable force of the hostile Creeks were concentrated. The gen- eral executed this in style. A hundred and eighiy* six of the enemy were found dead on the field, and about 80 taken prisoners, 40 of whom have been brought here. In the number left, there is a suffi- ciency but slightly wounded, to take care of those who are badly. <* I have to regret, that five of my brave fellows have been killed, and about 30 wounded \ some bad- ly, but none I hope mortally. . << <^ Both officers and men behaved with the utmost bravci^ and deliberation. , ** Captains Smith, Bradley, and Winston, are grounded, all slightly. No officer is killed." It appears, by Gen. Coffee's statement* dated Camp at Ten Islands of Coosa, November 4(h, that the Iqdians fought with a bravery that ^ould dothem honour, had they been engaged in a just cause, with an obstinacy that would yield to nothing but death, and with a contempt of 4jEU)|;6r truly tharficteriHiQ of the sayage.^MMi ■f^.r ■'USic" U^'-A BlSTaBT OF THB WAR. ±99 'f he detachment, under command of Gen. Coffee, consisted of 600, cavalry and mounted nflemeo. Being arrived within one and a ha! >' miles of the Taliusliatohes town, the detachment wus divided into two columns, the right tromposed of the cavalry, under Col. AUcoi*n; the left composed of mounted riflemen, under Col. Cannon. Gen. Coffee, marched with the riflemen; Col. Alleorn: encircled one half of the town, while Col. Can- non completed the circle, by closing on the side opposite to Col. Alleorn. When witliin half a mile of the town, the drums ofahe enemy beat, and the savage yells announced that the enemy was prepared for battle. In about an hour af- ter sun- rise, Capt. Hammond, and Lieut. Patter- son's companies went within the circle, and suc- ceeded in drawing forth the enemy, and com- menced the battle, when they withdrew before a violent charge from the Indians, until they reached Col. Allcorn's column, when a gene- ral fire was opened on the savages, who retreat- ed, firing until they got around and into their buildings. Here they fought as long as one existed. No quarter was sought, and noner- fV'om all ap[)earance, would be accepted. The assabU by the troops was warm and courageous* rushing up to the doors of the houses, as little intimidated as if there was no enemy to op|M>se them, in a conflict of this nature, it was im<« possible to provide against the destruction of a few of the squaws and children. The number of the enemy killed must have exceeded 200 ; 186 of whom were found; 84* women and chil- dren were taken prisoners. The loss of the mi- litia consisted of 5 privates killed: 3 captaiki^j^ 2 lieutenants, 2 cornets, 3 sergeants, S corpa*^ pSnf i mrtifieeri and ^ priYates; wounde4» ■U A « *f^. 1% m m 111 •• ,\ ■''"'' m I'M AT 2»# «9T0mT Of THB WAlu' . Od the e^eniiig of the 7th NoTember^ an esr- press arrived to Gen. Jackson, with infer mationf that the hostile Creeks had eneamped in great force near Lashley*s, fort (Talladaga,) with the apparent intention of attacking the friendly In- dians. The general immediately marehed with about SOOO men^ against the enemy, and en- •amped that night within six miles of the fort. At 4 o'clock, on the morning of the 8th, he con- tinued his march toward the enemy, who was encamped within a quarter of a mile of the fort^ to reiicTe which. Gen. Jaekson had so expedi- tiously moved. At sun- rise, the General was vithinhalfa mile of the fen, when he moved forward in order of battle, llie plan of attack was similar ta that which proved so successful on the dd inst. The enemy was to be enclosed in a circle. The advanced guard sent forward to bring on the engagement, succeeded in di*aw- ing forward the savages toward the main body of the army. On the arrival of the Indians^, withm a short distance of the main body of the army, a few companies of the militia eomraene^ cd a retreat ; but finding their place quiekly supplied by a body of cavalry, who dismounted for the purpose, the militia rallied, when a gen- eral fire from the front, and' irom that part ef the wings^ which was contiguous, was pourecl on the savages, who, unable to withstand or rp- sist, retreated; but were met at every tur , and repulsed in every direction. Had It not been for the retreat of the militia, in the early pari of the action, ibis victory would probably have been as eoroplete as that of the •^d. The- Tietory, however, was very decisive ; 990 of tbo* enemy were left dead on the field: many moro- mce Bffobablj killed^ wh«. were not fimid^aiMi »i> /. .1»f. BISTORT OT THE Wv%S..'.f 201 many^ or most of those who escaped, must have been wounded. Jackson was coinpeiled to re- turn to his camp near the Ten uplands, having marched from thence without ba^;'gage» or other necessaries that could he dispensed with» or niiglit retard his march. He hist, in the en- . gagement, 17 killed, and 86 woniided. Tiie vj^ einy exceeded 1000 warriors. A stand of co- lours, bearing the Spanish cross, was taken front, them. On the 12th November, Gen. White was do- (ached from Fort Armstrong, on the ivoosa* with about 1100 mounted men, (including up- wards of 3U0 Cherokee Indians,] for the purpose of attacking the Hillabee towns^ on the west side of Tallapoosa river. On tlie 17th, about one o'clock at night, the detachment marehed with- in eight miles of the uppor town, received infor- mation from one of their spies., a lialf breed and son of a Mr. Grayson, who had rAnsijderable property, and resided in that place, that his fam- ily and property would be sacrificed by the In- dians on the next day, if Gen. White did not re- lieve him. Gen. Wbite, with alacrity» dismount- ed t/iree hundred of his troops, with par^of the Indians, and marched to surprise the town be- fore day-light. Having lar^e creeks to wade* and the vaiK having to tarry some time for .the rear, which had fallen behind bome distanccy the town was not reached until sun rise on the - 18th. when the tawn was completely surround- ed, and the savage enemy '/received the first fii;!e without the least notice of the approach. They iired. several guns, but were charged lion^B upon them with loaded muskets, and charge ef bayonets ; and in f or ib minutes they held up adag»and the firing ceaM* An Xadian tonia ftV'. 1^ mn m il m m *^i m ^4: ^ V, .■- M m m W^ w^-' i W ^lljM ■!■?:,« # mrA li^^ rki '*1 ' 1 ♦ '•'■' >jj % . 3 ij 5a ii w^ ^ mPf m w I) ',4?! ^W0 VltTOBT •* Vim WAli* .^. "•?!* HtUttle Oakfuskce^ oonsisting of ^^ hoiiWf,t town called Genalga* consisting of 93 liouacH were burned bjr the troops in their mareh. Tb» great number, if not the whole of the bostilr Creeksy assembled at the Hillabee town, eon* listing of about 316, were either killed or cap* tured. Sixty warriors were killed on the spot^ Gen. White's detachment had not a man killed •r wounded. "^ Gen. Floyd, with 950 of the Georgja militia» •nd between 300 and 400 friendly Indians, pro- ceeded to a town ealled Auttossee, on the south- cm bank of the Tallepoosa, about 18 mUesfrom the Hickory Ground, in order to attack a large ibrce of hostile Indians* reported to be assem* bled at that place. Lt VM en L'^ r after six o'clock, in the moroV '^ of the 2S)th November, the expedition reaoL<}d the front of the town, and the men were formed for acticui. At this time, when the army was about to execute a pre-concerted manoeuTre, for the purpose of surrounding the enemy, a second town was dis- covered about 500 yards below that which was first discovered. This compelled Gen. Floyd ta adopt a new manoeuvre, by dividing and dispos- ing his force, so that both towns might be at- tacked at once. This disposition being made» and the troops having advanced, thi^ battle con- nenoed, and soon became general. The Indians fought with their usual obstinacy and despera- tion, but were soon compelled, by the superior foroe of artillery, and a charge of bayonets, to retreat, and take refuge in the outjjpuses and copses Sn the rear of the town. At nme c'elock, the enetny was completely driven from the plain, and the houses wrapt in flames. The militia Mof OOmilei from toy depot of protliioiii^ IM . 1 ' -. ■ .f *v .# liv «/ StlTOAT •!. THB WAi« ♦ - ' , • id llOIIMfytl 93 hoUMt^ areh. Tb» the bostilr towDy eon* led or cap- m the spot., i man killed *gia militiat diansy pro- I the south- mUesfroni lek a large be assem* r after six Movembery ^ the town» n. Ai thii I execute a purpose of vrn liiras dis- which was n. Flojd ta and dispos- ight be at- eing roade» [)attle eon- ^he Indians d despera- e supierior ayoiiets, to Ipilses and S^t#'elock» I the plaittf Pbe militia m tut little remaining, it was judgeJ impradeat tm continue in the heart of a countr;^^ surrounded by hosts of savages. This place was, therefore^ abandoned, and the troops eommenced tbeit march to Chatahouchie. Auttossee was a favourite spot with the Indi^ ans« and it is conjectured, that the force as^tein* bled from several towns for its defence, must have been very considerable, ft is difficult to give a precipe account of the loss of the enemy ; but from the number which we-re lying scattered over the field* together with those destroyed in the towns, and the many slain on the bank of the river, which respectable officers affirm tbey saw lying in, heaps at the water's edge, where they had been precipitated by their surviving friends, iheir loss in killed, independent of their wounded, must have been at least tOO, (among whom were the Auttossee and Tallasee kings ;) and from the circumstance of their making no efforts to molest the troops, probably greater* The number of buildings burnt, some of a supe- rior order, for the dwellings of savages, and fill- ed with valuable articles, is supposed to be 400. The number of the Americans killed and wounded, as furnished by the hospital surgeoup was— Total killed, 11 ; total wounded^ 54 ; a^ mong whom was tjen. Floyd, badly. A detaehment, under command of Gen. Clai« borne^ marched from Fort Claiborne, east bank ef the Alabama, on the lath of December, a-^ gainst the Indians residing on the Ali|bama» above the mouth of the Cahaba. After a march ef more than 100 miles* principally through woods, without a track to guide them, the/ came in sight of a new town, lately built by ihn ladbiis^ on a ground called ** IIoly«'V XdJH' s :m. ■im ^§ PI m WK t'')- 1 k .^9 tv' ' i ^ M 1 r Ml'-*' ur^ \/ '■' m i»k BISTORT OF TUB WAB. 4"! ''^•^■if ■•■■ ,■ ■ '■"(■ V I '•■-.(ilH i m 'iliVl I town was established as a place of seearitj 141* tire iaiiabitantH ot* several viUfiges ; aii4 ibrce of the prophets resided in i4. I'he plaee was then occupied hy a lai*ge hud^ of the eoeiii^^irn- di'i* the command of Wetherford, a b^ild aad sanguinary chief, who was ■ one of tboso who commanded tlie Indians at the ma8saci*e of the j^rrison and inhabitants at Fort Minims. ;:Abi>ut noon, on the 23d Deeember, the right ^ eoluiiin of the army, composed of t't month's voJunterrSf commanded by Col. Joiiepb Carson, came in view of the town, and was immediately and vig. orousl> attacked by the enemy, wbo^ being'^ap- prized of the approach of the troops, had chosen their field of action. Before the other troops or friendly lndian»eouldeome gener:iJly iiita action^ the enemy were repulsed, and %ing in all-di- rections. 'IMiirty of the enemy were kiUed^ and many wourded. The loss to the* army wa« one killed and six wounded. A pursuit was attempt- ed; but found to be imprarlicable, owinfc loathe nature of the g*round. The town, eenstsilnfj 4>f 200 houses was burned* together with a large f]u:intity of provisions, and immense property of various kinds, which the enemy could not carry away. I'he^ next^lay was employed in destroy- ing a town consintiug of sixty houses, eight miles higher up the river. ' •' *«^4i Notwithstanding these repeated defeats^ the savages seemed y»>l bent on war. BctVire day, on the morning of the 27th Januarys, a ifefy large body of IndiaRS attacked the troops at Camp Defiance. k ii|;M tnid BISTORY aF TflS WAU. d05 left flanks of the arm.v ; but the savages were re|ielled at every |>oint. The enemjr rushed nearly to the cannon's mouthy and gained the rear or the picket guards, commanded by Capt. Broadnax ; but the latter bravely cut their way through the savages, and joined the army. As soon as day dawned, and objects could be dis- tinguished, a charge was ordered, and the en- emy fled berore the bayonet. The sigtial was given for the charge oF* the cavalry, who pur- sued and sabred 13 of the enemy ; who left 37 dead on the field. From the efiiision of blood and the numlier of head dresses, and war-clubsy foiind in various directions, their loss must have been considerable. The loss of the army, on this occ<(sion, was 17 kilted, and 13'2 wounded. Of the friendly Indians, five were killed, and 15 wounded. ^ Gen. Jackson, having received information at liis head-quarters. Fort Strother, from Captain Bl*\lpin, who commanded at Fort Armstrong, in the absence of Col. Snoc^rass, that 14 or 15 towns of the enemy, situated on the waters of the TallapooseCt were about uniting their forces, and attacking the fort, which was then in a fet^ble state of defence, the general resolved on an excursion into the enemy's country, further than had been hitherto attempted. He accord* ingly commenced his march on the Idth January, with 9SQ men, exclusive of Indians. On the 38th, the army encamped at Talladega fort, where it was joined by about 200 friendly Creek Indians* and 65 Cherokees. Here the general received a letter from Colonel Snodgrass, who had returned to Fort Armstrong, informing him^ that an attack was soon to be made on that fort, hji 90il> of the eaemy* It was further iinder- s ■-^ m wl m mi W^ Ki^r ^ W^-\ m ^S.: U^'J^W> ^1:1 um UlSTOBT 07 TUB IVAB* 1^ ^''■r&r aiooCi, that theenem^ ^as collecting inaben^ of the Tallapoosee, near the niouih of a ereek oallcd Emuckfau, on an island below New-Yor- ean. t On the 20th9 at ni^t, the army encamped at a small Hillabee village^ about 12 miles from Emuckfau. On the 21 sty the army marohed In a direct line for the bend of the Tallapoosee.— - In the afternoon, the army halted, and the geo> eral determined to encamp for the night, that he might have time to reconnoitre, and make 'dispositions for attack, if he were in the neigh- bourhood of a large force, which, from appear- ance, he judged to be the case. Having ehosen an eligible scite, the army encamped in a hollow square. Spies and pickets were s<*nt out, the sentinels doubled, and the necessary arrange- ments were made to resist an attack, if it should be attempted during the night ; or to make one, if the enemy could be found at day- light the following morning. While the army was in thi» state of readiness, the enemy, about six o'cloek in the morning, commenced a vigorous attack on the left flank, which was as vigoi*ou8]y met. The action raged for half an hour on the left of the rear of the army. The brave Gen. Coffee, with Col. Sittler, the adjutant-general, and Col. Carroll, the inspector- general, the moment the firing commenced, mounted their horses and repaired to the line.i encouragling and animating the men to the per- formance of their doty. So soon as it became light enough to pursue, the left wing, having sustained the heat of the action, and being some- what weakened^ was reinforced by Captain Fer- riirs company of infantry, and was ordered and led on the charge by General Qoffee, wk»vts» ^. .« HI8T0BY OF THE WAU* m well supported by Col. Higgins» and the inspee- tor-^neral, and b^^ all the officers and privates ' who eompo8ed that line. The enemy was ooin- Sletely routed at every point, and the friendly ndiana joining in the pursuit, tbey were chased about two miies^ with considerable slaughter. Gen. Coffee, who was detached with 4-UO raen^ to reconnoitre the enemy's encampment, return- ed, with a view to bring up the artillery, which lie deemed necessary to the attack. In half an hour after his return, a considerable force of the enemy commenced a fire on a party of men who were then in search of Indians. Gen. Cof- fec) with only 54 men, a part of 200 who were to have acted with him, corqmenoed an attack en the left flank of the enemy ; 200 friendly In* dians were ordered at the same time to attack the enemy's right. At this moment it was dis- oovered that the attack of the enemy was but a feint, having intended, by drawing off the gene- ral's attention from his left, to attack it with success : in this the enemy was disappointed. The whole line met the approach of the enemy with astonishing intrepidity, and having charg- ed, forced the savages to retreat with precipita' tion. They Avere pursued to a considerable distance, and severely galled hy a very destruc- tive fire. ? During this transaction. Gen. Coffee was con- tending against a very superior force. As soon as iwssible, a reinforcement was sent to his aid, which soon decided the oontest in that quarter : the enemy was charged, routed, and pursued for three miles. Nothing now remained but to de- stroy an empty eamp, which did not seem of suf- ^cient importance to delay a return to Fort vStrother, which was commenced on the follo.w* ing morning. W' m l!»-';^'!ore than S5 men, who maintained their ground as long as possible. There was then left to repulse the cnemy^ but the few who remained in the reatf gual*d, the artillery company, and Capt. RusseM's company of spies. Amidst a most galling fire from the enemy, this little band, not one- tenth of the number opposed to it, advanced to the attack. The artillery and a few others gained the top of a hill, drawing up with them a six pounder, when they poured on the enemy several discharges of grape, then charged, repulsed* and pursued him for two miles, leaving 26 of their warriors dead on the field. The loss in these several engagements, was 20 killed and 75 wounded. The loss of the enemy eould not be exactly ascertained ; 189 of their warriors were found dead ; this undoubtedly formed bnt a part of the killed ; the wounded must have been pro«* portionably numerous. All the eileots intended by this exeui*s!otf^ seem to have been produced. If an attack waft intended against Fort Armstrong, that was pre-. sr m msToar •■ thk wab. 20^ rented f a diversion was made in favour of Gen, Floyd, who was on the east side of the Talla- poosoe I the numher of the enemy was lessened* and their confidence in their leaders broken in on ; the enemy's country was explored, and a road cut through an important part of it ; and, on the whole, tended to, and hastened the termi- nation of Indian hostilities, as much> if not more* than any previous expedition. Hitherto the enemy was engaged either in the open field, or in situations where he liad little advantage from works of art, and not much from nature. One situation remained to be as- sailed, where a skilful display of art rendered a position, naturally strong, so seemingly impreg- nable^ that it required a groat effort of coui'age to approach it, a consummate skill to direct the attaokit and a persevering, imdauntcd resolution^ to prosecute it to suocesst In the bend of the Tallapoosee, two miles be- yond where Gen. Jackson engaged the Indians on the 22d January, the savages had fixed on a seite for erecting a fortification. Nature fur- nished few places more eligible for defence, and it was improved by art, wilh a skill not discov- ered before in an Indian fortification. The bend resembles^ in its curvature, a horse-shoe. Across the neck of land, which leads into it from the north, a. breastwork was erected, of tlue greatest compactness and strength, from 5 to 8 feet hieh, and prepared with double rows of port- h ardent and zealous enthusiasm. " Having maintained,'' says Gen. Jackson, la Lis letter to Gov. Blount, « for a few minutes a very obstinate contest, muzzle to muzzlci through the iiort-holes* in which many of the enemy's ballp were welded to the bayonets of out* muskets, our troops succeeded in gaining ?ossession of the opposite side of the works; 'he event c mid no longer be doubtful. Tire enemy, althoaeh many of them fought to tbe last with that kincT of bravery which desperation in^ spires, were at length routed and cut to pieeeSk The whole margin of the river which surround^ cd the peniiisula, was strewed with the slain/' The fighting oontittued wi%h some severity about #fe hours. Five hundred »ad fifty-seyen of tltt t UltTORT OV THB WAB. Sit Mtniy were left dead on the pentosulay and m great number were killed in aliein|itiug to ero«t the river ; it was supposed that not more than 20 escaped ; 260 women and children were taken prisoners. Gen. Jaokson*s loss amounted to 43 white men killed ; and 173 wounded; :28 friend<* ly Indians killed, ami 47 wounded. rhis battle broke down the spirits, as it ma<< terialljf reduced tlie remaining stretigth of the savages. Weiherford surrend«*red himself to Oen. Jaekson. Six oi seven towns followed the example of this chief. Jl«<{ueen, with 500 of his followers retired to the Escambia- river» near Pensacola. Peace was quickly restored. I'he militia were disbanded^ and returned to their homes. *^ Wetherfordy whose unoonditional surrender has been just mentioned, had been the most ac« tive and sanguinary of all the Indian chiefs, H# signalized himself in several aotions : ever pre* sent where danger pressed, he was the constant advocate of murder and extermination. In a private interview with Gen. Jackson, he deliver* ed the following speech : **** I fought at Fort Mimms— I fought the Geor- jgian army-.-! did you alF the injury I could-*»had I been supported as 1 was promised, 1 would have done you more. But my warriors are all killed^-j^ can fight you no longer, I look back with sorrow^ that 1 have brought destruction on my nation. I am now in your power — do With fne as you please. Ham a soldier." The baiHbarous complexion wbuih the enemy: gave to the war, was not confined to the em* ployment of Indians. We have already detailed Darbarities in which Indians did not partieipate. Many others must jremalA untold ^ our iimitt \»i. ^^ BISTORT 07 THE IfVAB. '^i-^-.': 'Mm. ■W«i!i m M ^ill not admit of a full detail of tbis part of the subject. The, treatment to prisoners of war was not merely unusual ; it was^ in the last degree* cruely unprecedented, barbarous. The authen- ticated proofs, congressional records, affidavits^ &e» are shockingly numerous. .^ r^y-^t,:^ The exercise, by Britain, of a presumed right to command, at all times, the serviees of native subjects, gave rise to one of the causes^ of war, to wit, the impressment of seamen out of neutral Tessels on the high seas. This principle, it was intended, should govern the enemy in coiq:^uc|t ing the war. ' The crew of the U. S. brig Nautilus, which had been captured . in the early part of the war, arrived at Boston in a cartel, the 12th Septem- ber, 1812, except six men, who were put in irons ; and were as Lieut. Crane understood, to be tried for their lives as British subjects f found in arms against their king. Com. Rodgcrs, on learning the circumstance, stopped a cartel ^vhich had got underway for Halifax, and took out twelve Englishmen as hostages for the six Americans. On the 12th October, six of the crew of the. private armed ship Sarah- Ann, which was cap- tured and sent to Nassau, were taken out of jail, and sent to Jamaica, to be there tried as British sul^ects, found in arms against their king. It appears, that on this occasion, the British officer fell into a mistake, similar to those which had been so commonly committed before the declaration of war ; four of the per- sons thus detained were natives of tlie United States ; the others were Irishmen by birth, but had been naturalized citizens of the United states. Ooi the arnval of Capt. Mood; (lat^ m t ■'^. BISTORT or THB WAB. 2ia oommander oF the Sarah-Ann,) at Char1eston» 12^ Englishmen, including a midshipman, were put in close confinement, as hostages for the 8ix< men taken from Capt. Moon's crew. By a letter from Geo. S. \Vise, purser of the United States' sloap of war Wasp, to the secre- tary of war, it appears that after the eapturo of lliat vessel, by the British ship Poictiers, 12 of the crew of the Wa^p were detained by Capt* Beresford, as British subjects. Tlmt the enemy intended to deny to olhers the exercise of right in manner as claimed by liitnsflf, is evident, from the circumstance of the British Admiral Warren Imving refus liberation of Thomas Dunn, a natinre of the U. States, because the said Dunn, has been married in Englandt and bad been eight years in his ma- jesty's service. I'he application fbr bis libera-^ tion was made by Mr. Mitchell, U. S. agent fat the exchange of prisoners at Halifax, at the particular request of the father of said Dudd^ then residing at Boston. Twenty-three of the prisoners, taken by the enemy at Queenston. were sent to England, to be tried as British subjects, for ap()earing in arms agaidst their king. The United Slates' government ordered 25 British soldiers into ch>se eonftnement, as hostages for the safety of those so taken at Queenston. In rt* officers and non-commissioned officers into close and rigbi'ous confinement. The system of retaliation, after this circums- stance, bore a ver.v serious aspect, and tLi*eaten«* ^d ta l)e ai extensive as prisoners on either side Xttre numerous. The veeretary of state tmnsmitted to congress m m sal 1^'- f«S mi-'i Iw W ll 1 •I.-- m P m 1 m ■'MS. It -.2 il:' '•fir !?'5 •''':*? J' ^ ''i:'^ *H' ■.vr(|_i;.i , (•■.■'nj!', S14 • HISTORY OP THE WAR*^^*f on the 16th April, 1814, a verj important report on the subject matter which Jed to the practice of retaliation, in which it is stated, that the Bri. tish government, among other pretexts for not discharging citizens of the United Slates im- pressed into their service, alledged, that they were natives of Prussia, Sweden, &c. thus evinc- ing, that the reoovery of their own native sub^ jcets, was not the sole motive of impressment. — The secretary further reported, ,^^ ..i»^.^,..»*M " That all the nations of Europe naturaliae foreign- <* That they all employ in their service the subjiflfets of each other, and frequently against their native countries, even when not regularly naturalized : *< That although examples may be found of the punishment of their native subjects taken iu arms against tbem, the examples are few, and have either been marked by peculiar circumstances taken them out of the controverted principle, or have proceeded from the passions or policy of the oc9asion. Even in prosecutions and convictions having the latter or- igin, the final act of punishment has, with little ex- ception, been prevented by a sense of equity and dread of retaliation. It is confidently believed that no instance can be found in which the alledged pur- poses of the enemy against the 23 prisoners in ques- tion, under all the circumstances which belong to their case, even though any of them may not have been regularly naturalized, are countenanced by tb^ procedings of any European nation." n^^ A publication of which the following is a copy, appeared from the navy department of the United States the 28th July, 1814r, and was un- derstood to be a reliocjuishment of the system 6f retaliation, on the part of England and of th« United States ; the 23 American soldiers, sent to England^ and all other Ajuerieans held by the m-^ v.: RISTeUT 0» TfllB VfAJttf^ 2ti enemy as hastages, hivinj* been restored to the state of ordinary prisoners. «A11 officers, seamen, and marines of the U. StatesV Navy, captured by the troops or vessels within the oommand of Sir George Prevost, prior to the 15th day of April last, have been duly exchanged, and de* clared competent to serve against the enemy. They will therefore immediately report themselves to the commanding naval officer of the station on which they are or may arrive." The time, when Ihe armies must be In winter quarters* and tlie officers less engaged than they would be at another season, was chosen for the trial of Gen. Hull. A general court martial as- sembled for that purpose at Albany, the 5tli January, I8l4« and proceeded in the trial, from time to time, until the 8th March. Three charges were presented against him» to wit, treason a^:;ainst the United States; cow- ardice; and neglect of duty and unojfficer-like §onduct — to all \i hicb* he pleaded not guilty. The general, having protested against the eompeteney of the court to try the first charge^ the court declined making any formal decision on it; but yet gave an opinion that nothing appear- ed to them which could justify the charge. l^e court r^f|Mitled him of that part of the thfid specification which charges him with hav- in<; <^ forbidden the American ai'tillery to fire on thi) enemy, on their march lowai-ds the said Fort Detroit," and found him guilty of the first) se- oond part of the third, and the fourth specifica- tions. On th« the third charge, the eourt found the ae- fused guilty of neglect of duty, in omitting sea- sonably to inHii>ect, train, exercise, and order the treopfi under his oommaud, or cause the same to be '(]■ ' /.K-i '■' ■ ii? .;■;;: ;>.•'!'!'. "'I '0// 111 ^i« JIUTOBT OV TBK. WA1U done. Tb«y also found biei guilty of part of the fuuiih and fifth specifications, and the whole of ,the sixth andiievcntb ; and aci^uitted bini of the second and (bird, and part of the fourth and fifth flpecificationa. The court sentenced «• the said firigadier-GFen* era! Uilliam Hull to be hhot to death, two thirds of tlie eouH coneurriiig in the sentence ; but* m consideration of his revolutionary services, and bis advanced age, recommended him to the mer- cy of the President of the United States." .^ The President of the I iiited States approved the sentence, remitted the exHcutiim* and order- ed the name of Gen. Hull to be erased from the list of the army. Tli« general, in an address to the people of the United Slates, appealed to their decision agaiust the verdict ami sentence of the court, declaring himself innocent, not witkstaudii^ the verdict, and charging ibe g«ivernment with persecution and iujustic^ to himself A circuthstance of great interest, and which might have a great effect on the war between Great-Britain and the United States, occurred in March, 1814. On the 3tst of that month, the allied armies of Austria, Prussia, and Russia, headed by their resfiective sovereigns, triumph- antly entered the French capital, oveHhrew the Bonapartean d,vnaf^ty. sent its chief into exile, and replaced liouis XYIII. on the throne of bis ancestors. Hitherto the power of England was divided between making war on Prance and the United States of America ; it was to be now entirely turned against the latter, at least so the B)i*isli editors tbreat<^ned. Indeed America would cer- tainly be punished^ overthrown^ re-iut^ugaled^ '*% \B^ MSTCteir C^ ^HB WAV. ^t 'iM enikved, if the editor'^ lead eoiifd be fornix ed into bulls, instead of types, and these pressed into cannon, instead of being pressed on paper. .. The new situation of ftflTairs in Europe, ere- cted muoh alarm, but no despondency in Aineri- ea. The oitizens saw the approach of a terrible eonfliet, lint they resolved to meet it. The le- gions whioh gained the character of « invinci- bie," in Spain, Portugal, and France, were to be tomiied on the shores of 4merioa ; the thousand ships of Britain were to blockade the coast ; Bri- tish tars, without number, were to cover the lakes ; and these myriads, by sea and by l»ndy Were to be directed, by these commanders who swept the European navies from the ocean, and ^ut- rivaled the best generals of the first warrior in the world. Yet, notwithstanding these extei*- minating threats aVid gloomy prtispects, Ameri- ca i^as destined to preserve her independence ah^ honour ; and to gather more laurels in I814f than slie did in any former year of this War. * In accordance with the views* of the war de- partihent, and a design* the result of a corres- pondenee between the Secretary of War and Gen. Wilkinson, the latter entered Canada, oh ••• ••••••«••••••••••••••••••••*•••••«•»••••• «•«•*•••••••••••••••••••••.•,* ^^ General Wilkinson's words, in his official state- hient, were, <' Pursuant to the designs communicated to you in my last, and to accoaipUsh your views." Immediately after the publication of the general's letter, the following comment appeared in the Na- tional Intelligencer : <' We are authorised to state, that Gen. Wilkinson*s late movement was not pur- tuant to the vitwa of the war department. l*hese vievfa (or orders) advised him to seize and hold a giv- en position on Lake Ciianiplain, and admoniahed liiia. ^against an tncuisiou into Cauiida^'* "hrIp M 'Wi CS» m^ r,-' m^ ^^ M M^>.''iJ W-^M H ^ .4 ^1 mh ''lU Ki/J E^ ftfT- f tFL.'^ W^' Kgk % 1 \ », }Hf!t^^ ♦ /( hr. W, ■# w*:«> 5/ ■(!«•((; 211 BHTOBT 07 THB WAH* iTie morning of the dOth Mareh, 1814. The issue of this expedition was unfortunate, although in its progress, it did honour to the Ainericans engaged. The enemy claimed a vietor^i only because he was not vanquished ; and pretended to gather laurels, while circumstances concurred to render it nearly impossible to attack or drive him from his cowardly strong- holds. General Wilkinson, at the head of his division, marched from Ghamplain, with the intention of reducing the enemy's fortress at the river La Cole. About 11 oV'lock, befell in with the ene- my at Odell Town, three miles from La Cole, and six from St. John's. An attack was com- menced by the enemy on the advance of the army under Col. Clark and Major Forsyth. Col. Bisscl came up with spirit, and the enemy was forced to retire with loss. General V ilkinson took part in this action, and bravely advanced into the most dangerous position, declining fre- quently the advice of his officers, to retire from imminent danger. The enemy having used his congreve rockets, without producing any eifect, retired to La Cole, whither he was pursued. At this place an action was expected ; but the ene- my, whose force, when increased by a reinforce- jnent from the Isleau-Nojx, amounted to at least ^,500 men, mostly regularsi declined meeting the American force, although much inierior in num- bers and means of warfare. He took possession of a block-house and a stone- mill, the wall of /which was so thick, that it could not be hi^^tered except by the heaviest artillery. An Is pounder which was brought from Cbamplain, . could not be drawn over the bad roads, and was left be- •bind; a battery of lighter gun^ was raised within .300 yards of the mill; but no breach was praoli- I! HtSTORY OV TUB WAB. 2i9 lor in Duin- cable by it. Several sorties were made by the enemy, but they were Resisted witli bravery and success. The cannonade was continued until it was fully ascertained that no breach could Ijt made ; and that the enemy would not cooie to an engagement, when the Americans withdrew to Odell Town, and afterwards to Champlain. Captain M'Pherson, of the light artillery, ^military secretary to General Wilkinson) was, at his own particular request, plaoed in command of the guns which formed the battery ; be was aided by Lieutenants Larrabee and Sheldon. — Captain M m p.. ^^'- It ■i\'' ' W V ■.■•■i;.:. • ■■!■ >.. ■ '■ j' -v. m k ' ■-•■-■ M - ' f-" ■^'. ■■...■•/« ':M^A ■>il;» '>,T| !S- i^ 11 i'-, <.,„,--::"w I i i :, .•i:;,,y«v jii .,1)41(3*^1 # .42t ■ISTOST OF TlUB WAS. jpepair» vas effected ; new platform- Were XM, Ihe guD carriages put in MPder^ and decayed pick- ets replaced. At day-light, on the morning of 1th May» a British naval force of four ships, thre« Itrigs, and a number of gun and other boats were discovered at about seven miles from the fort. The force, at the fort, consisted of 290 effectives. These ivere too few for the purpose of defence. It became neocssury to disguise thio- weaknessy and to keep the entire in one place : Tor This purpose uie tVT.^ ^^^i-e pitched on one Aide of the river, and the men Mere all orctcTT^ to the other. At one o'cloik, 15 large barges^ crowded with men, moved toward the side op- posite that on which the tents were (litched, and where there appeared the least show of resis- tance. These wei3 preceded by gun- boats, to cover the landing. As soon as the boats go^ within the range of shot, a very successful tire was opened from the shore battery, which com- pelled them to retire twice, when they stood off* and returned to their ships. Some boats, which liad l>een deserted, were taken up by the militia; one of the boats was 60 feet long, and eould ac- commodate 150 men. At day break on the 6th, the fleet again ap- proached the fort. The IVolfe, and other ves- sels, kept up a fire for three hours against the fort and batteries. Col. Mitcbill, finding that the enemy had landed about 2000 men, withdrew bis small force into the rear of the fort ; and^ with two companies, (Komayne and Mefvin's) met their advancing columns, while the other companies engaged the flanks of the enemy .-^ 'With the aid of Lieut. Pierce, of the navy and some seameW the little American band main- tained its ground for half an hour. Col. Mitchell ■■■£' IHSrOIlT OF THH WAB. then marohcd bis force, but not preoipitafelj* t tilt' fiilU« destroying tbe bridges in bis rear.<-«i^ Ti«e enein^r, alrhougb commaned by Geo. Druin- luoiid and Com. Yeo, did not think proper to pur- sue tbe colonel. The^^ burned the old burraeks^ and evacuated the fort about throe o'clock in tho morning of the 7th. rf«;/iir »»«.£»/ * ^The American loss amounted to six killed, 38 lyounded. and 25 missing — total 69. Deserters from the enemy stated his toss to be 70 killed^ 16b wounded, drowned and missing — total 23$. £iglit pieces of cannon, and some stores, worlU about too dollars, fell into the enemy's hands. On no occasion, did the Americans deserve better of their country ; at no time before, did the enemy buy victory with less advantage to hiuisolf, or at a dearer price. The companies^ uiKJer com maud of Col. Mitchell, consisted of Boyle's, Romayne's, M'Intire's, and Pierce's* heavy artillery, and a few seamen ; in all, less than aoo men. Twice thev repulsed, and for nearly two days maintained a contest against seven times their number, and finally succeeded in preserving the stores at the falls, the loss of which would materially impede the operations of the army and navy. The enemy earned off 60 of the unarmed inhabitants ol the village*... who were stated in .the British reports a» so ma*' ny prisoners. ,s On the 30th May, Capt, Woblsey, of the navy, being on hi^ return from Oswego, with 18 boats^. carrying a numbi^r of cannon, and a quantity of * I'lggin^ f<>i* the UGW vessolftiit Saekett^s Harbour^, put into Sandy Creek, aboul 16 miles from th^ Harbour. Fearing an attack from the enemy^: Major Apliug was placed, with i^o riflemen, andii aJbw Dif ib^ Oneida Indians^ in the froods«vm« 9'h .''ill ,'>! . ... -■. '-^ H 'b^6 "K' :4=v «e niircfftT ov VHE wab« eaeh aide of the creek; a few raw militia wer^ sent forward to malKe a show of resistanee. The plan Buooeeded ; the militiay on Che first fire from the enemy* retreated in apparent confusion* and ^ere pursued until the entire passed the rifiemen and Indians, who were in amhush. The enemj iras attacked in rear^ while a battery of 4 field pieces opened on him in front. The contest was not of long duration. After ten minutes fighting* the enemy surrendered. I'he enemy lost 2 post- eaptains* 4 lieutenants, of the royal navy, prison- ers ; 2 lieutenants of marines* wounded ar^d ;iri- •oners; one midshipman^ and IB sailors find ma- rines* killed ; 28 sailors and marines wounded^ and 133 sailors and marines* prisoners — total 18ft. ft gun-boats and 5 barges were taken. Only one American was wounded. On the 15th of May* the enemy landed seyeral hundred men at Pultneyville* ( «vhich is on the anargin of Lake Ontario*) and took possession of 100 barrels damaged flour* which were in a store dose by the lake.. Gen. Swift* on hearing of the mdvance of the enemy* reached PultneyyiTle with •bout 130 volunteers and militia; but, deeming^ this force too small to oppose a numerous enemy, within a range of the guns of his fleet* he did not dispute the possession of the damaged flour; but ^tiding the enemy proeeeding to other depreda* lions* he commenced a fire on him from an adja- cent wood* whieh wounded several and compelled liim to re-embark* when a cannonade commenced fi^om the fleet on the town* without doing mate- rial injury. A large quantity of flour was depo- "sited about a mile from the town* which the en- emy chose to forego thcvplunder of* rather thaik trust himself in the woods with Gen.. Swift and Siis riflemen.. ^ ■ii r.^A^ mtTO«T OV THE WAS. 2«ft l»*'-i' 4i In this month* Col. Camphell, (i9(h ififantry) trith a detach ineni of 5 or 600 men. and some seamen aetinii; as artillerists, crossed from Erie to Long-Point. Aliout dO British dragoons sta- tioned there as an out- post and guard to publio stores, made their escape. The mills employed in manufacturing flour for the enemy* and some houses oceupied as stores, were burned ; when the part^r returneil, without losing a man. The following transaction with the enemy^s fleet on Lake Champlain* will be best explained by giving the following extract of a letter from Major- Qeneral Izard commanding the first, or divison of the right* dated at his head-quarters^ May 17. « On receiving notice of the enemy's proceeding up the Uke on the 1 3th inst. a detachment of light artillery, under the command of Capt Thornton, o£ that corps, was desp«ttched in waggons from Burling- ton to Vergennes, where they manned the battery at the mouth of Otter Creek. At day-break, (on the 14th) the enemy attacked with his whole force* and after a severe cannonade of two hours and a halfy. dm*ing which they suffered very considerably* they withdrew to repair dama|g;es. Yesterdny they de« parted this, place, having some of their vessels in tow, and are gone to their own ports. Two of their galleys are said to be missing. No damage was done onoucside, excepting dismou 'ting one gun in the battery, by which two men were slightly wounded.'^ The Cheaspeake Bay was likely* and pr'0ved» to continue a theatre of the enemy's depreda« lious. \ number of boats* carrying heavy me* tal, were const rucied in March* 1814, on the eastern shore of Maryland, for the protection of' tihfi bay^ and the command, of thorn gjiven to that. ^^i -v; '"■y^ u *., n ^. 1 ,V''i.'',"^ 11, J ",,,,g/riM«; ,:rMi;';;'>af <^> . .. M BISTOBT OV THE WAR. fntrephl officer, Coiniiiod(»re Barney. TbU flo- tilla piovcd a gieul uiiiio^ance to (he eiicin^f vasan ol)j«'r.t oi* hit) con^faiil attcntiou* uiitl Has iiiially (lvs(i'uycd» as >iil)lm kereaUcr parlicuiaf- Iy dcUiU'd. 'VXv enrniy had a HkirmiMh on (he 29(b May, nvith (lie \ocoiiiaeii iiiiliiia, which r(-fl<'o(ed ihe kighi'iil honuiii' on (lit* hitter. Between 6 a. d 7 o'clock in the morning* the enemy entered ihe> Paii^goteaque creek. They were at lirHt must gallantly met hy ^d Lient. LnderhilK of the ar- tillery, and 6 or 7 men. who blood the (ire of thi*'tr t8 pounders, grape, musketry and eongreie roekets, then within 60 j^ards, when Lieut. Un- dtrhili, finding all further renistance utterij UiiHiess, and not having a Huf!icien( force, to re- move (he artillery, caused i( (o be spiked, and retreated. The piece fell into the hands of th& enemy, who also destroyed some trifling build- ings, which had been occupied as barracks.— Finding no resistance froifi the poin( which Lieut. Underbill had occupied, they commeni'ed their landing, aid in a few minutes had from 4.^0 To dOO men, ^00 of whom were negroes, all well tirmed, formed, and advani'ing from the shore » the negroes in front. From the place of (heir landing, they marched about three quarters of a mile into the country, where (bey were me( by a par(y of militia, not more than 25 in number,-— I'his little band stood for (wo hours, the whole force of nhe entniy. KX this time the militia be- gan to collect, which the enemy perceiving, re^ treated to his ships, and thus escape . .Ill y'/y Vli - ■ ■' ■'■- ■ ' 1 "^';!^^ * 226 ■'- WK: laiSTORT OV THE YtAUi moved his flutilla about two miles up the creek, and there moored them in line abreast, across the channel, and prepared for action. At eight A. M. the enemy's barges came up the creek, the ship, h.e. were anchored at the mouth of the «i*cck ; a rocket barge was advanced on the flo- tilhi. At this time the commodore got his bar- ges (IS in number) under wa^y, leaving the Scor- pion and gun-boats at anchor, and rowed down upon the enemy, when ''ley precipitately sailed and rowed off, with^all their means. The com- modore pursued (hem, until near their skipping^ when his barges were brought back to thei» moorings. In the afliunuon the enemy eamc up the ciTck again, threw some rockets, and were again pursued, acd driven out of the creek by the flotilla. .^ The situation e^ Commodore Barney, and hit lloUlla, in St. Leonard's creek, was really un- pleasant and critical. He was, however, reliev- ed, by a bold {* . « successful attack on the enemy on (be niornin^ of the 26th June. The following is a copy of Commodore Bar^r ney's report, (o the Secretary of the navy : iJSir — This morning at 4, A. M. a combtned at- tack of the artillery, marine corps and ikjtilla, was made upon the enemy's two frigates at the mouth of the creek. After two hours engagement, they got under way and made sail flown the river. They ave now warping round Point Patience, and I am moving up the Pdtuxent with my flotilla. My loss is acting mif'shipman Asquith, killed, and ten others, killeci and wounded. With respect, &c. JOSHUA. BARNEY." Tn June, the enemy landed about 4(j0 men, and burned the tobacco warehouses* at Lower Marl- |iorou|;li| god Magrudcr's &irff imd iJso Cvl«> BISTORT 07 THE WAB. ^27 ivareliouse. It is impossihley Id our present liinitt), to detail everj^ pett^y and wanton aet of ah unprincipled and mean enemy ; w'liere he could remove the plundered property, he removed it ; ivbiit he could not remove he destroyed, la Culvert^ near Lower Mailboruugh, they forced away with them souiie negroes ; also took some «attle and poultry. A person who rept-iired to the scene of depre- dation* after the en4imy had retired, wrote to his friend in Baltimore, ** It would have di.stres<»ed you to see the tobacco at Mugruder*s, hurningy as I did, this evening. Eleven hundred ho^s- hendst nearly all consumed, and ahout^our hun- dred at Lower Marlborough, where they took a schooner (Capt. David's) and loaded her." The enemy performed one exploit, which, if not tarnished by the barbarous use he made of conquest, would have left him one instance of victory not pf tty. The enemy appeared in great force in the Chesapeake, about the middle of August, I814i More than 50 of his vessels entered the Patux- ent, and landed about 5009 troops and marines^ chiefly about llemedict. 40 miles southeast of the city of Washington. The force, at the disposi* tion of Gen. VViinder, who had been appointed to the command of this district, was unfortunately inadequate to defend the city « and it fell into the power of the enemy. The entire force of every description which could be collected to oppose the enemy, did not exceed 5000 men ; these, lioweVer, would have been sufficient for the pur- pose, had they all acted with equal firmness^; Of these several hundreds arrived after the bat- tle commenced, and many after the retreat had lieen ordered. The force sietually engaged^ was less than 200C^ • I- *" , \ &5 ¥■1 Mt ^ ' , •'11 *\,L : i -.f jr-: If V-m / / y h I .J m ill m («« #; -if"' 'f^j'i ■ ■nil *|v,:'f if'''"! f:i if. I ^'f' h|&i;''v! 1''' ' •■■«»•>•.? ■■■ '■■<( . '■■•■"; W ^ ^28 VnTORT OT TAB VAl.' On rally gave way, and fled in disorder, nor could they be rallfed, with the exception of about men, and a part of Captain Shower*8 company^ bothofv/bom* even thus deserted, made a gaU lant but ineffectual stand. €ol.^Ragan, in bit great efibrts to rally his men, was wounded and takien prisoner. The 5th Baltimore regi- ments under Ueut. Col. Sterrett, being tbe left of Gen. Stansbury's brigade, still stood their ground, and, e.^^pt for a moment, when part of them reeoiled a few steps, remained firm until, opdered to retreat. The reserve, umTer General Sinith, oft Distriiot of CoUirtibia, with the militia, of thi^ J city and Georgetown,'with the regulars, and some^ detaohments of Maryland nlititia, flanked oi|| their right by Com. Barney and his men, and Col. Vleai, maintained the contest ^with great ef..^ fect4 nntil Overjioweredl by nurnl|ers. I)arnex and his gallant m<^n had just gaineld the grounC from a station near the navy yar^^ ^d (»pene|^ ff'Omii three 18 pouriders a fire, Mfhiish i6r the^ time it lasted, and considering tW ioeans, waf^ pH-haps the most destructive an^ active thajt^ has ever been experienced. The brave Barney fell severely wounded, into the hands of th^ efidimy. lUs men ^ught, ui^er bta ofdiBi's» im^ m^i Pi is*-- -^ HXSTOBT OV THE WAB. ''•J mW .m fi' 1% ^* •W i'lr -r'^'jiisi i'lWi a ill the enemy reached nearly to the muzzle of the guns ; nor did they retire until ordered to do 8O9 after every hope of victory vanished. The enemy treated the Commodore with that courte- sy and attention, which his splended merit could not fail to inspire. The battle being now over» after continuing more than an hour. Gen. Ross who commanded the land force* and Admiral Cockburn, who com- manded the seamen and marines^ entered the oity with a part of their forces. And now be- gan a scene, whioh, in the opinion even of a sa- vage, would disgrace the characters while living, and« after death, consign to eternal infamy, the names of these two commanders. Never will barbarism and the fate of Washington be coupled in history, without being accompanied by the names of Ross and Cockbui o. The destruction of private property would be in character with the oondict which disgraced the British arms in the Chesapoake and elsewhere. The triumph- ant entry of the marauders into the capital of ^^ tin infant republic, gave them an opportunity of pi oving the respect in which they held the arts, sciences, and literature. « They," to use the words of President Madison's proclama- tion, « wantonly de8tro,ved the Public ediliceS) having no relation in their structure to ope- rations of war, nor used at any time for mili- tary annoyance; some of these edifices being also costly monuments of taste and. of the arts, and otbers, depositories of the public arehieves, not only precious to the nation, as the memori- als of its origin, and its early transaotiona, but interesting to all nations, as contributions to the general stock of historical instnction -and, poli- jtioal science." Witb the public buildings^ the '^ • ' -^ m •^■ BISTORT 07 THB WAB. 2ai Dlitional library was destroyed. Cockburn at- tended, in person* to the destruetion of the print- ing materials, in the office of the National Intei- Jigeneer. A few private buildings were burned. The navy-yard, with all its shipping and stores, including a new frigate and sloop of war, were desroyed, previous to its occupation by the ene- my. The British army retired in the night of the 25th, in prudent hurry, and with studied si- lence, leaving several of their wounded behind^ and some of their dead unburied. The Ameri- ean loss was stated by General Winder, to be be- tween 30 and 40 killed, from 50 to 60 wounded, and about 120 taken prisoners. << From the besjt inteiligenee,'' says the general, « there remains but little doubt, that the enemy lost, at least, 400 killed and wounded, and of these, a very un- usual portion killed." m Fort Warburton having been deserted by the U. S. troops, commanded by Captain Dyxon, and consequent]; destroyed by the enemy, the latter advanced towards Alexandria, the civil authority of which, submitted to the most dis-"* graceful terms of capitulation, by which the^city was given up to plunder. The enemy carried off 14 vessels, laden with flour, tobacco, cotton, groceries, and a variety of goods, taken from the private stores. A series of the most daring exertions were made by commodores Rogers, Porter and Per^ ry, with their seamen, and some of the Virginia militiat to prevent the escape of the enemy with his booty, but he got off, with some loss, taking the plunder with him. Terms, similar to thoso accepted Ify Alexandria, were offered to George- town, which the latter indignantly rejected, and tgcaped being plundered. ■^Ai * •> ■ i -'"J m^ i'k'4 T^A Wr - % 232 fPtv BISTORT AF TH£ WAE. I m It- ■m '1^ jf," •* '^'1 fA ■': il^ r.: ^ 1 i^ m [;,'( ;» |1»i(a =i> The enemy attempted to justify bis predatory warfare in the Chesapeake, and elsewhere, by professing, that be acted in retaliation of exocs- ^8, said by him, to have been committed by the armies of the United States, in Canada^-^ !No(hin^, however, could be farther from truth. The conduct of the republican armies could, by 110 fair construction, justify the barbarities of the enemy, and it is well known, that the rob- beries and destruction, of private property and buildings, particularly in the vicinity of tho Chesapeake, and its tributary streams, had, in many instances, preceded those said to have beea e )mmitted by the Americans. The enemy, probably emboldened by his suc- cess at Washington, projected a decent on, and Df course, tlie plundering and burning of the city of Baltimore. 'I'he movements of the enemy having led to 8u«pieion of bis design, General Samuel Smith, the revolutionary hero and de^ fender of Mud-Fort, made some early disposi- tions to repel an invasion^ if such should be at^ ' tempted. Gen. Striker ivas detached, on the evening of ibe lith September, with a portion of his bri- •gade, on the North-point road. Major RandaS, of the Baltimore county militia, having' under his command, a light corps of riflemen, and mus- ketry, taken from General Stansbury's brigade, und the Pennsylvania Tolunteers, was detached to tho mouth of Bear-creek, with orders to co- operate with Gen. Striker, and to check any landing which the enemy might attempt in that 4iuarter. On Monday, the 12th, the enemy ianded be- tween 8000 and 9000 men, at North-point, 14 niles from Baltimore^ the land force under eom* *j 't: HISTOBY OF TH£ WAS. '&»S mamlofGen. Ross, the seamen under Atlmiral Coekburn. (Sen. Striker had, that morning, taken a good posit io:i at the jiiiietion of the roads, leading from Baltimore to the North- point, haviag his right flanked h^ the Bcar-ci'ceky and his left by a niarsii. Here he waited (he approach of (he enemy, having sent on an ad- vance corps, under the command of Maj. [iea(h» of the dih regiment. «< I'his advance,** says Gfn. Smith, in hi^report. <• met the enemy, and after some skirmishin|^, it returned to the line^ the main body of the enemy being at a short diHiance in the rear of their advance. Between 2 and 3 o*cioek, tlie enemy's whole force came up and cummeui'ed (he battle, by some dischar- ges of rockets, which were succeeded by tho catmon from both sides^ and soon after the ac- tion became general along the line^ (len. Strik- er gallantly maintained his ground against a g!'eat <: Soon after leaving Cliaptioo» the enemy visit'' •d 8t. Inigoes, in St. Mui'j's county, Maryland. Tliis was tlie habitation of a missionary, and the seite of a Roman Catholic church. Nothing could be expected but the furniture of the priest, and plate of the church. Both wore taken, feather-beds, sheets, blankets, curtains, spoons, knives, forks, &o. were taken away or destroy- ed ; the sacred vestments were thrown about, the vessels, consecrated to the service of God, prophaned, the altar stript naked, the taber- nacle carried off. and the blessed sacrament borne away in the hands of those sacrilegious wretches. Some few articles were restored at the instance of the British officer, who would probably wish to see the entire restored, but lie could not command them ; << they are,'' said he, « a set of ruffians." Some other articles, belonging to the church, were restored io a few days afterwards. The.ftUowing circumstance proves how dear- ly the enemy gains a victory, when opposed by a force, however small. On the evening of the 5th November, Captain GordpiH naval comntander at Norfolk, despatch- ed two tenders, and four boats, off Black River, for the purpose Af conveying several crafts, then lying in that river, and bound to Norfolk. The vessels, were, unfortunately, separated during the night ; the boats, owing to a rough fea, re- turned to Norfolk. The two tenders, t^tanklin and Despatch, were separated from each other. The commander of the Despatch, finding, io the morning, that he had drifted in a calm, ne»r the enemy's ships in Lynnhaven, and that they were manning their boats, to attack hfm, ipaOe signal to the Franklio^ and the boats ly.r ■i^t^\ bYptout ot toe was. tui ing under Old Point. The boats joined tlie Dc!4pateli ; and llie enem^^N bouts aCtei* cx- ehunginf; a few shots, and a breeze liaving sprung up» gave over the chase, and directed their at- tention to the Franlclin that la^ nearly becalmed up the bay. Thcenemy came up with the Frank- liny about 10) A. M. when the firing eominenecd. During one hour and a hair, the Franklin's crew, eonsisring of Mr. Ilammersley, master's male, who oouinianded ; one midshipman, (Mr. Cook ;) two master's mater, and pilots, and 31 men, maintained a gallant defence aguinst a ten-^. der and li> barges and boats ot ihe enemy. The. tender and two heavy launches, made several attempts to board, but were as often beaten off. At length, at half- past 11, the Franklin was car- ried, being boarded at the same moment by th« crews of five heavy boats. The peace in Fiurope having relieved the shtps and seamen of England from any other engagement, except the war against the United States, it was supposed, that an American shipt would not 4are longer to venture on the oeean^ or sail on tliie lakes. Every American port was to b« blockaded, every sea- port town to be burn- ed or doliroyed ; the frames of frigates were to be transported from England, and suddenly put together, and launched on the lakes. The vio- lent threats were heard, the expected legions looked for, with a eoolness, on the part of the A merioans, whiek evinced courage ; but with a preparation that evinced a determination to de- fend their home«» their families, their country^ and liberty, \ Two armed launcbes and four barges of the enemy carrying about ^0 men, entered Connec- ^ m % mi *-£i 34t HlVrORT OV TBS WlA. \ ^^ ticut river, in the evening of the 7th April, and arrived at Pettipaug- Point, about four o*oiook in the morning of (he 8th. It wa^ quite a surprise on the few inbabitantSf who had no means of re- sistance. The^ immediately landed and burned . all the vessels at tlie wharves, and on the stoeks, # except a brig, a schooner, and two sloops, wtui^h they carried down the. river, on their retiring, after 10 oVIoek ; but the wind shifting, they burned all except tlie schooner,, and not being able to pniceed, they came to anchor a short 1^ distance below Pettipaug, where they lay until night, then burned tlie schooner, and departed, without interruption, or any attempt lo annoy them, except that a few guns were tired on them after they had passed the mouth of the river, to livhichthey returned three cheers, and passed off* During the 8th, the militia collected to the number of about 1000, with six field pieces; an officer, with 150 sailors and soldiers, from. New*- London, had also arrived. Gen. Williams, under authority of the State of Connecticut, assumed the command. Nothing seemed more easy than to capture the enemy, yet no attempt was made to do so, unless a summons to surfen#r ean be 80 considered. Much censure was then attribu- ted to the general for his dilatory conduct, and it seems not to have lieen hitherto accounted for. AI»out 25 vessels were destroyed^ many of them large and valuable. Com. Elardy of the Ramili^s 74>, ad^ssecl a letter in Alay, to the British agent for prisoners of war in Boston, staling thai be had arrived in the bay, with an adequate feree to carry the blockade into effect, and requesting him to make it known to the neutral consuls and agents in Ife^^ \mn mi state, 001 the blockade would ht sb N^ =* i April* and ir o*olook ia e a 8UL*|irise neans of re- find burned [1 tho stoeksy oop9« whix^h eir retiring, lifting, they id nut being hor a sboi't liey lay until nd departed, iipt lo annoy tired on t beui ' the river, to nd passed off* leeted to tiie Id pieces f an 8, from New* illiams, under cut, assumed ore easy than ipt was made rendj^r can be th^attribu- conduet, and lecouBted for. lany of them ■■ 4i4iv addirpssed a for ppiHoners had arrived in to earry the i; him to malce and 8K«*nts in ade would bt ^»-, i'c#.u-.j-..i„««,.tir Mi- BlitOtT Ctl? TRB W11l# m. 'rigorously enforced, agreeably to the proclama-^ tion for the same. The following copy of a letter from Commo- dore Lewis, commanding the United States' flo- tilla at New- York, to the secretary of the navy^ dated May 29, 1814, will show that the Yankees determined to have some trade, notwithstanding the mighty force of the enemy on the ocean. « Sir<*«I have the honour to inform you, that on the 19th I discovered the enemy in pursuit of a brig un- der Americans colours, «tanding for Sandy hook.— >I ordered a detachment of 1 1 gun-boats to proceed to * -seaf and pass between the chase and the enemy, by which means to bring him to action, and give oppor- tunity to the chase to escape, ail which was effected<; the enemy, after receiving my fire, bore away— -and the brig in question entered the harbour, proved to be the brijj; Re^rent from France, with a very valuable cargo. And on Monday -the 33d, I engaged the en- emy before Nt>w-London,» and opened a passage for 40 sail of coasting veHsels ; the action lasted three hours, in whch the Hotilla suffered very little ; No« 6 received a shot under water, and others through the sails—we have reason to believe that the enemy suffered very great injury, as he appeared Unwilling to renew the action the following morning ; my ob- ject was accomplishedi which was to force a passage tor the convoy. There are before New-London three seventy-four's, four frigates^ and several small vessels, the latter doing great injury, from their disguised character and superior sailing. I have the honour to fissure you of my high respect, J.LEWIS." As soon as the engag;ement ceased, the flotilla aame to anchor before irhe harbour of New-Lon- don* within guO'shot of the enemy, with a view of renewing the action in the morning, when w# foand that the enemy had collected ^U his for^ ^^i % '■ 1 n'^i W' .# S*»^- .1 ••»:S 5»bf BISTORT OV THE WlIU '^ M. .. ^ : ♦ V. in number seven ships and several small vesseli^ in consequence of which great accession of. force the project of renewing the action was abandon* «d, and signal was made to proceed up Sound, ^rhither the enemy pursued as far as Faulkner's Island* r Capt. Sawyer of the smack Resolution* from Stonington, informed, that, in the gun-boat bat- tle, one shot passed through the mainsail of the Sylph, and another cut away her ensign ; that one shot passed through the bow of the Maid- stone, cealed themselves among the rocks or bushes ; they opened a fire on the enemy, killed three of them. Wounded two, and compelled the others to surrender. ' The ' enemy entered the harbour of <9cz£tiitfe9 (Miiss.) in June, in consequence, as he stated, of having bCen flred at from a signal pieee of oan^ Hon, near the lig^t-house, and set fire to seYeinl vessels* r^ ■v mi i' ■»' av*^ M^ inSfHIRT of THE WMU /Ivrt 1^1 Two barges, from (be Briiisb ftij^te Njmpb, went into Squam, and destroyed the schooner Biligc^nee, laden with lime. The crews threat- oned, that if the captain attempted to extinguish tlie flatnes of the Diligence, (hey would destroy the house on the point ; whieh being attempteiiv they fired a twelve pound shot through It, and i^turned and effected the destruction of the schooner. On the 11th July, Eastport was taken posses- sion of by the enemy, in the name of Ms Britan- ■ic majesty, and, as afterwards appeared, wa» •laimed 88 being part of the Britisli, territory, by the terms of the treaty of 1783. The British ibree consisted of 2000 men. The Aiiierica;; garrison of 59 meni. ineluding 11 siek^ was eom- Aianded by Major Putman. The inhabitants were offered the alternative to take an oath of allegiance to the king, or to depart within seven days. A great portion, perhaps more than two-tidrds, took the oath. This phiee remained hi the enemy's possession to the end of the war ; and, as will appear by reference to the treaty of peace, was to continue in possession of the Bri- tish until the dispute relative to territ^y could be settled by oommissioners, to be appointed for that purpose. Eastport is on an island, called Moose, on the west side of Pa^amaquoddy-bay ; the island is about "five miles long, and one mile briid» con- taining about 1000 inhabitants* . ^ On the 9th August, at five p. k .^the l^amilies 74, Pactolus, 38, a bomb-ship, and a heavy bHg, arrived off S(onington ; and a flag was sent on shore, with anote^ of which the following i^% «opy ; _^ _.."»jjlf» HiaroKT OV TU£ WAB. 2^ 1 To the Magistrates of Stoninffton, -j ^» i^GentUmen — one hour is jallowed you, from the receipt of this communicatio!), for the removal of the unoffending inhabitants. ,|| ^ THOMAS HAROy.'* StvJBionington was in no state of defence adequate to resist the enenij^. The few men in the place hastened to collect ammnnition^ some ran to the battery^ which consisted of two 18 pounders and a four poiinder» with' a slight breast work ; ex- presses were sent to New- London and other pla- ces.^ At 8 o'clock^ the attack was commene- e<]» hy a^scharge of shells* from the bomb-ship> and 4^ongre?e rockets fiain several barges. This fire was continued^ until midnight, without injur^ log a tingle building or inhabitant, c, JDuring the night« the volunteers and militia bad assembled in considerable numbers, and were disposed of in the manner best calculated to resist any^ attempt of the enemy to land. At dawn of day, the enemy began to- throw rockets from vessels which had taken stations on the east side of the town, out of range of the batte- ty, A^p 18 and a four pounder were drawn to a point of land from whi^h the enemy could be reached, and^ ia a few minutes, the baizes were compelled to move ofi« During this time, the brig worked up and came to anchor within less than hfMf a mile of the battery. The am muni* tionoD shore, being; expended, the few men, who< w^i^^^t the battery^ vi^re compelled toretire>- having first spiked tW guns, c For an hour and a half, the enemy continiied: to fire on the town^ without the least opposition : being attenipted or practicable. A fresh stipgly of ammunition being, by this thne, obtain^ tlie^ iWAt of the 18 pouuder was drilled^ wbejtvasfii%; 1"' r-, r tl V i ■ jw.^ V 'y 'U '■■\ '■ IT-, .':'/■. i". i M T 1 M 4u '^m ^ '■^a .•4 : 2^ ':?'i '** i«]|\jE I! < i"^-^ ■ ' « |1 '^*^K3 1'^ Ki.y, :©5 Wl y ■■■iiiitj' ^6 HItTORT M THS 1VAK. -:^' was opeited on the enemy^s brig* until at three o'clock she slipped her cable» and hauled oft» being evidently much injiired in her hull and spars. • ■■'* „ ■ ■:.ii>*wm> i^ Soon alter this time, a eonsiderable body of m'llitia arrived, and Gen. Isham had taken the command. ^4.^^ . A flag was sent from the inhabitants (without the concurrence of GelK Isham) to tlie British oflScer, in^ming him that the ^« unoffending in- habitants'* had been removed, and wishing to know, if he meant to complete the destruction of the town. The deputation received from Capt* Hardy, a written reply* that the hombaniment should cease, in case the. inliabitants would en* gage that no torpedoes should be fitted outatStui^ Hington, and that the family of Mr. Stewart, late British consul at New-London, would be sent oH board. These terms could not be complied within The proposal respecting torpedoes was^consider<' ed* degrading, nothing of the kind having ever been attempted at StoAingion ; the second, re- specting Mrs. Stewart and children, was referred t9 the proper authority. v <> Theeneiiiy Continued to negotiate, for the par* pose of getting Mrs. Stewart on board, until tlirce o'doek on the 11th, when the bombardment ^gain eomiAenoed, and was continued un^ night. On Friday morning the attack was con^i^ciiced and coi^nlied with great warmth, from nm^rly all the enemy^s ships and lanndhes, until near nooo» when it^ ceased ; and, about four o'eloek, p. m* thetcnemy^ flnding that a great fofOe were as* sembledf for the ' protfction of the towti, finally^ withdrew J andr ^n l^turday morning, weighed aoehof# and jjmeeded vp Fisheip'a Sowidi . -■*. ft-fii .'\ BISTORT •]> T9B. VTAB. 2ir > During the several uttaoks, not a man was killed^ and but ^ife or six ^^-ounded. Two or IhreehoUset Were destroyed* eight or teA mnch damagedy and about forty partially injured.-^ More tban 300 shells and carcasses were thrown into the village. ^^^rv^*^ The aciditional disr>n8abliE!< military and naval force, which il pt. in Europe h^t at the command of the enemy* ^he use which 1 b threat-^ encd to make, and did actually commence, or prepare to make of it» produced an union of ac- tion and sentiment among the people of Amcrl«- ca» some discontented or rather truitorous Per- sians excepted, and these so comparatively fewr that they excited but a sentiment of contempt^ and owed their pCrsbnal safety to their utter Ina- bility to do matisrial injury. The citizens of NeW'York, the first cotnmercial city in the unions- gave an example of political forbearance toward each other, and of attachment to their country^ which had a salutary influence on evei^ otbep part of the nation *»e ^ %^ At a general meeting held in the Park in thaf^ city, th^ loth August, 1814, the folloWiog, to^ gether with several other patriotic resolutiohs^ ' were unanimously adopted rr^*^*'^^-^^'hm:m*»':¥^*^^'^r- i^jR&8olvedi that the citizens, here assembled, wiliyi^ to the l^t extremity, defend their city. ^ « Re^^ivedy that : we will unite ourselves iii . armii with oiir%ethren of the country, and, on the firsi approaih of the eheiny« make it a common eaute, ^ *^ Resolvedy that it be recommended to the citisenA.^ g^enerally, to meet as soon as may be pFactictibt««i^ with' convenience, in (heir respective wards fior th« # purpose!^ of electing discreet and sufikient CMnmitw^ tees to promote the execudon ot the fbUowiii|^.o|^ I?' -'? ^1'- ii;.' s ? ■S HISTORY oy THE WAS. :-,;)(!tJ Bi ' '. ■■■' ■7'"» If; \ « « 1. To comptete the v jluntory enrolfnent of per* tonsy exempted by law from militarf 86rvic«. .. , ■. i- MS. To eneouragfi the enrolment of toavfitring. cit- izens) for bervices, in the harbour, or aa artiUerists. r (^.3. The enrolment of: '^itizens for , voluntary la- bour on the public works. ,^ , , ^^Reaolved^ that we will endeavour to promote concord and harmony v and will discountenance all attempts to weaken the patriotic efforts of .godd citi* jsenS' , From tbiS momenta party feuds were,, in a great measure, suspended; newspaper f^^itors excluded all acrimonious poUiic^l discussions : tlie committee appoipted to carry into, effect the resolutions of th^ general meeting, was selected from the most respectable of the citizens, with- 'Out the least respect to the political party t0 vbich the persons selected, bifionged. \ The plan of the er ^my was, to dismeniber the union. A Qommahv of the North River would tend much to this, end, I'be possession of the eity of New- York was a desirable ^l^ec^t In, fvbatever point it might be viewed* /Tbe ipea- sures of defence and precaution, take^ jat JMew- York, probably prevented the intended attack on that city; the subsequent attempt to gain pos- session of the posts .near Lake Cham plain, leaves little room to ddubt the enemy^s intention. Had that invasion succeeded, we shouldv have soon beard of . an invasion on the sea-board,^.dit|ier at New- York, or some place to.tbe eastwainl of it, and aa attempt to form a junction of the two in- vading armies. t For several months, the citizens of New York supplied more than 1000 men daily, who laboured iu>lu9tarily^iul wirhout pay, at the fortiajeatiens ; tad several thousands from the adjacent ooiftt* "•^ msTORT 01 THB 1VA1I. S4» ties, and from the state of New-Jersey» contri* buted their aid» until a line of fortifications were raised on the heij^hts of Brooklyn and Harlsem* sufficient to oppose any probahle foree that could be employed by tlie enemy. — It would be impos- sible to do justice to the zeal that animated tiie eitizens, and it cannot be expected to eopy^ or even notice the many editorial observations whieli appeared in the public prints ; zeal overflowedy so that it became necessary to limit the offered services to a certain number daily* and it often happened, that services could not be received un- til several days afrer being tendered. The fol- lowing* from the Richmond Compiler* is giveOf bcdsuse its shGrttii^sft does not actually render iti( insertion incompatible with our limits. <* To a patriotic mind, it Is truly exhilerating) ta lead the New-York papers, and see the generoasy ardent zeal that actuates the inhabitants of that great empurium of American commercs. At the first signal of breaking ground for the defence of tho city, the whole population seem to have caught tho- .spark of patriotic energy, to have burst the shacklea' of apathy, and set to the continent an example of so** oial and public spirit, which we trust may be emulat- ed through every port of our land. By wards and sections of the city, by tribe* and centuries^ by con«^ stituted bodies and private companies, by trades, by professions, and by domestic parties, offers of person* al service and contributions in money, have been made and accepted : and that great mart of commer- sial w^itb and enterprize, on which the enemy have so long^ kept a fon^/n^ eye, is already it)access»Mc^ in-vulnerable ; the pride and glory, and palladium of the contiuent. Who would not be a citize*^ of New- York?" On the 1st September, the British entered the IPeaobscot river^ with about ^0 sail of T^wciUi^ iB9 ffkurmt 0^Y fflrfe >f A«. }. *i M: li;}' ''■■''■'•is SV ■'■«*! al''. ■■"'»''' 1' i-jiit}. '"'"i^Ti and several thousand men* and took possessf on of CiiMine, the small garrison of whioli ted* affer blowirffi; up the fort. 'I'hey next sent 600 men to Belfast* whieh submitted. The following day they ptoeceded up the river to Haniden, where the Adunis frigate lay. (3apt. Morris made eve- ry possible disposition to resist the enemy, bnt finding his limited force inadequate to that end» lie spiked his guns, burned his stores, blew up the ship, and, with his orew, escaped. The Bri- tish governor immediately announced, that the country, lying between the Penobscot river and Passamaquoddy bay, would be e^msidered as a part of the British territory. Measures were also taken to fortify Casltne, and establish per- manent commercial regulations. It was estima- ted that 120 vessels were taken in the Penob- «eot. 'J.S While the enemy was coupling petty conquest ivith cowardice and eruelty, along the sea-board, the American army of the interior was plueking from the brows of imported invinciblcs the lau- rels won on the theatre of late European con- flicts. The brave OeneraT Jacob Brown, who had m the last year signalized himself by the defence of Sacket's Harbour, was appointed to the com^ mand of the army on the Niagara frontier. V, On the 2d July, General Brown, made disposi- tions for an intended attack on the British Fort Erie ; and issued orders to the troops d^r eras- sing the river. The army passed the Magara river on the morning of the 3d. The enemy was perfectly unapprized of the intended attack; Gen. Scott, who led the van, was on shore be- fore the enemy's picket discovered the approach/. 'Pie fori being appros^ched on tbe right $ind lettf v.»; HItTORT Of THS WAR. %Bt ttid the Tnilians in the woods, in the rear* Gen* Bi'ovvn 8Uniinion«*d the gaiTison to surrendepy which, aftei* a Hhurt time allowed for oonsidera* tion, wai agreed to. At six o*t;loei( the ^arrl« son marched and stactced their arms ; 170 refipu- Jars, inoluding seven officers, were sent aeross the river. , :- / On the morning of the 4th Ju1y« Gen. ScotCf with Ilia brigadt^* and a corps of artillery, ad- vanced toward Chippewa. After some skirmish- ing with the enemy, he selected a judicious posi« tion for the night ; his right resting on the 2'iver, and a ravine in front ; at 11 at iiight. Gem Brown joined him with the reserve under Gen. Ripley, and a corps of artillery, under Major Hind man— a fir Id and battering train were also brought up; Gen. Porter arrived in the momingy with a part of the New-York and Pennsylvania volunteers, aod soiae of the warriors of the Six Nations. < . i», Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy attacked the pickets ; by noon he showed him*, self on tlie left of the army, and attacked ona of the pickets, as it was returning to camp.-^ Captain Treat, who commanded the picket, re- tired, leaving a wounded man on the ground.— «\ Captain Biddle, of th^ artillery, promptly as<< sumed the command of this picket, led it back/ to the wounded man, and brought him off the field. GenefAl Brown instantly ordered Capt. Treat' to retire from the army, and advised, that hit;^] name, and that of another officer, should b» struuk from the roll of the army. This circum- stance was noticed in a note to the first edition '> of this work, without the following ne<^essary. addition, which did not^. and.eouid not, have^Cheiih (i»itte to the knowledge of the couj|iiler. m. ' / •vr .-r* BTBTOBT Ot VBM WAS. f ■A , .« 1 1 ^/•''••"'•'•:':'/Jil ' A . Capt Treat demanded a eonrt of iiMiuiry ; It ^as not granted ; but a Court Martial was or* dered at Fort Erie. The left divisioD of the ar- my marehed to Saoltet't Harbour looa aftef^ nod the etiurt was dissolved. Capt. Treat iinmediatelj. proceeded to Sae- ket*s tiarbour^ bj permission from Mi^* Gea. laard, and requested another Court Martial.— Major General Brown» on the Hh April, 1815, after the repeated selieitations of Capt. Treat, issued an order, organizing a eourt, consistini^of Col. M*Feelj, president ; Lieut. Colonel Smith, Major Croker, Maj. Boj^le, M%jorMullany,^Maj. Chaoe, Capt. White, members ; Capt. Seymour, supernumerary ; Lieutenant Andersen^ Idth re- giment, judge advocate. The court met, and proceeded on the trial the «th April, 1815, at Saeket's Harbour. They closed the investigation on the 8th May, ivheD Capt. Treat was honourably acquitted. The following is a copy of the decision of the aourt : « After mature deliberation on the testimony adduced, (he couri do find the accused JOSEPH TREAT, of the 2ist infantry, not guilty of the charge or speeiftcations preferred against him, and do bonottfably acquit him.'' l^he sentence of the court was approved by Maj. Gen. Browo. and promulgated «n the ^th June, at Sai'ket*8 Harbour. » At four o'eloek in the afternoon Gen. Porter advanced with the volunteers and Indians* in order to induce the enemy to come forth.-- Gen. Porter's command met the light parties of the enemy in the woods. The eneiny wasdriveD, and Porter pursued until near Chippewa, where lie met tlieir whole oolumii> in order of batti^^ AS' .*.! 4 BISTORT OV THB WAH. 253 The bcftTy ftring iiuluoed a belief (lint the cn-^ tire foroe of the enemjr was in motion^ ami pre • pared for aotion. Gen. Scott wm ordered to odvanoe with his brigade^ and Towson's artil* lerv. The general advanced in the most prompt and offioer-like manner, and, in a few mioutes^ wasineiose aetion with a superior force of the enemy. By this lime Gen. Porter's command had given way, and fled in disorder, notwith- standing the great exertions of the general to rally them, rhis retreat left the left (lank of Gen. Seott's brigade greatly exposed. Captaiif llarris was directed, with his dragoons, to sto*) the fugitives^ behind the ravine, fronting f^ie Ameriean eamp. Gen. Ripley, with the ^1 sty regiment, which formed part of the reserve^ passed to the left of the oamp, uniler cove '^f the wood, to relieve Gen. Soott, by fallin[f on the enemy's right flank, but, before the 2ist could come into its position, the line command- ed by Gen. Seott closed with the enemy. Msy. Jessup, commanding the left flank battaHon^ findtBg himsdf pressed in^ front and flank, and Ills men falling fast around him, ordered his l>attalion to « mippoH arms and advance ;** tho order was promptJy obeyed, amidst the most deadly and destructive fire. Ha^fn^ gainecfa better position, he poured on the ^ aemy a fire so galling, as caused them to retire. The en- emy's entire line now fell back, ^nd continued t« retreat, until at the sloping g;i*ound, descending towai^ Chippewa, when they broke, and fled to their works. Gen. Browa, finding the pursuit of the troops elioeked by the batteries of the enemy, ordered fi^ his ordnance, in order to force the plaocy 1af a divect attack^ but was induced^ by the re- '\ t6^ UISTOItT OF THE VfltU^ » ijport of Maj. Wood, and Capt. Austin* ^Ho 1*6^ connoitereil the enemy's works, tli« lateness of the hour, and (he advice of his ofiicei's, to onler the forces tf^ retire to camp. The Americnn troops, on no occasion, behaved with more gal- lantry than on the present. The British regu- lars suffl>red defeat from a number of men, prin- eipaliy volunteers and militia, inferior in every thiitg but eouruge, to the vanquished enenty ; and the gallant Hi'own, a woodsman, ^s^' rf?if HIBTORT OF THE WAlElrf 255 t-^ litibn between mc and Ei»ke Ontario, when, if me|^ by the i^eot, 4|ki^ welt-— tt notf under the favour of heaven, we sh^ behave in a way to avoid disgrace." The battle of Uri(l;;j;wat('r, fought on the ZM\i July, was bloody' ^nd well contested on botif Bidesi The enemy wa** ermpo^ed of 5000 men, of the best troops, eommanded by Gen. Iti^il, and otherS;» the best British officers. It isdli#^ to theni to reenrd, that they fod^ht well, but they foifj^ht against freemen, and wim'c defeated. Opposed to the bravest slaves in the world, of ' equal fo roe, this Brinish army would have eon* , qnercd. The Amei icariB were fewer in number thanitheeneniy ; tiiey were men, most of whoni^ had yet td learn railiiary taeties, but who had sH eountry^ now staked In a contest, which the pre- sent battle might materially cStui, or^inits con- sequence, decide. On the "iibthi Gen. Brown's army was encamp-'^ ed above Chippewa, near the battle ground of the 5th. The brigade under Gen. Scott mov**. ed past Chippewa, and halted at Bridgwater,^ ^ in view of Niagara falls. At half past four, p. m.* the battle was commenced by the enemy. The enemy, being numerically superior to the Ame- ricans, he was able to extend bis line so as Ui attempt to flank. In order to counteract tne apiljirent view of Gen, Riall, he was fouf;ht in deikchments — he was charged Jn column* Gen. Scott being at the head of his troops in almost every ieharge. General Seott maintained his ground Wv more than an hour, before the re- serve under Gen* Ripley, and the volunteers^ u»der Gen. Porter* were brought ftilly into ac* lion. The ground was obstinately eb'ntes ted un- til nine oVlock in the evening, when Gen. Brown decided to stDrm a battery^ whitll the eneny j^ ■m ■#■ im 256 HISTOAT OV THE WAB. 4 -If if. ;;ii^r^ .bad OB a commanding eminence. Col. Miller commanded on this enterprize, ^v^H^^ ^^^ ^® ^^' solute)^ entered on, that the enemy, unable to nvithstand the eharge, retired to the bofttom of lhehill,and abandoned his eaitnon. The enemy now gave way, and vas pursued some distance. The American army then betook itself to the flpfuring of prisoners, and bringing off the wounded. ^ ^hiie (he army ^ras thus employed^'General ' Prnmmond arriiod with a reinforcement to the "tsnemy, when he>- unexpectedly to the Ameri* ^^ans, renewed the battle, with a view to*t«eoT- cr his cannon. The army, having tfia/t^U fbrmed, resisted the attack ^ith courage; aifd| after a close engagement, the enemy was re- pulsed, as he was in two other similar attemptSi^ The American army having effected the remo- val of nearly all the wounded, retired from the ground a little before midnight, and returned to camp. The warmth and zeal with which this aotiod was maintained, was the. most obstinate and de- termined. For two hours, the discharge of musketry was so constant, as to produce almost im uninterrupted blaze of fire ; nor was it in any jl^riod of (his action, much less warm. M^ei> lington's « invincibles'* had just arrived from Europe, and Drummond ' resolved that lUley should n^t only maintain Iheir characler, but, maintain it in a manner that would make tho most desponding impression on the brave, but raw recruits of the republic. The Americans not only withstood the onset, but repelled and punished ill^ A fine moon-light night favoured equHJiy the operations of both armies ; they fought t near to render cannon generally ser- ■>^v .■«^ .^ UI8T0RT Olf THE WAR. 257 :-M- ^ieeable, being of fen within half pistol shot of eauh oihei'» anil souirtiines mingled together. — The charge of Col. Miller exceeded any thing experienced by the British soldiers, even, ilri^ Eu- rope. Thrice his men were repulsed with great slaughter. For a time he was deserted by a regiment of infantry; they were rallied; a fourth charge was made, and succeeded. The Americans could not be driven, nor withstood: determined not to be overthrown, even by supe^w, rior numbers, they seemed resolved to crU^ whatever foe opposed them. Hud they been conquered,^ they would yet deserve honour %, as yictorst they covered themselves with glory.— They lo»t a howitzer; the rider being shot oO» the horses carried it full gallop into the ranks of the enemy ; they also lost a pieee of eanfion» which ^as too much advanced, and from which, the men, except two, were shot. For want of horses, they were compelled to leave to the ^n- emy most of the camion which were taken from him, with sueh bravery, and at such expence. On the morning after the battle, the Ameri- eans, under Generals Hipley and Porter, recon- noitei^ed the enemy^, who did not shew any jdis- potiition to renew the eoatest, arid then burned the enemy'sr barracks and a bridge at Chippewa after which they returned to Fort Erie. . Tke. enemy was believed to have lost between 12Oi0^iind 1300 men, irictuding Maj. Gen. Riall, who was wounded, and. witli 18 other oflScersy and 150 non £ommission#l offieers and privatcs^v taken prisoners The ^Vdiericans lost o>te major, 1 adjutant, d captains, 4 subalteri^rlO sergeants, 10 corporals, 11.0 privates — total killed. 171 — 1 major general, 1 brigadier-general, 3 aids^de- eampjt i brigade-miy«*r, i colonel^ 1 l^teiiant*^ .^ w.al> Mi M». m 2M HISTORY OV THG WAItk (J. ■: i#-^ li^ ' , ' , "11" m' colonel* 4 majors, 1 adjutant, 3 quarter- masters,. 1 pay-mastei^^ 7 captains, S2 subalterns, 517 non- commissioned officers anti privates— total wound- ed, &72s missings 117 — total, 860. The Hritish force engaged, amounted ^y their own confession, to 4500 men« mostly or wholly regnlars, beside a host of Indians ; the Ai lertcan force did not exceed 2800 men, eonsistin ^ in a great proportion of the militia of Penns Ivania and New-York. Gen. Browor in his official re- >|HHrt, partieularly notices the brave and prudent ^^eonduet of Generak Ripley. Porter, and Scott; - Colonela Miller, Dobbin, of New York^ Wilcox, and Gardener; Majors M*Farland, Hbdman^ Jessup, Wood, of the Pennsylvania militia,. Jones, M'Ree, and Wood, of the engineers; Captains Tow2on, Ketehum, Biddle, ami Ritchie ; Lieutb £.B. Randolph; Aidsde Camp Worth, Smith, Austin, and Sponoer.. Some of these brave me a fell in aetion, and nearly all of them were cover- ed with wounds« I Gen. Brown received two wounds^ but eontin* lied to eommcnd until the action ended. The general was obliged, by^ the severity of his ivoijnds, to retire from the cdmmand, which de- Totfed on Gen. Ripley, Gen. Soott being also disabled, by woiiod, ^om coDtinuing in com- mands The army eontimied on the Canada side, seem- iitgly resolved to maintain itself against ai^ene^ myt whieb was recoivins frequent reiofpreements, ond had, after a littlefime, beeome formidable, in niimbersraiid equipments^ The ^n^biii^Plifter reoovering the eflTeols of the l>attle' of Bridgwater, moved up toward the AmeriolAii army, at Foft Erie; and frequent 4|UriiislijM wsucd^ in w]ii«i& the to»mf was gea» .# HISTOUT OT THE WAV. 25»' «i^1iy worsted. On the 3(1 August, about 500- regulars, umler Col. Tuc^ker, ci'osseil below Black Rock, but were met Uy 200 riflemen, and a party of volunteers, under (Vlajor Morgan; and» after a long contest, were d.feat^d, and coin|iel- led to re-cross the riv^r. Brigadier General Gaines, arrived at Erie the Mh August, and as- sumed the conomand, during General Brown's illness. On the i5th A?igust, the enemy, under the frn-- mediate cumioand of General l)i*uinmond, at- tempted to slorm Fort Erie; the result was oomoiunicateil in a letter from General Gainesy. i* the secretary of war, of which the following is a co|iy^r. I «« Head Quarters, Fort Erie, U. C. K Aug. Id, 7 A M. 1814. ■" I' Dear 8i» — My heart is gladdened, with grati*^ tude to heaven, and joy to my country, to have it in< my power to inform you (hat, the gallani army un«^« der my command, has this morning beaten the en- emy, commanded by Lieut. Gen. Drummond, after a. severe conflict of three hours commencing at two o'clock, A. M. They attacked us on each flank— » got possession of the salient baittion, of the. old Fort Erie, which was regained at the point, of the bayo- net, with a dreadful slaughter. The enemy's luss,, in killed and prisonc s, is about 600; near 300 kii* led. pur loss is. considerable, but 1 think not one- tenth as great as that of the enemy. 1 will not de« tain tho eic|)ress to give you the particulars. 1; am preparing my force to follow up the blow.** The assault was of that desperate, nature* that was Q;kkeulated to rub away the stains of former dff feats, to resuscitate the sinkipg charms of aqt assumed inviqi^ibility, and save the Britisl^gene*; paii kom couteui|)t9 siad perhaps, disgrae^^ Th% iim.' J 369 HISTORY OF TUB WAR. ij W \..:'"S& [■yWij; .■■!*/j;*.» ■'"■'■■'I ■.,'■»'■, L projection was grand ; the means of aocomplish- ing it, great, and relied on tor its effieiene^ ; the attempt to exeeute, was sufiported with an en- thusiasm in the officers, and a meehanical obe- dience in theuien, which promised, and almost se- cured success. The invincihles were^ however, destined to ex|)erieRce another defeat; and the Americans added another wreath to the laurels . with which they were already so plenlifuUy ^ ^blessed. The enemy was lb rgely supplied with the means generally used on such o<^asions, '%v pikes, bayonets, spears, scaling ladders, ^iC. Re- pulsed.and repulsed, he rallied and returned to the attack; he carried a bastion, aMii by his condui^l, evinced, what was to be the i^te of the republicans, if vanquished. Lieut. M^iiougal, beinu; severely wounded, in defending the bastion, demanded quarter, it was refused^ Gen. Drum- . mond crying out, ** give the damned Yankees no quarter." iVl*Doogal defended himself until shot down by a pistol, 'Fhe bastion was re taken by the greatest display of courage and exertion. i- This assault was preceded by a cannonade and bombardment, which oommenced at sun-rise on the morning of the loth, and tontimied until 8 o'clock, p. M. ; was recommenced on th^ 14th, at day- light, and continued until night*— the as- sault was commenced at half past two on the morning of the Idth. The result was the defeat of the assailants, accompanied with a losfsof 222 men killed, 174* wounded, ad 186 prisoners^* to- tal 582. exclusive of a number (8up|>08ed ZVO) killed in the wafer, a id carried off by the cur- rent, rhe llrmericans lost 25 killed, 91 wound- ed, and 11 tnissiog— ^total 128. The en^my continued in the neighbourhood of ^ort Erie, streogthening and extending his ^j^t -%. ■'i^," ■;s: HISTOST OV THE WAB. 261 works and calling in reinforcements, with a view to the animate occupation of the fori, and the eapture or destruction of the garrison* The en- emy's works were constructed in a field surround- ed by woods* Their infantry was formed into three brigades of about IdOO men each. One of these brigades! with a detail from their artillery^ was stationed at their works (these being but 500 yards distant from Old Port Erie, and the Hght of General Brown's line.) The Americans had already suffered much from two of the enemyta batteries and a third was about to be opeuedr Gen. Brown, baring recofcred of his wounds^ resumed the command,, on the t2d September* The sitiiition of the army was extremely eritic^al. As the onlj mode of relieving himself, he deter- mined to storm the batteries, destroy the can- non and roughly handle the enemy's brigade on duty, before those in reserve would be brought linto action. is The enemy's works were very strong, regular, and executed with a studied intricacy, consisting of a breast- work, coaoecting their batteries, and of successive lines of entrenchments in the rear, covering the batteries and enfilading each other; and the whole obstructed by abbatis, brush, and felled timber. It was calculated to resist, and throw into confusion, the most experienced as- sailants, and led to many severe contests with the bayonet* . I>iiitt4ions were given, by General BroAvn, to^ march at noon, on the 17th September, to the intented assault. General Porter commanded a. detachment of volunteers, riflemen, regular in- fantry, and a few dragoons. These moved from the extreme left of the American position upon the enemy's rights by a passage opened through zy"- I'.l fOltJk}- u% BI8T0KT OV TUB WAB. mi fjfia »*i 1^- ^-i ,;«ri-. raii [•ilrt'Jf /'V. Hfc. S- the woods for (lie oooasion* (i^n. Miller Itaifpii^ ed liUooininand in Ihe ph vine between Fort hWi9 and (he cnemy*)» batteries* Uy passing them bj de(auhinen(s (hi'ough (he skirts of the w<»od — The 'itbi infundy* under Oen. Uipiey, wu« post- ed as a corps of reserve^ between ihe new b»8<* tioMs or Fori Krie. <* About 20 minutes past tliree, p. m»*^ snys Gen. Brown* in his offieial re- port, *V I found the left column, under the eom- itiaiid of (ten. Porter, which were destined to turn (he enem^^'s right, within a few rods of the British entrenotiments. They were ordered to gid vanoe and com ment'C the action. Passing down the ravine, V judged, from the report otoiuske- try, that the action had eomm^fnced ofi^|pr left ; I now hastened to (len. Miller, and dirwied him to seize the moment, and pierce the enemy's en«> trenchmeots, between batteries No. 2 and 3.— My orders were promptly and ably executed — "Within SO minutes after the first gun wasfired,' batteries No. 3 and 2, the enemy's line of en- trenchments, and his two block-houses* were in our possession, Soon after, battery No. 1 was abandoned by the British. The guns in each were spiked by us, or otherwise destroyed, and the magazine of No. 3, was blown up." ,The enemy's loss exceeded, from the most probable account, 1000 men, including^ majors, 4 eaptains, ^ lieutenants, 1 ensign, ont> assistant- Burgeon, 4 staff- Serjeants, 19 Serjeants, 17 cor'' porals, one drummer, and 3S2 privates. / 'Vbe A- iTiericans lost in killed, wounded and missing, 511. General D|ivis, Of the militia* was killed. The action lasted more tlmntwo hours, and was family contested for abd^t one hour. In the course of the action* the entire of the enemy's force was brought into aotiODf consif ting princi- BIBTOBT OF THE WAV. S6S 1 pally of rfi^ulars utidvr command of Ijient. Gea. Di'iiiiiiiiond. 80 MUtUfied was the BrifiKli gene- ral of bis inability to contend, evt^n aided by bis YeteranSf against the raw Noldn^rM that formed the American at'm,>« that hv broke up his camp* dui'ing the night ol* (he ^iHt, and retired to his entrenehuienis behind the Chippewa. •^Tbus*' rdya (weiieral Biowii* ** one thousand regului'S« and an equal portioii of militJH, in one hour of close aetion, biasled the h'pes of the enemy^ destroyed the fiMiits of fiffy dnys labour, and di- nvinisiied his eifeciive force, one thousand men at least." AneniiMdi^iofl under the command of Lieiit. Col. (i.J^OgUan, was set oh foot in July, 1814* ; the chiel^iobji et of whieb, was ihe reduction of Fort Mackinac, which had been taken by the en- emy iti the early part of the war. The expedi- tion Mi Fort liat!t)it (head oi Straits St. Clair) on the 121b. O^itig to a want of pilots acquai it- ed with the unfref|uen(ed part of the bay, the in- tended course of the vessels was somewhat alter* ed ; I bey anchored at Ht. Joseph's on the 201 hf. After setting fire to the fort of 8t. Joseph, which seemed not to have been recently oeeupied, a de^ taehtnentof inlantry and aiillery, under Major }lolm(s< was ordered 4o Sault, St. ^far}'*s, for the purpose of breaking up the enemy'* esta- blish uient at that place. A few hours before the arrival of Major Holmes at the Sault. St. Mary's, the niirfl«we8t agent was apprized of his approa^lr, and succeeded in es aping with a large quantity of goods. A large quantity were, however, found secretetl in the woods, on the American sidt — lliese was claimed by the agent of John .T'ihn* son, an Indian trader; but Major Holmes d***- €liaed giving them im Mr. JohttsoD^ ** because^^ '■'0^ ml t.% m. \ 'if. [ ft?*' 26* BISTORT OV THE VJkll. >Tt :%E • iTif I. \im 'J •/is:*^ ^:» •IV-A if*' [:»-'•, 'M ■"■' •■#1/,-' as Major Holmes observed in his letter to l4ieilt. Col. A^i'oglmn, •* it was good prize by k!ie mikitiv time law of nationsf as recognized in i\\^ finglisb courts, (witness the ease of Admiral Rodney ad* judged by Lord Mansfield.) Furtiier* because Johnson has acted tbe infamous part of a trai- tor, having been a citizen and a magistrate of the Michigan territory, before the war and at its commeneemer^t, and now disrhargiiig the functions of m .g'strate under the British gov* erninent. Because^ his agents armed the In- diuos from bis store-house at our approaeh ; and lasli> « because, those goods, or a eonsidera* ble part, were designed to be taken to.^ Michili* mackinae." 'ir«txv .♦! »«>** " The expedition reached Miehilimaekinae on the 26th, where the enemy was found so strong- ly posted on. a. height, overlooking the old fort» that his reduction by storm, with the small force under C'ol. Croghan, seemed very doubtful. It was the eoIonePs wish, at all hazards* to dis- embark in some favourable position, from which he might be able to annoy the euemy by gradual and slow approaches, under eover of his artijJe- ry, and where, by fortifying himself, he might force the enemy to atruck him in his strong po- sition ; or draw his Indians and Canadians^ (his most efficient and only disposible.foree) from the island. . • ; ; - -4 lli'ing informed, by, old resiilents of 4: the isl&nd^ Inhere a favourable position might be obtained/ he eflTceted a landing oi; the 4*th Augusts and advanced to the field where an encampment was intended, when he received intelUgenee vtitattho enemy was ahead, of which he ^as soon^: convin- ced, by a discharge of shot and: shells frovH' a ^ttery pf four guns, Theool»na)> >heEeon^ohtt6g- m ntsTomT ov thk yrxn. ^TSS «d his position, ^wbioh was then two lineP) tli6 mMkia fuming ttio front,) bj advancin]; Major Jlolines'v Imttalion on the right of the militia, thuato onfflank him, and by « rigorous cfTort to gain bis r«far. Belbre tliis movement could be eieeotcd, a fire fh»m some Indians, posted in a thiok wood, proved fatal to Major Holmes and severely wounded Captain Desha, the next in rank. This misfortune threw that part of the line into eonfusion, from which it was found im- possible toTceover it. As the only method left of annoying the enemy, Colonel Croghan order- ed a obarge to be made on his front by the regu«> iars. Th« enemy was thus driven back into the woods, from which an annoying fire was kept up by the Indians. Lieiit. Morgan brought up a light piece to relieve the left which was sttflTer- iiw from a galling iire ; the excellent practice of tfi£i piece brought the enemy to fire at a longer, distance. " Cdi Croghan finding the position, from which the enemy was driven not tenable, he determin- ed not to continue to expose his men to a danger^ from which no good result could bo expected.-^ He tiierefbre oraered a retreat to the shipping. Sailing-master Cfaamplin, whose vessel, the Tigress, feH into the handy of the enemy, and who, wUti his crew, were prisoners at Miehili- maekinao« arrived at Erie in November. Capt. Arthur fllnelaip, covnmanding the United States* navat fiire« on tlie supper iakes, states, in a letter to tlie^ secretary of tlie navy^ on die authority of saillng^ma^er Champlin, that, <« the conduct of the enemy to our prisoners, (the crew of the Tiw gross) thus captnred, asMl the irihun^an butchery of those who fell into their bands, at the attack of Maokinaok, has been barbarous beyond a pa* .' '»] try A r' . i1 S'-m fc% «^ ■TSTOKT «t «n WAK ' Mi. ,■■.'■ /:;/-«t^^.. rAllcI. llie for rtitr &ftV6 been plwdnirtd of al* most every artiele flif elotliinc tlH^y potMned.j the laUer had tlii^ iMlirfft and IWors lakem oal, >vbiek wer« actually' eooked and featted oai ily tbe lavaeeg, and that too ki the qaartert lOf tihe British oSeers, saiielioned hj Col. M«Do«sall/' . The British army, uader General Drumniowl, rjbcing eonsidcrably reinforeed, thero appeared an ^absolute neeeiaity to itrengthen iliat ander.fidh» ' Urowb^ and to make sneh a dlvelvioaiii^ieo-ope- ^^rationta^ woljld draw olf the enemy fn»n Uio ^Wighbouthood of Fort Friey or eOmpol hin to ' surrender. A vigordus attack onfKin^toafBaiity if made^ pr^lQee the first of these enrcts ; the I throwing of a large force into the rear of Gen. r'I)rutninottd, might have the latter oflbet. Gen. .^ Izahl. niarebdd mm Plattflbargfa» about atheist ^iSeptember» with a large- Ibr^, l^hielif fornieda junetlton with pen. Brown» about the iSAhiOclo. , ber; thus bavingy unfbrtunittely, oeenj^ed'niMPe Ahail 40 ditiys In peribrmhig ii jouk*ney^ oT^SBS uules by land, anti a v^ge of ^ miles hy^watcr r^totatdiBtauce from l4att»burgfa to Blaek Roek, 3^3 miles. ''i4^^9^w\m--fnsu\t:xti,,- . The slow movement of Oen. Izardfa army, l^ayeto the enemy the time neeessai^ to equip the Ttew ship St. Lawrence^ of 90 (^s^ lately bsiilt at Kingston. The British Heet^lvllfc t^is big ship, at^peared tfflT Niagara, theCdNovem- ^ ^hert ana gave to the enemy the eott^itiiMl of kike Ontario, by which General BrutaimondaOiild be reinfofeed or taken ofl^ if iteeessairy. -Ilaiso enabled the enemy to threaten '8aeket%> iHar- hour ; and Gen. Browtr wai ot«dei^ to the de- fence of the Earbdur^ tNitlo|(lSeniicwdineoin- mandatEne. ' ! >^i*=;i»|fitirii-^ 4« ** m rsr \ BltTORT Ol Ta& WAB» 2C7 Tk6 fimpali^ in the noiglibourliood of Niaga- ra nMitt^ from the Utcncss of the leason* be ^kawiogto a'Clbse; it appeared to G^ii. Izard» that hit armjr ooiild not remain in lafety at Krie^ the Ibit wat therefore destroyed, and the army o#oited toSuflBiloey where it]took up winter-quar- teri. .'*■ •■<.••• The army left at Platt«burgh« after the march of Gen. Izardy waft very weak ; the command dvroWod on General Macomb. The enemy cm- braeed'tbts opportofiity for making ah incursion Into the ttMe of New-York* on the tide of Lake Champlfttni with a view to ^cure a strong posi* tionat€lrown Fointy* or Tieonderoga* previous to f^oiogrtttto winter-quarters ; and ultimately, i» eo-opor»to with an ar|ny» that was to invdae tlielitate- of New«>YoL^^« or Conoeeticut, on the ii»«bo«rdf| .and: thus elTcet the ^at object of erior to the Amaricfan, advan• fl. iv'i' ills*' ■"A» -.i»:jr, ■'..",;;■■ ■.V,^v'4 '^■.W bf (he United Slates, previous to the more seri- ous attaeks mrhieh were to be simttlCaneous by land and water, and weve efiectualJy to over- throw all opposition on haiiu On I tie 2d, the BHtish army marched from Champlain ^ on the .5th| il' appeared, in full force, before tlie village of Platfsburgh. No s»doner was the intention of the enemy dtscover- odii than the militia was called out : those of the county of Clinton assembled on the ad 8eptem« ber, near the village of Chazy, where they took a position, under command of Lieut. €oL Mlllei*. On the following day. Gen. Wright took apposi- tion with his brigade, seven mUes inadvaneeef Plattsburgh. On the advance of the enemy. Col. Appling, who was placed with his command on the lake road, fell back to Doad-ereek, where he posted himself, and impeded the approach of the pursuers so much by bloeking up theiiassbge, ishat the enemy was compelled to alter his eourto toward the Bieekmantown road. On the morning of the 6th, the advance of the enemy attacked the militia, about 700, under 6eitera( Mooers, and a small detachment of regulars comradnded by Major Wool. Unfortunately, a part of the militia broke and fled, the remainder^ t0(^tber with the regulars, made & bold and masterly op- position, retiring slowly and regularly before a large force for six miles, when they were rein- forced within a mile of Plattsburgh by a CapCaiii JLeonard aud a few men with two pieces 6f ar- tillery. This force, by taking advantage of the cover of a stone wall, made a stand mid eheeked the progress of the enemy, until over|ioworeft by superior numbers, it retired, as before^ tlowlyi dealing death among the enemy, until it reaeh« •d the south bank of the Saiaimffi^;4^^e{fiitliiQ A*'. ^ m .«■■-> niSTOBT 01 THE VTXtt, 269 }mrsuiMf ^he^ ien«*Hy ^as effeotiiiitly eboeked#^ and lie forced to retire. From tliis tiaie tintil' the morning that was to deeide the fate of Piatts- burgh aiid porha][>t of Albaajr^ contir^ued skir- mtshiag ^a» kept up> each party preparing itseir ibrtbe bloocfy eoniliet. The enemy occupied an extent <>f about three railed^ he erected seven iiea^ batteries and fhi^y supplied himself ^ith' aU the Hsnai means ofattaek. l^e Americans' W^ere engaged in annoying the enemy and stfon^enhig their own worhs; The ilth was' flsed on for the attlteic by land and water. At qine in the morning of that day, the enem^r's flotilla on Lake Champlain^ passed Cttmbefland-^ hi^adL It oonsisted of one frigate of 3"2 guns, ond' brigof 22 guns^ tw^ sloops oflO guns each, and se^eriyi galieysv H^he American fleet lay In Cuni'-' boHand bay^ opposite Plattsbiirgh. The enemy, supcrioi* in Tessels, ]s^nsf and number of men^ - advanced with that eonfidenee» which his sape- rioi'ity of ferecy inspired ^ and the bloody con- flict ,bc;gaat ' ^Goin. Thomas Macdonough com- manded tb^< Amcirican flotilla. Undanntody he^ waited theE. attack, trusting in the heroism of a^ little band,; which seenied det^rmiiiedto eonqudr^ or die. For t%vo hours and fifteen ntinntcs, Ihio^ contest wa^maftttained, with an ob^tkiacy whieht whil»it added- to, or rather perfected the re- ii/OM'ii^lpea^aieqnirediiy the American seamen, did not disgrace the vanquished. IVlodesf y seems to baa quality highly possessed by the navat cominandoift in the United States. Tlie fdl low- ing Jbconio^ letteir, written to the secretary of the^ ii|L¥y» by Gom. Macdondugb^ is at once a piroof of modesty, alid a notice of succcssU'^ •'*•'** ' nM^^-ili «"T^c Armiglitf has l?^ecn pleased to grant us a* Mg.ifia) Victory on Lake Champlain, in the capture of X 2. *'s galleys going off i« a sliattered eoiidltioii^ for there was not a mast io either squadron (4ukt could stand to make sail trtk ; the lower rigging being nearly all shot away» hiMg down as though it had been jusi plaeed over the ma^t-heads.^' — " The Saratogaf'' continued the Commodore^ « hskd Jlfly-Jive round shot in her luiU ; the Con- fanue, (enemy's vessel) one hundred amd JiveJ* The^- following is a comparative view of the number and strengtu 'tf the vessels engagedyand the loss on board them. t^p.*'- k^-^ ■4m ^^- ^"^ Gun».Mhx:J^iledjraiinded. Ship Saratoga ^ '^' Brig Eagle Schooner Ticondcroga Sloop Preble ,^ T«n Gun^Boata '^^ ■'.'•♦»*ft*5fc4 Total* J^rigate Confianee Brig Linnet 26-- SO 17 120' no so. 4Ui^4Sttti>$SO 33 13 3n-" i2# 20 *i tJ 9f BtllTISK. 1^0 >? ..,1^^ Chub (formerly Growle?) 11 Finch (formerly Eagle) 11 THffteen Gun-boats . > 18 300 120 40 40 560 SO- 90 t do 3(> 10 ■ m r:i!i HISTORY OF THE WAB.^ 25'! At tbo game hour that the fleets engaged^ the enemy opened his batteries on the Ameriean' forts* throwing hundreds of shells, balls, and roeketai; and attempted, at the saihe time, to cros&Ihe Saranaeriver* at three dilFepent point^^' to assauit the American works. At the uppei* fordy he was met by the Vermont volunteers and NoW'¥ork militia. }l«re a most interesting eonftiet took place ; on the one side, the* bent troops of Britain^ led on by her most consnm*' miM officers^ men and cheers selected froiH those soldiers, who under the command of the Bake «f Wellington, had acquired the eharat^i^ ter of^ inviAcible^-' men who had eonquered in Port«pK(, Spaio, France^ and the Indies^ on the other Me, men not reared to arms, not used to b0.<#t«, most of them born since their sires had immortalized themselves in coml^at en this same gfround, the descendants of the' « Qrecn Mountain-boys" and of those heroes who conquered at Saratoga^ he. The object of cente.st was great ; on it was, probably, te hang;,eyepy future event of the war. 't^ be ene* my fought for the recovery of a territc \ whiob wou]d make lus king the most po.»D)*f;! ntra9e in the world ; the officers looked ^ > ^daees of emolument, peastons, grants of H^g^^ titles <^f nolulily, stars, garters, ribbands, pf imder ; hin^ our$ and riehes lb a thou^^a^ •h«|i«9t ai^d forms r the honest American yeoeien soa^t neither pay nor peeuniary reward, beyond the daily sti pendof a soldier* Bat yesterday, they were ar their ploughs, today, they gras|)ed their rfikay and hurried to the threshold of theii' eouot^y'-* their ultiuiate reward was to be a c*»firRiatloir» of the liberties entailefl on them by their sires^ a ooiiiinuunec of that iodependenee the^ were mi M tii'-v-. -lit H'. *l:,: pa K -I- ■';■■' ■ ^ -■■.*:■ ^'' .■.■* ^ fi ■'^■"'l*- .4',*' ;''V'4;'i\-'. ■ J. ■•*■■■. Wi ,.-W| ■•. !aar^ idi' TORt OF THE VtAU^ deter ikiified to preserve or not to sur?iye,. Tht conftiot "^vas in^ueuoed bj feelings which drew tbrtli the utmost exertions ot* boUi partie s^^ and snjiistituted desperation on one sidey and unbend- ing patriotism on the other,^ in place of ihat i». difierence or cowardice^ whieh so often laads to disaster and disgrace. Several times were the enemy repulsed, several times did he re- tiirn to the ford ; astonished at this •bstinatc resistance) from woodsmen^ suddenly assemjiLed on the occasion, the enemy yet believed they must give way : again he advances* s^un h«^is repulsed- astonished, confounded^ dismayed, lie retires : no longer invincible, be acknowledges detHt— defeat from whom ? Ijet Wellington's men answer ; or let them send for a repiy tor the moimtains of Vermont, or the wilderness of New- York. At the bridge near the village, he was repulsed by tit? pickets, and the brai^ ridemen, under Captain Grosvenor, and Lieuten- ants Hamilton and Biley ; and, aft the bridge in the town, he was foiled by the guards, bloek- houses* and the arti'tery of the forts, served hf Qaptains Alexander Brooks, Hiehards and Smitli^ and Lieutenants Munford, Smith and Cromwell* The enemy's fire was returaed with effect from the battciies ; by sun-set, seven of bis newly calsed batteries were sileuced, and he was seen retiring to his eantp. Beaten by land, a»d by water, the British governor-general withdrew his artinery,Aad raised the 8ieg<;. Under favoar of a dairk night, he sent off his beav^ baggage, and i^etreated with his whole army towaids Ca- nada» leavii^ hb wounded in tho field, and a Yast quantity of provisions, and munitions of war^ which he had not tino to destroy. Th« U^i troops> volunteers and luilitiii^ pur»u«i m XIISTOBT OT THE VAft. zn him .on the follbwirip^ ^ ^' cnpturirg several sol- diersy and covering acape of a great num- ber of deserters : . weather prevented the pursuit to be continued beyond Ch'azj. Thus have 14>0X)0 regulars, with the best British offi« Qers, and the belt military equipment, lieen bea- ten by a regular force of only 1500 men, and ':ibO(i militia and volunteers ; the militia com- manded by Gen. Mooers, and the volunteers by Gen. Strong. The enemy having retired from repuhtican ground, the militia and volunteers weiiB dismissed. _ • • ■ l^^ ; ,^ j/'^ The ofBcial return of thc1««s 'o1fAe*AimeVl-' can regulars, nmonn ted to one subaltern, one ser- geant, one musician, and S4< privates killed — total 57 ; 2 subalterns, I serjeaht-major, 4 Serjeants^ S eorporais, 4^ musicians, and 49 privates wound- ed— total 6Z ; total killed^ wounded and missingfl 119. General MiComb states the loss of the ene- my on the land and lake, at not less than 2b00 men. While glory an^ victorv attended the armies of the United States, the navy continued in- creasing its number of victories, and private armed v^.^sela carried destru<'tion to the enemy in every sea. Even in the British Channel, the enemy felt that his thousand ships of war could not bring safety to his traders. Insurance to cross the channel, I'ose from a few shillings to five guineas (S-23,75) per cent. In lat. 27,' 47, N. Ion. 80, 9, on the 29th April, 1814, the XT. S. sloop of war Peacock fell in with his Uriiannie 54ajesty's brig Epervier, ra- ting and mounting 18 S2 pound carronades, with 1^8 men. The Epervier struck her colours af- ter m actttm of 42 minute^:; and the loss of eight m 1^ .. •..v ''■'I'*'?*! &^ m '':::i ra 'lip vM . -«'j:i'ii''S.^ >! .,•'., ■;•■■ l'' A/a: ''ft j:r4 mfTOHT OF TUB WAV. nien killed^ And 15 wounded. Twometi Wero slightly wounded on board the Peacock. Both tes^eHa arrived at Savannah, the prize helog with difilouity kept above water. The dtoB|;e iii^re4 by the two ve'sselsy will be ^e^uhr the Ibilowbg extract from the official report of Ca^t Warrini^on. ' ^ ThU(the disabling of a fore-yard) With a^f^Vr tpp-mastSf and top-gallant back stays cut awajr, a fe\v ^hot through our sailsf is the only injury the Vti" 9pck l^as sustained. Not a round shor toucli^our hull ; our masts and spars are as f^ound iiiS ev^.-^ When the enemy struckt he had i*ve feet water in his hold) his main top-masts was over tho al^ie, his main boom shot away, his fore-mast cut nearly in tWOy and tottering) his fore rigging and stays shqta* Way, his bow-sprit bad!y woutidedj and 45 shot holes ill his hul), ^O of which were within a foot pf his WAter^Itne. ;■ ' Vii'^ l^dg l^ixa-rt ,gV^ \h^--l»of»<%W ^'-i !^,.; The Epervier h^d 120.00Q dollars in speciey oti board. ^ Hie UoHed States' sloop of war Frolic, Jo- seph Bainbridge commander, was captured, af- I6t aeha^ by his B. IfL.fH^ale Orpheus o]r 36 glins, on the ^th April* A coni't of inquiry, held on board the U. S. frigate Constitution, at New -York, the 20th Apr?!, 1^6, gave their l>pinion, « that the same was not lost, through the fault, inattention or negligence of C^pts^m Bakibridge.*^ The coyrt also reported favoura- bly on the conduct of the officers and crew of the Ifrolic, His Britannic majesty's sloop of wai? Reiji- deer, wHS captMred the 2Sth June, 18i4, in lat. 48, 36 N« and lon. 11, 15 W. by the U. S. sloop 6f war Wasp, (l^apt. J. BlaktSy. Tlic action coBinien«ied.at^ minutes after i P. M» i^t 4^ AI$T0£T.OV TUB WAIt StYB Joek. Both ^rize belbg ortbfCant Ttawa^, afe,^ ary the Rfca.. t6wAie&- our as ev^..^ cet irater in the skic^ his cut nearlj*. in I suiys shpta* 45 shot holes fs in speciey p Froific, Jo- eapturea, af- ppliciisqir 36 ; of in^ilrj, gave ftelp ^bU tbrdukli V ofCj^ptain ted favQura- crew of the War Rei^i- ^i4, inlat. t.S. sloop TIic action mioytey past 09 the enemy was carried \^y board** log* The aoiiooy for the short iimt ft lasted was 8eyere» and both vessfcis and cre^irs snflTered fiODsiderabl^. The loss on board the Wasp, vf&i pinc^pally Qcoasioned by repelling the enemy, in two attempts wbicb he made to board. The Reindeer m(iunted 16 ^-pound earronadesv t«d long 6 or 9-pounders» and a shifting 12-pound isarroQadey witli a complement of 11 8 picked men, caUed« from their appearance, the <* prid6 of Plymouth*" The Reindeer was Jiterally cut 4o fuecea* and so complete a wreck, in botb hull and riggings that Hvas iound neoessai^ to de- stroy ker. Her commander, (William Mannerfl, Esq*) and 22 petty officers and seamen, ivere killed ; wounded dangerously, 10; severely, t7 ; slightly. Id — total killed and wounded^ 7^. ^ r. On board the Wasp, there were 5 hilled^ and 21 wounded. Six round shot struck the bull of tbe Wasp ; a2^-pound shot passed through the fore nvistjt and a considerable number of grape struck, but did not penetrate her sides. Tfas Wftsp arrived at L'Orient the 8th July. * Tim Wasp sailed ft*om L'Orient on the ^7i^ August. At half past nine o'clock, P. M. the ilt September, engaged a vessel, supposed to be a lai^ge brig of war, and forced her to strike her dcg, at 12 minutes past ten. In a few minutesy Capt. plakelv discovered another brig, and pre** naied for action ; at dtf minutes past 10, two brigs in sight, when the Waup was compelled to rO» luHiuish her prize. TIm^ Wasp Init two men kill- ed, and hud one man wounded. The enemy, a& terhis surrender, was heard, asking assistance* and said he was sluicing. The enemy's vessel proved afterwards to bo the Avon, ily tha Brlti^ details, it was ackiiowledgcdi thjit the !L'u ■fe;' :; «*? .'.„i;'.rf.»'.i' ■ ill :■■-■;:■. : y '.■■"*Wj..iK' ■.■,Ws •'"li.*;*: U' si '..^i :#. It '■M -?' .,«-;f ^ . ,/i; •"> f' ■•■ •■;»• m mwrORT ^aS TAX WAS. r two TOMelft wliioh came ki tfid of the Atov^ were the Castilian and Tartaniflyeaoliiof them of force equal to the Wasp. The Avon went to. the boUoni, afteir the surnvingjiart of ]ber OFew was removed on board the other PritWli ressels. The ^Avon was in the Delaware ia 1810 i bhe theto carried 18 32-poUnd earrobades^ besidf^s bow and stern guns. . v Th0 Essex,' Capt. Pqrtery the smallest frigate in the American navy^ was destined to pro¥a imv mens^ly injurious to the enemy. Her^opaisein the Paoifie ocean has supplied ample noiierials for an interesting volume* Capt. Poi*toniiot on* ly pr^cted the American shipping agaiiiit' the numerous inters of niarque, whioh tiMi enemy had {(en t into those seas, but rendered these \ery letters of marque trU>utary to his plan of destroying the enemy's trades partieularly in the fisheries. ■' ' Capt. Porter^ sailed li'om the Bckivaret the 27th October 1S12. On bis paasfigie to ^fiio de JaneriOy he oikpti\«ed the British Apa|)li^t !^^orton, and took uut of ,hei* 11,000 poiuids iter- Hng, ih spr. — *? rathtrine fH >*Hv Stringupatar* '5?'* - '** CiiariM)!! ' :^ > Ncw-Zealander • n- ; Sir A* Hfidnmond^f .: 270 175 280 388 355 220 270 270 357 274 259 301 21 26 25 25 24 21 25 39 31 21 23 31 r '^ •j^-v- y/'/**^ 80 8 ^^^'- ■!«'."■ 14 26 10 '^. r' 18 8 *v--'lif='-:- 12 .1 .18 34 j6 303 107 * jr », >♦ i- The Atlantic received the new name of t|id £88607 Junior^ was et|uipped with 20 guiiSs and hfi* command given to Lieut. Doyvns. ^ ^ : Lieut. Downs convoyed some of the prizes to Valpi^raiso ; and Capt. Porter on the return of Li<:ut. Ilowns. proceeded with the other prices to the Island of Nooaheevah, where he oyet hauled his sliip, tuok on board a Hupplj of provisions^ and sailed for the coast of Chili, on the I2tli J)e«.'eml»er, 1815. (Previous to sailing from NooaheeVah, he se** euved his prizes under $t^If blockaded by two British ships ; tbe Pbogi* l)e> Coin. Miilyaryearrying 30 long AS-pounderSf IC 32 pound earronades, one howitzer, and six ihree-puunders in (he tops^ and a complement of 320 mt n ; and the Cherub, mounting 28 guns, and baving a oomplcment of 180 men ; making, to- getlier, 8i guns, and 500 men. The force of I be £ssex was 46 guns, 40 32- pound earronades, and six long 12's, her crew amounted to 256 men.-- Ttie Essex- Junior mounted 20 guns, 10 18- pound earronades, and 10 short 6% with only 60 men on board. Capt. Porter baving sougtit in vain to bring •n an action with any one of the enemy, bad i^b- solved on putting to sea, in the hope of out-sail- ing them. On the 28tb March, 1814, during a fresh blow of wind, the Essex parted ber lar- IxDard cable, and draggejl the starboard anchor BiSTOmT 07 THE WAR. fr^ n the fo!lo1ic ^ireoHy io sea. Finding himself in this situa- tiony he hoisted sail, and got under way. Oa rounding a point of land, a heavy squall struck the ship) and carried away her main (op-masty preoipifating the men who were aloft, into tho^ sea. Being chased hy the two enemy's ships, and unahte to gain his former anchorage, lie rau close into a small hay, ahout three quarters of a wile to leeward of the battery, on the east side of the harbour, and let go his auclior^ within pis^ to! shot of the shore. It was in this situation, thnth I'ippled ship and reduecd crew were attacked, in a neutral porty contrary to the laws of nations, by two •lups of the enemy. The Essex was carried* but a prize has never been bouglii at a deareit rate.. The action lasted nearly two hours and a half. The Cherub, from her crippled state, was ^inpeHed to haul off, but continued to fire at a distance from her long guns. The Fhcehe also chose^ after suffering considerably, to ftre from ar distance with her long guns, while the Essex could not reach him with her carronatles. Tlierot never was a ship more cut up than the Essex, nor that suffered more in men. Seventy men# including officers, were all that remained after the action, capable of doing duty, and many of these severely wounded. i v'^r.^.a vj: ^XThe enemy continued firing for several minutes* ^nd killed and wounded many *of the |Crew of the Essex, after her colours were struck, and an opposite gun- fired^ to show that resistance had ceased. Capt. Porter conceiving it was inten- ded to refuse quarter, was on the point of hoist- ing his eolours^ and selling his life as dear as possible, when the fire of the euemy ceased.—* The Phcebe was so cut upi that she ws^> wittft '}■■■" f ■■■ - I ■ii.,. ■ V ■ I.'.' ■ h.> {' ' \ ' ■ l\ , . ,' : MT.'. , D^^v I'. »• • "I t5W '''1 11 * ■' . '■:{ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) &c A 1.0 jf 1^ ££ 1.1 l.-^KS >' W HiotograiAic .Sciences Corporation 23 WfST MAIN STMET WIBSTfiR.N.Y. I4SM (716)872-4S03 '^ (J C^ dse '^k- HISTORY OV THE WAR. I fi^" great dinfeulty ivorked Into Valparaiso, andJt jseemed doubtfuK wen after she came to anckor, nrhether she could be repaired so as to enable Ler to double Cape Horn. She had eighteen 12-pound shot through her, below her water line. Nothing but the smoothness of the water saved her f^om sinking* Had the Phcebe aod Cherub dared to come boldly info ^lose adiofty thejr would have been undouhtedlj defeated^^r^ The enemy's losis in men cannot be ascertaifieilv but must have been verv severe* That of the iEssexwas — •, -^'^J'- s. _:. ■■^-. .'trif mf Killed, and hav« (Ued smce of their wouiidsy B9 iSevcrely wounded • - - • . 59 Slightly wounded . . . , ,|^ i^issing . ^ *■,••. ^j^^^i-^^'^ ^',,\k,.,f,^4.^^^^..k..,-r.^ .Total .«n.,..- ^,ii^,..i^, IH It was agreea between Capt. Porter and Com. Uillyar, that the Kssex< Junior should be dis- armed, and employed as a cartel, to bring Capty Porter and his men to the United Slates, to be there exchanged for an equal number of British priiioaers of equal rank. On the 5th July, the £ssex- Junior arrived off New-York, ami was overhauled by the British ship Saturn. Capt* Porter, judging from the conduct of the Britisli officer, that he would violate the terms, tinder which the Essex- Junior had sailed, took to his boat ; and, after rowing and sailing 46 milest reached Long-Island. .The wiiiterseason» .rendenni^-it diffieult anid^ dangerous for an enemy's fleet to remain en the American coast, to the northward of yirginiat It was conjectured that his blockading squiidreii would be moved to the southward, nor wiis the eonjecture ill- founded, ll wa» bis iatcBtiott ta nSTOBT aw THE vfjm. .V ■'■ *M W: -V f4|[&ct something more permanently usiefuly than the robbin;^ of private property. A general a- larm prevailed among the inhabitants, partiea- hitly ia the citie»y along the sea eoast. It wast also ascertained^ that great preparations were, maklngt and several thousand men collected ip tile West-Indies^ with the avowed intention of invading some of the southern states. '^ At 4 oMock» F. M. on the 15th September^ 1814, Fbrt Bowyer,on Mobile Pointy wa«i attaeli- ed by a superior British naval and land force. — l^he naval foree was under command of Sir If.. IIF. Percy, and consisted of two ships f^om ^)« tot 28 guns, mounting St pound oarronades ; 2 brigs firom 16 to 18 guns, mounting ^4- pound carron- afdes, and 4 tenders. The land forces consisted' of 100 marines under command of Col. Niehollsr* a body of Indians under command of Captait» Woodbine, and a battery of a 12 pounder and Howitzer under direction of an ofireer of the ar- tillery. The American efiective force was aboufr i!SO mem of whom not more than 90 were eii- ^gcd. At 4 p^ fir. the enemy's leading ship, called ^e Hermes, having approached suiBciently near, the g^ns of tlie battery opened upon her: at 20^^ minutes pi^st 4, tbf engagement became general*. Soon after this time, the BHtish land forces were put toiliglit, by discharges of grape ahd* cannister, from a 9 pounder. At 5, p. m. the* guiM ofthe Hermes were silenced, and she drift- ed out, and grounded within 600 yards of thei: ^tterT, Where she eontiniiedt<»*befiired'on, un- til night* At sun-set the other vessels cut their eables, and stood on, under a tremendous fir» ftqm th^ battery. At r quarter [xist 7^ ikm IseI (.i< , vn-- f" P S8t HISTORY (IF THE*WAKi ;.''-i Hermes appeared to be on fire ; at 10 her ma^v^ gaziiie blew up. 'i! • It was icarnedy fk*oni deserters* that 160 of the crew of the Hermes were lost, that 7d were klH*^ ed or wounded on board the other ship, and sev-' era! on board the other vessels. The American loss was 4 killed and 5 wounded. Major WiN liam Laurence commanded at the fort. On th«^' 15th the enemy's fleet stood to sea. t The appearance of 30 or 60 vessels of the en*^ cmy, in the mouth of the Mississippi* rendered it almost certain, that the city of New-Orleanjs iVould be all object of attack. The advance of the enemy was announced* in general orders* on the 14th December* 18i4>* by Gov. Claiborne; and. on the 18th* Gen. Jackson reviewed the militia* preparatory to meeting the enemy.— Martial law was declared on the 16th. 'fhe Woodsmen fW)m Louisiana* Tennessee, Mississippi. Territory* and Kentucky, hastened to the tfttene of honour and glory; and men* of difi^rent lan-^ gnages and manners, prepared to emulate each other in defence of a common country* and a li* berty in which they alike participated. On the 13th December* the enemy's flotilhi gained the Pass Christian* and was proceedingt evidently against the U. S. gun vessel* then at HTichor off bay St. Louis. The gun-boats re- treated, during the night, to the MalhereauX Inlands* Lsike Borgne* where the wind and tide forced them to remain. At day-liglity on th^ 15th* the enemy advanced with 42 heavy launches and gun barges* mounting 42 guns* of iS, 18* and ^ ealibre,and S light gigs, wnh 1200 men, eoitf* ^wanded by Captain Locker. ' ^^^^ ^ At 10 minutes betbrrli, A. M. he commene- «4 aa »ttacl£ om th« HotUlii^ eonsistiog of gmf- UX&TORT OfV TU£ WAS. 2i9^ boat No/ 5, 5 guns, 36 men* sailing-master Fer- ris ; gun- boat No. -iS, live guns, SU men, Lieut*. M*Kecvei' ; gun-boat No. Id6, five guns, 4i mvu,. Li^ut. Jones ; gun-ttoa^ No. 162, 5 guns, Sb menr Lieut. Bpeddeo ; and gunboiU No. 163, 3 gun8^ 31 men, sailing master Ulrick — total, 2b guns, and 18:2 men ; the entire under eommand of Lieut. Thus. Ap. Cates|ij Jones, of boat 156. The sloop alligator (tender) of one four poun- dor and eight men, not being able to join the flo- tilla, was captured, before the aetion with the gun -boats commenced. iX t The gun boats were taken in succession, and each boat, when taken, added to the enmty% lh)e of attack. The action continued until 40 minutes past 12, when the last of the gun-boatft was surrendered. ^Considering the immense disproportion of the j^tics, the action was sustaiiied, on the part or the. Americans with a skill, bi*a very, and perse- ▼eranee, unexami)led, even in the most spirited, of the actions which distinguished the Americair teamen in the pi*evious part of the war. Five small vessels, and a few men, maintaining a con*- lest for an hour and a half, against a swarm ot heavy barges and gun- boats, which closed and nearly surrounded them, was a sight unparallel- led in the annals of naval heroism. The loss or the enemy, in killed and wounded, was estimated by Lieut. Jones, to exceed 300, among whou p«re an unusual quantity of officers. The capture of this llotilla gave to the enemy a free eotrance into Lake Poncharlrain, exce|iit what resistance they might meet from a 6mait fort commanding the passage of the Regolettet* The enemy, having gained the command of* jH^Jbikes^ was enabled to effect » passage to tbf i"^l ■S- H 7 " ^m '■■■ I i 1 1^' /■f -^ il^ WW " ' 1% ^M ^^i ^'1 ■^"*3«. 11 §i i ,'w " ^ ' "^ :^^^ f'f- m HIITORT M taB WABp 'TTT Mississippi, at a point, about nine miles fronf Ncw-UrJeaos, Gen. Jaekson advanced against liim» determined to attack him in his first nosl* iion» The attack was made in the night or the 23d December, at half past seven o'clock. It was commenced by a fire from the schooner Ca- rolincy which dropped down the river, In oi*der to openi>n the rear of the camp. This was tho* signal for Gen. Coffee to fall ott the right, while^ Gen. Jaeksen attacked the left near the rivet.— ^ it resulted honourably to the American arnifi f but produced nothing decisive. The enemyV force amounted to about 5000 men ; that of Gen.^ Jackson did not exceed 1500. The conflict last^. ed an hourr and was supported wit'j great firm* ness. Gen. Jaekson renvained on the field uiitit Ibur o^slu^k in the morning^ when he t66k a ne# position two iniies nearer the city ; having lost in this affair, 24 killed, 113 wounded^ and 7^.- Hiissing-— total 2iS« The enemy succeeded, on tijc 27th, in blowing vp the Caroline^ (she being bcoah^ed) by meanis- of hot shot, from a land battm*y, erected in th^ Bight. Gn the 28th, he advaijced with hi» wholo:- force, against Gen. Jackson, in the hope of driv-^ ihg him from bis position, and with this vieir^ opened a fire with bombs and rockets, at the dw^ tanceof about half a mile. The enemy was re- pulsed, with the loss of about 120 men. The^ Americans lost seven killed and eight wouiided»i On Sunday morning, the 1st January, iSlS,. the enemy had ad vaneed within 600 yards of tfa0^ .^erican breast works, under cover of nigb^ and a heavy fog, and had erected the precedine night, three different batteries, mounting in ai£ ±6 guns, from O's to S2's. About eight o'clock^; flm the foe deured off, tfakcy eoauaeaccia mmit niBTORT eV THE VTAV. ^*f iat ■ - ' ■ ■ . . .1 Iremendous Are upon the Americani, but it wai simply returned bj them, and a heaw;y eannonad- JOf was kept up* without the Ifast interval on Cilher 9ide» except that oeoasioned hy t he explo-^ sioa of a magazine in the rear of one of the Auieriean battcrievt and anoflier magazine in tho nighty owing to the enemy's Cungreve rock- etfr. Hy four o'clock in the afternoon, the Ame- ricans had dismounted all the enemy's guns* ex-^ eept two. They retreated, during the night, to theii* strong hold, about a mile and a quarter from the American camp. Twice did the enc* iny attempt to storiu and carry the American batteries, hut were as often deceived. On New-- Year's day, the loss of the Americans was 11 killed, and 23 badly wounded. That of the en-^ emy« from the accounts of two prisoners taken •n that day, and t^ree deserters auei wards, must have lieen mueh g^roater. ' r^ ^ ;» According a'^''!'ie woodsmen arrived to thcf aid of Gen. Jack^'ju's ari^iy, they were disposed of to the best adv.intage, for the purpose of dei- fence ; but thes6 forces not beitig of a very ef<^ fi^ieat nature, especially us the men couhi not be all provided With the necessary arm», the- general could not attempt any thing agaii^st an enemy, who was thus left to pursue, undisturb^' ed« his laborious ojierations. ^ r' During the days, of the 6th and 7th, the en-* emy bad been actively employed in muking pre- p^raiions for an attack on Jackson*s lines.-^ iVith infinite labour, they had succeeded on tho night of the 7th, in getting their boats aci^ss f^om the lake to the river, by widening: anit deepening the cana), on which they bad efiecteil ibeir disembarkation.. ■ Qen. Jack&on was tin the If^ft^ide of the xli^f^ m w lis*.' ■ 'ff'<*5 ''IN' 1*1 a8# virronT ov tub wi«4 fi. jpatiently trailing tbe aUaek. General Morgan} with the New-Orleans eontingenf, I he Louisiunuf militia* and u detaeliment of Kentitel^> lroo|)8; occupied an entrenelied camp on the oppottilo side of the river, proteetrd 1)^ strong batteriea 4on the hanky super intenrled by Conunodore Ppl* iertion. . u^t r On Sundiiyy the Sth, at 6 1-2 o'eleek* a. Mi the enen\> began a very heavy cannonade upoi^ the American lines* from his batteries of 18 aii to storm my entrenchments. I cannot speak sufficiently in praise of the firmness and deliberation wicb which my whole line received their approadu More could not have been expected from vetemna inured to war. For an hour, the fire of small arma was as incessant and severe as can be imagined.-— The artillery, too, directed by officers who displayed •qual skill and courage, did great execution. Yet the columns of the enemy continued to advance with a firmness which reflects upon them the greatest credit. Twice, the column, which approached me on my left, was repulsed by the troops of General Carrol, those of Gen. Coffee, and a division of the ^ntucky militia, and twice they formed again, and renewed the assault. At length, however, cut t# gieces, they iled in confusion trom the field, leaving covered with their dead and wounded.' - ^ Simultaneously with the attack on Gen. Jack«' son's Hoes, ao attack was made on the works of Qen. Morgan. Had the enemy been met wit It refoluliun in this attaek, it must have produced hia eiitire destruction ; hut* unfortunate^* th« Kentucky reinforoements ingloriously fled, draw* log after them^ by their example^ the romaindep of the forces, and leaving; the batter' est to fho eneiiiy ; not» however* until afVer the gu^^i were spiked. ^Vbile General Jackson was preparin|; to diiplodge the, enemy from the captured battery^ tli^ British troops were witbdrawoy iand the post re-oceupied by the Americans. i'he return of ()ie killed, wounded, and prisoB^ifi ^rs, taken at the battie of Mae Prardies* plaa*^ tati^Oy on Hie lefl bank of the Mississippi, o« the morning of the 8th January, 181^ and five iniles below the city of New- Orleans* consisted QCp-killed* 7pOf Wounded, i4,00 ; prisoners, 609 •^Htoytd^isoo. ^ .,i ■, ■.^..^- .„.....■,...■.....:.: --^ m ftU B|jiT9BT 0? TUE Vil» 1 ■', ^aH m m i ^K i ^^ .^^ ;iii^Ki*3F'. ' Among tke slain, were fjeneral Sir Edward paokenhuiu* the ohief, and (len. Gibbs* the third iu eofiiinaiid ; Gen. Keane^ the second in euin- ifiaod, was seferely wounded. Gen. Ijumbert^ 8U< eeeded to (he eomoiand. « His ioliil loss, in the different engagements^ was not pi'otiably less than SbOO; ami was» bj iiian>y supposed to exceed 4*000. The lovss to the Americans* on the 8th sides of tho river, was 13 kilied, dil wounded, and 19 mts-ing ; total killed. Wiqnded and mi>s ni;, this fla> 71 1 or this numiivr there were but six klJidy untl seven wounded* in the action of the line. The«neiii^ intended to pass Fort Philip* in orde4* to co-operate with the land forees in tloi attaek on New tirleans. On the itiU junuar^f athafrpast^ P. IVI. the enemy's hoiiih vessel* opened (heir fii'e against the fort, froui lour sea- «iiortai'<«* 2 of them 13 loelies. atid ^Z of tO* at no great a distance* that the shot froui the fori eoiiid not reach him. Hie enein>*s fire contin- ued with little intermission, and with little in- terruption from the Ibit. during the lOth* Itthy l^th* 13th* t4th, tdth* Itith and irtli. On the ^veningofthe t7th* a heav;^ mortar wat^ got in readines2», and o|iened on the eneni^', with great ffTect. At day light on the 1Sth< the enemv re*> tired* after having thrown upwards of 1 000 heavy shells, besides small shells, fVom the howitzers* round shot and grape* which he discharged from boats., under cover of the night* Seareely ten l^eet of the garrison remained untoutshed $ ,vet i)\e loss of men was snialK consisting of two kil- led* and seven Wounded This saving of men was owing to the great pains taken by the officers to keep their men under cover. All the eBcmy'tt mavemeatSf after (he aiitiom ^■'- ■ItTORT OF THB WAB. tat •TiV^e 8th of JainAa^y« wer6 calculated to fl^oar* . hU retreat, should such prove necessary^ as a|N pearances then indicated that it wuuld. Th'■ ni lyhivh the following is extracted : ** The day after the gun-boati were taken* I was sentdrwn under a Aug of truce, to uacertain the fate of our officers and men, with pow«>r to negotiate an exchange, especially for the wounded. But the en- enijr would make no terms— they treated the Aug with contempt, and myself and the tturgeon, who was with me, as prisoners, until the 1 8th inst. He has now lowered his tone, and begs the exchange that we offered. Defeat has humbled the arrogance of the enemy, who had firomiaed hi» toidiers /6rty» eight hours fiillage and rapine ({f the City ^f Nev)» Orleane ! r On the TiuUiorKy of judge Poindexfert it is staled, thai <*the watch-word and countersign of the enemjf on the morning of the 8th, was BEAUTY and BOOTY. Comment is unneces- sarj' on these significant allusions held out to a licentious soldiery. Had victory declared on their side, the scenes of Havre de Grace, of Hampton, of Alexandria, and of St. Sebastians* Mould, without doubt, have been re acted at N. Orleans, with all the unfeeling and brutal inhu- manity of the savage foe with whom we are con- tending." Thus ended, in disgrace and discomfiture to the enemy, an expedition which occupied seve- ral months in its preparation, and was compos- ed of at least 10,000 troops, drawn from al- most every part of the world, where the Brt- tiHh had garrisons or soldiers. Nothing was left undone to secure the occupation of an im- mense province, and the command of a river ex- tending thousands of miles through the nio^t fertile countries in the world ; and on which se- veral of the United States depend as an outl<^ and market fop their produce. ' "^ ' ' '"" -^ "*^ ^ Hf STOUT OV TUB WAl.. tot ^ That a permanent oooupation of N6w-Or1ean»9 and the state of Louisianuy v/vks intended^ can •cui'oely be doubted. The fact that revenue and other civil officers^ to reside at New* Or- levinsy wen) on buard the fleet* is a suffiirient evideni^e of this fact, as well as it is of the cer- lainty with which victory was counted on ; oor is this rendered doubtful, by the eircumstanue, that the battle was fought after the treaty of ?eace was ratified by the British government, ^he expedition against New- Orleans was plan- ned long before the signing of peace, and at ^ time when the wavering and quibbling policy of lllngland induced the American commissioners at Ghent, to write to their government, <• that no hopes of peace,, as likely to result from itp (the negotitttion) could be entertained." From an ofiioial account, it appeared, that the number of men under command of General Jackson, and actually engaged against the en- emy, on the 8th January, amounted to 4if69S, — The enemy's foree^ by his own account^ exceed- ed 10,000. By an article in a Jamaica paper, of the 3d' December, it was stated, that the expedition' then prepared to go against the United States^- under command of Sir Alexander Cochrane, and Muj. Gen. Keane, (the same that afterwards en- tered the Mississippi,) consisted of 1 ship of 80 guns, 5 of 74, 3 of 50, 1 of 44i, 6 of 38, 2 of 36, 3 of 3^, 3 of 16, 2 of 14, and^3 of 6 guns— Total 28 ; carrying 1084 guns, besides a great num- ber of cutters, transports, ke. t On the 21 st Jan. Gen. Jackson directed an ad- dress to be publicly read at the head of each of the corps composing the lines near New-Orleans^ It must have been a difficult and delicate task to^' m „ 1 ■ II > » > f fi9S BISTORT •¥ THE WAV* ■ ^■^ ti^^^-K ^'■;«'5 4o justice to indiTiduaU* where all acted so welly previngy in the generaFs words, «» that a rampart •f high minded men is a better defence^ thaa the Edost regular fortification.'* This address contained the following emphatic Dal paragraph. *< Reasoning always from false principles they (the enemy) expected little opposition from men whose officers even were iiot in unUbrm^ who were ignorant of the rules of dress, and who had never been caned into discipline — fatal mistake 1 a fire in- cessantly kept upi directed with calmness, and with unerring aim, strewed the field with the brave uffi^ cers and men of the column, which slowly advanced) according to the most approved rules of European tactics., and was cut down by the untutored courage of the American militia. Unable to sustain tiiis gal- ling and unceasing fire, some hundreds nearest the entrenchments called for quarters, which was grant- ed—the rest, retreating, were rallied at some dis- tance, but only to make them a surer mark for the grape and cannister shot of our artillery, which) without exaggeration, tnotved flown v>hol« ranks at every discharge ; and, at length, they precipitatelf i^tired from the field." . ^ ' The following officers and volunteers arc par- tieularly notieed by the general ; Genei^ls Cof- fee, Carroll, Adair$ de Flanjae, Ylllere, Mor- gan* Humberi, (acting as a volunteer,) Mexieun; Field Marshal Don Juande Anavar, (volunteer ;) Colonels Ross, Dyer, Gibson, Elliot, M'Reay Perry, De la Ronde, Haynes, Piatt, Andei'son^ rkilled,) and Adjt. Gem Col. Butler; Lieut. Col. Lauderdale, (killed ;) Majors Hinds, Blan- che, Carmao, St. Geme, Nicks, Chotard, Davis, Hampton, Tatura. Ijacalliere de la Tour, and La Caste and Dagain, commanding two corps of ••loured wen i Captaini Bakeri Huinphreysi HI»TOBT Of THE VfAJl* 293 Savary, BeaU Ogden, Lewis, Livingston^ Lefe- bre, Planchard, Smith, Griffin, Mahon, (killed,) Pace, (killed,) and the brothers Lafitte and Do* minique, and Belluohe, (Barratarians ;) Lieii- tenants M*Clellan, (killed,) Dupy, Spotts, Keri-, Alexis, Crawford, (killed,) and Leaeh ; Com- modore Patterson, Captain Henly, Lieutenants Norris and Growly, and Midshipman Erasmus Walkins, of the Navy; Aiids-de-oa mp Thos. D* Butter, John Read, Livingston, Duncan, Grymes. Duplessis, and De'Castera ; Doctors Kerr and Flood ; Judge Lewis, (volunteer ;) and Messrs. Chauveau, Hiriart, Latrobe, Gilbert, Bosquet^ and Decoin. . Several desperate characters, citizens oT the United States, as well as foreigners, natives of diflferent countries, had associated themselves in- to a band of pirates, under the chief Laiiite, and bad taken up their residence in the island of Barrataria, near the mouth of the Mississippi. The government of the United States caused this unlawful establishment to be broken up. The expedition against the Barratarians, took posses* sion of all the piratical vessels, their prizes, and a considerable quantity of arms and property^ nvitbout opposition, on the 16th> SeptembiBr, 1814« . The vessels thu»- taken, consisted of six schoo- ners, and one felucca, cruisers and prizes of the pirates, one brig, a prize, and 2 armed sefaooners» both in line of battle with the armed vessels of the pirates. The establishment on shore, whicb^ was also taken possession of, consisted of about 4>0 houses. . The pirates ' had mounted on their- yessels^O pieces of cannon, of different calibresr^ and their number consisted of between 800 and< 1000 men, of all nations and colours. The ex-r lition against tbo pirates was under e^mimau^ !« i ■1 «c * ft94 HIiTOIRir Ot ««B WAR. i^ of Com. Patterson, of the navy, having on boa«*d a detachment of land troops, under eommand of €ol. Ross. The Barratarian pirates took part in the d^^ fence of New-OHeans, against the British^ and ^ere both active and serviceable. It was, also> fiatisfaotorily ascertained, that they had, previ* oos to their dispersion, refused an alliance with the British, rejecting the most seducing terms of invitation. Induced by these considerations^ and at the recommendation of the general as- sembly of the state of Louisiana, the President of the United States granted to su or with more alaciity^ than the mea ef BIBTORT OF THE WAB. 29i' d^ Oeorgia* The inililia, in every patt of the itate^ were in niotion, when (he news of ptaccy and retreat of the enemy reached them. While the enemy was marcliing against Point Petre^ Capt. Massias, of the Isi U. 8. rifle corps, at tlie bead of 60 men, attempted to oppose lOOO, com* mitted considerable havoc among the enemy^ and retreated, with the loss of one killed, four grounded, and nine missing. The fortress of j\1 obit e, within the limits of the purchase of Louisiana, had been retained by the Spaniards, notwithstanding if) purchase by the United States. The war between Great* Britain and the United States rendered it. ne- cessary to oceupy this place, lest it should fall into the possession of the enemy. .Qii the ibih April, 18i;^, General Wilkinson appeared beforo it, at the head of a respectable force ; when, the gaiTisofi being summoned to surrender, the Spa* niBh troops were immediately embarked for Pen* saeola ; and Mobile was taken possession of by the United States* troops. ' Pensacola, although a Spanish post^ was not properly entitled to the character of neutral.-^ The cionduct of the Spanish governor left no doubt as to his attaclimi^nt to the British, and bis hostile disposition toward the United States* I Pensacola was an asylum for hostile Indians f lit Pensacola, they were armed, provisioiied^ and paid. Pensacola was a depot of British arms^ a home for traitors to the United States^ and a place of rendezvous for every ally of the enemy « whether white, blaek, or red. , ^ ^ ^ As soon as the war in Europe was likely t^ end, and Britain at liberty to direct her whole force against the United States, the understand* lag with the governor of Florida> became ie»» fc t./^- Ifcuj-Ji'l**, m- ^.. ^a ■ •«L-i mm %^6 ai#T6BT OF THE WAK. Biasked, and llic British officers boldly dated their public acts from •< Htad garters, Pensa- It was under these circumstances determin* ed to attack the British at their head quarters, and to storm the town^ although defended hy strong batteries, and supported by seven armed British vessels in the bay. On the 7th Novem- ber, 1814» the attack was made, under the com- mand and direction of General Jaekson. The following animated report of the assault, was made by General Jackson, in a letter to Govera ^> \ m HISTOBT •¥ THE If AH. S9r to burn the mUls belonging to Mr. A. Clark.-* Thej' were opposed b^ a few patriots from the Florida 8bore» when the boats tueked about to retreat ; at this moment, about 30 men attacked them from an ambush on the opposite shore.—* The enemy was thus plaeed betwt*en two iires> \vhich continued to gall him until he reached a part of the river, where, b}' keeping the centre, he was beyond the reach of the fire f^om both shores. The enemy lost upwards 4>f 100 men* The Americans had only one man wounded. - % The U. S. ship President. Com. Decatur sail- ed on a cruise from New York, the 14th Janu- ary, 1813. The ship, in going over the bar^ grounded, and suffet*ed so muirli in consequencei as evidently to afft'ct her sailing ; and was the f ause of her subsequent eapture,, by a superior force of the enemy. At 5, a. m. on the 15th» the President fell in with the enemy's squadroOf eonsisting of the Majestic, razee; F^ndymiony Pomone, Tenedos, and Despaitch brig. The injury done to the President, when she ground* ed off the Hook, prevented her outsailing the enemy's fleet. The Endymion (mounting fifty guns, !24 pounders, on the main dock) having ap« preached within gun-shot, commenced a firing at 5, P. M. more with a view to delay than ta iry strength with the President. The latter^ however, was enabled to bring; her guns so far to bear^ as to silence the Endymion, and to put her, by 8 o'clock, fully out of combat, so mueli crippled, that she could, with ]3;reat difBculty, be worked, or kept afloat. I'he near approach of the other ships, obliged the President to aban^ lion a vessel, that must, if not supported by her eonsorts, have surrendered. The Pomone aa^ T^uedos; came up mi eDga^ed the President ^t <(i> «.? s'^M sdd fftSToltt Of ^jf« WAK if >,■•■*■: ^ 5- ' -'^ •fa--"-' ■ the samie time* the Mdjestie being also wi(bi» gun tthot. It being uiiele»s and imprudent to engage so overpowering a force* Com. Decatur struck his flag« and Mrent on board the Majes~ tio« ivhere he delivered bis sword to Capt. Uaj's, the senior officer of the squadron, who politelj returned it. The written parole granted to €om. Deeatur» specified his having surrendered the President to a British squadron; thus si- lencing those who wished to have it understood^ that the Commodore struck his flag to a single ship. The prize money* arising from the cap- ture of the President* was divided among the erewsof the squadron, hy which she was cap- tured» . - The loss on board the enemy could not be as- •ertained ; that of the Pi*esident consisted of 24 killed, and 50 wounded. Among the killed, were lileutenants Babbit, Hamiltoitj aiid Howell. ^ Commodore Decatur, in his official report, wrote that << a oonsiderable number of his killed and woundtid was from the fire of the Pomone ; and that the Endymion had on board, in addition to her own crew, i lieutenant, 1 master's mate, aod 50 seamen, belonging to the Saturn ; and when the action ceased, was left motionless and „ unmanageable, until she bent new sails, rove new rigging, and iished her spars ; nor did i^he join the squadron until six hours after the actien, and three hours after the surrender of the Presi- dent." Tfie U. S. frigate Constitution, Capt. Stewart, iailed from Boston, in December, ISl^. When oflT Madeira, on the evening of the 20th Febru- ary, t815, she fell in with his Britannic majesty '& ships Cyam*! and Levant, which she capturei(|| iifter an action of ^0 minutea^ #' BI8T0ET OY. TQB IVAir. 99§ .4 The Cvane k a frigate liuilt ship, mounting 34f carriage giins, \iz. !22 32- pound carronHcles on the gun-deck, 8 18-pound carronadcs oii^th^ quart^r-deek, tM^o 18-pound carronadt's and t^o long u*8, on the iort* castle, with a compleuient pr 180 men. I'he Ijevant mounted 21 carriage t guns, viz. 18 32 pound carronades, two long 9*8, ad a shifting 12-pounder« on the tup-gallant foretmstle, with a complement of 136 men.-— The enemy's vessels suflTcred severely in sp.rSf >*igS*ng and sails. The Constitution received little iiyiiry, having but four men killed, and 10 ivounded. I'he Cyane had seven killed, and 17 grounded ; the Levaiit 9 kilhd, and 17 wounded* On the 12(h March, the Coustitulioa and her prizes, fell in with three British frigates. The frigates kept together^ in chase of the Const it u- tion, lest, hy separating they might be captured in succession. The Constitution outsailed and escaped the enemy *s squadron ; the Cyane arriv- ed at New- York ; and (he Levant was attacked and taken by the British squadron, in the har-. hour of Porto Peaya, in the Island of 8t. Ja^Of in violation of the neutrality of the port, and eontrary to the laws of natiojis. '^Ihe Consti- tution arrived safely in the United States. On the 19th July. 1813, the U. S. brig of war. Syren, of 16 gun*", was captured after a chase of 11 hours, by his Britannic majesty's tiigate Bfedway. During the chase the Myren threw overboard all her guns, boats, anchors, cablet^ and spars. '^ % On the 25th May, 1815, the President of the United States informed Congress, that his ma-«^ jesty the Emperor of Russia, had offered his mediation, in order to facilitate a peace between, Great Britaia and Uie Uaited StalieSf iUat ih% 111 'm\ ft m If it '« fin ^ ft u% BISTORT OT TR|B WAH. offer was aeoepted by (he Pre$iklent» and that t'iiree citizens had been com missioned to treat aucordingly. On the meeting of Congress in December fol- io sving^ the President, in his message to both houses, Informed them* that Great Britain had declined negotiating under the mediation of Bussia. Notwithstanding this refusal of the British government, to accept the Russian mediation^ the British ambasHador, at the court of 8t. Pe- tersburg, directed a letter, in September, to the Russian government, intimating a desire to treat immediately with the American plenipo- tentiaries. Lord Castlereagh, secretary of state to his Britannic mijesiy* enclosed a copy of the above note in a letter of the 4th November* to the secretary of state of the United States* at the city of Washington, proposing that the two go- 'Vernments would enter into direct negotiation^ for a termination of the war* on terms that vould be mutually advantageous; and that the nc^^otiations would be entered into at Gotten- burg or Lonilon. 'i'he proposition was prompt- ly acceded to by the American government* fix- ing on Gottenburg as the place of negotiation. The senate confirmed, on tjie 19tli January^ 1814, the nomination* by the President, of John Quincy Adams« James A. Ba>ard, Heni'y Clay^ and Jw..''.i ban Russell, as ministers to treat for peace M/ith British commissioners at Gotten- burg. It was afterward agreed, that the treaty should be held at Ghent. So indecisive and equivocating was the eon- duet of British ministers, that many perso-is diKibted whether any eommhuiioners would km i^^^^m HXSTOBY Olf TUB WAB. SOL id ihVLt » treat ep f«l- ,0 both in ftiad tion of British diatioiiy St. Pe- r, to the ?8ire to plenipo« \ to his lie above , to the , at the two go- ;otiatioii9 lis that that the Gotten- proiiipt- uent, fix- iation. Janiiary^ of John ry Clay, trf^at for Gotten- he treaty the con- pers0:i» iiroiild ''^ uppointed on the part of Britain ; and, Vfhen appointed^ it was pretty generally believed that the appointment was merely pro forma, without any intention to agree to reasonable terms of peace. The British gOYcrnment appointed^ as their oommissionersy Lord Gambler, Henry Goulburny Esq. and l^illiam Adams, Esq. These person- ages arrived at Ghent the 6th August. , At the first meeting with the American com- missioners, terms were ofiered on th^ part of England, so degrading and offensive to the United States, that it was impossible to aceept them ; and, as some of them were ofiered in the form of a sine qua non, there remained not a h^pe of a speedy negotiation of hostilities. The news, when arrived in the United States, roused at once, the pride and the energy of the nation ; and produced an union of sentiment, that presaged future glory and success. It was now evident, that the negociations at Ghent, hung on those then pending before a con<* gress of the ministers of several potentates, as- sembled at Vienna, for settling a general peace in Europe. 4 \ It is easy to eoncelve, that the task to be per- formed by the congress at Yienna, was diflicult. Wrapped up in state secrecy, and influenced by state intrigues, the course of negociation at Vi- enna, was, in a great degree, withheld from the public eye. The continued armaments of Ei^ ropean powers, and the mUitary parade with which the Duke of Wellington appeared in Bel- gium, even before the Emperor of Elba ceased to be a pensioner of Louis XVIII, led to sus- picion, that the rights of European sovereignt must be settled by a new effusion of the blood^f their subjects. ▲ a N^-: .^m 302 ttistoliT of TRB VTAC. y * «i 'Whatever motive may have influeneed tht British government^ it is certain^ that a very sudden ohange of tone was produced on their fiart. TS«o consequence wasy that a treaty of peace, between Great Britain and the United States, yvM siened at Ghent, the 24th Deeember, 1814, by LordGambier, Henry Goul bourn, and IVilUam Adams, as commissioners on the part of England ; and by John Quincy Adams, J. A. Bayara, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell, and Al- bert Gallatin, as commissioners on the part of the United States ; ratified at London the 28th of the same month, and ratified at the city of l^ashington, on the 17th February, 1815. The terms of the treaty being considered honourable to the country, and satisfactory to the citizens, their ratification was followed by the most seneral and enthusiastic joy, accom- panied by illuminations, &c. &c. in every part of the union. Measures, early as possible, were taken to bring home, and restore to their country and fi*iends, a great number of American prisoners, confined in the depots in England. Among these were many, who, having been impressed, and forced to serve the British government for many years before the war, had, on that occa- sion, refused to fight against their country and fHends ; and were, in consequence, treated as prisoners of war, althX)ugh not taken in time of urar, or in arras. . r An unfortunate event prevented many of the unhappy prisoners from revisiting their country ; or sent them to it, with marks of British bar- barity, which will remain on them' for life. On the 6th April, 1815, Capt. T. G. Short- land, keeper of the prison of Dartmoor, having \ mSTO&T OV THB VfktL $Q3 'U discoTered a small hole in one of the inner walls of the prison^ made it a pretext for drawing out the army against the prisoners. The alarm bell, instead of causing the prisoners to retreat to their prisons^ induced many of them to press forwai^ to discover the cause : this was certain- ly more a proof of innocence^ than of any pre- meditated attempt to escape from a place whence they must have been soon released without the risk of life. The measures taken^ by or- der of Shortlandy previous to the massacre^ were caleulated to prevent the return of the priso- ners who were thus left the more exposed to the fire of the soldiery, ^hile thus embarrass- ed^ they were charged by the soldiery ; and while running in great confusion to discover the ^w doors leu open for their escape into the pri- soHy they were fired on by the centinels on the walls. In this manner, seven were killed, and 60 wounded. A committee of t«;e prisoners investi- gated this transaction, and gave iq their report* all the appearance of a foul and premeditated niurder. ^ The British government in order to lessen this stigma on its officers, agreed to have an investi- gation made by two persons, one to be appoint- ed by the British minister, the other by the .American. F. S. Larpent was appointed by the former, and Charles King by the latter. The re- port of these commissioners certainly softened the apparent culpability of Shortland, but the correctness of the report has beeii denied by the prisoners, not by any wilful representation of the ieommissioners, but from a want of sufficient in- formation or inquiry. The subject of Dartmoor is referred to^ for Hbe purpose of directin|| the readers to the period ■^- I ' '■'I'll m m S04i niSTOBT OF TUB WAS. V'- Vj -^ •f the massacre, but without the intention of en- tering into a detail, which the present limits will not allow. Althoush a ratified treaty of peace had been cxchangedy at Washington, on the 17th Febru- ary, yet by its articles, captures made in distant fieas were allowed, until certain periods after the date of ratification. The events produced during this time, proved both honourable and advanta- geous to the Americans. At half past 10; A. M. the 2Sd March, 1815, Captain Biddle, commanding the United States* sloop Hornet, being oif the north end of the Is- land of Tristan d'Acunha, discovered a sail to the southward and eastward. He immediately made sail for her. At one, 40, P. M. an action oommenced. After a well fought engsigenient, of 22 minutes, the enemy cried for quarters, and was taken possession of by the victorious Ameri- can. Sh^ proved to be his Britannic majesty's brig Penguin, mounting 16 32-pound carronades, 2 long twelves, a 12-pound earronade on the top- gallant forecastle, with swivels on the capstern in the tops : she had a spare port forward, so as to fight both her long gons of a side. The enemy had a complement of 132 men, 12 of ^hom were supernumerary marines, from the Medway, 74. After the prisoners were removed, and some pro- visions and stores taken from the Penguin, she was, by order of Captain Biddle, scuttled and sunk, her crippled and ri^^tA state I'cndering it iinadvisable to attempt sending her to the United States. • « This ship (said Captain Biddle, in his official report)) did not receive a single shot in her hull, nor any material wound in her spars ; the rigging and sails w^re very ipuchcut; huVh%YinebMtiknew ^v s*- RtSTMtT OF THE WAl. SOB Mt of sails, and knotted and secured our rif;ging, we are now completely ready^ in all respects, for any service. Wc were eight men short of complement, and had nine upon the sick list, the morning of the action." The enemy aeknowledged a loss of fourleen killed^ and twenty-eight wounded ; but Mr. Mayo, who was in charge of tbo prize,, said that the number was oertainiy greater. Capt. Dick- enson, the commander of the Penguin, waskillodf and the boatswain, second lieutenant, purser, and two midshipmen, wounded, £ach of the mid- shipmen lost a lee. The officers of the Penguin relate, that, dur- ing the aetion with the Hornet, a thirty-twa pound shot eame in at the after-port of the Pen- guin, on the larboard side— -carried away six gSf killed the powder boy of the division, oap- sised the opposite gun on the starboard side^ {massed through the port, and << sunk in sullen si- enee to the bottom.'' The war between the United States and Great Britain, left a favourable opportunity for the pi- rates of Africa, to prey on the persons and pro- perty of the Amerieans. The Algerines declared war, and fitted out a fleet accordingly. Having given in pages 21 and 32, the list of the Ameriean Navy, as it stood at the com- mencement of the war with Great Britain, it may be considered interesting to know how the Lilliputian navy stood at the end of the war» which was to << blow it, out of the water.'^ The fbllowinjg IS the naval list of shippijig» ifi Aprif^ 1816. Those Yessels whose names are marked {^^ are such as remain of the naval force before the war. Those marked (^) are building;. Those marked in iloltic at«» such a& were eaptured fran A a d II r !l| I n 1 '^1 i f-jji 1 -i I 306 BISTORT OF inffB WAS. Us i i 1 li i fe ['P ^ 1 if i the British^ during the war. The rest have heen built or purchased during the war. Those that are blank have no armament at present. Itatu* Name* of Vttid$. Commandert. ¥, Independence WasningtoD Franklin Mew-Orleans $ Chippewa § GueiTiere, flag ahip United States* Java Gonstitution* Plattsburgh § Superior OonstellatioA* Congress'* Maeedonian Mohawk Confianee Cyane Saratoca John Adams General Fike Madison JUrt Hornet* Wasp Peacock Ontario Erie Louisiana^ Jeflenoa Jonea EWTVttT Niagara Lawrence Detroit Eagle Svlph Cnippewa QtMien ChmtoOM Saranae liinntt Boier Troup ^ Onieda *fv - j Enterpr se* Flambeau Firefly Spark 17 Schr. 14 II vmttr Promelhetl Ghent Caltdonia Etna, bomb Ticonderoga Monsneh BpHirc Com. Wm.Bainbridge Capt. L Obauocejr Com. S. Decatur J. Shaw O. H. Perry C. Stewart . 0. Gordon C Morris L> WarringtoB E. Treochard W. W. Crane W. Stewart J. Biddle J. Blakely li. Rodgers J. O. Elliot O. P. Rideely O. O. B. Thompson M. T. Woolsej J. Downs t. 0. lUU J. Portrf T. Brown L. Kearny J. B. Nicholson G. W> Rodgers T. Gamble A. 6. Wadsworik If Alnif Trant A. J. XXDtf f* Siationj ke. Boston do Philadelphia SackeCs Harbw do. do. Boston . Mediterranean do. Boston Sacket's Harbour do. do. Mediterranean Mediterranean do. Sacket's Harbor Lake Champlatn New-York Lake Champlain Mediterranean Sacket's Barber dc> do. ^ Mediterranean New-York At Sea New-York Mediterranean do. New-Orleans Sacket's Harbont- do. de. At Sea Lake Erie Erie, Penn, do. do. Lake Cbamplaf» Sacket's Harbow New-York Erie, Pen. New-York Lake Champlain New-York Savannah Sacket's Parbenr New- York do. do. do. Erie.^'e Boston Erie, Penn Do. do. New-Orleaa« Lake Champ]«fai West Indies i. '■■v* 1^ *fr BI8T0BT OF THE WAB. 307 r'*MJ Ratei* VtUMitofVtMdu Commanders, W. Cbauncey Hoffman B. D. Cookley F. Forrest T- Duiuhart W. Atkinson f'j)k 10 Torch 10 Lady preooH 9 Tom Bowline 9 Alligator 7 Roanoke 7 Firebrand 7 Surprise 8 Conquest 5 Hornet 5 ^ox 4 Fair American 4 Helen 3 De8p:^ch 8 Asp 5 Porcupine S Lady of the Lake 8 Pert 5 Goyernor Tompkins 1 Ranger 1 Ontario 1 Amelia 2 Asp ^: 1 Raren 12 Sloop President 11 Finch II Chubb 7 Preble 6 Montcomrr/ 5 Buffaloe S Camel 2 Tickler 2 Galley Allen 2 Burrotri 2 Boxer 2 Nettle 2 Viper 2 Centipede 1 Ludlow 7 1 Wilmer 1 Alwyn Balfard Ketch Spitfire Vesuviui* . . « Vengeance Barges from No. 1 to 15, inclusive, en Lake guns, and now at Sacket^s Harbour. The old gun-boata have been chiefly sold. >** ^i. •.j,^ • V Stationf ke» Do. Erie, Penn. New-York New-York Wilmineton, N. 0« New-Otleans Do. Sacket's Harbour WashiogtoD, P. 0* New-York Sacket's Harbow Newcastle, Del* Norfolk Baltimore Erie, Penn. Sacket's Harbow Do. do. Do. do. Baltimore Sacket's Harbour Erie, Penn. Sacket's Harbour Do. do. Lake Champlain Do. do. Do. do. Do. do. Do. do. Philadelphia Do. New-Orleans Lake Champlam Do. do. Do. do. Do^ do. Do. do. Do. do. Do. d«. '' Do. do. Do. do. Do. do. Norfolk : New-York ' Do. Ontario, moooting each f ■'<»)■ ^f''^ n.^;. ■' i It would be a curious question in political arith» metic^ to determine what number of Americaii ships and their rates^ would be sufficient to des- troy the British navj> taking the naval events of. the late war as a scale by which" to calculate ; and ; how long it would take to provI«ie the necessary number of vessels^ taking the increase of the navy^. iuring the war^ as a ratio ? If % 508 mSTOBT On Lake Superior On Lake Huron , On Lake Obamplain Xark Lawrence of Baltimore Leach of Salem Jueader orProvidenee R. I. JLMttder of Preridance fV( '^J^ '4 ''•'W^tx M^iHt '^ ji:^^fi^ m':X: 1 3 4 2 St 9 1 12 1 i 18 4 i 1 1 » a a IF 21 4 S a 1 1 s 6 3 t 7 f 4 1 1 1 S t 4 8 S S 6 2 5 12 1 16 1 3 S 9 1 14 3 1 i- .•■W -^ , .. :.i A •!. SIO HISTOBT OV TBB WAS. ^m Leo of Baltimore Leo of Boston Liberty of Baltimore Little George of Boston Letter of Marque, of Wilmington^ Lovely Cordelia of Charleston Lovely Lass of Charleston Lyon of Marblehead Macedonian of Baltimore MacedoDian of Boston Macedonian of Portsmouth Madison of Salem Marengo of N^ York Mammoth of Baltimore M^Donough of Rhode-Island M^Donough of Boston Mars of Norfolk Mars of N. York Mars of New*London Mary Ami of Charleston Matilda of Philadelphia Midaa of Baltimore ' On Mobile Bay Morgiana of N. York Montgomery of Salem Kancy 19'ed of Baltimore Nonpareil of Charleston Konsuch of Baltimore :> U. S. schooner Nonsuch Orders in Council of New-York Orlando of Gloucester Patriot of New- York Paul Jones of New-York Perry of Baltimore Perry's squadron on Lake Erie U. S. sloop of war Peacock Patapsco of Baltimore ?iHe of Baltimore u t f 1 2 20 4 1 4 1 ■7 * H 6 « ■ t - »i f^ F- .*• 8 29 2 r s *if 4 4 9 b \ i 10 % n <5 (-'■t 1 ''.1 1 • -^f 1 4 1 5 3 9 11 34 9 15 3 W t ?3**' BISTOBT 01 THE ITAA. m Pilot of Baltimore Polly of Salem Portsmouth of Portsmouth N. H. Poor Sailor of Charleston Prince of Neufchatel Rambler of Bristol Rambler of Boston Ranger of Boston Rapid of Boston ^ Ji Rapid of Charleston U. S. brig Rattlesnake Rattlesnake of Philadelphia Regulator Reindeer of Boston Resolution of Boston Retaliation of New- York Revenge of Baltimore Revenge of Norfolk Revenge of Philadelphia Revenge of Salem Revenue Cutters Roger of Norfolk Roger of Baltimore Rolla of Baltimore Commodore Rodgers's squadron Rosamond of New-York Rossie of Baltimore Rover of N. York Row-boat privateer Sabine of Baltimore At Sandy Creek, by riflemen Sarah Ann of Baltimore Saranac of Baltimore Saratoga ofN. York Scourge of N. York Saucy Jack of Charleston Shark of N. York Sine-qua-non of Boston Scorpion of Salem Siro of Baltimore 9 r 9 1 35 2 5- 3 4 A 25 1 6 1 1 9 2 3 5 S 8 S 11 19 n8 14 1 9 5 1 2 19 29 27 1 I S 1 :Jf} ' 1 ^;lii -1! t^l; JiV t'-^f- ■ -7 > ml • fJ'^j '.r 1( m;8 4 '^'t # 1r 1 HiSTOBt Olf THE HlfJL^ Snap Dragon of Newbern N. C. Snowbird of Salem Sparrow of Baltimore ^ a Spark of N. York a A i A. > Spy of New-Orleans Surprise of Baltimore United States' brig Syren a. Syren of Baltimore On the St. Lawrence Tcazer of N. York i llf K Terrible (boat) Thomas of Portsmouth ij j : , •, Timothy Pickering Tom of Baltimore /, ^ ( < True-blooded Yankee * t .^ Two Brothers of New-Orleans Two Friends of Massachusetts Tuckahoe of Baltimore U. S. frigate United States ^ ^ . Ultor of Baltimore jili?^ United We Stand of N. York ^iik-^ Upton (a prize ship) :j, >' Viper of N. York ;-L^ Viper of Salem it Warrior of N. York ^? ^ : I; ■ U. S. ship of war Wasp '7' •^;' Wasp of Baltimore ^ ^ *:?*'' Wasp of Philadelphia ' Washington o Portland ^^ ^ Whig of Baltimore Yankee of Bristol R. I. Yankee (smack) Yorktown of N. York York of Baltimore Young Eagle of N. York Young Teatcr of N. York Young. Wasp of Philadelphia Sundry vesselsj names not known ?3 2 Q 3 2 S6 2 7 13 5 5 1 4 1 1 2 k . 3 1 9 16 2 1 U 38 2 5 10 ^ u 16 ■5V. * I :.u ■^>:!) ToUl,--*1634 '# «.■-# APPEKBIX. filSTOH* OF TUB ALGERINE WAH. The Dey of Algier* took advantage of the war between ISngland and the United States, at ^ a v'onvenient opportanity to attack the trade^ and to capture the citizens of the latter pbwe^. On the 23d Febrnary, 1815, the following confidcn. tial message from the President of the Unite|| States^ was delivered to both houses of congress . To the ^enats and House qf Refiresentatives qf tht United States, Congress will have seen, by the communication from the consul general of the United States at Al« giers, laid before them on the 17th November, (8i3^ the hostile proceedings of the Dey against that fUtic- lionary. These have been followed by acts of more overt and direct warfare against the citizens of the U iited St<«tes trading in the Mediterranean, some of |§ whom are still detained in captivity, notwithstanding the attempts which have been made to-fansom them, and are treated with the rigour usual ^6n the coast of Barbary. The considerations which ren;e of the Algerine cruisers, [ recommend io congress the expediency of an act declaring the existence of a state of war between the United States and the Dey of Algieis ; and of such provisions as may be requisite for a vigorous piofto^- cution of it to a successful issue. "T JAMES MADISON. . Waahington, Feb. 23, \B 1 5, * A law of congress was, after the usual rorins» passed, empowering the President to take mea- sures for the proteefion of tiie couimeree and seamen of the United States ; and alno to empioy the public armed vessels, ami to eommission pri- Tate armed vessels, to aet offensively against tlie vessels, goods^ effect^ and subjects of the Dey of Algiers. This measure was not adopted until after the most satisfaetory assurunee^ of the hostility of the Dey, and that he had aetually^ put an end, by liis unprovoked aggressions, to the treaty sub- sisting between him and the United States. Jn July, 1812, the Dey extorted from the American consul general, a large sum of money, in lieu of a quantity of military stores, whieb be refused to accept, falsely alledging that they were not equal in quality or quantity to those stipulated by the existing treaty ; and then compelled the consul and citizens of the United States to quit his do- minions. On the 25th August following, the American brig £dwin, of Salem, was taken by an Algerine lorsair, and carried into Algiers, as a prize. Mr. Pollard, of Norfolk, being found on board a Spanish vessel, was also detained as a citizen of the United States. Captain Smithy the niaster of the Edwin, and Mr. Pollard, were |iut confined to hard labour ^ but tlie rt^st of the • ^ • ':, . ■ ' .m *i - .■ : -k-. '..: ■ • - - IFPKNniX. 8t& de of thelt ! cruisers, f r of an act letween the ind of such rous ptose- DISOJN-. ual formSf take mea- itnepfe and to employ ission pri- igainst the it the Dey I after the io$»tilii> of an end, hj reat^ snb- •tHtes. Jn American »]n )ieu of refused to ' not equ'dl led by the iic consul uit his do- llying, the taken by Jgiers, as in^ found *taiued as in 8iiiiih» ard, \%ere est of tht (Captains, with the exception of two of them» whose release had been eflTi^vted, under circum- btanees not indieating any change of hostih^ tem- per on the part of the Dvy^ wore 8U» , cted to tlie well known horrors of Algerine slavery. • An effort of the United States' government, to eflreet the release of the citizens, bv treaty, and the payment of a large sum of money, had failed. There never was a war commenced with a greater share of general approbation ; and it re- mained a wonder, that one public Journal, (the Connecticut Mirror) should condemn a measiu*e which had for its objecit the releasment from slavery, of eleven American citizens, the punish- ment of barbarism, justly detested by the civili- zed world, and the putting into glorious prac- tice, the popular sentiment, '^^ millions for dC' fonce, hut not a cent for tribute.** * K A private letter from Lisbon, dated 2d Mayy asidf stated, on the authority of advices from Cadiz, that the Algerine admi^*al had put to sea* with a fleet consisting of 4 frigates, 6 corvettes, 2 brigs, 1 zebec, 1 schooner, 1 galley, 40 gun- boats, and 11 bombards, in all 66 vessels, mount- ing 463 guns, and having on board 4745 men ; the supposed object was to cruise for American ves- sels. i«; The force destined by the United States, to< punish the enemy, was to consist of the Inde- pendence, 74, Gucrriere* 44, Macedonian, 38, Congress and Constellation, 36, Eric, Ontaria, and Epervier, 18, Chippewa, 16* ^HJambeau and Spark, t'if Spitfire and Torch, 10, and Lynx* (tender) 1 long 24; in all 44 vessels, carryiag 400 guns. Some imniatcrial alteration was aj£ terward made in this arrangement.. r' ^H'-:!.-rtrT^.^^'ji^, iit$-*jf-ii^rf'rip^. ;il' M\ :-■[ it ill f l?i f li f M fe* J :#*^-- f'llS i1 &F' "J II Mil # .-*' .-W' M« APPE1ID1X« On the 181b May, 1815, the United Stalet* «c|uadt'fMi» destined for the Mediterranean, sailed from New-Yoric: It eonsisted of the iVigatea- Guerriere, (Com. Decatur^s flag ship) Captain Lewis ; Maoedonlan, Captain Jones ^ Constrlla- tion, Captain Gordon; sloop of war Ontario^ Captain Elliot; bri^s Epervier, Captain Downs; Fire Fly, Rogers ; Flambeau, Nicholson ; 8park» Gamble ; schooners Spitfire, Dallas ; and Torob» ^hauncey. This squadron was fallowed by that under command of Com. Bainbridge, consisting of tho Independence, 74^, sloop of war fificy. 18, bri|^ Chippewa, 16, and schooner Lynx* The United States* brigs Boxer» Saraaae, and Knterprize sailed, in August, for the Mediterra- nean. The brig Fire- Fly had sailed some time previous for the same destination, but was eom- pelled to return to repair damages sustained in a gale* The Ontario, and some of the light ves- sels arrived at Gibraltar on the isth June» and Commodore Decatur, With the rest of his flM|uatl^ rmiu CHI tl^ 14th ; and, on the evening of that day^ ail the vessels proceeded to their destinai* tion. The following letters will explain some of ihm proceedings in the Mediterranean. Copy of a letter from the American consul at All* cantei to the secretary of state, dated* McanSe^ June 2 1 «/» 1815. Sir — I have |he honour to inform you, that, by a> letter this m^ent received from my vice-consul, Nichalas Driale, at Carthagena, I learn that the first division of our squadron, under Commodore Decatur^ had appeared off that port, and sent in an Algerine frigate of 44 guns and 500 men, captured off Capo de Gatt, after a short engagementi during which tUo AFPBNfflX. Sir conMnander of the Algerine vt^ killed. Our loss consisted of four men. The Coi tnodon had iit in a schooner for refrcAliment) and other ncccsh a^ with which she immediately sailed for the flet .«- The prize must perform ten days quarantiiK I shall set off within two hours for that place in ordei to make further provision for the fleeti if necessary, and render every other service in my power — from theoce I shall have the honour of addressing yoUf and advise wha^ further may occur. With sentiments of the highest respect* I am) sir, y^ur most obedient servant* ROBKRT MONTGOMERY. To the honourable the secretary of state, > tlopy of a letter from the American consul at Cadis i/;« to the secretary of statC) dated *i!:t^inH»-*li^ y-^'i- CoTisulate of the United States^ ^i': Cadizy June 27 j 181 6. ,,^^ „rSiR— .1 have much pleasure in referring you to the subjoined statement, for the interesting and impor- tant information it contains, which i doubt not) in a great part may be relied on. The informant adds, that about 400 prisoners had been landed from the prize frigate, and that but few had been saved from the brig. The wind bting now from the S. W, makes it probable that the particulars of this action from the commodore, will not come to hand for some With much respect, I" have the honour to be, fiec. RICH'D S. HACKLEY.,4 ffon* James Monroe^ secretary (if state, - 'A letter of which the following is a cepy^ aa* Bounced the arrival of the American squadron at Qibraitar, after a passage of ^S^davs. #opy of a letter from Commodore Decatur to the^ riecretary of the navyj (received vin JCfgrfolkVi Miat«d> '^' "^1 <»' vl I m. Hi; m H i ■'^% '•%• *i t'mi ais Avnimit^j^ ' ' i;^f/frf 5/flrft' §Mft Guerrifre, Off Gibraltar, June \5,\B\ 5., Sir— I haye the honour to inform you of our mp« rival off this place on the 1 5th, after a pasnage of 95 days, having previously communicated with Cadiz and Tangieri. The Spitfire, Torch, and Firefly, separated from the squadron during a gale of wind on the 86th ult. and the Ontario on the 3ist. I am happy to find they have, with the exception of the Firefly, all arrived ; the latter vessel 1 fear may have lost her spars, and have returned to the United States. From all tiiie information I can collect, I feel i assured, that the Algerines have ret**rned into the Mediterranean. The vessels that had separated from us, are now joining, and 1 shall proceed in seaixh of l|.- the enemy forthwith. 1 have the honour to be, respectfully. See. ■^ STEPHEN DECATUR-^ The commodore lost no time in the proseou* lion of his olycet ; soareely arrived in the medi- terranean, he eommenced to pay trilmte to %h% barbarians, as will be boHt explained by his letter to the secretary of war^ of wliicU the foUdwing it a copy: ^^^ Extract qfa tetter frtnn Commodore Stephen Deca* /wr, to the secretary qf the navy^ ( received viti , ^ JHorfolk,) dated^ ^.mk >,m United States* ship Guerriere|^>^i '« « OfTCarthagena, June 19, 1815. « I have the honour to inform you, that on the 1 7tli^ ilnst. off Cape de Gatt, the squadron fell in with and eaptured an Aljserine frigate of 46 guns, and between ^ 4 and 500 men, commanded by Rais Hammida, who bore the title of admiral ; she struck her flag after a running fight of 35 minutes. M The admiral was liiiled at the eommencement of the action. After the Querriere (who from her fa- vourable position was enabled to bring the enemy to close action) had fired two broadsides^ the en«my> ^^, t.'M,. ■ Sr ^ APPBNDIX^it4 $i^ errifrff S 1815.. of our ar* age of 95 kh Cadiz Q FircfljT, B of wind ception of fear may le United lect, I feel into the 'ated from search of \TUR. ■ proseeu- he Medi. € to ih^ his letter following :eived via n^ ■'■ &v erriere,. ,4? , 1815. 'f fitbe irtli with and 1 between nida, who flag after sement of n her fa- enemy to 16 6neiDy> with the exception of a few musketeers, ran below. The Guerriere had four men wuunded by mutket ahot which la the only injury dune by the enemy in this affuir. <' We have 406 prisoners, including the wounded* The prisoners state that about thirty were killed and thrown overboard. <* Their squadron is said to be cruising in our vi-. cinity : five days ago they w* re off thi^i place ; unlest I obtain some further intelligence of them by tomor«> row, 1 sUdU procted to the port of Algiers, in tho hopes to intercept their return. For the present* I have determined to send the prize Into Carthagena.'* On the 20tli June, Hie Commodore cemmuni* oated a second victory, in a letter, in the follow-^ ing words: ^ Copy of a letter from Commodore Decatur to thft Secretary of the P9 a vy, dat(d United States* shift Querriere, ojf Cafie Palos^June 20, \^\5. I Sir— I have the honour to inform you that on the 19th inst off cape Palos, the squadron under m/ com*, mand ci^ptured an Algerine Brig of twenty«two guns, and one hundred and eighty men. After a chase of three hours, she ran into shoal water, where I did not think it advisable to follow with our large ships^' but despatched the Epervier, Spark, Torch, amd Spit* fire to whom she surrendered, after a short resis* tance. Twenty-three men were found dead on board*^ We received Irora her eighty priaouers, the residuill «f her crew having left her in boats. Many of them must have been kilted by the fire of our vessels, and one of thQ boats was sunk. None of our vessels sua* tained any damage, nor waa there a man killed 01^ wounded. This brig is larger than the Epervier— ^ was built in Algiers, five years ago, by a Soanislr c^sti'uctor, the fame who built the frigate captured^ on the 17th inst. and is perfectly sounds C'l have the honour to be, very respectfully, lee. BTEPUEN ^ECATUi^ ■.^1 f < U:> »Flt I ii ."■^.^i^ m ■•■*.'» ' Commodopp Bainbridge arrived atCarlliagena early in August, Tviih the second American squad- ron, whence he proceeded to Algiers, Tripoli^ and Tunis, in order to make a dis[)lay of his force, the respectable appearance of which couid Hot fail to make a deep, useful, and it may be hoped a lasting impression. Having performed this service, the. Commodore sailed to Malaga, and thence to Gibraltar, where he stopped some time, and reciprocated compliments with the British Comniander in Chief, thence the squad* ton sailed for th# United States, and arrived at Newport, the 15th November. Commodore Bainbridge was joined while at I Malaga by all Commodore Decatur's squadron •except his own ship. It was as gratifying to tlie American as it was probably mortifying to Abe ^ Englishman^ t^ see such a fleet, in a British port, and that so soon after the termination of a war which was to have annihilated the << Lillipu- tian navy." • i ^ On the arrival of the fleet at Gibraltar, an understanding was had between Comtnodore Bainbridge and the British commander, that a fialute of fifteen guns would be fired froih the ^ squadron, and alike number returned from the fort. By mistake seventeen guns were fired ft'om the Independence, the commodore immedl- Mely despat^lied an ofiicer to acquaint the com- mander of the mistake ; but before the oflleeif reached the commander^ orders were given to fire two nioreg;uns, in addition to the fifteen al- ready fired. Tnis circumstance is material only, as far as it goes to prove the distinguished re- ^ spect shown to the American flag ; a respect for. f the proud fruit of deteriuiaed valour andeojk;. iwnumate {'ludence. # . w .# .'.i>^j -^ '1** «#% # '«f-' APPRKDIX* 321 The situation in vihivh the American ehairae- ter was about to be plaeed«. was truly envious.-^ A few months after causing the greatest naval power in Europe to liaul down its proud flag* the Amerieans were destined, by aid of the sbip» •aptured from England, to speak thunder to those piratieal monarchs of Afriea^ to whom I hat yery England was in the habit of paying tribute* II remained for Ameriea» infant America, the Dountry of Washington and Franklin, to break up a system which was if possible,, more dis* graceful to the civilized nations who submittefl to it, than to the barbarous states who imposf^d it. But America, by the use she made of vicloryt has gained for herself an honour, and been rais- ed to a pinnacle of glory, to which no victory»^ however splendid, could have raised her. The favourite maxim of the nation was and is ** miU lions for defence^ hut not a cent for tribute.**-^ True to thm policy, she made it a sine qua non of peace, and this being concluded, the humbled enemy, was permitted to take back those ships> which was to remain forever innocent, as res* peeted the great western nation. Which of the^^ haughty masters of enslaved Europe has eveir given such proof of magnanimity or of modera* tion in the midint of victory so complete? ,? ,^4t»i^ Commodore Decatur arrived before Algiersf on the 29tli June, and hoisted a flag of truce on board the Guerriere, with the Swedish flag at the main. A boat came off with Mr. Norderlingf eonsol of Sweden, and the Captain of the port, to whom the capture of the frigate and hrUg was communicated, and to whom Commodore Deca- tur and William Thaler, Esq. uciing as commis- sioners to niigoti ate a peace, deli%'ered a lettcp for the Dey^ from the President of the United <♦) -m ■ IN I >> ;> ill m f '^' % ^r iStt m VMS m ■^M:. '■■* ' ■ »),•>»■■'■ '."i ■ :4'^'J #' * 32!2 AFPEWDTl# ^■ States ; and aUo a note from thertiselvesy of \ii'lii()li thefollowjn|^ is a eopy : r *r» 3FAe Americans Commisaionera to the Dey of Algiers, The undersigned have the honour to inform his highness the of dey Algiers, that thpy have been ap- fiointed by the President of the United States of A- merica, commissioners plenipotentiary, to treat o peace with his hifhnes^, and that pursuant to theif instructions, they are ready to open u negociation for the restoration of p/»ace and harmony between the two countries, otr terms just and honourable to both parties ; and they feel it incumbent on them to state explicity to his highness, that they are instructed to tjreat upon no other principle, than that of perfect equality, and on the terms of the most favoured OAf tions: no stipulation for puying any tribute |to Al- giers, under any form whatever, will be agreed to. Yhe undersigned have the hotiour to transmit here- with, a letter frotn the PresidetU of the U. States,^ and the> avail themselves of this occasion to assure his highness of their high conQideration and profound respect. '^ "*' The Captain of the port then requeBt(^ fhial hostilities should eeaie preceding the negoiiflitiony and that persons migtit be sent ashore to treat. Both propositions were rejected, the Americari cotnmissioners deehiring that the negotiationl^ musf he earried On, on hoard the fleet, and that hostilities as fe*e8p'MUed vessels, should not eedse. On the following da}', the Swedish consul and the captain of the poH eaine on hoard with full powers to negotiate. The Anierican coipmis- Bloners produced the ntedel of a ti^eaty >^hich they declared would noH be departed froth in sub- stance. Every attempt on the pa(rt of Algiers, to obtain a modifioation of ft proved fruitless, evettihe restoration of the captured vessels was positively refused. Upoh consideration, ho w- ■•it■ '-■k. tof ■<^' ;<-.. * ^^ ^ APPBlroiX. itl^ ■l^.' ever* the Ai lerioan commissioners resolved to restore the captured vessels as a /Ifit?or, and not % as mutter ot'ticatv, gi^iug 0!»ed terms, the reply was, <* not a minute ; if your squadron appears in sight be- fore the treaty ia actuahy signed by the dey, and the prisoners sent off, ours wouhl capture them !'' It i%as finally agreed that hostilities should cease ^hen the Algerine boat sUouid be perceived coming off with a white flag hoisted, the Swed- ish co^'sul plidginghis word of honour not to hoist it unless the treaty was signed, and the prisoners in the boat. The Swedish eonsul and ■" Aigerine captain returned on shore, and although the distance was full five niiles, they came bai^k within three hours with the treaty signed, and having with them the prisoners who were to bo rete-ised from captivity by the terms of the treaty. By the terms of thiai treaty, the dey has agreed : I'hat »• no tribute, either as biennial presents, or under asiy form or name whatever, shall ever be required by the dey and regency of Algiers, from the United States of \meriea." I'hatthedey shall deliver up to the Ameri-. can squadron •* all the Americaii citizens no\^ in their possessiont amounting to ten, more or less/' ,..., *< A, lust and fttll eomiiensation shall be made- hy the dey of Algiers to sueh citizens of tho United States as have bet^n captured and detain- ed hy Algerine eruizers, or who have byen fowed to abandonJheir projierty in Algiers, in «iiiiiitiou of the _,twenty- second article of tht. ' ,* •^•• iL * m 1 w f»i «««^ ri i|.4 Im *.¥ m "^^-^ *i|r; a 4^ Ai^iirlif X. iJ^ * # ^^ Ireafy of jwliWi and amity, e^^etudiNf ibetw«sili » the linited Stales and the dey of Algivrst, on the 5rtv if ftiuiid on board the vessel of any power with whieh either may lie herf*after at War, shall be detained or eonlis«ated ; and^ on no pftit^i ee, sball-jmy eitiasen of the IJnited States, be )i^i]c|^fter kept in a oiate of slavery bj thedey.'* "^ ? •' •• Vessels of either of the eontraeting partieSf putting into the ports of the other, and^iaviiig need of provisions or other supplies, sl^ll bo fiirnished at the mar|L^| priee-^-and if iiily sueh Vessel should so put til from a distanee at sea> and have Occasion to repair, lie ^lull beat li<« be r ty to land, ^|fid re-embark her cargo, with* o^tt paying any Customs or duties whalevtr^ but in no case fthtiU she be eompelied to land her cai*go.'* ■■ iifs«if$ri#^^'^|i'' *• That sliould a yes^ein^ either of the eon* tracting partie%|>e east o>6 siitire within the tei^ ritories^ the oilier, aH |fro(ier assftistRnce^nld be g^n to the erew-^ntf piliage shall be &ttow^ fd.** \ I ■'".'.*,■ ' ■ i^ ■ 'f ••The con»ul of the United States of Atoiei ricH,|shall not be resfionsible far the debts con^ ti^aetld by eitizeat ^ Ms ayifu nation, uidtm ii^.) ^'f p 'M' ^ ■ ■m APPENDIX. a.. i tietw€«ll ;r», on the onlracting te,y ©f Ai- ivvith iDto e»iiiiog at les ot'fsoi- the Lniled Igiers* and V said Qua* tillarit..'' r pai*ly« op Vfssi*! of lierf*at'ler itvd ; and* rite L^iiiifd slavery bj ng partiaSf mtHiaviiig fthail Ijo aiiy 8ii«li ie at sea> be at lt« I'gOf with- ilevM** bill land her Tli-^-if. ^^ , the eon* in the tep» nee $Notild be nfloxr- U s .t .V - of A me*' ebfs eiio* fUp ttUilefifll -■*:" ^ # 3id> *># ]po previously gives wi'itteu oliligalions so to ' " That if any christian slave should make their escaue, unci go on hoard any ship of war of the United States that may he before the city of Algiers, Ihey shall not he required back agairif nor shall any payment he required for the said christians." ^ * *• That as the government of the United States of America has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion^ or tranquility of any nation, and as the said States have never entered into any voluntary war or act of hostili- ty* except in defence of their just rights on the high seas, it is declared by the contracting par- ties, that no pretext arising from religious opi- nions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two nations ; and the consuls and agents of both nations shall have liberty to celebrate the rites of their respective religions in their own houses." ** The consuls respectively shall have liberty and personal security given them to travel with- in the territories of each other, boi h by land and * sea, and shall not be prevented from going on board any vessels they may think proper to visit r they shall likewise have the liberty to appoint ■>. their own drogoman and broker*" « In case of any dispute arising from the vio- lation of any of the articles of this treaty, no ap- peal sliall be made to arras, nor shall war be de- clared on any pretext whatever ; but if the con- sul residing at the place where the dispute shall happen, shall not be able to settle the same, Ihe ]g«vernment of that country shall state their grievance in writing, and transmit the same to ihe government of the other, and the ^riod of J^ ;v:.>. t: I' m ,.«! c o w ;<^- tm 1 m m m W' ^^ 1 n l^. fe; bV^'^'>bR m P ll ^^f^^ ^VwsV^ *^^^ 1 ^M "§■ I # ^•#' n # AFFEKDil. three months sbali lie allowed for answers io bis returned, during which time no hostility shall hm permitted by «ither party; and in ease the grievances are not redressed, and a war should ]bi9 the event, the consuls and citizens and Bub- jects of b^th parties respectively, ihidl be peN mitted to einbark with their effects unmolested, on board of what vessel or vessels they shall think proper, reasonable time being allowed for ]j| that purpose ?> "■*-«iJi -I **t <« if in the course or events, a war shoufld break out betwi^en the two nations, the prisoners captured by either party sliali not b^ made slaves, they shall not be forces) to hard labotir» OF other confinement than such as may be ne- cessary to secure their safe keeping, and shall be exchanged rank for rank ; and it is agreed that prisoners shalj, 4^be exchanged in twelve moniiis after their capture, and the exchange may be effected by any private individual, legally authorised by tather of the parties.*' >^ <* If any of the ISarbary states or other powers at war with the United States, shall capture ^eny American vessel, and send her into any port of the regency of Algiers, they shall not be per- mitted to sell her, but shall be forced to depart 4heport, on procuring the requisite supplies of provisions^; but the vessels of war of the United States, with jiny prices they may capture from their enemies shall have liberty to frequent the ports of Algiers, for refreshments of any kind, and to such pi'izes^ iil the said ports, without ( any other customs or duties, than such as are eui^omary on ordinary commercial importa- «* If any of the citizens of the United States, or any person ui. ^^r their protection^ sbail have '*= ^^ m mx» s^ m- -any flisputes with each other, the oonsul shall decide t>etween the parties ; and whenever the consul shall require any aid or assistance from the government of Algiers, to enforec his deei- sioiis, it shall be immediately granted to Jiim ^ And iTany disputes shall arise between any ehi- zens of the United Spates and the eitizens or sulyects of any other nation having a oonsul ov agent in Algiers, such disputes shall be settled by the consuls or agents of the respective nation; and any disputes or suits at law, that may take [^lace between any citizens of the United States and the subjects of the regency of Algiers, shall l»c decided by the Dey in person, and no other.'^ «' If a citizen of the United States s!:ould kill, e respon- sible lor him in any manner whatever.'* **The consul of the United States of A me- f^- I'iea shall not be required to pay any customs oc ilutics whatever on any thing faeimports from a foreign country for the use ^f his house and lamity." "Siiould any of the citizen of .'.e United States of America die with ill the limits of the regency of Algiers, the Dey and his subjects shall not interfere with the properly of the dcseased^ (, but shall be under the immediate direction of .^ the eoiiauli unless otherwise disposed of by w ill.'* Nl I Ml] 1^' m t"" m "*;. ^sSSS APPEKDIX. The bistorian lias an unpleasant fask, in be- ing compelled to close the detail of suoli glorious •xploitSy by recounting a nnsfortuno wbicby ^vhile it takes nothing from the lustre of our arm?^ sinks grief deep into the heart of (he citizen. -r The United States armed in defence of their % national rights, and the liberty of the citizen. ]«Vom the deck of his floating battery, Decatur demanded the release of his fellow citizens held in bondage: the African tyrant trembled, the ^. citizen's chains fell from his limbs, and he was freed-*-but, alas ! the exultation was momentary. The United States' brig of war Epervier was despatched to the United States to announce the glad tidings, but she did not reach her destina- tion. She sailed on the 10th July, was seen on the Sth August in lat. 59, 4, N. long. 61, 18, W. imder double, reefed topsails ; the next day there ^^^ vhsa very licavy, blow, and she probably foun-* dered duHng the gale; If not then, she must ' ba^'c been lost by soihe subsequent mishap, as from the length of time since she was seen, no hope remains of her safety; and not one Mir- vived to tell the mournful event. On board her were Lt. Com. Shubrick; Lieut. Barnwell ; liieut. Pruvy ; sailing master Wright; midshipmen % Coulter, and Hunter, and several others. Pas- sengers, Capt. Lewis ; Lieuts. Neal and Yarnell. The Amcricai^ released at Algiers were also on board, ^ # THE £KD. i'-- >'^x %:, •34- #• m Ik- .•»*'£iii' '4**** •**■ ^ > •.If; Accomack ( Va.) Tniliday bravery of, 234. Act declaring war, 19 ; vote of Congress, 17. Adams frigate, destruction of the, 349. Adams and Caledoaia, (brigs) retaken from the ene* mj, 58i Alert, British sloop of war, taken bj the Essex, 46. Alexandria, plund{^r of, 231 ; bold attempt by com « modore RoUgers, captains Perry and Porler, to ; prevent the return of the enemy, i^. ■ Algeriue declaration of war, SOS. Algcrines, proceedings against) by the United States^ see Appendix. '- Allen, captain, bravery 0^343. Appendix, 31 3i ,;. 4«v . Argus, U. S. brig, capture of^the, l^S* Armistice on the northern frontier) 41 ; termination of, 43. Army, state of the, 2 1 . Arrest of a supposed Spy, 31. ^^ Asp, U* S. schooner, brave defence of the, 177. Baltimore) approach to, and attack- on, 332. Barbarity of the enemy, 102, 1 84. Barney, commodore, encounters of, with the enemy, 323, 236 ; destruction, of his flotilla, 228. Barratarians, capture and dispersion of the, 293. Beaver Dams, engagement at^ (01 •. Belfast entered by the enemy, 250. Black Rock visited by the enemy, 104^ Blue Li«:hts, 193. ^^ Boxir, British brig, taken by the Enterprize, 149.' Burrows and Blythe, captainS) funeral honours tO) 152.' Bridgewater, battle of, 25d^ Belview, Fort ; see Fort Belview. Boyi) General) succeeds General Dearborn, lOTl' % ■^> ■ffe it i>^ \\ i mf''' h' "m •-% 339 150EX. % * .U British subjects, order respecting, 26. Brownstown, buttle at> 40. 4 i, Castine taken by the enemyi 249. >{ Ceilcr-point, landing of the enemy at, 225. Chanipiain, arrival of »rand British army at, 267 ; arrival of before Plattsburgh, 268 ; engagement ivitU the American army, 271 ; retreat of the ene« my, 273. Champluin lake, engagement on« 269. ,> Chi'adler and Winder, generals, capture of, 96. "'* Chapin, captain, escape of, 103 ; skiri.as' with the enemy, 108 : expedition of, against the enemy, 109 ; affair near fort George 156. Chaptico, affair at, 337 » «; Chateaguay, battle at, 1 57. Chauncey, commodore, cruises ^nd transaciions of, on lake Ontario, 71, 83. 110 to. 115. Chesapeake frigate, .restoration of the seamen of, by the enemy, 26: arrival of, from a cruise, 79; cap- ture of 90 ; extract from a French paper respect- ingf 94 ; treatment of the crew, 91. Chesapeake bay, transactions in the, 182. vTi Chicago, attack on, and massacre at, 66. Chippewa, skirmishing near, 251 ; battle at, 35^. '~ Citizens of the U. States ordered to quit Canada, 45. Commissioners to negotiate a peace, appointment of^ SOO ; by the British government, 301. Congress, proceedings of, 16, 194^. Congress, frigate, arrival of the, from a cruise, 193. Constitution, frigate, 28; engagement of, with the Java, 72. Cranberry creek, affair at, 108. Croghan, major George, defence of Lower Sandusky by, 129. Cumberland Island, landing of the enemy at, 394^ Cuyler, major, death* of^ 59. Cyane and Levant, British sloops, capture of the, 39 fr. Biirt, British arme4 sioopi capture pi the, 191. ^arlKOor prisonj massacre at, 302. m iNDBX. 531 DcarboiTi, general, retires from the army, lOr. Dearborn f foi'ti massacre at, see Chicago. Decatur, commodore, fleet u>idcr command of, sails from New- York, 185 ; chased into ]ye\7-London, 1P6. Declaration of war by the Six Nations of Indians, 106. Detention of prisoners of war, by the enemy, under pretext that they were Bfitish subjects, reprisals .. -210,211; proceedings oi CongrcKs thereon, 213^ Detroit surrender of, 38. Dominico, British hchoouer, capture of the, by the U. S. schooner Decatur, 14r. Duel, 56. Eagle, British tender, capture of the, 190. East port, taken by the enemy, 244. Eldridge, lieutenant, and several of his men killed by the Indians, 105. Epervier, British brig, taken by the U. S. sloop of *- war Pcacocl^, 373 : lossof the, 328. Erie. British fort, taken by the Americans, 86, 2i?0f attempt of the enemy to storm, 258 ; batteries of ^r the enemy storme^l, by order of general Brown^ 261 ; evacuated, 267. Etjsex frigate, cruise of the, 46, 267. Extracts from public prints, 20, 25. Federal Gazette, destruction of the office of the, at Baliimore, 25 Flotilla, for the protection of the Chesapeake bay, SSS^- Fort Bel view, despemte attack on, 67. Fort Boyer, attack of, 281, 296. Fort Erie, see Erie. Fort George, taken by the Americans, 84, 85 ; at- tack on pickets at, 106, 10$^. Fort Schlosser, entered by the enemy, 109. Fort Philip, defence ofv 288 . Fort WarburtoM, evacuation and destruction of,, ^^\_ Forty -mile-creek, transactiohs^t, 99. Foster^ Mr. (Briush Minii^r) departure of, 27„; *^ (Ml Vt #. '^■■ ^;-- W hf^t' '^■ •f 332 ^ **-* tifpix. ^ Franklin) boatt braTC defence of, ^39. Frederick fend Gror^t town, (Md ) burned, 170: Frcncli-fnUli*, nfTair at, 59. Frenchvown (Ka'uin) mur^sacre of priHoneri at, 69. ' Frenchtown (Klk rivtr) burnt- d, lti9. Frolic, Briiish aloop, taken by the frk^p, 61 ^, both sloops tuk^n by thr Fuicticrs, 62. Frolic, U. S. sloop, taken by the enemy, V74. Gaines, general, assumes the command at Eriei 259. Gardner's Island, ffTuir at, 188. Gennesee river, cap ures on, 61. Georgc^s Island, landing of the enemy thereon, ISS* Georgia legislature, proceedings of, 197. Georgetown burped b> the enemy, 170. — Ghent, negociations at, 301. Growler and Eagle, U. S. sloops taken by the enemy' on Lake Cham plain, 133. Growler and Julit, U. S. vessels, captured by tlie enemy on Lake Ontario, 112. Guerriere, British frigate, capture of the, 43. Gun-l>oat No. 131, taken by the enemy, 180. Gun-boats near New-Orleans, taken by the enemy^ 282. Gun-boats, attacks by, on the enemy near Sandy* Hook and New -London, 241. Hamilton and Scourge, U. S. schooners, foundered* on Lake Ontario, 111. JHampton, barbarous proceedings of the enemy at, 175- Hardy, British commodore, blockades the coast oF New-England, 240. Harrison, fTm. Henry, appointed to the command of> the North fTesteru army, 66 ; takes Fort Maiden, 123; pursues the enemy, 134; overtakes and de« feats him at the Moravian towus, 135 ; discharges the militia, 129; arrives with his army at Black* rock, 139. Harrisonfort^ attacker, 67. Havre-de-pf race, transactions of tht enemy at, W#* Historical ireirospect} 7. IffDtBX^ sss Hornet, U. S. sloop, blockades the Bonno Citoynne in the harbour of >t. Salvador, TS ; engages and captures the British brig of wur Peacock, id. ; challenges captain Greene of the Bonne Cituy- cnne, 79. Hull, general, appointed to command the North Western army, 33; seiz.ure of his baggage and hospital stores, 34 ; invades Canada, ib ; hi^ pi oc- • lamation,26; transactions in Canada, S7 ; evacua- tion of Canada) id ; effect on the public mind, 65 ;, his trial, 215. Imprisonment of American citizens taken under arms, on the plea of their being British subjects, 312; retaliation, ed ; report on the subject made to Congress, by the secretary of state, 3 1 3. Indians, North-Western, exi^edition against the, 67;||^, sue for peace, 1 34 ; inquiry by Congress respect* lug, 194; Southern, hostility of the, 195; engage* nients with, 195, 196, 190, 199, 2O0, 30] ; peac« « with, 211. Intercourse, criminal, with the enemy^ l&l. Izard, general, march of, from Pittsburgh to Newf York, 566. Jackson, general^ commands the forrei* sent against the Southern Indians, 198. Kent Island, in the Chesapeake, taken possession o^- by the enemy, 182. La Cole, engagement at, 2 1 8. Lawrence, captain, blockades the Bonne Ciloyertne, 75 ; captures the brig of war Peacock, id ; death of, 9 1 ; honours to his memory, 93, 94. Lewis, commodore, drives the enemy from Long- fsland Sound, 189 ; engages the enemy, 241 . L^wistown. requisition on, J 68; bombardment of^ ' 69. Little York, in Canada, taken by the Americans, 83. Long point, r:xpedirion to, 223. Lower Marlborough^ burning of«properly at, 226. ^ ^ M'Ciure, address of, to the patriots of the western district, 155; operations of, 155> 157^ 158 j justi- fies his conduct) 164. y«' # m t'i 1*1 n r¥.lt: mi M l."3S*7'M ss# IICDEX. M-W^' M'Keony captain, brare conduct of, 1 65. M*Donough, commodore, defeats the tntmf ow Lake;i}liainplain, 269. Mucedohlaii, BriiUh frigate, capture of, 63. Maguago, battle (^> 41.^ Mttssasquei bay, al'Mr at, 146. Meigs, ibrt, attack oiV 80. j| Mi«hilimackinttc, taken by the enemy, QB ; expedl^- tion against, 263 ; barbarous conduct of the ene* my to prisoners, 265. Minis, fort, massacre of the garrison of, 196. Mix, Air. attemplof,te destroy the Plantagenet bj^ a torpedo, 178. Mobile, taken by general ^Ikinson, 295. Moravian towns, battle at 'the, 125. ^^P^ount Desart, aflTair at, 243. iNTauiilus, U. S schooner, taken by the enemy, 21^ ' Navy. Ust of; 21, 306. # Ncgnoca, seizure ofi 184. New-Orleans, approach of the enemy to^ and battli^ near, 283. New-York, meeting iiv the park of, 347; voluntary wolPk on the fortification of, 248. Niagara, fort, Gannonade of^ 54 ; frontier ravaged by * the enemy, 159; defence of by captain M*Keon, 165>;liiken by the enemy, 159. Norfolk, attack of, 170; affair near, 185. North Carolina, invasion of 178. 0"B<)yle, James, -offers a reward for the head or ea^ of Admiral Cockburn, 176. Odeltown, en«;agementat, 218. O^densburg, bombardment of, 60. 0*Neil, conduct of at Huvre-de-Grace, 170. Oswego, fort attack of, 2 1 9. Otter-creek, defence of, 223. Owl-head-narrows, alFair at, 186. Fagan creek, the enemy repulsed at, 176. Paris taken. 216; effect on the war, 21 6,- 239. Penny. Joshua, taken by the enemy, 189. Pensacoja entered by the American army, 29§. • w^:^ m Icnemf oi^ 8 ; cxpedl^- ff the ene- 16. ktagenet by and battl]^ ; Teluntaiy raragcd by in M*Keon, ead or tsH 0. 39. \9^ IlfllPX. A' S55 Perry, commodore, defeats and captures the enemj^;^ .^ on Lake Erie, 117; statement oi the fof ce of th United 'i ates and Macedonian, frigates, and Hornet, sail from New-York, 186; chased into New-Lon- don, ib. Van Rensselaer enters Canada, 46; takes a redoubt 4%on the heights of Qut^enston, 48 ; defeat and sur* re 'er of the American army, 50 ; treatment of prisoners, 51 ; resignation of the general, ib i re- port '"colonel Mullat y, note, 49. Vermont, governor of, calls home the militia from the service of the United States, 192. Viper, United Slates* brig, taken by the enemy, tS, Vixen, U. S brig, taken by the enemy, 95. War declared by proclamalion, 19 AVarreri, admiral, arrival of, iit H.dif »x, 1 67 ; off N. York, ib ; bUckadcs the Chesapeake'bay, and Dela-. ware, ) 68 ; blockades Long-Ii*land sound, 193. Washington city, approach to, and capture of, by the: ♦^nemy, 227, to 231. ; W^ethcrford, speech of, 81 1. Wilkinson ganeral, proceeds toward Montreal, 135; abandons the design, and goes into winter quar- ters, 144. Williams, Mrs bravery of, 135. Wiiliamsburgh, battle of, 14 1 , 1 45. Winchester, general, defeat of, at Frenchtown, 61. tniissacre of his men^ 69, 8. >D, 1S2. cmy, 299» y, 251 5 triil and Hornet, ito New-Lon- es a redoubt feat and sur- treatment of eral, ib ; re- militia from enemy, 75. 167; off N. ay, and Dtla-. nd, 192. ire of, by the : intrea], 135; winter quar- htowHf 6*. « . i'" _i«lf;' :<» •^'' .♦ *ii*'' «^ i?!*^' f^