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Department of fVew, 22d Mai/, 1815. iS7fl.„.Enclo8ed you wi!! receive the National Intelligencer, containing a statement of the organization of the military peace establishment cf the United States, which you will be pleased to consider as coming authen* tically from this Department, and act accordingly. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, A. J. DALLAS. Brigadier Gen. Boyd, Nem York. The Hon. Wm. H. Crawford, Secreta/nj of War, In presenting myself once more to the attention of the National Government, I am aware of assuming both a deli, cate and unpleasant office. It would have been far more grateful to have owed the exhibition of my claims to the justice and candor of my seniors if* command. But their indifference and neglect have deprived me of so eligible a mode, and imposed on me a necessity as painful to myself as it will no doubt be irksome to the Government. A sense of imperious duty left me no alternative ; the vindication of my military character was too dear to me to be neglected ; and if the trouble I impose cannot be justified by the claim* I exhibit, the soldier's love of fame will at least furnish an excuse for my weakness. This task, so unpleasant at all times, is rendered doubly so by the lateness of the applica- tion. But it is humbly conceived the merits of a claim can- not be effected by a delay, the result of other's omissions ; more especially when the delay itself augments the misfor- tune, and leaves in an act of recompense, but a small part of its advantages. Under the conviction of the truth of this sentiment, the attention of the Government is respectfully solicited to some of the facts attending the capture of Fort George, to the separate command of that post by the undersigned, together with a few reflections on the battle at Chrystler's Field. This measure has been adopted from a belief that the facts connected with the first of those events, have never been disclosed to your department by the General in command, and from an intimation received on one occasion, that such a disclosure would have been followed by the object of this A.B7 2d May, 1815. encer, containing Ablishment cf the B coining authen« lent servant, J. DALLAS. y of War. tention of the ig both a deli, leen far more claims to the d. But their so eligible a \ nful to myself 2nt. A sense le vindication be neglected ; by the claimt Eist furnish an leasant at all f the applica. fa claim can- 's omissions ; :s the misfor- b a small part sntiment, the icited to some )orge, to the ned, together ; stler's Field, that the facts I e never been | in command, | on, that such | object of this J 8 communication : that, perhaps, the President would have thought proper to have conferred on the undersigned a bre- vet as a compliment to his zeal and efforts on that occasion. It is the design of the undersigned to supply such omissions by documents which can neither be controverted nor sus- pected. When the merits of that transaction are fully dis- closed itt the Government, he will be satisfied ; his confi- dence in their justice precludes a doubt that, if any individ- ual merit was exhibited, it will still be noticed, notwith- standing the lapse of time $ and it is to his country he re- fers a question so dear to him, to whose judgment, and not to his own, he yields implicit confidence. In performing the duty he has assumed, he begs leave to state in a concise manner, the principal events of that day, though many of them are already known to the Govern- ment. On the evening of the S6th of May, the enclosed order (A. 8.) was promulgated to the troops. In obedience to its commands, before day light on the morning of the S7th, the troops were embarked, and pi*oceeding to the en- emy's shore. The advance, consisting of about five hun- dred light troops, under the command of Col. Scott, was followed at a short interval by Boyd's brigade, 1300 strong ; Winder's and Chandler's brigades successively followed, at intervals of perhaps a mile. It was day light before they approached the point of landing, at which the enemy were posted on the bank, consisting of two thousand reg- ulars, beside militia and Indians, formed in order of battle, and covered by a one -gun battery. Four armed schooners were ordered to cover our landing, one of which was brought to bear on the battery of the enemy. The advance, under Lieut. Col. Scott, were the first to strike the shore, and instantly attempted the bank, but without success. After the interval of a moment, Boyd's brigade landed, and the bank was carried by the united troops, the whole being under his command, as senior oflicer on shore. The con- test was animated, and destructive for about fifteen minutes, when the enemy broke and fled to the town, before any part of Winder's brigade had arrived. They were pursued five miles by the troops who fought them, and by them only, when the pursuit was discontinued by the positive orders Qf the commanding Major-General. 176014 A 4i In this action, the undersigned was principal commander; his brigade and Scott's light troops alone fought and beat the enemy: (A. 3. B.) the remainder of the army did not reach the shwe till the action was decided; the Major-General was still later in arriving. From these lacts It appears, that the merits or demerits of the battle on shore, are to be referred to the undersigned as commander in chief. (A. 4.) In estimating these, he begs leave to in- quire, m what consists the merit of an action ? Is it in gain- ing a victory? The rout of the enemy was complete. Is it m gaming it with inferior numbers? The numbers of the enemy were one-fourth greater than ours. (A. 8.) Is it in gaming it with raw troops against veterans? That the American. troops were little more than recruits, and untried in the field of battle, is too well known to require proof; of the character of British regulars it is also unnecessary to speak. It more be wanted to give merit to an acUon, than beating superior numbers of disciplined troops with untried recruits, let it consist in the comparative advantages of no- sition, in the bravery of the contest, and in the comparative loss sustained. * The position of the enemy was on the top of the bank, fronting the Lake, and presenting a front of several hun- tired yards. Our position was in approaching them in broad day, under a fire that shivered our crowded boats and covered the Lake around us with foam. It was in the tace of such an enemy, that we struck the shore, and form- ed m order of battle; it was under their fire, supported by their batteries, that we ascended the steep bank of twenty. Jeet elevation, up which our cannon were to be dragged, ueiore they could support us. And it was not till all this was accomplished, that the advantages of our position could be compared with those of the enemy. r ^'^u**u^ ^**^*^ bravely fought by the enemy? They imed the bank to receive us on our approach; their fire was rapid and incessant till we sti-uck the shore and mount- ed the bank: m the few moments of interval between the andmg of Scott's light troops and my brigade, thrice was that ga lant officer forced down the bank. But this opno- sition did mt cease with our landing; for fifteen minutet the two lines in front, at a distance of from six to ten yards, exchar charge the tov the firs engage is no j equalle In c the wai the daji is belie^ Beside would c I'ior nuir not shrii couragiu ritory, a been efi Forts G( mortars, plies, wt trophies If the tions, it j has been honour c the dispa pear that than by t light troo and beat Commani born sane by the li| Winder's I engaged, i (letter, dati iScott's am Winder's same langi n action s \ 1 commander; ight and beat the army did lecided ; the From these ' the battle on s commander 8 leave to in- I» it in gain- luplete. Is it mbers of the 8.) Ib it in 1? That the \f and untded quire proof; inecessary to action, than with untried stages of po- comparative >f the bank, several hun- ing them in wded boats, It was in the e, and form- upported by k of twenty, be dragged, till all this )ur position my? They 1 ; their ftre and mount, ►etween the , thrice was t this oppo- ien minutes ten yards, S exchanged a destructive and rapid fire, till the determined charge of our troops broke their lines and forceclSfnta the town We buried 107 of the enemy onTetank The " the first stand was made; 105 prisoners were taken Tth^ engagement ; 175 wounded felf iuto our Lnl'^'whl^ IS no less true than astonishing, that our loss scairelx equalled a quarter part of that number. ^ the w«?'?n;'"?„**'''/'^r '^'"*^ «*»»«^« «^Weved during the r^pl n""^" T* '"*^7 ^y **^" «^«*^^1«« surmounted! s beS S?^' T ?'*" ^'^'''y •^^^"^^d; neither, i IS belie>ed, will it m the importance of the co?iseouehrP °"™ "»'•«•• circumstances oti\U- ueen ettetted by any other single army diuine the war m^rtl^^T •"' ^"'' '"'^'y five pieces ot «nno„,^mi li„n^ «Ti!"*M '""P* "'"''''""' ""y <=>*<>" for their exer- LT^en ie? ^ ^'"1^ *,'""', """=*' "» ^•«^'' ""^^ ' hon..„r ?/i?? k"^- . ^"' » '"*™t was oonfen-ed in honour of distinguished individual merit. Neither from I E l,v ifc , ? r°' *""'"»>»> by these UoJps any more han by the res of the army. The notorious fL, that the ^^ birr"*" ""T' ""' ^y"'' brigade/Se fough 1 and beat the enemy, has never been promulgated bv tl?e Commanders i„ Chief. The dispatches of General Cr brSinsr,"" '-f-^-r' """"""-"«' «tionw«t°St ITini! 'S''.'™?Ps only, and supported by Boyd's mi Winder's brigades, or else, that these brigades were aTso letl'f f'.'S* '"Sn""^ ^y Chandler. In"Gene™l Lewi." j^ou s and Jf Gen. Wil- 0th of July, August) and ration of the athurity, tho difference in the expression^ acknowledging those restric- tions from those in the letter imposing them, was perhaps calculated to excite a belief that they had been mistaken by the undersigned. Whether or not this operated to his injury he leaves to others to determine. No sooner, how- ever, was this authority enlarged, than the expedition was projected to the head of the lake, under G«n. Williams, to attack the enemy in the rear, while the troops at the fort made a simultaneous attack in front. The enclosed Doc- uments (B. 9,) show the causes of its abandonment. The appearance of the enemy's fleet, by producing the absence of Commodore Ghauncey removed the sole condition on which the enterprise was sanctioned by the government. The reinforcement of the enemy, and the continued absence vf Commodore Chauncey, precluded any new enterprise until the undersigned was succeeded by General Wilkin, son, — (Note A.) The public have also been disappointed in the result of the affair of the ilth November, at Chrystler's Fields.-— They expected the entire destruction of the enemy's corps, about two thousand strong, by the American army of three times that force. How far their expectation was reasona- ble, the undersigned will not venture an opinion : he only suggests a few facts, from which an inference may be drawn how far any censure was applicable to himself. It ;ivas not the object of the Commander in Chief to capture or even to fight that army if avoidable. This appears from his own avowal in his report to the War Department ; from his despatching General Brown, together with the elite of the army, before the battle ; from his sending into the field only part of the force contiguous to the battle ground ; and from sending away a valuable part of the flotilla, with the two principal artillery officers during the battle. His disposition to avoid even a serious engage- ment, appears also strongly from the fact, that although the action lasted three hours, the reinforcement of three hundred men sent by the Commander in Chief to our assistance, only arrived at the close of the action. With this dispo- sition to avoid a battle, the two Major Generals, although confined by indisposition, still continued in command. The conduct of the undersigftpd is therefore to bCxS.^(iraatcd by 4) 7 '■i. 'li h H I 10 the manner in which their commands were executed by him, as senior officer on shore. The strength of the enemy was estimated by no one, at less than two thousand men. 1 hey were supported by seven pieces of heavy artillery, and nine gun boats. The whole force under the command of the undersigned, who fought on that day, did not exceed one thousand infantry, and three hundred dragoons and artillery. It was with this force, against such m enemy, (whose numbers were misapprehended by the commander, as appears by General Lewis' letter annexed, C. 1.) he had to execute the orders of the Commander in Chief. These were on the morning of the eleventh to take up the line of inarch down the river, and if the "enemy should harrass tlie rear, to turn and beat him back." The troops were preparing to move, when the enemy appeared ; they were •; beaten back," nearly a mile ami a half, after a severe ac tion, and did not again molest our advance. The partic- ulars of this battle have been already detailed in my report to the War Department of the S9th of April, 1815. If beating an enemy with two thirds his force, he having a strong and well chosen position, supported by numerous gun boats and heavy artillery, deserve censure ; or if fighting him with an inferior force, when a superior was at hand, be ascribable to him, the undersigned asks no favor Irom his country. The bravery and good conduct of the troops actually engaged, were seen through an unfavorable medium by a disappointed public ; but they have the proud j^atisfiiction of deserving the respect and meeting the ap- plause of their enemies. Some justice is done to their in- jured feelings, by the public declaration cf Major Glego-. that this action was viewed by the British as one of the most able, fought during the war. In the above pages, the Government has been presented with a general view of the military transactions during the war, in which the undersigned has been engaged. During that I)erind, he has commanded a principal army in the territo- ry of the enemy, in the vicinity of his superior forces ; he has commanded as senior officer in two several engage, nients, in which the character of the American army was involved, and its safety hazarded by an obstinate contest with superior forces. A life passed in military pursuit<» a£ i responi I fcrent i * was to in it Wi > executed by of the enemy lousand men. avy artilleiy, the command iid not exceed Iragoons and h an enemy, commander, C. 1.) he had liief. These ip the line of lould harrass I troops were ; they were p a severe ac- The partic- in my report 1, 1815. If ho having a )y numerous isure ; or if lerior was at sks no favor iduct of the unfavorable vethe proud ting the ap- I to their in- ijor Glegg, one of the n presented I during the During that the tcrrito- forces ; he ral engage* 1 army was late contest ry pursuits i 11 from the age of sixteen — a long experience of the hazards of war in the field of battle, gave him advantages in a com- petition with youth and inexperience. With what fee Jings, then, could he se^ promoted above him Juniors, whom he was in the habit of commanding, new to the field of battle, and strangers to experience ? It was not their superior for- tune ; chance had given him an equal opportunity to meet the enemies of his country ; like them he has commanded against superior numbers, and the trophies of victory have also proved the success, as the destruction of lives has the difficulties of his eJTorts. Without an opportunity for ac- tion, he might have found in misfortune a shield for obscu- rity : but events have forced him into public notice ; Cir- cumstances of so active a character ; situations of so great responsibility, have not left him, could not leave him indif- ferent to praise or censure. To have discharged his duty, was to have deserved well of his country ; to have failed in it was to incur disgrace. When, then — ^vhere has ho incurred such disgrace ? Was it at Chrystler's fields, when a superior foe was beaten, — because the Commanding Gen- eral could not stop to annihilate him ? Was it when he commanded in Canada, because his petitions to be active were refused ; because he was only suffered to improve the discipline of his troops, but not to lead them to victory ? Was it on the shores of Lake Ontario, when a greater ar- my fled before a less ; when veterans cowered to recruits, and strength of position yielded to invincible valor ? In the acquisition of territory, and munitions of Mar, in the capture of forts and artillery, he could not see the marks of public misfortune. Or was it on the plains of Tippecanoe, he has merited disgrace and neglect? On those plains, where (ho Com- manding Genera', against his express advice, trusted to the dissembled hrnesty of Indians, and fell into their snare ; where the savage war-cry burst upon the stillness of the midnight camp, and the discipline of undaunted regulars saved the existence of an army ? It was a different infer- ence he drew from the plaudits of the military bestowed upon him, and not upon their General. There was noth- ing like reproach in the tones of those voices, when ve accor lie 15 th re| iir to fonr nd the oth The lix)o le. Col. ! 'ntre; ant! t) flaak the tTcmforyfiMr taught him to liled in his da- lecision : if he knowledgment imii^atleas^ imotiDg it. ?. BOYD. :•! V ■ DOCUMENTS. (A.l.) Adjutant GKvtauh^a Orwictf H. Q. Niagara^ Magf 25, 1813. PLAN OP DESCEfJT ON CANADA. Genekal Okder. ^.ztract-^'' Here follows a detail of the troops, &e. &c. for the descent." (A. S.) Adjutant Genebal's Office, H. Q. Niagara, May 26, 1813. After Order.— Received at 5, P. M. The army will embark at three o'clock, to-morrow morning. The »op« will be up at one, eat their breakfast at two, and be actually on oard their respective boats, ready to move at half after three. Each lan will take hia blanket and one day's ration, ready cooked. By cora- »an*'' E. BF.BEE, Assist, Adj. Gen. (A. 3 A.) Can^, Fmir Mile Creek, 6, P. itf. Niagara, Maif 26, ]H13. BRIGADE ORDER. Conformably to the General Ortlers of tlie 25th and 2nih Inst. [This rder was received at 5 P. M. until which hour the boats had not been lesignated for each regiment or brigade.] The first brigade will embark ^ boats at «iree o'clock to-morrow morning. The several regiments HII hold themselves in readiness accordingly. The boats of the lirigade Irill form in three lines, succeeding Lt. Col. Scott's advance party. The Kh regiment formed in column of battalion right in front, will precede, lie 15tli and ItJth regiments will successively follow in the same order. Lt. Col. M'Clure's volunteers will flank tho right of the brigade and Jove acconlingly. Four pieces of light artillery to move in the rear of fie 15th regiment, and four in the rear of the 10th regiment. The first "wir to form immediately on landing on the right of tiie 15th regiment, ad the other four on the right of the IGth regiment. J The troops will land in onler, and form immedintely in order of bat- §e. Col. Miller of the Cth on the right; Major King, of the 15th, in the t«ntre; and Col. Pierce, of the 16lh, on the left. M'Clure's voluatrers t) flaok the right. 14 )' The boiftt of the Brigadier General will be designated by a green hough. The commanding oflBcen of regiments by their regimental standards. To guard the stores and camp equipage of each regiment, a commissioned of- ficer, and a sufficient number of non-effectives will be detailed. Tlie commanding officers of regiments will be responsible that their boats are in perfect readiness to receive the troops. The troqis which compose the first brigade have already once triumph- ed over the foe they have now again to encounter — their country expects much from them, and will not he disappointed : With their accustomed bravery, they will plant the United States' flag in the territory of Canada. JNO. P. BOYD, Broodier General Commanding "ist Brigade. (A. 8 B.) First Brigade.— H. Q. Newark, May 28, 1813. BRIGADE ORDERS. The General commanding the first brigade feels a peculiar satisfaction in congratulating the troops on their glorious achievement of yesterday. Their conduct was such as entitles them to the thanks of their command- er, and the gratitude of their country. Col. Miller of the 6th regiment, deserves great applause for steadiness in action, the rapidity with which he supported the advance under the gallant Scott. The 15th, under Major King, impatient to share the honours of the day, immediately succeeded and formed ander a most gall- ing fire. The 16th, under Col. Pearce, urged (heir boats to the shore, and bore an honora^ participation in the contest. The light artillery, under Col. Porter, merits the highest credit in bringing them up the steep bank, &c. Much was expected from Col. M'Clure's volunteers, and the General has not been disappointed. It will be his duty as well as inclination to make their claims known to the Commander in Chief: as all the troops composing the brigade behaved so well it would be a diffi- cult task to discriminate those who were pre-eminent, but the General cannot suppress his admiration of the fortitude of Mtyor King, who continued to lead his regiment through the severity of the contest, long after having received a painful and debilitating wound. The exertions of the officers and men who ascended the bank and formed amidst such a destnictive fire, excited his admiration and astonished the enemy ; and will convince their countrymen as well as foes, that their valour will overcome every resistance. The General will find great satisfaction in obeying the ordw of the Commander in Chief, which required him to make a " report of conspicuous merit, whether found in the commissioned officers or in the ranks," and they may be assured tliat their distinguish- ed actions shall not pass without proper encomiums. Although the Gene^ ral has not particularised individual merit, tie may perhaps be excused in recording the intrepid conduct of his Aid-de-Camp, Lieut. Whiting, and Brigade Miy. Capt. Grafton: they have justified his expectations, and are entitled to his applause. If there is any honour to your Brigadier General, it is his having had command of such a valiant band. .INO. P. ROVD, Brigadier General Commanding \st Brigade. "Oft at the h ade mai formed, himself ; Gi Sia,- as volun portunit> particula sure to St duct of C The Is British a: The^ right, un Winder's was elfeci of musquf such was and led ii brigade b Gen. B< of that da, and forme( up the bai of the higl With c< ey's most Dear S your frien<] Gen. Boyd on the dep and police I served Lt. Col. Sc diately by ( formed uud iff (A. 4f.) Extract o/Maj. Gen. Lends' Utter to the Secretary ^ War ade made the landing 3rTheavf^,^ 7™^'.; ^^' «^ ^^• formed, and he led it ud the hant »j»h J? "'"»?"«*fy' « was instants- himself to gain it.» ^ ^ ^"^ «"** «"***°^» '"d w«« the fost S.n^'l'!;*' t!^^':^ «* ^ ^"'i^ ofdu Uniicd states. as^vi^e^et^lldS^elg^^Tot^^^ I -ted portunity, not only of knowing the puietf one^ffiL'??^ particularly the mJnner in which if wi execuL a.S ir?^ *""*'?"« Z^T^Xl "^" "^ ^'^^ - -?dTnrhat::i^e^i^^^^^^^^^^ Winder's, and lastly. Chandler's. The lanS of G«n^ Ji W*' ?** such was the promptitude and order iSdi wh£hT?l *''® '"''* ' *'"* oy'r^JirotlSt ^^^^^^^^^ ' ^^^ *«•« ^- *« ^« your Excellen- PETER B. PORTER. (A. 6.) General MUUr's letter to a General in Boston. 1 1 c7''ilt\^!!'^'"^1 "* ""^ ^"''*"'« of *'<»'» O^orR^*. on the Niagara Lt Col Scott led the advance and struck the shore firs , followed imm?' ately by our brigade, which land^l in succession from i^t^ leftTnd formed uuder a most deslrnctive fire of „„«quetrv from t^ Inemy wSo li! 4» nned the bank for some hundred yard.. The contest was principally, or all over, before any other brigade landed. *"viii«uiy, oi Gen. Boyd was the senior officer on shore. I have ever considered h« conduct on that occa^ brave, anima«ng, intrepid, ^nd offlTu^ He was among the first to ascend the bank of theUe.and proclSmed our victory by three cheers. proclaimed My impreMion is that the contest continued ^arm for about fifteen mmutes. Three musket shot hit General Boyd's clothes. He "seS every exerhon to mspire those under his command with a zealZ vS tK^v ^fT— f 'T!'?^^^* Pi^minentshareoftheholrof i,HlS«i'I ""'^f? i^ ''^^^'^^^d up after the other brigade had landed,* as ou^ht^to have l»done, it would been one of the fiwt and most brilliant achievements during the war " "• we nrst MJ«!n^n°;^^ commanded at Port George, after the departure of S; nf «: '?*^''*^' »•« r ' "defaUgable in his attention to uTe disci pline of the troops, and police of the camp. Very respectfully, dear Sir, your obedient servant, JAMES MILLER, Brig. Gen. United StaUt Amy, • After the gthej brigade landed, Ceo. Lewi, came on .hoie. (A. 7.) Qenerta Miller speaking if the capture of Fort George, says, "General Boyd inspired the whole by his mtous and animatinff con- ?"H^ He rushed up the steep b.nk at the head of his briirad7whe^f 'Z^J^':^-«^^-^^^^^mn,, the charge ^^Ten. alidX' rv bf tlLf^hJr" "«"^J.«®«*:; in the battle, and proclaimed the victc .^^2":rai;'*t::^he3S^r^^^ ^'^^ '™^ acknowledgedap.. «.l}'^^ .conquMt he ever considered one of the most brilliant achieve « wte *'»«^«'!."'« "ortie «^t Fort Erie excepted. " f Gen K^frtom L •''rr!!?'** *! ^"^^ ^"^'K^' *f*«' ^^e departure I^ni{«f '. J r ' '•« »ntf«l"ced and established as high a state of dis. cplme and polH^e, as ever existed in our army, at any p?riod Sthe war '" (A. 8.) ^Z.^ IkMaflit^'^ of tlu troops stationed between F • Gorge a,ul G^J W?' ■ ^^L "'**^* /'" *'•*" ("^ hands at the cap. .re of FoH nZ!e;edlT.r,^r'rT "^ ^"^'^ ^'^'^ ^ ^ «/?^«'-* ^^ <% « These troops, with the exception of a small Korrlson left at Vnrt were S nXtf"' '^T'' P^"-"^"' "^'^^ the bK wis fo^ ,?„ wTh! A Vrobamuy reinforc«l, from the know,, intention of an n tack "^t'^!:7S.J''''''''^^-' '-«- known to haJetL' as priucipally, or ever considered and o^eer like. > and proclaimed tor about fifteen otbes. He used h a zeal for vic- e of the honor of le other brigade 1 one of the first the departure of ion to the disci- MILLER, I ^ate» Army. animating con- gade, whenaf- given, and the med the victo* wledged a pre- lliant acliieve- the departure a state of dis- id of the war.' ' ■* Qorge Oiul p. .re rf Fort lears that they tie) 1925 reg- n left at Fort »s fought, and I of an attack to have beeu 17 (B. 1.) Sir— General Dearborn being about to withdraw from the commawl of the army, until his health shail be re-established, this trust wUl de- volve upon you, as the senior officer, until the arrival of some person to whom it will be speaaUy assigned. During this period you will pay the utmost attention to the instruction and discipline of the troops, and en- gage m no afifair with the enemy, that can be avoided. The orders of Crenerals Hampton and Lewis, you will obey. I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant, „.„,„„ „ ^ JOHN ARMSTRONG. Brig-. Gen. Jno. P. Boyd, Fort George. (B. S.) „ , . Fort George, U. Canada, July 15, 1813. Hon. John Ambtrong, Secretary at War. Str—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commands of the 7th mst. and to iuform you that Gen. Dearborn left camp this af- ternoon. Conformably to your orders, I have assumed the command of the army at this post. It now becomes my duty to report to you the want of officers to this section of our army. Not long since, when our army was in high health, and elated with victory, we had t^vo Major Generals, and three Brigadier Generals ; now our force, diminished by prisoners, sickness and deaths, IS left almost destitute. The enemy ha^ve been able, during our inactivity, to recruit his effective force, of regulare, militia and Indians. « I shall adhere to your instructions, which prohibit an engagement with the enemy, when avoidable, &c." (B. 3.) Extract of a letter from Brig. Gen. Boyd, to the Secretary of War, dated " Port George, July 22, 1813. "I now conceive it my duty to say, that when Gens. Dearborn and Lewis were in command, they did not think it necessary to consult a sub- ordinate; I, therefore, am not in possession of any information relative to the present campaign; or instructions lor my own government." (B. 4.) Extract of a Utter from Brig. Gen. Boyd, to Commodore Chauncey, dated "Fort George, July 22, 1813. ^' Allow me once more to remark, that the presence of the fleet, or nait of it, would enable us to act against the enemy with great effect." (B. 5.) Extract of a Idler from Brig. Gen. Boyd, to tlu Secretary of War, dated " Fort George, jiily 24, 1813. " We are anxiously expcctint; the fleet, wilii whose co-operation Uie enemy's annihilation would be certain.' 3 18 I 1 u (B. 6.) Extract of a letter from Bi-ig. Gen. Boyd, to the Secretary of War, daU4 •^ -^ "Fort George, July 27, 1813.^ •' Our troops are becoming oiore healUiy, and anxious to be moving," (B. 7.) Extract of a letter from Brig. Oen. Boyd, to the Secretary of War, dated " Fort George, August 4, 1813. " Since I had the honor to address you last, two deserters have come in from the enemy, by whom we learn that he is entrenching in the woods, in expectation of an attafek, rather than having an intention to make one himself. His position in the wooils, where his red auxiliaries are so form- idable, may render him strong. But rve trust, when yon shall deem it proper to allow the army to act offensively, that we shall be able to dis- lodge, perhaps with the co-operation of the fleet, to capture, or drive him to bis strong hold at the head of the Lake." (B. 8.) Hon. Secretary of War's letter, {after rqjcatcd application from Ocn. Boyd to allow him to act.) War DEPARtMENT, July 30, 1813. giR_The restrictions put upon you with regard to the enemy, were but commensurate with the enemy's command of the lake. So long as they had wings, and you had only feet, so long as they could be trans- ported, supplied, and reinforced by water, and at will, common sense, as well as military principles, put you on the defensive. These circumstan- ces changed, the reason of the rule changes with them ; and it now be- comes your business, in concert with the fleet, to harrass ani r mo IT > i\ (B. 13.) Head Quarters, Fort George, Aug. 20, 1813. How. John Armstrong, Sir— I had the honour to address you on the 24th inst. The troopa had not then ceased to skirmish in the woods. In the repulse of Sir George, our loss wa« greater than was then reported, having five killed, and twenty-seven missing. The enemy suffered more in killed, and left in our hands one captain of the 49th regiment, and six privates, prisonera. The attack was made by the enemy's whole force, with the intention, no doubt, should he fail in an attempt on our entrenchments, to draw us into the woods. Gen. Williamfl, with a part of his brigade, advanced some distance into the plain, but it was conceived inexpedient to pursue the enemy into the woods, when he retired. With much consideration and respect, I have the honor to be, sir, your's, &c. &c. JNO. P. BOYD. (B. 14.) Head Quarters, Fort George, Sept. 0, 1813. Hon. John Armstrong, Sir — " I have the honor to report the arrival of Major General Wilkinson." I have the honor, &c. &c. J. P. BOYD, Brigadier General Commanding. (B. 15.) Earad of a letter from General WiUcinsoti, to the Secretary of War, datcd^ " Sacket's Harbor, Aug. 30, 1813. " Sir — I have commenced barely, the arrangement of the department of intelligence. An intelligencer left Kingston or its vicinity, last even- ing, to tell me that Sir George Prevost commenced his operations against Boyd, and had driven in his picquets, and taken sixty or seventy prisoners, but had been repulsed." (C. 1.) Extract of a letter from Major Gen. Lewis, to Gen. Boyd, on the subject of the battle of Chrystler's field. " Your force certainly did not exceed one thousand infantry, and three hundred dragoons and artillery. The reinforcement which marched to- wards ev^ming to support you, were too late for any effective aid, and my inspector informed me, consisted only of about three hundred men. Th« enemy was certainly driven back, and effected no object." (C. 2.) Extract of a letter from Brig. Gen. Swift, {who mas in the action) to an affi.- cer in Washington. "Hearing many remarks as to the campaign of 1813, down the St. Lawrence, I think it proper to mention to you that relative to the affair of (he 11th November, at Chrystler's field : no one doubts Gen. Boyd's having fought with his usual bravery on that day. In my opinion, a more zealous and brave officer than Gen. Boyd, never placed himself at the head of a column." tX 2i (C. 8.) "'"%^yZI' y ^^'^'^Z District, ^^^ Jiork, Aprd 29, 1813 S,R In ? '^"^ ^^^- SECRETARY OP WAn * portBo impartial stateS of Z evS7"' '''° ** ^''^ '*^« ^'^"^"o re! eUIy -K^rb.'^^^^^^^^^^^^ made me unde.erv- ' ^'^S^:i^^ to leave Port Grenadier's Island, I was kenf in s^I 1° ^'''^ moment of leaving r .°^ '"t,."""" "■ -s KaiTs^' " Ar'""^, '"^ scendmg the St. Lawrence thp frAnnoL • ,- . .Afterwards, while de- often threw the comm^roite,'^ ,^^^^^^^^^ two genera s fa^U relative to the object of ouTmovtmtfXi!-^^^^ «f "'««« ^^on%rs!r&rc;rth^^^^ had joined us and crossed ove^ml^^^^^^ 3^ .h* V'.^ '''^S^"'' (-"<> residue of the army embarked aiTnroceeJeht ^^^. ^""'^* »^«'« the dezvoused at Chrystler's field at t«nn'!? ^ ^t'^*'^'"' "'e whole ren- having bad anj, Section ofte o^er of hX J^'' f '"S"'' without relative situation of the troons «T1k«i .^'/^"^ ""^ knowledge of the chief suddenly informed me Ihat in l^;^'' ^'""^ '^ commander a health of himself and of Gen LewrilT?"" °^ ^'" *^^t^«'"« i" boats, the command on shore devolvp7n' ^'' '^^'"6 *=*»"fi"«d ^ thdr boats, and a body of troops bvtnM '"^' """^ "''''* ^^^^ «n«"y'8 u-u «ents were --edte^ll ?or^^^^^^^^^ °"""^- ^"- - ord^C^irnS^arX ?^^^^ commander in CefV that the army ehou'ld n'ot be Ttt^'TL '* ^-"y ^-.^^ opinio^n Wdkinson for my counsel was sd;{ DATE DUE A fine of five cents will be charged for each day overdue.