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EJ.TENIIY,Se*e7. ieaUag to fmi th* plnrare Nitemiig to yoor iatomtinc in pvrMnaee of th« fotc* rraqlii, «c am Dwr Sir your frien* •ni oben levn* 1. W. iL BROMLEY. Plattibtrtli lfu«b ad, IISS. L. DOW BROCK. HBNRV BILILEY. % s ■fa; : liMC W. R. r th« f Infoi* mr intemtiof eeof thclbre> i4obe*t-wv*t> V. '.* '■_^-ii:. S ( Apsiiass. Mr. PftKtlDClfT^ And GfiNTLiSMBN &F Ttffe SOCIIfiTY: I am requaetei by your standing cbtntnittee, to lecture this evening on ^ the Battle of Plattsburgh, its causes and effedk^ la most cheerfolly com- plying wkh this reqiiatft^ i itittSt be permitt^ to ex- press my regret, tkat the subject had not been com- flMtted to abler handle as it is an event in which this cdiinunMir must feel a deep interest-^an event which in its enlftiiHii lament portended siieh disas- trous consequences to jiHli country and its iniiahit- ants; but which Ns^lkttcl iB< saving our t^intary from rapine, our border d^dflings from pina|^< and our citizens from banishment, e^rtivi^ or difith. . In order to a proper understanding of tlie subject* it will be well to glance at some circumstanced which preceded this event It will doubtless be recollected by many present^ that it was apparently the intention of the government to make the cam- paign of 1814, a glorious and decisive one — ^that a descent upon Montreal was contemplated, by the way of I^aVe Champ^ain and the river St. Lawrence at the same time — that for this purpose, great ad- ditions were made to the army on this frontier du- ring the winter and spring-^and that about the first of June of that year, the grand army of the North was from eiffht to ten thousand strong, under the command of Major General George Izard. About this time it was evident that measures of an offen- sive character were in contemplation— -that it was the intention of General Izard, either to compel the oil n tKC 56048 .H-v^'ii,,;* f If U f: ■ t I ! 6nemy to fight him near the lines, ^r to carry the war into the heart of his own country. Gen. Thomas Smith, with' Ms brigade of light troops, occupied the high ^ound immediately south ofthe village of Cl\|implam, while the daring and gallant Col. Forsyth, with his Riflemen, occupied a position immediately upon the lines. Frequent ■kirmishes tdok place in the neighborhood of the lines, between our light troops and the enemy's light troops and Indians, In one of these skirmish- es the gallant Forsyth fell; a victim to his hardihood and bravery; mourned and lamented by his officers and men, as much as any officer who fell during Ihe struggle; for he was truly their le^r#iMl their head, in scenes of daring and <^ danger; and the idol of (heir heart9 in cwrip. The writer of this ar^cheiijaaited the Rifle Camp the day after they bad coiiitiitted tbe mortal remains of their beloved commaiider to tii0[«arth; and it was manifest, from the geneialgloom which pervaded the whole camp, that soma great calamity had befallen them. There were no gibes nor jests among them, as is common ^mong^diers when off duty— each one seemed wrapped in his own gloomy meditations, and intent only on seeking and taking signal vengeance for the death of him, who had so often led them to deeds of valor— to victory and to fame. They were not long waiting for an opportunity. For, { believe the next morning, Lieut.6ennet Riley a brave and daring officer, with sixteen men was over the line for the purpose of reconnoiteringthe enemy when he ontier from Lake Champlain to the river St. Lawrence, the defence of our homes-^our fire- fndes and ill we held dear, was committed to Brigt Oein^ Alexaddet Macomb, and the result has shown that they could not have been committed to abler haads. The fortifications were in a considerable stale of forwardness when Qen. Izard niarcbed, and eubsequently, the work of completion was prosecu-* ted with an ardour and a zeal worthy the cause in which the troops were engaged. For the purpose of creating an emulation and a iseal among the officers and men, in completing the works, they were divided by Gen. Macomb into de^ tachments, and placed near the several forts, and it ivas published in orders, that each detachment was the garrison of its own work, and bound to defend it to the last extremity. This had the desired effect ^ for the men worked day and night, and before the final attack was made e e 0611 two to be of ier, but I orders he wes- iied him act in a ion and f march nofde- irbo had eviously )# River hoftho lis small it, but of the river Diiir fire- to Brig* |is shown o abler iderable ed, and >rosecu-» cause in n and a ting the into de^ and it ent was efend it Iworked is made th« forts were in a situation to witlistaiid an Kttack from a much larger force than that by which they were defended. The following order published the day before the enemy entered our village, is a fine specimen of th«f excellent arrangements made by Gen. Macomb for the defence of the post, and an evidence of the de- termination which pervaded all ranks^to retain pos^ session of the works^ or perish in their defence. HEAD'QtARTtRS, > Plattssurgh Sept. 5, * GENERAL ORDERS. The General is now satisfied that the enemy #ilf attack the post in a few days. He relies with con- fidence on the valor and intrepidity of those heha« the honor to command. Let it not be said Ibaf Erie was better defended ^tn Plattsbnrgh. It was there that the American Soldiers met, and defeated the heroes of Spain, France, and Pertugtl« Mid their example must be followed or our reputation to lettf The eyes of America are upon us ! Fort«iie alwavcr favors the brave. The works being now cmamier of resisting a powerful attack, the manner of iiefen- ding them, the General thinks it his duty to detafl, that every man may know and do his mity. The troops will Hne the parapet in two ranlify leaving intervals for the artiHeiy. A rej^erve of .rr#-r: Commallifaiits to lend all the afd in tiftif 'j^ov^t* execute. Every man knowing his post, andf his duly, fiO ex- cuse can be received for not executinff with firmness and decision, all that may be required for a vigor- ous defence of the place. J9y order Brig. Gen, Macomb^ ConCg. Wm. R.DUHCAVi Act. Asst. Adj. General The withdrawal of our troops from the linei WM immediately followed by the advance of the ^ne^ly into onr territory. All was bustle and confusion in and about, our village, consequent upon the brenk- in^ up of our feroilieSi and removing our women and children to places of safety. It can scarcely be expected that any ]iidfv^al« after a lapse of more than twenty years^ can reipl- lect all the circumstances of an event^ i6' fratght with important consequences, and acted titider so much excitement as necessarily attends the seijge and defence of a town. 1 therefore avail myselfof a concise summary of the affair, (with occasional reminiscences of my own) as drawn up immediiite'* ]y after the retreat of the enemy, bv our respected friend and fellow townsman Major Azariah C. Flagg, and published by him in the Plattsburgh Republican of 'the 24th September, 1814. I find this same ac- count copied mto a work entitled ** American Na- val Battles,'* without bein^ credited. I therefore tfeike this opportunity of givm^ credit to the ttue source for the article in question, and may be per- mitted also to re mark, that the autlror of the article with his characteristic modesty, has emitted the mention of any service rendered by the corps of which he was a prominent and active member. ** On the 3lst August, the advance of the British tM ■:'t^\im^3b- ih- 10 ^ army under G on. Brisbane, entered Champlain, and encamped on the north side of the great Chazy ri- Hi)^, ver4.andonthe sameday Maj. Gen. Mooers order- ed out the militia of the counties of Clinton and ^ Cssex,^' 67} niasse, I regret that I have not been • * able to procure a copy of this order, to lay before you at this time — I well recollect, it was a spirited and soulstirring document, and well calculated to arouse all the latent sparks of patriotism and love of coun- ^ try, and kiiidle them into a flame. " The regiment from Clinton county under Lt.Col. Miller immediate- ly assembled, and on the 2d Sept. took a position on tneVest road near the village of Chazy ; and on the , 3d Gen. Wright with such of his brigade as had ar- rived, occupied a position on the same road, abqut : tight miles in advance of this place. On the 4th the enemy having brought up his main body to Chfiinplfiti, took up his line of march for Platts- buirgb* The Hifle corps under Lieut. Col. Appling on'^tne lake road, fell back as far as Dead Creek, I blocking up the toad in such a manner as to im- I peclethe advance of the enemy as much as possi- ^ ble. The enemy advanced on the 5th, within a I fewjniles of Col. Appling^s position, and finding it too strong to attack, halted, and caused a road to ' be made west into the Beekmantown road, in which the light brigade under Gen. Powers advanced; and oh the n^orning of the 6th, about 7 o'clock, at- tacked the militia, which had at this time increased to' nearly 700, under Gen. Mooers; and a small de- tachment of regulars under Major Wool, about ! seven miles from this place. After the first fire, a eonsiderable part of the militia bruke and fled in every direction. Many hdwever, manfully stood their ground, and with the small corps of Major ■ Wool, bravely contested the ground against five 1 tinfiei cupy they weire Capt posit the p At pline troop ards J was 1 little 1 the re C. PI and t IJ ^^ •♦ .^rd plain, and Chazy ri- jrs order- linton and not been )efor^ you liritedand to arouse e of coun- regiment n mediate- osition on nd on the 18 had ar- ad, abqut n the 4th I body to or Platts- I. Appling id Creek, as to im- as possi- within a finding it a road to , in which dvanced; clock, at* ncreased small de- >1, about 'St fire, a ■d fled in illy Stood )f Major ainst nve tirifies their number, falling back gradually, and oc- cupying the fences on each side of the road, till they arrived within a mile of the town, when they , were reinforced by two pieces of artillery unider Capt. Leonard ; and our troops ocupying a strong position behind a stone wall, for some time stopped the progress of the enemy." At this point, one of the finest specimens of disci- pHneever exhibited, was shown by the British troops on the occasion of the opening Capt Leon* ards battery upon them. The company , to which 1 was attached, formed a part of the left flank of our I little army, and was on the rise of ground west of the road leading from Mr. Halsey's corner to Isaac C. Piatt's, and about . ipjidway between the artillery and the head of the British c61umn ; and the whole scene was open to our view. Here,, (atHal^ey'a corner,) was a battery of two field pieces, so per- fectly masked by a party of the infantry, that tljo enemy probably was not aware of it, until it opened upon him. There a dense column of men, with a front equal to the width of the road, and extending nearly half a mile in length, pressing on with a buoy- ancy and determination of spirit, betokening an ex- pectation that they would be permitted to walk into our works without much opposition. How sad the disappointment to the victorious veterans of so mn; ny bloody fields of Europe ! So , perfect was the motion of the troops in marching, that they seemed a great mass of living matter moved by some invi^^i- ble machinery: Yet I can now almost fancy vv^ could hear them cracking their jokes, and each claiming for himself the honor of being the first to make a lodgement in the Yankee forts; when sud- denly, with the niose of thunder, the sound of a can- ►n came booming through the air. It sent forth a £. xi *■•, A ,.■ I ) '-y^mu:'^ n. •f round shot which took effect near the centre of the froiit platoon, about breast high, and ploughed its way through, sweeping all before it, the whole length , of tne column ; opening a space apparently several feet wide, which, however, was immediately closed as if by magic ; and on the column pressed as if no- thinghad happened: A second shot was fired with the. like effect, and similar consequences; but when the third discharge came, with a shower of grape shot, there was a momentary confusion. Immeai- ately, however, the charge was sounded by some dozen British bugles ; which through the clear and bland atmosphere of a bright September morning* was the most thrilling and spirit stirring sound that could greet a soldiers ears. In an instant of time, the men forming the advance of the column had thrown their knapsacks on either side the road, and bringing their pieces to the charge, advanced in double qoicik time upon our miniature battery; the g[un8 of which, in retiring said *^good bye^' to the advancing foe, by spitting fire from their mouths, and sending their compliments in the shape of grape and canister shot. What with the music of the Kentish bugles, the l^oans of the wounded and dying, the beauty, the grandeur, I had almost said sublimity of the scene* our whole company came to a dead halt; and there remained as if spell-bound, until the head of the en- emy's coiunnn was considerably in advance of us; and until we were reminded by receiving the fire of a party of the enemy's flankers, within a few rods of us, that they would be glad to occupy the groimd on which we stood — which modest request, backed by sUch eolid arguments, we could not withstand, there- fore, yielding the point, we retired afler returning the <;ompliment received from them. i'.-.-jdiam't'imA' ■■ ~v ^' -#-Aiii^- i' 'I tFc of th^ iffhed itn )Te length y several y closed [ as if np- ired with but when )f grape Immedi- by some ;Iear and morning, lund that of time* umn had oad, and inced in ;ery; the 3" to the mouthSf shape of ^les, the uty, the e scene, nd there ' the en- e of us; 3 fire of r rods of oimd on eked by I, there- ling the *^ Our troops being at length compelled to retire* , contested every inch of gfound, until they reached the south bank of e Saranac, where the enemv attempted to purs'j;^^ them, but was repulsed wiith^ loss. .5 The loss of the British in this skirmish, was Col^ ^ Wellington, and a Lieut, of the 3d Bufis and ttfb Lieutenants of the d8th killed ; and one Captain ^n^ . one Lieutenant of the 58th light company wounded^ tOjgether with about 100 privates killed and wound- ed, while that on our part, did not exceed twenty^ ^^ five. The corps of Riflemen under Col. Appling, ' and detachment under Capt. Sproul, fell back from 'their position at Dead Creek in time to join the mi- litia and regulars just before they entered the village, and fought with their accustomed bravery." " The British got possession of that part of th* village north of the Saranac about 1^, o^clock, but the incessant and well directed fire of our artillery , and musketry from the forts and opposite bankis^r compelled them to retire before niffht beyond thct | reach of our guns." The bridge in the village, wad defended during this day, by Capt. Martin L Aikin's company of volunteers, who were stationed in thjo . saw-mill on the south bank of the river for that pufr pose. [This company was composed of young men , and boys of this village, most of whom were not sub- ject to mihtary duty, who volunteered after the tho militia had gone out on the Chazy road, offered theii:, services to Gen. Macomb, who accepted their ofiec, armed the company with rifles, and ordered them to repair to the Head Quarters of Gen.:^imra: 14 H? ,1 «4'- #4 „*' * W|^ubn from our row-gallics ; and it is believed^ BUnerdd a heavy loss in killed and wounded. On our feide, Lieut. Duncan of the Navy lost an arm by a ^ rocket, and three or four men were killed by the * enemy's artillery. The enemy encamped on the ridge west of the town, his right near the river, and occupying an extent of nearly three miles, his left resting on the lake about a mile north of the village. From the 6th, until the morning of the 1 Ith, an al- most continual skirmishing was kept up between the enemy's pickets, and our miUtia and volunteers sttitioned on the river, and in the mean time both armies were busily engaged — ours in strengthening the works of the forts, and that of the entfOiy in erecting batteries, collecting ladders, bringing up his heavy.ordnancc, and making other preparations for attacking the, fofts." On the tnombg of the 1'th, a body of the ene- my under Cftpt. Noadife, attempted to cross at the upper bridge about seven miles W6st of the village, but were met by Capt. Vaughn's company of about 25 men, and compelled to retire with the loss of two killed, and several wounded. On the morning of the 1 1th, the enemy's fleet came round the Head with a light breeze from the north, and attacked ours which lay at anchor in Cumberland Bay, two miles from shore east of the fort." Time would fail me, and your patience would tire, were I to attempt even if I were competent, a mi- nut*^ description of this most interesting scene. — Suffice it to say, ** the action was long and bloody, but decisive, and the event such as we believe it al- ways will be (except by accident) when our navy contends with anything like an equal force." I will mention one circumstance for the purpose cf showincr the frame of mind in which the bravo \ h a 'rf7 %.fs^.^ m' 15 i. On' m by a by the on the Br, and lis lefl i^illage. , an aU etween [inteers 5 both hening i^tfvy in ring up .rations ho ene- j at the village, ' about of two ning of Head tacked ly, two lid tire, a mi- tene. — )loody, |e it al- navy irpoKe bravo McDonough entered the battle, and in whom be put his trust for success. After the enemy's fleet hove in sight, the men of his ship were assembled on the quarter deck, when he kneeled down, and in humbk, and fervent prayer, commended himself, his men and the cause in which they were engaged to the God of Battles, and arose from that posture, with a calm* ness and serenity depicted on his brow, which show- ed he had received comfort and assurance from above. One other little incident, and I will pro« ceed with my subject— During the hottest part of the battle, the hen-coop was shot away when a cock cscap^ and flew up into the rigging, flapped hi» wings, and crowed rno^t manfully ! The sailors con* sidercd this as a sure ome|> of success, and cheer* ingfrom one end of the ship to the other^ went to their work of dealing death to the enemy with re* doubled exertion. The cock remained in the rig« ging during the whole of the engagement, ever and anon cheering the men on to greater exertion by bii clear shrill voice. . **The enemy commenced a simultaneous bom- bardment of our works from seven batteries, from which several hundred shell and rockets were dis- charged, which did us very little injury ; and our ar- tillery had nearly succeeded in silencing them all before the contest on the lake was decided. The enemy attempted at the same time to throw his main body in the rear of the fort by crossilig the river three miles west of the town, near the site of Pikers cantonment. He succeeded ui crossing after a brave resistance, by the Essex militia, and a few of the Vermont vohmteers, in all, about 350, stationed at that place who reti- . red back a mile and a half fropi the river* contm- ually pouring in upon them an incessant fire ftovi t f m • # 16 i' 5S- 'lN»tikifse of giving information to the General, and in narrassing his out posts. The General said to Capt. Aikin when giving the directions for this ex- • pedition, (as we afterwards learned,) you will a/- ^'4aek Bind take the picket guard at Thorns; iioWcver, ' dn arrii^g at the place designated, it was found the - tguiurd had had been ioitid time withdrawn. While '^resting his companjr near this place, the sound of •^ 'heavy ol^dtiance reached his ears, and presuming ma attack upon the forts had commenced, he took imp his line of march for the south side of the river ; isconcciomplish which, it was necessary for him to cross the river, some distance above Pike's conton- -46ent Nb fiodller had he reached the south bank, fithan he heard the mttling of small arms at the ford, '^here the enemy was attemptingto cross, and im- ;lliddiate]y joined his bretfalr^ii f]^ Essex and Ver- lljuontvand retired with theiu'lMfor the enemy, until- he commenced his retreat. "^r^**? The Vermont volunteers #ho had hastened to- ^4lie' scene of action on th^ fitst alarm, fell upon the ^^INIemy's left flank, and succeeded in making many ^j^^Oliers, including three officers. ::'^«'^ Had the Britisn Remained on the south side of nthi0 trver 30 minutes longer, he must have lost near- 'tpthe whole detachment that crossed.. Our loss in ^mi^itffiii^ was fife killed and'eight or ten wounded. 1 • \ •f 17 ' brought \?hen the ' At this ake Capt. lines, tor d, having 3 morning r the pur- al, and in al said to )r this ex- D will at' hoWever^ found the . While sound of ^resuming , he took the river ; ir him to s conton- th bankf the ford, and im- and Vcr- imy, imtiF' stened to> upon the ig many side of lost near- r loss in ounded. ^4mm0diately on asceirtaining the loss of the fleet. Sir George Provost ordered preparations to be made for the retreat of the army^ and set off him- self, with a small est^ort for Canada, a little afler- noon. The main body of the enemy, with the ar- I tillery and baggage, were taken off in the afternoon I and the rear guard consisting of the light Brig- \ ade, started at day break and made preci- ^ pitate retreat ; leaving their wounded and a large quantity of provisions, fixed amunition, shot, shells, and other public stores, in the different places of % deposite about their camp. They were pursued i! eomp distance by our troops, and many prisoners I taken ; but owing to the very heavy and mcessant rain, we were compelled to return. The enemy lost upon land more than 1000 men, in killed, woun^ ded, prisoners, and deserters, while our aggregate Joss did not exceed onjB hundred and fifty." Gen. Mooers took the field immediately on the appearance of the militia, in pursuance of his or-,, der, and was constantly and actively engaged, until after the retreat of the enemy from the place. Ai| :i arrangement was entered into between himself and jGren. Macomb, ttjiat he (Gen. Mapomb) should re- tain the command of the regular troops, and the works, while Gen. Mooers (who by his rank was entitled to the the south aide. Froiin this plaee, the Ibllowing gen- eral Order was pubtished on the eight temhep : Head QuARtiRf, Salmon River, Sept. 8, 1814. The General ia not inscnsibto to the merits patriotism of those, who, upon the approach of hos- tile forces upon this frontier, have gallantly fiown to the defence of their country, and who under his command, stili continue steadfastly to oppose the progress of the enemy. The General regrets that there are some, who, lost to patriotism and to hopor after coming ibrward in obedience to his call, fled at the first approach of the enemy, and afterwards basely disbanded themselves, and returned to their homes 4 thereby disgracing themselves, and fur^ Dishing to their fellow soldiers an example of all that brave mien detest and abhor. The General i» determined to haveafl deserters punii^ed in the ^ mwl exemplary manner, and all officers and others are dire«te4 to bring back such as are attempting to escape. ThoHO brave men of the militia and volunteer corps, wIk) manfiiUy kept their posts, and fought the enemy on their retreat, before a far superior force^ iipr the distance of nearly seven miles, de- swerves the General's warmest thanks, and the love and gratitude of their country. The oool, intrepid, and admirable skiH and good order, displayed by the small detachment of less than liOO, regulars under that excellent officer Maj« VVcK^ was lughly honorable to themselves, and fur- nishes an example worthy of our future imitation. The General cannot avoid noticing, that the de- termined resistance by Capt. Vaughan and his small band at the upper bridge, which obliged a much 8u- ng ^en- of Sep- fits and I of hos- flown ta inder hia pose the rets that to hopor call, fled ter wards to their and fur^ le of all reneral i» id in \he ^d others tempting irolnnteer d fought superior lies, de** the love ind good of less [cer Maj. and fur- tation. It the dc- Ihis small lUCh FW' A9 pcrior foi ct of the enemy to retire with lossfwas both honorable to himself and the men under his command. Captain Aikin^s company of Riflemen, and others of the Toluntbcrs, have displayed thro*- otit, a degree of gallantry in opposing the enemy, and of enterprise and boldness, in reconnottcring him under all circnitisti^nc^B, highly gratifying to the General, and which merits his warmest thanks. Let every man strive to do his duty at this crsis as it will be much easier to retaiil our present position than to regain it after it is loist. By order Maj, Gm. Mooers^ R. H. WALWORTH, Jid D'Camp. Many interostin^ events transpired, many deeds of bravery and daring were performed, and many hair breadth escapes occnrrcd, during the seige, but more particularly on the 1 1th. Some of which I will endeavor to lay before you* Capt. M c Glassin of the 15th regiment, With SO men, crossed the river at midnight, and drove off a working party of 150 men, and defeated a cover- ing party of the same number, who were construct- ing a battery on the right of the enemy's line near the river, within 500 yards of Fort Brown, killing one oflicer and six men in the charge, and wound- ing many. After destroying the works he retired in good order to the fort without the loss of a single man. Some time during the seige, Mr. Abel Chambcrlin and another individual, whose name has escape 1 me, procured leave of absence from their Captain for the purpose of visiting their families, some dis- tance within the British lines. They divested them- selves of all the habiliments of a soldier, and pursu- ing their way, arrived in the neighborhood of their jiomes about dark, when within a short distance of 20 (phamberlin*s hoiise, they discovered a Bhtish pick-i i^t guard, which they avoided, and on entering the house, found the ollicer of the guard had taken up his quarters there, and was then in the next room, ^rhey were apprehensive some one of the family might inadvertantly expose them by askiiig questions ^c, and therefbre determined to make the officer a prisoner, and take him to the American camp, after taking a survey of thb place, Chamberlin and his compi^nion provided themselves v^ith such weapons as were most ready. Onie had a large butcher knifo the other a stout cudgel ; they entered the room and informed the officer he was a prisoner, and so long as he wn 9 obedient to tjieir requirements, he should be kindly treated ; but the fi^st attempt to escape, or the first sound of his voice, should be the signal for his iiittant death; ahd suited the action to the word by a flourish of the butcher knife : The geolleipaQ coAchided to accept their term^, and lifter changing his dress, marched With them to the American camp, where he was received and treated as a gentleman, and prisoner of war. Three men of Aikin's company volunteered one day, to cross the river for the purpose of giving the onmpanv a.sqpply of liquor. They . crossed on to Mr. Griffin's far^, where thoy knew his goods were deposited when rtjmoved from the village. Two of tht'in entered the building, which was immediately uridor a steep and high hill, and left the other out- side, to give notice if any cause of alarm should arise. I'he two men had scarcely entered the buil- (imtr when the third discovered a British sentinel nalkinji his "wpary round" on the top of the hill, the riltiim was oiven by both sentinels at the same mo- mem — the British ^juard turned out and fired upon tlicm, while our buvs were makin'^ the best of thcii I P. m SI ish pick-! ;,ring the taken up xt room. ie family :]uestions officer a np, after [ and his weapons her knifo le room r, and so nents, he ttempt to iild be the he action ife: The erm?, and em to the id treated eered one giving the sed on to )ods were Two of mediately other out- m should the buil- sentinel ic hill, the amc nio- ircd upon t of thcii way "across the river, bringing with them howevtfir) the canteens, which they had filled with cherry rum. On reaching the south bank, thev retum«d the fire of the enemy; gave them three cnaers, and joined their company; m* The names or these individuals, are Frederick P. Allen, Melanctbn W. Travis, and John Will-* lams. On the 1 Ith, Major Joseph Skinner, of the Clinton militia, was taken prisoner by the enemy, and reta- ken by his friends under the following circum- stances t ^ He was returning from the Fort, whete he kad been in the discharge of some duty, to Salmoa Ri- ver, while the enemy were driving us towards the same place from Pike^ft oantonement. A party of the enemy had gained the m^in Salmon river road unobserved by him, end the first intimation he had of being ih the rear of the enemy^ he was surrounded by. this party; taken forcibly from his horse, hie sword and money taken from him and given to one of the party, who mounted the horse, and rode off at full speed. The Major protested against their robbing him of his money, and insisted as he was a prisoner of war, he was entitled to be treated as such; the only satisfaction he received however, was a blow from the butt end of a mufket, which laid him prostrate. On recovering from the effects of this blow, he was made to march with great speed towards the river. The party was soon dis- covered, and pursued, by a party of the Essex mili- tia, under Capt. Abraham Aiken ; and a constant tire kept up upon it, until it reached the river; when Capt* Aikin discovered that the individual in blue clothing whom he had supposed was a wounded British officer, was no other than bis old acquaint- * 22 anco Maj. Skinner, who* by this time, was halfway ncrots thn river, with a British soldier holding on to each aril) : Cnpt. Aiken, and his orderly sergeant John GnLvler, brought their pieces to the face, and fired — hII three fell, and were carried down tho atroam together i very soon however, Maj. Skinner disengaged himself from his dead etiemies, and came to land on the American side, where he was greeted with cheers by his friends ; and they in turn iroeeived his most cordial and hearty thanks, for having thus timely, and providentially saved him from the horrors of a Montreal or Quebec prison. Seyerai of tho party surrendered themselves prison- ers of iirar, an4 werie brought into the fort by Capt. Aikin, It is proper to remark, that thid party of the enc-* my, was comniaaded by a sergeant, and that Major {Bkitinor would, probably have received different IrcatniaQt from a comn|is9ioi)e(} qOicer of the British army. Qi| the sante day, Hazen Mqoors, with two oth- ers, fell in with, and captured a party of Qve of tho enemy, and bfOMght then|, togetlier WUI^ their arms to the fort. On theldtl) Septett|ber,Gen. Mooefs disbanded the Militia and yoluntflers, and pubUsh^c^ th^ followr. iiig General OrdejT : Hbao Quarters Plattsburqh, ) September 13th, 1814 S GENERAL QRDERS. Tho sudden, unexpected and dastardly retreat of the enemy, renders it uiinecessary that those pat- riotic militia and volunteers, who hayo so gallantly defended their country from invasioA, should longer be detained from their homes. The General there- fore makes known to the militi^ under his con)man<^ anc the the aet\ whc thei mec IK>t noai enal his < teer may this Gent the f Gond all o< cong as wi fiturc this A By camp ktled t< alfway gon to !>rgeBnt ce, and \vrn tho Skinner 160^ and he watt r in turn jiks, fof 3d him ; prison* I prifion- }j Capt. the enco eit Major different e Britisl^ two oth- of tho eir arms isbandcd b followr. s retreat hose pat- Igallantly Id longer al thcre- lon^mand^ 23 '■ ^ . and thtt vohmteers of the Ftatt of Vermont* that they may return to their homes, with the tkanki of their General, and the reflection tiiat they have de» served the gratitude of their country. Thoee' few who basely deserted their st^^ndard, and roturoed to their homes without leave in time of danger, will meet their reward, by being despised as cowards, not deserving to be freemen. Had the enemy re- mained a day or two longer, we should have been enabled to have carried trouble and conftiflion into his camp. The spirit and emulation of the volun- teers, show to their country, and to the enemy what may be expected in case of any future invasion of this frontier. The General tenders his thanks to General Strong, and the officers and volunteers of the state of Vermont in .general, for their orderly conduct, and their promptness to meet the enemy qq all occasions, and on the shortest notioe: Ami he congratulates all who have been under his command as well as his country, on the total defeat, discom-^ fiture and disgrace of the enemy in his attack on this place, both by water and by land. By order Maj. Gen. Mooers, R. H. WALWORTH, Jid B0 Camp, I have before remarked, that the whole Amenean foree on land, on the morning of the %tk was only 1500- effective men of the regular troops, und about 900 militia. The number of militia and volunteersy was however, constantly increasing from this tm^ up to the 1 Ith, when perhaps they might have num- bered between two and three thousand, while the ; British army was AiU fourteen thousand strongl) 99 will appear from the following detailed account of |the several regiments and corps, of whieh it wa9 camposcd; collected at the lime from source^ enti- i tied to full credit. . . .- S, . ) '\ KMtMsaar-wt.. If lAST OF REGIMENTS Am CORPS. 4 Trpops 19th light dragoons 300 4 companies royal aittjH^iiry 400 1 bri'gadQ rocketteers %5t 1 brigade royal sappers and miners 75 l:8t Brigade 27th Regiment J si; l>atta|]ipn dOO '. I 4$th regiment 900 . v.. 5th 1000 , 3d orbufft 900 3700 2d Brigade 88th 1000 . 39th ■i^.H^i^m' 900 •J,, . 7t)th Sdbattallion 900 27th 3d battalliou 800 360Q 3d Brigade 8th or Kjngs ^4 battailion 900 , ^.,> 13th 600 > 49 600 6$b 1000 31 OQ Light Brigade Murpns Regt. (Swiss) J 200 Canadian Chasseurs 900 Voltigeurs 550 Frpntier Light Infantry 150 280Q ■ 14000 As a matter pf referefice and of interest to some I subjoin the following Hst of the principal officers of the British army upder the command of. Lieut Gen. Sir George ProFost, at the siege of Plattsburgh. Lt. Gen. Sir George Provost, Commander in Chief, Maj. Gen. DeRottenburg, Second in Command. Maj. Gen. Robertson Commanding first Brigade. Maj. Gen. Powers, Commanding second Brigade. Maj. Gen. Brisbane, Commanding third Brigade. Maj. Gen. Baynes, Adjutant General. Sir Sidnev Beckwith, Quarter Master General. Col. Hughs, Chief Engineer. Maj. Sinclair, Commanding oflicer of Artillery. # ^PS. 300 400 25 75 00 00 00 00 00 po 00 00 00 00 00 00 100 100 150 50 3700 360Q 310Q i 280Q 14000 I to some I ^ officers of ; ieut Gen« urgh. r in Chief, nand. igade. rigade. rigade. eral. llcry. 25 LieuteBj^nt Col. Trya)l, Assistant Adjutant GcneraJ. Capt. B^rke, Deputy Assistant AdRitant General. Col. Murray^ Assistant Quarter Master General. ^ Maj. Montgon^erv do do dd'' do Capt. Davis, Dept. Asst. Quarter Master General. 1 have how Sir, hastily, and with mui^h 'br? ■^y it flucnrfj in hriugiBg dbotlt the TrtTsAy of Pfeftid bb- tween the two Governments, which was signed at Ghent, in [)#;cwnaber following. • It was cunsidepcd by our own country and govern- ment, an eveni of the greatest importance, as is manifest from the resolutions passed by^our Nation- al and State Legislatures, expressive of their feel- ings on the subject. For the purpose of showing the liorht in which this event was viewed by the state and Nation, I crave your indulgence, while I present' you with copies, of those resolutions. , " Resolved by the Senate and House of Represen- tatives of the United States of America, in Con- gress assemblecr: That the thapks of Congress be, and they arc hereby presented to Brigadier General Macomb, and t,hrough him,- to the officers and men under his comtnand, for their gallantry *and good conduct, in defeating the enemy at Plattsburgh on the Mth September, repelling with l.OOO men, aided by a body of militia and volunteers from New York iuid Vermont, a British veteran army, greatly supe- rior in number. And that the President of the tJni- ted Stat*^*?, be requested to cau.se a gold medal to be Ptrurk, embleriiatical of this triumph,and presen- ted to Brigadier Gen. Macomb." *mu RfFolvcd, by the People of the State of New- York, represenicd in St^nate and Assembly.* That Brifi. Geu. Macomb of the army of th« United r'trjc, and Maj.Gten. Mooers of the miHtia of this ."^f i»ti\ aiul Mnj. Gen. Strong of the Vermont vohm- torr?. f r their conduct nt the Battle of Plattsburgh, anMnnd.'.i to tlic j^ratitudo of their country, and tho f iCgisliit'^ro prosont to them respectively -a Kword/' lleolvod. 'Vh:\\ r'o.ninrxlore Mc DbWugh, in miiiiit .linin:^ !:iv: ij-.,n>r of tliL' American flng, on Ll tl( * tl i I I -■-1 n € Peace be- signed at nd govern- ance, 89 is lurNation- their feel- f showing >y the Stat? el present' Represen- i, in Con- ingress be, er General s and men *and good tsburgh on r>en, aided New York ?atlystipe- r the tJni- medal to d prcsen- 6f Nevv- j: That e United ia of this 3nt vohm- ittsburgh, ntry, and ^ctivcIy « ough, in flng, on Lake ChainAlain against the superior force of hostile llect, iS'Cntitled tothe gratitude of his country, and the legisktuf a present h^n with a sword, and one thousand aqrea of Itind.^V In pursuance of one of the foregoing resolutions, His 'Excellently Gov. Tompkins, presented to GtMi. Mooers, in the capitoi, in the city of Albany, tlie sword voted to him by the $tatc, at which time His Excellency made the following address to the audi- ence, assembled to witness the interesting cure- wiony: ' Fellow Citizens^— The Senate and Assembly of this State have directed me to communicate their approi;>^tion of the conduct and services of officers, who^dis^inguished themselves in the late war ; and to present t9 then),mern6rials of public approbation and gratitude. I avafl ?i)yself of U^is occasion to discharge ip part, the trust your rcprcsensatives have confided to me. In entering upon the performance of this interest- ing duty, the occasion impressively requires a fer- vent acknowledgement of gratitude to the Great Arbiter of nations for having inspired «o many jpat- riots and heroes, to devote theii services, and tlieir lives to the cause pf freedom, and for having crown- ed our efforts in two successive struggles for inde- pendence, with signal success. And addressed Gen. Mooers as follows : SiR—^Thc SenatQ and Assembly of this state, penetrated with a hif;h sense of your services thro' the couise of the late war have requested rae to present to you a sword. Although your revolutionary sacrifices and merits are preserved in the re- eollections of your countrymen, yet the more immediate in* ducement to this distinguishing mark of public approhation, was your eminently brave conduct at Plattsburgh, in th« campaign of 1814. One prominent n'-\ject of the enemy in th^l campaign, was to pem^liate \' ith his northern army, the I I .f- I *,» ^8 1i'at«rfi of Lake Chtmpliiin, arid by t tinitiltaneoiis attack o^ th<> i'iijr of New York* foria • JoniBlion through 'tiie Hudspn^ . iNid'tihu,s sevei the comniiiiiicatioii Between the States. 9it- uAli^d lis we lihen were, no event would hive beeii 4^ fatal fo the union nnd independence of Che cmiAtry, as tQccesa iti tud enterprise. When we redeet, with' what ^nfideoee hit northern arinj advanced, and on the vaat aupeiiorkj'of his land and naval forces, we are astonished, that, he ffM§ n >t crowuet) with an easy and immediate victory. A severe Kilt friuniphant' contest, terminated in the eonauest of his nliole fleet. If is land troops, were also diiven by a smalt . t'orfis of reeuiiirs, and an inconsiderable body oi NeY6rk militia^ and Verrodnt Volui^teers,' to a precipitate retreat. The deeds of Commodore Mc Donough and his galtaht eoierades; have c/ovt^necj them with imperishable renown, Miicf the conduct of our jand ibrces, both in resist 102 'the a.onNultsof the enemy, and in annoying him in his nigh(, reflected (he ' highpst honor on the officers and soldiers. The irieslimahlie advantages to this state, and to the na- tion, of that glorimis vlcitory, are duty estimated, and the names of tho^e commanders who co-o|idrated in achieving it, 'will live long in the recollection of a magnanimous and grateful penple^ — Accept Sir, this trophy, awarded by your tf Mow cirizeris, as An acknowledgement of the meritorious and disiiof^uished part you took on that occasion, and with the sword, r«ceive ah assurance of my most respectful re"^ "giud.' ' '■ • " =' • "'^ '-' • •• •■ To whirh Gen. Mooers replied as follows : Sir — I am deeply iii pressed oh' this oc(:asidri, ahd ' ivish hot too did' • giiite ni} eiisaiions of gratitude to the' constituted authorj- r es of this: State, for fhe hbndr they have' conferred upon iiK*', and sensibly feel my Inability to express to your E:|- 4'<;tiency s^uitable acknowledgements.' |n early youth I en< ieied into the revolutionary war^ at the close of which I h'liied 10 fhe banks of the Qhainplain, where the achieve- luerit* *u \ihicU your Excellency refers tuuk place. | have passed I hruug,h dtflierent grades of office in the militia, to ilie' 'luoK I now hold. The duties enjoined on me by law^ »'(J I hr n>idi>is of } our Excellency, the rights and libef* li painty couniry, I'^nspired together (o rouse me fnto ti,Kj,t ili.tn Loiiiinou eiier<;y on the occasions to which your m to # *y »1» i: s AUiek o^ le Hudson, StpAes. 9it- BCiii 9p (aUl , as sQCttess ; ^nfideope peiioriCj'of bit he «rs|S '. A sevtr* luestof his I bj a smalt NeW-York ite retraat. his galtaiit >le renovo, 98l8tmE'th<5 D his nigbi, lid soldiers. to the na- ed, and the n achieviof; inimous and led bjr your meritorious and with oectful re"^ 3t Sir — I am too di^' ed authorj- erred upon your E^- outh I en- of which I le achieve- e. I have militia, to ne by Uw^ nnd liber- me into hich your I; ^1^' "29 %. H^ e £icel|eney>ba8 partioularly referred. I called my dtirisiot yito service, and co-operaled with the regular troops. to repel the iOvading Cue. That my conduct, aid thatlj^:^ng^ companions in arms should be so favorably noticed byjiiliir £xeellency,and tbe Hon.the Senate aod Assembly^i^iai la iinanimity peculiarly gratifyiiig, excites a sensibitlfy thlit' I have no words to expreis. ' f accept this token of respect Sir, and thej^r^lifying^^eX'i pressions of approbation, witb which your ExceUeney has accompanied the same, with unfeigned thanks, as wdl to thA Honorable the Legislature, for the partial notice of my humble endeavors, as to yOur Excellency for the man- ner of cbmmonieating it, and for the continued eonfidenee you Sir. reposed 'in me. And may the l^onor be ascribed to that invisible being that governs the ways of men aod ef nations. ' * ' Your Excellency s eonatan^ parental attention to the means of securing; bur exposed frontier, and your publie and die* tinguished services have not only entitled you Sir, to mine, {but to the applause and gratitude of the whole Country. ; In conclusion — I trust, I may be permitted to read' the foliowing resolution of Congress, and the subsequisnt pro* eeedings under it, if ithout subjecti'og niyseif to the oharg« of vanity or egotism. Rksolyed, Qy ^h^ Senate and IfQUseo( Representatives of the United States of America, in Cong^'ess assembled,-^' That the president of the United Statas be, and he is heiPe- by authorized, to cause to be delivered to Martin I. Aiken, Azariah C. Flaggj Ira A. Wood, Gustavus A. Bird, Jamejs Trowbridge, Hazen Mooers, Heory K. i\verill, St. JJobii B. L. Skinner, Frederick P. Allen, Hiram Walworth, EtbaR Everest, Amos Soper, James faiten, Barteiniis Brooks, ^mith Bateman, Melancton W. Travfs, and Ftftvel Will- iams, each one Rifle, promised them by Geneial Ajl[^mli, while commanding the Cbamplain Department, for their gallantry and patriotic services as a volunteer corpa, during the siege of Plattsburgh In September, one thousand e^t bundled and fourteen, on each of which said Ri6[e||, there shall be a plate containing an appropriate iuMiiption. (APPfoTXD 20th,Miy, i$2«.) 'f . ' ^' «> 30 m I ' ?» rp ]<> \ ''■ i War Department, ) * , WABifiNOTON Afay 4th. Y837. $ $iR-T-By • joint I2esolut|oQ of Congress, approved the iM)th of M»y 1826, the Presijdent of the United States is au- thorised to oause to bedeliveied to Jlifartin I. Aiken, and others, each one rifle, proinised them by Gen. Macomb, while commandini; the Ch^impUin pepartment, for their gn^Uantry and patriotic services asf a volunteei corps, during tbe siege of Pittsburgh in September^ one thousand ejght f-' hundred and fourteen, of which resolution 4 popy |s here- with enclosed. In the fulfillment of the intentions of Copgress ^s eipres- ed by the resdluiion, I have thought it very proper and puitable, that you should be seiecited on the occasion to present the rilles to the individuals to ivhom they i)re aw^rd- «d, especially as^ you bore so distinguished a par^ In the 4