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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film^s en commengant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ♦> signifie "A SUIVRE ', le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour gtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. errata I to t 3 pelure, on d D 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 f r, o m O O H HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN » COMPRISINQ A MINUTE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS MILITARY AND NAVAL OPERATIONS. Coiaiiiodon: Porfer, the Hero of the f'acijic. — Paffc 213. BY H. M. BRACKENRIDGE. PHILADELPHIA : JAMES KAY, JUN. ife BROTHER, 183,i MARKET STREET. PITTSUURGH: — C. H. KAY. 1846. 363252 1 Entered asccvding.to the act of congress, in the year 1839, by James Kay, Jun. Ac Brothei; in tli4 clerk's office of the district court of the United States in and for (he eastern distric: of Pennsylvania. i| J Printed and Bound by JAMES KAY, JUN. 4r BROTHER, Philadelphia. :l (4) ;2 PREFACE. s Kay, Jun. &, in and for (he The work here presented to the puric, after passing through five .arge editions, had been for years entirely out of circulation, when the Publishers, urged by its continued popularity, prevailed on the Author to prepare it for a sixth edition. This last impression having gone off with remarkable rapidity, the Publishers have now stereo- typed the work, after again submitting it to the ordeal of a careful and tscrutinizing revision. As to the merit of the work, the reader must judge for himself. Its general accwacy has received the approbation of those most capable of judging. It has been translated into Italian, by a writer of eminence ; and also into French, by the celebrated M. Dalmas, who speaks in high terms of the energy of the style, and the clear- ness of the narrative. The desi^ of the work was not a history of the hmes, embracing the legislative, diplomatic and statistical subjects connected with the war. These are glanced at. But it was the intention of the Author to bring within one narrative, as far as it was practicable, all the campaigns, battles, skirmishes and incidents which may properly be considered as constituting the Events of the War. It was difficult, if not impossible, to weave all these materials into one connected story, especially when we consider that the war was carried on simultaneously at so many points having no connection with each other. There was the war of the south, that of the north- west, that on the Nia^ra, that along the seabord at various points ; and there was the maritime contest, which was entirely distinct from that along the coast. On the Niagara frontier there was much hard fighting; but every campaign opened under a new general, and sometimes before its close that general was superseded. Aft«r the fall of general Pike, the war in that quarter was carried on witiiout any settled plan ; and ended without accomplishing any one of its objects. It served, however, to afford opportunity to a number of officers to distinguish themselves for their military talents and intre- pidity : among these, generals Brown, Scott, Jesvp, Miller, Rip- ley, TowsoN are deservedly eminent. To the Northwest our mili- tary afiairs were conducted on a systematic plan, and under a com- mander who was completely successful in what he undertook : in the South, the war was also confided to a single individual, who was found abundantly competent to the duties assigned him. Harrison and Jackson therefore are the only generals who can be said to have conducted entire plans of operation to a successful issue ; and their names are decidedly the most conspicuous in the History of the War. Philadelphia^ January 1839. A* 5 i \ ILLUSTRATIONS. U t n\ ■ BATTI.E OF THE CONSTITUTION AND GUERRIERE — COMMODORE HULL 47 BATTLE OF THE WASP AND FROLIC — COMMODORE JONES 51 TAKING OF YORK, AND DEATH OF GENERAL PIKE . . 108 GALLANT DEFENCE OF FORT SANDUSKY, BY MAJOR CROGHAN 150 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE — COMMODORE PERRY 155 BATTLE OF THE THAMES, AND DEATH OF TECUM. SEH— GENERAL HARRISON 161 COMMODORE PORTER, THE HERO OF THE PACIFIC — Vignette 213 BATTLE OF THE CONSTITUTION WITH THE CYANE AND LEVANT — COMMODORE STEWART 223 BOMBARDMENT OF FORT M'HENRY — MAJOR ARMI. STEAD 271 BATTLES OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, AND PLATTSBURGH —COMMODORE M'DONOUGH, AND GENERAL MA- COMB 279 BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS — GENERAL JACKSON — Frontispiece 294 6 n CONTENTS. ERE. Pa«« 47 DDORE 51 IKE .. 108 MAJOR 150 155 ECUM- 161 [FIC — .... 213 YANE 223 RMI. 271 4 -;/' JRGH MA. Ion- 279 294 m m Jauiics of tlic War vvitn Great Britain. 13 Rule of 175C 14 Iinprussinent of American Seamen. . . .15 Attacii on the Chesaiisake 19 DitfurenceH vvitli France 21 French Decrees 21 CHAPTER I. Non-Intercourse 22 Indian Hostilities 23 Tecumseh 23 General Harrison 24 Battle of Tippecanoe 24 Honours paid to General Harrison 20 .27 Embargo 22 War witli Great Britain inevitable.' CHAPTER II. Declaration of War by the U. States. .28 General Hull reaches Detroit 31 He crosses into Canada 32 Successful Skirmishes on the River Aux Canards 33 Taking of Michilimackinac 34 Battle of Brownstown 35 Battle of Magugua 36 Taking of Chicago 37 Surrender of General Hull 38 Naval Events 43 Cruise of Commodore Rodgers 43 The President chases the Belvidera 44 Cruise of Captain Hull 44 The Constitution captures theGuerriere45 Commodore Porter captures the Alert. .49 Cruise of the President and Congress. .50 CHAPTER III. Cruise of the Argus 50 The United States captures the Mace- donian '' The Wasp captures the Frolic 51 Exploits of American Privateers 53 Results of the Naval Warfare 54 Sensations excited in England 55 CHAPTER IV. Military Enthusiasm in the West 56 General Harrison tak^s command of the Northwestern Army 57 The Army advances under General Winchester 58 Expedition to the Rapids under Gene- ral Tupper 59 Failure of the Expedition to the Rapids 60 Second Expedition to the Rapids un- der General Tupper 61 Foray under General Hopkins 62 Second Expedition under General Hopki lis 63 Defence of Fort Harrison 64 Expedition under Colonel Russell 65 Expedition under Colonel Campbell . . .65 Security of the Frontier established. ..66 CHAPTER V. Troops on the Canada Frontier 66 Capture of the Caledonia 67 Battle 1)1' dueenstown 68 Death of General Brock 70 Briti!;h bombard Fort Niagara 72 Abortive attempt of General Smyth. .73 Northern Army 7.'i Incursion of Forsythe— of Colonel Pike 76 War on the Lakes 77 First Cruise of Commodore Chauncey. .77 7 i ' nil CONTENTS. CHAPTER VI. Meeting of Congren 78 Proposal of an Armistice 79 Reverses of Napoleon 80 Measures for carrying on the (Yar ... .81 Blocliade of uur Coasts 81 War with the Southern Indians 83 Tecuniseh's ViHJt to the CrueliB 83 War with the Bcminoles 84 Third British Frigate talien— the Java. 86 Disasters of our Arms to tlic West ... .88 CHAPTER VII. General f (nrrison returns to Ohio 88 General Winchester sends a Detach- ment to the relief of Prcnchtown. .89 Defeat of the British and Indians 00 Winchfisier arrives with Reinforce- ments 00 Defeat and Surrender of the Ameri- cans at the River Raisin 01 Cruelty of tlie British and Indians — 03 Humanity of th« People of Detroit 05 March of General Harrison 06 Siege of Fort Meigs 07 Defeat of Colonel Dudley 00 Sortie under Colonel Miller 09 Siege of Fort Meigs raised 100 Exploit of Major Ball 103 CHAPTER VIII. British Preparations in Canada 102 Incursion of Forsy the 103 Attack on Ogdensburgh 103 General Pike 104 Taking; of York 105 Explosion of a Magazine 109 Death of General Pike. 109 Taking of Forts George and Erie • • • .112 Battle of Stony Creek 116 Capture of Generals Chandler and Winder 118 British attack Sackett's Harbour 120 Repulsed by General Brown 121 Resignation of General Dearborne . ..123 Town of Sodus attacked 123 Affair at Beaver Dams 123 Lieutenant Eldridge 124 Indians enter the American Service. .124 British attack Black Rock 124 Second Taking of York 125 British devastate the Borders of Lake Chamfilain 125 Cruise of Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario 126 CHAPTER IX. War on the Coast 127 British attack Le wistown 128 Gun-Boats attack some British Ves- sels of War 129 Exploits of Admiral Cockburn 129 Attack on Frenchtown 130 Plundering ond Burning of Havre do Grace 130 Plundering and Burning of George- town and Fredericktown 132 Arrival of Admiral Warren and Sir Sydney Beckwith 132 Southern Cities threatened 133 Attack on Craney Island— gallantly repulsed 133 Hampton asfiaulted and plundered — 135 Enormities committed there 135 Correspondence between General Taylor and Sir Sydney Beckwith. 136 Cockburn plunders the Coast of North Carol ina 137 Blockade of the American Squadron at New London by Commodore Hardy 138 Torpedo System 138 CHAPTER X. Naval AfFairs 139 The Hornet captures the Peacock ... .140 Humane and generous Conduct of Captain Lawrence, and the Crew of the Hornet 141 Captain Lawrence appointed to the Chesapeake 141 The Shannon challenges the Chesa- peake 143 The Shannon captures the Chesapeake 143 •■'',- i CONTENTS. liani 83 ieka 83 84 I— the Java. 86 ic WtJBt ....88 Indiana ....03 Detroit... 95 I 96 97 99 r 99 100 102 n 121 larborne ... 123 123 123 124 in Service. .124 124 125 rs of Lalte 1S5 luncey on 126 133 gallantly 133 lindered 135 e 135 General Beck with. 136 t of North 137 [uadron at dore Hardy 138 138 ed to tbe 141 tie Chesa- 142 heaapeake 143 i ■'i-^ k :!i; Death of Capt.iin Lawrence 143 The Pelican captiiroM the Argus 145 Cruise of Commodore Porter in the 8<)ut ^'as 146 llie Enterprize captures the Boxer. . .140 Cruise of Commodore Rodgers 147 Cruiso of the Congress 147 Gallant Conduct of American Priva- teers— of the Comet— of the Gene- ral Armstrong 147 The Privateer Decatur captures the Dominica 148 CHAPTER XI. Affairg of the West 149 Patriotic Enthusiasm of Ohio and Kentucky 149 Governor Shelby 150 Character of the Kentuckians 150 Gallant Defence of Fort Sandusky by Major Croghan 151 Humane Conduct of the Bebieged 152 Tecumseh raises the Siege of Fort Meiga 153 Naval Preparations on Lake Erie. .. .153 Commodore Perry sails with his Fleet in quest of the Enemy 153 Battle of Lake Erie 154 Gallant Behaviour of Perry 154 Capture of the Enemy's Squadron. •■ .157 " We have met the Enemy, and they are ours" 157 Northwestern Army reinforced 158 Capture of Maiden 158 Skirmish at Chatham 158 Battle of the Thames 159 Capture of the British Regulars 160 Colonel Johnson wounded 160 Death of Tecumseh 100 Character of Tecumseh 163 Escape of General Proctor 164 Public Testimonials of Respect to General Harrison 164 Generous Treatment of the British Prisoners— of the Savages 165 Interesting Correspondence 165 CHAPTER XII. Preparations for invading Canada. . . .166 General Armstrong appointed Secre- tary of War 167 General Wilkinson appointed Com- mander-in-Chief 167 General Hampton takes command of the Army of the North 168 Rendezvous of the American Forces at Grenadier Island 168 General Wilkinson descends the St. Lawrence 169 British harass the American Army. ..170 Battle of Chrystler's Field 172 General Hampton descends the Cha- teaugay River 174 Is attacked by the British, and retreats 174 His Inability or Unwillingness to co> operate with General Wilkinson. 175 Both American Armies ([o into Win- ter Quarters 175 Failure of the Canadian Expedition .. 175 Cruise of Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario 176 He captures five British armed Schooners 177 Burning of Newark by the Americans. 178 British Retaliation 178 Fort Niagara surprised 179 Destruction of Lewistown, Buffalo, and other places 179 CHAPTER XIII. Meeting of Congress 180 Violence of Party Spirit 180 Lukewarm Deportment of the New England States 181 Measures for carrying on the War. . . .182 Recourse to Taxation 182 Adoption of means for recruiting the Army 183 Interesting case of twenty-three American Prisoners 183 Arrogance of the British Government. 184 Debates in Congress on the subject. . .184 Result of the Debates 185 Inquiry by Congress into the manner in which the War had been car- ried on by the Enemy 186 American Commissioners of Peace sent to Gottenburg 187 The War gains ground in Public Opi- nion 187 10 CONTENTS. CIIArTKR XIV. t.J! II ■| I iJ Wiir with tlio Crook In«lianii 1H8 Maaiarro by tlin Cri>«ikii at Fort IMiiirn- 188 ExptMlitKin iiiiiliT (joni'ruU Jnrkmin uiiil Cockr iiuiiiiMt TalliiHliutchi'R. IfH) nmilu of 'I'ulluilcKa 100 Outicnil (Nx'ku HiirpriHCH the Initiaiii nil thn TalhipooHa River 191 General Ftoy'l's Expedition a^ainHt the AiitoBseo TownH 191 Ocnornl CInibnrnc'iJ Hxiwdition a- guihiit the TuwnH of Bccunachaca ■ 191 Oencral JnrkRon mnrrheN to Iho re- lief of Fort ArinKtronK 1W Hi* Crilicnl HituHtion, nnd Rctrent. ■ . Wi D'ifi'iitH an Indian AinhiiMrade t ri'pul!«Ml.l'J3 General JuckHoii KniiiH the MiwiKuina- ry Victory of IIorK* Shoe-IU-nd . . . 194 Tcrmimtfs the War with theUreekH, and dictalci Peace to them on Bcvcro TertuB 190 CHAPTER XV. Plans of Operations against Canada prnpoRod 197 General Hrown marches to Sackett's Harbonr 197 General Wilkinson retires to Platts- hiirg 198 Attacks the British at La Colic, and is repulsed 198 Suspended from the command 199 Discouraging ditliculties in the Econ- omy of the Artny 199 Smuggling 200 Ua8ucce88f\il Attack by the British at Otter Creek 200 British Fleet enters Lake Champlain.201 Lake Ontario— Contest for superiority 201 Gallant Defence of Oswego 202 British land at Pulteneyvillc 202 Blockade of Sackctt's Harbour 202 Engagement at Sandy Creek and Cap- ture of the British there 203 Death of Colonel Forsythe— of Cap- tain Malloux, in a Skirmish 204 Colonel Campbell's Expedition a- gainst Dover, Canada 204 Affairs to the Westward 20S Colonel Baubec take-H<;ii(l ...104 hoCroekx, thcin oil 190 dition a- 204 205 iner 205 1 Holmes. 205 J 200 207 undivided itedSlnte8 208 il by Com- 208 ockway's 208 Sound... 208 ituatG...200 led 209 lis in Pas- British... 210 on 210 ot River the Brit- ..211 n Adams 211 fges there 213 214 Jiduct . . . .214 |t Valpa- 215 Cherub 21fl 217 |x Junior 218 lish Brig 21f) Peer 220 221 221 I CrulM* of ihit I'ri'iiident, the IVococIt Thr ll.irnit.Cnptnin Diddlo, capture! and thf llorni't ^i\ thti Ti iiKuiu 220 Thf I'ri'ttidtiit captured by a Hritlith Kxploin of Aiuericnn Privatnora SdO 8«|uadrtin 5B» Capture of the AinMriron Privateer UHtitiition engagcii and cap- AruiHtronn, aller a drumiful Cor- urti the Cyuuottud the Lcvo»t..225 nage of Iho Enemy 8S17 CHAPTER XVII. Plan of Campaign on tho Canada Frontier 22B Ceneral Brown rollectH nn Army at Bliw k Rock and Buflblo 220 CaptureH Fort Erie 220 Biitllt! of Chippewa 2;«) r.allniitry of Major JeHup 2:11 BritiHh retreat 232 AiiiiTiran Army advances 232 Dentil of General Swia 2113 Movement on Fort George 233 General Brown retreats lo the Chip- pew a 233 Battle of Nia(;ara 234 General Riull taken Prisoner 235 Colonel Jesup 23(5 Colonel Miller—" I will try, Sir" 23G British Cannon charged upon and taken 237 Desperate Elforts of tho British to re- gain their Cannon 238 Genernlc) Scott and Brown wounded. .238 British recover their Cannon 240 Both Armies retire from the Field . .. .210 British advance next Morning 241 Americans retreat to Fort Erie 241 Defences of Fort Erie enlarged and extended - 241 Siege of Fort Erie 242 Projected Attack on Buffalo repulsed. .242 General Gaines assumes the Com- mand at Fort Erie 242 Assault on Fort Erie 243 Death of Colonel Drummond 244 Tremendous Explosion 245 Tho Besiegers driven back to their Works 245 Renewal of the Cannonade 24*1 Sortie from Fort Erie 24«J Destruction of the Enemy's Works. ..247 Briti.sli raise the Siege, and retreat to Fort George 248 Arrival of General Izard at Fort Erie. 248 Americans advance along the Niagara 241) Eiigiigenieiit at Lyon's Creek 24U Destruction of Fort Erie by the Amer- icans 240 Evacuation of Upper Canada 249 Close of the Third Invasion of Cana- da 250 Important Results of the Campaign. .250 Affbirsof tiie West 251 Unsuccessful Expedition against Mi- chilinmckinac 251 Capture of two American armed Schooners 251 General M' Arthur's Expedition into Canada 251 CHAPTER XVIII. War on tlie Sea Coast 252 Engagements between the Enemy and Commodore Barney's Flotilla in Chesapeake Bay 252 PliMidcrings of the British 253 Washington and Baltimore threatened 253 Preparations for Defence 254 General Winder appointed to com- mand the Troops to be assembled. .255 Impracticability of collecting a suffi- cient Force 255 The Enemy are reinforced 25G Landing of the British Army under General Ross 25G Advance of the British Army on Washington 257 American Army takes post at Bla- densburg 253 Battle of Bladonshurg 259 Defeat of the Americans 2(50 Washington abandoned to tho Enemy 2(Jl British burn the Public Buildings 2tJl Retreat of the British to their shipping2(12 Plunder of Alexandria 262 Repulse of tho British at Moors Fields, and Death of Sir Peter Parker . . .263 Resignation of the Secretary of War.2<)3 Trial and acquittal of General Winder 2G4 12 CONTENTS. I ' CHAPTER XIX. Sensations produced by the Capture of Washington in Europe and in England 264 Effect of it in the United States 264 Preparations for defending Baltimore. 265 Admiral Cochrane appears at the mouth of the Patapsco 266 Debarkation of the British Troops at NorthPoint 267 General Strieker marches from Balti- more to meet them 267 Battle of North Point 268 ' Death of General Ross 268 Retreat of the American Army 269 British Army appears before Baltimore 270 Bombardment of Fort M'Henry 271 Attack on Baltimore abandoned 272 British fleet retires to the West Indies -272 Aflhirs on the Northern Frontier 273 Invasion of New York State by the British under Sir George Prevost. .273 Progress of the British impeded by General Macomb 274 British Army occupies Plattsburg op- posite the American Works 275 Gallant Affair of Captain M'Glassin. .276 British and American Fleets on Lake Champlain 276 Battle of Lake Champlain 277 Battle of Plattsburg 277 Defeat of the British Squadron, and Capture of its principal Vessels.. 278 Retr^at of the British Army from the American Territory 278 CHAPTER XX. Unanimity of Sentiment in Congress. 282 Negotiations with Great Britain 282 British Sine dua Nou 283 Hartford Convention 284 Mr. Biddle's Report in the Legisla- ture of Pennsylvania 284 Removal of the Seat of Government from Washington agitated 284 Mr. Dallas appointed Secretary of the Treasury 285 Improvement in our Finances 285 Aflfairs to the Southward 285 Attack on Fort Bowyer most gal- lantly repulsed 286 Inroad into Florida, and Capture of Pensacola, by General Jackson. ..286 Invasion of Louisiana meditated by the British 287 Preparations to resist the Invasion. ..288 Arrival of General Jackson at New Orleans e^ His Pr3sence inspires Confidence ilSd British Fleet arrives off the Coast 289 Capture of iae American Gun-Boats. .289 Martial Law proclaimed by General Jackson 290 The Pirate Lafitte 290 British Forces land within seven Miles of New Orleans 291 Battle of the 23d of December 291 Results of the Battle 292 General Jackson encamps, and forti- fies himself. 292 Aflairs of the 28th of December, and of the 1st of January 1815 293 Position of the American Troops 294 British prepare to storm the Ameri- can Works on both sides of the Mississippi 294 Memorable Battle of the 8th January. 294 Death of General Packenham 295 Defeat and Terrible Carnage of the British on the Left Bank of the River 295 Americans driven fVom their In- trenchments on the Right Bank . .295 Louisiana evacuated by the British. ..296 Unsuccessful Bombardment of Fort St. Philip by the British 296 Depredations of Admiral Cockburn along the Southern Coast 297 Peace with Great Britain 297 Terms of the Treaty of Peace 297 Conclusion 296 ■4 West Indies. 272 i'rontier 273 Itate by the rgePrevoBt..273 impeded by 274 attsburg op- Works 275 I M'Gla8Bin..276 jets on Lalce 276 in 277 277 [uadron, and pal Vessels.. 278 my from the 278 ithin seven ns 291 ;mber 291 292 )s, and forti- 292 •ceraber, and y 1815 293 » Troops 294 the Ameri- sides of the , 294 8th January. 294 iham 295 nage of the Bank of the 295 ■i their In- ight Bank . .295 he British... 296 nt of Fort lish 296 1 Cockburn oast 297 297 eace 297 296 BRACKENRIDGE'S HISTORY OF THE WAR. CHAPTER I. Causes of the War with Great Britain— Rule of 1756— Impressment of American Seamen— Attack on the Chesapeake— Differences with France— French Decrees- Embargo — Non- Intercourse — Indian Ho.slilitics—Tecumseh— General Harrison- Battle of Tippecanoe— Honours paid to General Harrison— War with Great Britain inevitable. The perseverance of the British nation in attempting to exer- cise a power without right, over her American brethren, first broke the ties of dependence, which it was so much her interest to preserve; and her subsequent illiberal policy tended to weaken the influence of affinity, which a true wisdom would have taught her to cherish. Why is it that the enmity of those, between whom there are by nature the most numerous bonds of friendship, is the most bitter ? It is because each of these is a distinct cord which may vibrate to the feelings of hatred, as well as of love. With China, with Turkey, with France, we may be governed by temporary and varying policy ; but towards England we can never feel indifference. There always have been, and there still are numerous ties to attach us to Britain, which nothing but an uugenerous and unnatural policy can weaken or destroy. With the acknowledgement of our independence, Great Britain did not renounce her designs of subjugation. Force had been found unavailing, she next resolved to try what might be done by insidious means. For many years after the peace of 1783, our affairs wore no promising appearance. The con- federation which bound the states during their struggle against a common enemy, was too feeble to hold them together in a time of peace. The cement of our union being thus eaten B 13 14 BRACKENRIDGE'S If? I!' r 'i, ■ii ■ .1 Causes of the War with Great Britain Rule of 1756. away, England foresaw what we had to encounter, and pro- phesying according to her wishes, solaced herself with the hope of seeing us divided, and engaged in civil broils. The seeds of dissension had been abundantly sown ; our state of finance was deplorably defective ; it miglii almost be said, that the nation was at an end, for so many jarring interests disco- vered themselves in the states, as aimost to preclyde the hope of reducing these discordant elements to harmony and order. A state of anarchy and civil war might restore us to Great Britain. Happily for America, she possessed at this moment, a galaxy of sages and patriots, who maintained a powerful in- fluence over the minds of their fellow-citizens. By their exer- tions, a spirit of compromise and accommodation was introduced, which terminated in our present glorious compact — a second revolution, which secured to us the benefits of the first. By this event Great Britain lost, for a time, the opportunity of tampering with the individual states, of fomenting jealousies, and of governing by division. Her policy was changed ; it became a favourite idea, that our growth should be repressed, and so many impediments thrown in our way, as to convince us, that we had gained nothing in becoming free. We soon experienced the effects of her disappointment. Contrary to express stipulation, she refused to surrender the military posts on our western frontier, and, at the same time, secretly insti- gated the savages to murder the frontier settlers. Spain was, at this very moment, practising her intrigues to draw off the western states from the confederacy ; of which there is little doubt England would soon have taken advantage. But we also came in contact with Britain on the-ocean : our commerce began to flourish ; and on the breaking out of the French war, she found in us formidable rivals. In order to put a stop to our competition, she called into life the odious, and almost obsolete rule of 1756, which is in palpable violation of the law of nations. The spirit of this rule is to prevent the neutral from enjoying any commerce, which would not, at the same time, be open to the belligerent ; in other words, to per- mit no neutral. In practice it was carried to the full extent. The orders in council of the 8th of January, 1793, became the source of a thousand vexations to American commerce; and yet they were in a manner tolerable, compared to those of the Gth of November, which were secretly circulated among the British cruisers, authorising them to capture " all vessels laden with the produce of any of the colonies of France, or carrying pro- visions or supplies to the said colony." The greater part of our commerce was at once swept from the ocean. On this HISTORY OF THE WAR. 15 1756. ImpresBiiient of Aiiit'ricaii Seamen. •, and pro- f with the roils. The ur state of le said, that rests disco- de the hope and order. IS to Great lis moment, )o\verful in- their exer- , introduced, t — a second first. opportunity g jealousies, changed ; it e repressed, to convince . We soon ^Contrary to ilitary posts cretly insti- Spain was, raw off the Here is little , ocean : our g out of the In order to the odious, ble violation prevent the not, at the irds, to per- fuU extent, became the ce ; and yet of the 6th the British laden with Trying pro- ter part of On this f occasion, our mercantile communities came forward, unbiassed by party divisions. They expressed themselves in the strong- est terms against this treacherous and wicked procedure. The war of the revolution had not been forgotten ; that with the sa- vages still raged : it was not by such acts, we could )c induced to entertain a friendly feeling towards England. There pre- vailed a universal clamour for war, among the merchants par- ticularly, and which it required all the firmness of Washington to withstand. This great man had marked out to himself the wise policy, of keeping aloof from European politics, and of avoiding all entanglements in their wars. Mr. Jay was despatched as a special messenger, with orders to remon- strate in a manly tone. This mission terminated in the cele- brated treaty of 1794 ; which was sanctioned by the nation, although not without great reluctance. It appeared in the sequel, that we had merely evaded a war, in order to recom- mence disputes concerning the same causes. The British did little more than modify their orders in coun- cil, by those issued in 1795 and 1798. In fact, down to the peace of Amiens, the same vexations and abuses furnished a constant theme of remonstrance. Neither General Washing- ton, nor Mr. Adams, was able to arrange our differences with England, or induce her lo consult her own true interests, by a just and liberal policy towards us. From this we may fairly infer, that no administration of our government could have succeeded in accommodating our differences upon just and equitable principles. Another cause of complaint accompanied with equal step the violations of our commercial and maritime rights, and was of a nature still more vexatious. It is one upon which American feeling has always been much alive. Great Britain is the only modern nation, within the pale of civilization, at least of those who recognise the general maritime law, who does not consi- der the flag as protecting the person who sails under it ; and we are the only people who, during peace, have been dragged from our ships on the high seas, by Christian nations, and condemn- ed to servitude. This intolerable outrage grew up from a small beginning, by imprudent acquiescence on our part ; perhaps not conceiving it possible, that it could ever assume so hide- ous a front. At first, it was a claim to search our merchant vessels for deserters from tho public service of Britain ; next, it became a right to impress English seamen, who had engaged themselves in American sbips ; finally, every person who could not prove on the spot, to the satisfaction of the boarding officer, that he was an American, was carried away into a most hate- 16 BRACKENRIDGE'S Impresgment of American Seamen. 1^= r; i : '- ..I |i f ': I, ful bondage. England had gone far, in asserting the right to search a neutral vessel, for enemy's goods ; but this pretended exception to the general rule that a ship on the high seas is as inviolable as the territory of the nation at peace, had been op- posed by every power in Europe, excepting the one which happened for the tinrve to be mistress of the seas ; a strong proof that it was not a right, but an abuse. The claim set up of a right to search neutral ships for men^ is unsupported by any writer on the public law, or by one sound reason. She hud no more right to claim her subjects from our ships, than from our territory. Whatever right she might have, to prevent them from quitting their country, at times when their services were required ; or of punishing them for doing so: she had no right to pursue them into our country, or demand them from us, un- less sustained in doing so by express stipulation. But what she had no right to demand, she had a right to take by force ! When closely pressed, she deigned at last to give some reasons in support of her practice : — she must have men to man her thousand ships — she was contending for her existence — we had no right to ^mploy her seamen — our flag had no regard to her interests — our employment of foreign seamen was not regu- lated — our sufferings were the consequence of our own im- prudence. — These were the only arguments that could be used in support of such a practice. If England said she naust have men, we answered that we must have men also. We also were contending for our existence, but did not think it justi- fiable on that account to plunder our neighbours, or make them slaves. She said that we had no right to employ her seami^n — we could answer that she had no right to employ ours. We were no more bound to consult her interest, than she ccHisidered herself bound to consult ours. The fact is, that no nation in the world employs a greater number of foreign seamen than Great Britain, in her immense commerce, and in her immense navy ; and she has a right to employ them., net for the reason she has assigned, to wit, that she was contending for her ex- istence, or fighting the battles of the world, but because the thing was lawful in itself. So far from restricting herself, or regulating the practice, or consulting the interests of others, she consulted only her own interests, and held out enticements to foreign seamen, which no other nation did. Here, then, was a simple question ; how came that to be unlawful in America, which was lawful in Britain ? Would not Great Britain protect an American seaman, who has been made an Englishman by being two vears in her service ? But were we to blame because her seamen preferred our service ? There was, in fact, nothing \\\ X >8r HISTORY OF 'nil: WAK. 17 the right to s pretended h seas is as ad been op- one which trong proof set up of a •ted by any . She had I, than from revent them ;rvices were lad no right from us, un- But what ce by force ! 3me reasons to man her ice — we had egard to her IS not regu- ur own im- ould be used e must have We also link it justi- make them er seamen — ours. We e considered 10 nation in eamen than ler immense the reason for her ex- 5ecause the herself, or ts of others, enticements •e, then, was in America, itain protect lishnMin by ime because t, nothing in Imprfissmunt of American Soaineii. :f the American practice to justify reprisals. The employment of English seamen, who voluntarily tendered their services, was lawful, however disagreeable it might be to England. How far a Iriendly feeling towards that country, might induce us to consult her convenience and interests, or how far our own weakness, or interest, might require us to waive our rights, was another matter. This is placing the subject in the least reprehensible view, as respects England. But when we come to examine the man- ner in which this pretended right was exercised by her, it can- not be doubted for a moment, that the whole was a mere pretext to vex our commerce, and recruit for her navy, from American ships. This is evident, from the uniform practice of impress- ing men of all nations, found in them : Spaniards, Portuguese, Danes, Russians, Hollanders, and even Negroes. It was, in fact, an insult to every nation in the civilized world. Tros Tyriusque nuUo, was the motto, although not in the friendly sense in which it was used by the Queen of Carthage. Th(5 Hr- h practice amounted to subjecting the crew of every Ame- rican vessel, to be drawn up before a lieutenant of the navy, that he might choose out such as suited his purpose. The good sailor was uniformly an Englishman, and the lubber an American. It has been said, that the number of impressed Americans was exaggerated ; was there no exaggeration as to the number of Englishmen in the American service? Was it then of more importance, that Great Britain should prevent a lew of her seamen from escaping into a foreign service, than it was to us, that free Americans should be doomed to the worst of slavery ? England has never known the full extent of the sensations produced in America, by her practice of impressment. The influence of party spirit has contributed to deceive her. The great body of Americans have always felt this outrage to their persons, with the keenest indignation ; no American adminis- tration would ever express a different sentiment. She was much mistaken, if she supposed, that the outcry against her conduct was a mere party trick : it was deeply felt as an egregious in- sult. She did not know that the American seamen were, in general, of a class superior to her own ; that is, more decently brought up, of more reputable connexions, of better morals and education, and many of them looking forward, after the expira- tion of their apprenticeships, to be mates and captains of ves- sels ; or rather she knew it well, and therefore gave them her baleful preference. But mark the retribution which follows the steps of injustice. When any of these men were so fortu- nate as to escape from seven or ten years' servitude on board a, u 18 BUACKENRIDGE'S it 1^1 V !l' fi I" II Impressment of American Seamen. British man-of-war, they breathed nothing but revenge, and imparted the same feeling to their countrymen. It was pre- dicted, that these men who had wrongs of their owrty would be found, in case of war with England, no common foes. War came, and Britain may read in our naval combats, a commen- tary on her practice of imprcssment, and her tyranny on the ocean. As early as the year 1793, it was declared by the American minister at London, that the practice of impressment had pro- duced great irritation in America, and that it was difficult to avoid making reprisals on the British seamen in the United States. It is perhaps to be regretted, that General Washing- ton's threat was not carried into execution, as it might have brought the affair to issue at once. The practice had grown so vexatious after the treaty of 1794, that the British govern- ment was told in plain terms, that unless a remedy was applied, war would be inevitable. It was said to be of such a nature, as no American could bear; "that they might as well rob the American vessels of their goods, as drag the American sea- men from their ships, in the manner practised by them." Cer- tainly the offence would have been as much less, as a bale of goods is of less value than a man. It was stated, that as many as two hundred and seventy Americans were then actually in the British service, the greater part of whom persisted in re- fusing pay and bounty. They were told, that if they had any regard for the friendship of this country, they would facilitate the means of relieving those of our oppressed fellow-citizens. That the excuse alleged by Great Britain, of not being able to dis- tinguish between her subjects, and the citizens of America, was without foundation, inasmuch as foreigners who could not b( mistaken, were equally liable to impressment. The ho- nour of the nation, it was said, was deeply concerned, and un- less the practice should be discontinued, it must ultimately lead to open rupture. This was the language uniformly held forth, by every successive administration of the American government. It was the theme of reprobation, and remonstrance, of every distinguished statesman of this country. On this subject we find Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Mar- shall, Jay, Pickering, King, and many others, in their official correspondence, fully and uniformly concurring. In fact, these complaints continued until the last hour, in consequence of our impolitic submission. This shocking outrage was at length carried to such extent, that voyages were often broken up, and the safety of vessels endangered, by not leaving a sufficient number of mariners on HISTORY OF THE WAR. 19 ImpreHHinent of American Seamen Attack on thn Chesapeake. cvenge, and It was pre- ottTiy would foes. War , a com men- limy on the he American ent had pro- s difficult to 1 the United al Washing- might have had grown itish govern- was applied, ich a nature, well rob the nerican sea- hem." Cer- as a bale of hat as many I actually in sisted in re- ley had any facilitate the zens. That ; able to dis- )f America, 10 could not . The ho- led, and un- imately lead y held forth, government, ce, of every 5 subject "we :)nroe. Mar- heir official n fact, these i;ience of our such extent, y of vessels iiariners on I board to navigate them. It was estimated, that at least seven thousand Americans were at one time in the British service, against their will. Even as respects her own subjects, the practice of impressment is one of the most cruel and unjust ; in diicct opposition to the general freedom of her constitu- tion, and only covered by the most miserable sophistry ; but to America, who would not endure a single one of her citizens to be impressed into her own service, it is not suprising that it should appear detestable. The tribute of Minos, or of Monte- zuma, of the youth doomed as a sacrifice to infernal idols, was not more hateful. The American was compelled to stoop to ill} humiliation of carrying about him, on the high seas, the certificate of his nativity ; and this was soon found unavailing, it was torn to pieces by the tyrant, and its fragments scattered to the winds. She boldly asserted the right of dragging from underneath our flag, every one who could not prove on the spot, that he was not a British subject. Every foreigner, no matter of what country, was, in consequence, excluded from our mer- chant service. On the part of the United States, every possible effort was made to compromise the matter, but in vain. No offer was ever made by Great Britain, which presented any prospect of putting an end to these abuses ; while the most fair and rational on our part, were rejected. About the year 1800, a proposal was made for the mutual exchange of deserters, but this was rejected by Mr. Adams, for the same reason that the President rejected the treaty of 1806 — because it was thought better to have no provision, than one which did not sufficiently provide against the abuses of impressment. England offered to make it penal, for any of her naval officers to impress our seamen, provided we discontinued our practice of naturalizing her subjects. The mockery of such a proposition, alone fully proves her fixed mind. No plan could be devised so suitable to her wishes, as that of subjecting the liberty, life, and hap- piness of an American citizen, to the caprice of every petty lieutenant of her navy : otherwise, she would have been con- tented with the exclusion of her subjects from all American vessels, a thing which she had no right to ask, but which we were willing to grant for the sake of peace. The climax of this extraordinary humiliation, and which, a century hence, will scarcely be credited, was still wanting ; the attack on the Chesapeake occurred, and for the moment, con- vulsed the nation. This vessel was suddenly attacked within our waters in profound peace, compelled to surrender, and several seamen, alleged to be British, were then forcibly taken from her. The burst of indignation which followed, was even more f I I 11 ! hi f 1 . !^' i r' ; ■ i .' ■ fi!: l-'i! 20 i{UArKi:Nuii)(;i':\s Attni'k 1)11 tli<< riicHnpcnKc violont than that wliich was iinxliictMl hy \ho onlrrs in coiiiiril of 171KM. I'lirfy aiiimosity wns .susprndcd, inrcfiii«^s wrrn iir- s(MiiI)1(mI in mcry villaff«», llic in<\vsna|)('rN were (illcd vvilli l<)rmal addressees, voliiutcMT compaiiics wcrp rv(>ry wlirrc sot on litnt, n»id, in flic lirst plircnsy «)rfl»«' inoMirnf, flic universal cry was f<>r in)nicdiaf(> war. Alfliougli liosfilitics w(>r(» nof d«'clarcd, the (cclin^rs of America were rn>ni thaf day at war with I'lrifr- land: n ijnvifcr atfenfion was paid fi> flic discipline of our militia, and the formation of volunfeiM' corjis ; and the gov(M*n- nn'Ut was continuidly makinij appropriations for our national dcMcnce. We still resorted to nejjjofiafion ; and the aniii^ressors, thinkiuii^ that we miij;ht now possihiy he in earnest, wen* willinj^ to avoid war hy a sacriiic(^ of prid(>. They yielde(l to tlu^ humi- liation of surriMiderinij; the American citi/«>ns, upon the very dt^ck from which they had hc(Mi forced; hut, at the same time, rewardiMl the olVu'cr hy whoin the violence had heen oU'ered. In excusing her conduct, 10ni:;land condescended to tell us, with a serious fac(>, that ahe never prvtcndcd to the riirJit of itnprvsfiiniT American eitizen.t, and this, sh(» schmucmI to consider, ratluM" as a magnanimous ackuowl(vlif(Mnent. Humiliafiui^ in- (1(HmI, to he siM'iously fold, that she did not n^jrard our citizens as her property ! Nofhinii; can furnish stronger proof of tho extent of the ahuse, and \hc had policy of our pacific course of rtMuoustrance. Our sacnnl duty to our fellow-citizena, as well ns a reganl to our national character, forhadc such an acqui- escence. From this review of the suhject of imjin^ssment, wo n^turn to the other principal hranch of our national diflerences. It must ho evident to the reader, that nothing was to he expected from any temporary arrang(Miient on the part of our enemy ; that nothing short of a change in her general jiolicy and temper would suffice, and nothiuij; but a war could eflect this chanijoi WhafeviM' disputes we may have had with other nations, they were of little moment, compared to our difrerences with England. To settle the terms on which we were to he with her, was of the first importance ; our mutual intercourse and trade were of vast extent ; she occupied the highway to other nations, which she could interrupt when she pleased ; it was of little conse- quence on what terms we were with others, so long as our relations with England were not properly adjusted. Our in- tercourse with France was comparatively of hut little moment. She had not recovered from the phrensies of her revolution ; her deportment was eccentric, lawless, and unstable ; she was a comet, threatening all nations. Our true wisdom was to keep out of her way. On the ocean she was but little to be dreaded, HISTORY OF TOl': WAK. 21 J in rotinril ^M wrvr. ns- with lorninl s<'t on foot, ijil cry was )t (Icclan'd, • with l'-ii}y- in(> of our llic govcrii- ur iiiilioiml ni^i^rcssors, »v willing lo \hv. Innni- m tli(! vory sjim(» time, K'cn odl'nMl. I to t(>ll IIS, he ritrht of lo consider, iniliatinjj; in- oiir citi/ons roof of tlio ic courso of ?ns, as well 1 an acqui- wo return roncos. It )(> expected nir enemy ; and temper his changOi [it ions, they til England, her, was of do were of ions, which ittlc conse- r>ng as our Our in- [le moment. |)Uition ; her she was a Ivas to keep Ibe dreaded, IWffl'ri'urt'ii Willi Frmiro .jj^ . • Krirchants W(!re such, as to cause lh(!m to call loudly on the govermnent for j)rot(!Ction ; and a war with England, jit this tim (nuirn'llinjjj for the spoil ; iiiid v<»t this wjis t'nlli'd rctaliiilioii ! Tlir lliiiti'tl Slatos siiu'crcly wIsIkmI (o Ik; at poncr. I'lacli of tlu^ Ix'lliircrcnfs hcmmiscmI ms of partiality : and wlicrcin was that parliahty ? Simply in this: l^'ranco dcchircd that \vv hi:(- i'rrv(\ \\\r di^prcdations ol' I'ljij^Iaiul with more patience, than lior own ; and le alone had a i'ii!;ht to |>limder n^ ! I'laeh seemed to eonsider it as a |)revions condition of I'ender'nsf lis jnstiee, that wo shonid compel Ikm' adversary to res|)ect onr rights. In this sin^idar situation, it appeared th(» wisest eonrs«i (o withtlraw (Mitin^ly iVom the ocean. I'i\|)<'ri»>ncc soon tannht lis that onr emharijo system eoidd not he carried into<'l](>ct, for reasons which it is mmecessary to ri>peat, 'J'lu» restrictive sys- ten\ was suhslilnted ; wo |)laced it in the power of either of tlio wron i;-doers, to make ns the open enemy of tlu^ other, unh'ss that olh(M* renouncd. Kntj^land had Khown no such acnsv of rctiirtuni:^ justing on this occasion ; she had promised to repeal lu'r orders, provided the French di'crees wen* ri'M'inded ; hut refusi^d to tak(> the oIluMal declaration of the French minister, although we had, in a similar case before, acce[)t(Ml her own, and })ositiv(dy reluscMl to repeal the orders in council, in default of (>vi(lence that the French were disponed to do usjt/sticc ! It were us(ro complaining of the aiTivrossions of both. The meaning of both was obvious rm)ugh ; it was that wo should take part in tlu^ affairs of Eu- rop(\ iMigland supj>osed that we could do her service, and Napoleon tiiought that we could injun^ Kngland. In the mean time, the loss oC American j)roperty by the de- predations of the belligerents, had been innnense. The vexa- tions practised by tho Hritish cruisers oiV our coast, who made it a point to liarass the issuing and returning commerce of the United States, kept the public mind continually inflamed. Our citizens wore distracted amid these surrounding difliculties. It was agreed that we had ample cause of liostility against both belligerents, but the administration was accused of undue lean- ing towards France, and a disposition not sulliciently concilia- tory towards England. The friends of the administration de- clared, that the efforts to obtain redress from Enujland were weakened by a powerful British influence, which had grown up of late years in the Eastern States and in the commercial cities. While the public mind was in this state of ferment, from M. llIS'l'oKV nl.' Till': UAK. •j;) V iIk! spoil ; 7>ncv. V.nch u'lu>r(>in was flmt we sitl- i<*(«, limn hi'.r piiindtM* IIS! ! of rciidor'nu; J rospcct oiir iviscst coiirso ( soon tiuiiiht ntoclll'd, for 'stri('tiv(; sys- 'rithcr of tlio other, unh'HS IS llio lirsl to cnun'Mit, tho (I had shoum ion ; she hnd I'lich docrocs ei'laration of (•MS(^ Ix^foro, lh(> oi'drrs TC disjtflscd \stion of onr •omplaining was obvious 'airs of Eu- sorvice, and y by the dc- Thc vcxa- t, who mado Tierce of the amod. Our icultics. It iijainst both undue Ican- tlv conciha- istration de- igland were had grown commercial i-ment, from « Inilinn llnHlililii'd Trnimm-h.^^ our disputes with l')nncroachmcnts of the Americans, gave a history of the progrtsss of the settlements, from the first com- mencement on the Delaware, to the moment at which he spoke, insisting that the lands were bestowed by the Great Spirit upon all the Indians in common, and that no portion could be dis- posed of without the consent of all. When Harrison replied to this extravagant pretension, he grasped his tomahawk, in a fit of phrcnsy, and boldly charged the American governor with having uttered what was false, while the warriors who attended him, twenty or thirty in number, followed his example : but Harrison had fortunately posted a guard of soldiers near, who put a stop to their fury. The council was, however, broken jp, and nothing short of war was expected to result. Towards the close of the year, the frontier settlers had be- come seriously alarmed ; every thing on the part of the Indians i:. il I '; ;1 il 24 nUACKKNUIDCHVS neneritl llarrlnoii liaitlo orTippocanoo. oppcnrcd to indicnto npproncliinj^ hostilitirs. (lovernor Har- rison resolved to movo towards tlic Proj)hot's town, witli (i body of Kentucky and Indiana militia, and tlio Fourth United States rcj»imcnt, under colonel Hoyd, to demand satisfaction of the Indians, anvJ to put a stop to their hostile designs. On the 0th of Novemlx)r 1811, the army approached the Prophet's town; the Indians durint; the day manifesting every hostile disposition, cxcej)tinf; that of actually attacking, which they were not likely to do without having a decided advantage. Several attempts had been made, on the part of the governor, to bring them to a parley, which they sullenly rejected, until ho approached within a mile of the town, when becoming alarmed for their own safety, they at length sent a deputation to make their excu.se, and to profess their willingness to meet in council. The governor, in obedience to his instructions to avoid hostili- ties as long as it was possible, had been unwilling to attack their town until compelled by necessity, and now acceded to their proposals of holding a treaty the next morning. Rut dis- trusting tiiesc savages, with whose wily arts he was well ac- quainted, he cautiously looked out a place of encampment. lie chose an elevated piece of ground, in the open prairie, after a careful rcconnoissance by majors Taylor and Clark. The two columns of infantry occupied the front and rear. The right flank was occupied by captain Spencer's company ; the left flank by three companies commanded by general Wells as major. The front line was composed of one battalion of United States infantry under major Floyd, and a regiment of Indiana militia under colonel Bartholomew. The rear line consisted of a battalion of United States infantry under captain Baen, commanding as major, and four companies of Indiana volunteers under lieute- nant colonel Decker. The right flank was composed of Spen- cer's company of Indiana volunteer riflemen ; the left of Robb's company of Indiana volunteers, and Guiger's, a mixed com- pany of Kentucky and Indiana volunteers ; a portion of United States troops turning the left front and left rear angles respective- ly. The cavalry under major Davies were encamped in the rear of the front line and left flank, and held in reserve as a dis- posable force. The army, thus judiciously posted, was not more than a mile from the town. The order given to the army in the event of a night attack, was for each corps to maintain its position until relieved. The dragoons were directed in such case, to parade dismounted, with their swords and pistols, and to wait for orders. The guard for the night consisted of two captain's commands of twenty-four men, and four non-commissioned ofHcers ; and two 3 IIUSTOUV C)l' Till': V'AK. 25 lino. ernor Ilar- wii, with II urtli United satisfaction igns. roachcd the 3sting every king, which I advantage. 10 governor, ted, until ho ing alarmed ion to mako !t in council. Lvoid hostili- ig to attack ^ acceded to g. liut dis- ms well ac- ipmcnt. IIo airie, after a c. The two ic right flank left flank hy najor. Tho ates infantry lilitia under a battalion manding as iidcr lieutc- ;cd of Spen- ift of Robb's mixed com- m of United s respective- d in the rear ve as a dis- !d, was not light attack, eved. The dismounted, •ders. The mmands of ■rs ; and two Until"' ui' 'ri|t|M)raii(Mi. 1 - '» i^uhaitcnr.s guards of twenty men and non-commissioned olli- cors ; ti»e whole under tiie command of a field ofliccr of tho day. On the night of the; (Ifh, the troops lay under arm^, and the (•omman()(!r-iM-chicf w.is r(>ady to mount his horse at n monn'ut's warning. On the morning of tiie 7th, about four o'clock, h«; arose, and sat by the fire conversing with some of his family ; orders had hecin given to heat the reveille ; tho moon had risen, hut overshadowed with clouds, which occa- sionally dischargc^d a dri//liiig rain. At this moment tho attack commenced. The Indians, in tiieir usual stealthy man- ner, had crept up to the sentinels, intending to rush upon them, and kill them before they could fire; but being discovered, and the alarm, given, they raised their yell, and made a furious <-harge upon tin; led flank. The guiird in that quarter, Ixiing struck with panic, gave way, and the iirst onset was niceived by euptain IJarton's company of regulars, and captain Guigcr's company of mounted riflemen, forming the lefl angle of tho rear line. The fire there was severe ; but the troops being already ))rej)arcd, were soon formed, and gallantly opposed the fury of their assailants. The fires of tho camp were instantly extin- guished, excepting in front of Barton's and Guig»;r's companies, where the suddenness of the attack prevented this from being done. The governor, having no time to wait, mounted the first horse that could be brought to him, a fortunate circumstance, as his own, a fine grey, was known to the Indians, and became the object of their search. Finding the line weakened at tho first point Jittackcd, he ordered two companies from the centre of the rear line, to march up, and form across the angle in the rear of Barton and Guiger's companies. In passing through the camp, towards the left; of the front line, he met major Uaviess, who informed him that the Indians, concealed behind some trees near the line, were annoying the troops very severely, and requested permission to dislodge them. In at- tempting this, he fell mortally wounded, as did colonel White of Indiana. In the mean time, a fierce attack was made on Spencer's and Warwick's companies on the right. Captain Spencer and his lieutenants were all killed, and captain Warwick was mortally wounded. The governor, in passing towards that flank, found captain Robb's company near the centre of the camp. They had been driven from their post, or rather had fallen back. He led them to tho aid of captain Spencer, where they fought bravely during the remainder of the action : while in this act, his aid, colonel Owen, was killed at his side; this officer was •id IMIACKI'.NUIDCI'/S n.Ullo of 'I'ippt'canon Hdiioiiry p.-iiil Id (I'riirr.'il lliiiri,4i)ii. V V ih' ; inonn((>(l ou a wliifo horses, and as tlio ij;nv(Mii(»r hail riddrn a jfr(\V \\\o. (lay hclorc, it is [irohahlc that Ovvcu Wii.s mistaken lor him, hv ouo ^A' lh(>S(> liKliaiis who iiad dcvototl fli('msrlv(is to certain (lost ruction, in order to insure victory hy killin<:f tli(3 connnandcr-in-chi*'!'. (Japtain I'rrscotl's company of UnitcMl Stales infantry had iill(>d ii|) the vacancy caused hy ihi^ r(y order of tho governor, charged upon the same Indians, and dislodged them with considerahle loss. The hattle was now maintained on all siil(>s wilh desp(>rat(» valour. The Indians advanced and retrealeii, hy a rattling noise madt^ wilh (\vrr hoofs, and fought with a degree of desp(>ration .'"idom (Mpialletl. When the day dawned, captain Snelling's company, caj)tain Posey's, under lieutenant Alhrighf, captain Scott's and captain Wilson's, wen; drawn from lh(> roar, and formed on the left flank; while Cook's and Hacni's companies wcm'c ordered to the I'ight. (1(n neral Wells was ordered to tak(^ conniiand of the corps tormed on the left, and with the aid of some dragoons, who W(M'(^ now mounted, and couunanded hy lieutenant Wallace, to charge tho enemy in that direction, which ho did successfully, driving them into a swamp where the cavalry could not follow them. At the same time. Cook's and Larrahee's comjianies, with tlu^ aid of tho rifleuK^n and militia, on the right Hank, charged the? Indians and put them to flight in that quarter, which terminated tho hattle. This is one of the most desperate battles ever fought with the Indians, and hut for the caution and ctllciency of the comman- der-in-chief, might have terminated like the night attack on general Sinclair. The army, with the exception of tlic regular troops under general Royd, was chiefly composed of militia and volunteers, who had never been in battle before. Resolu- tions were passed by the legislatures of the state of Kentucky and the territory of Indiana, highly complimentary of governor Harrison, and the oflicers and troops under his command ; and the reputation of the commander-in-chief, as an able and pru- deri^ general, was established on the most solid foundation. 1 he battle of Tippecanoe contributed to inflame the temper of the country, already calling for war. A naval incident which occurred some time afterwards, did not serve to allay it. Ofl' the American coast, commodore Rodgers, during the night, fell in with a British corvette, which afterwards proved to be the Little Belt ; being hailed by the commodore, the commander merely repeated the question, and, after some minutes, actually tired several of his guns. On this, the commodore poured a FIISTOKY OF TIM': WAU. 27 Mm risdii. Ii.'xl ridden a V!is niislalccMi ^(1 tlK'tn.s(«lv«'s l)y killiii<^ flio inllmtry had l)'s compniiy. ini;, by order uid dislodged vv ni.-iiiitaincd idvjiiiccd nnd s, juul loiiirlit. /hni the day )sry's, under 'ils(>n\s, \\r\'i) llaidv ; while? ^ rid UlatuH. of other nations, but us a living argument that tyranny is not necessary to the safety of man ; that to be (K^gradccl and debased is not the way to be great, prosperous and luippy. CHAPTER ir. Declnration of War by the Unilod States— General Hull reaches Detroit— He crosses into Canada— Skirinishos on llio Uiver Anx Canards— Taking of Michili- jiiackinac— llatile of llrownalown— Balllo of Magagua— Taking of Cliicago— Surren- der of General Hull. An interesting period in the liistory of this youtliful nation was fast approaching. Our affairs with Great Britain had become every day more and more embarrassed. The storm already lowered, and there was little hope that the gathering clouds would pass harmless over us. In consequence of this state of things, the first session of the twelfth congress had been protracted to an unusual length, and the eyes of America were turned towards it in anxious expectation. On the 5th of June 1812, the President laid before congress the correspond- ence between our secretary of state and the British minister near our government, which seemed to preclude all hope of coming to an adjustment, in the two principal points in dispute, — the orders in council, and tlie subject of impressment. But we had so oflen been on the point of a rupture with Great Britain, that even at this moment no certain conjecture could be formed by the most intelligent, of the probable result. The public voice called loudly for war, at least this was the sense of a great majority of the nation. At length, on the 18th of June, after sitting with closed doors, the solemn and important appeal to arms was announced. The President had communicated his message, in which all our complaints against Great Britain were enumerated with great force, and an opinion expressed that no remedy, no hope now remained, but in open war. The committee of foreign relations, to whom the message was refer red, concurred with the President, in recommending the mea- sure. An act was accordingly passed, which received the sanc- tion of the President on tlie same day ; and on the day follow- ing, tlie 19th of June 1812, war was publicly proclaimed. n I HISTORY Ol- 'J'lIE WAll. 20 Dcclarntion of War by thii Uiiittul States. lyranny is not d and debased aclics Detroit— Ho i'akint; of Micliili- if Chicugo— Surreu- '^outliful nation .t Britain had I. The storm the gathering; jucnce of this congress liad s ol" America On the 5th of le corrcspond- itish minister all hope of nts in dispute, nient. But we Great Britain, uld he formed The public le sense of a 8th of June, ortant appeal ommunicated Great Britain on expressed n war. The iie was refer ng the mea- ved the sanc- e day follow- claimed. i Tliis iiighly importanl and eventful act of the national hjgis- luture was variously received. In soiiu! j)Iac('S it ])roduce(l demonstrations of joy, similar to Ihat which followed our de- claration of in(l('peudcnc(% War as a calamity, although una- voidable in the present state of the world, where the stroma disregard the riiiihts of the weak, should Ik; received without d(\spoudency, but not with gladness. Many, however, regarded the war with Mnglaiul, as a second struggle 'n support of na- tional iiKK^pcudence ; and not in the course of ordinary wars, waged lor the sake of mere interest, or in j)ursuitof the plans of state policy. On the sea board, and in the eastern states, the sensations whicli it produced were lar from being joyful. The sudden gloom by which their commercial pros[)(;rity was overcast, caused an awful sadness as fr mti an eclipse of tho sun. Tho commerce of the cities, although for some years greatly restricted by the depredations of the two gr(;at contend- ing powers of Europe, still lingered in hopes of better times ; it must now be totally at an end ; their ships must be laid up, and business almost cease. In diflerent parts of the United States, the war would necessarily be more severely felt ; in an extensive country like this, it is impossible it should be other- wise. Moreover, there were those who regarded this measure as a most interesting and eventful experiment. An opinion was prevalent that the form of our government was not adapted to war, from the want of sufficient energy in the executive branch, and from unavoidable divisions in the national councils. But what was much more to be feare;, the union of our states had scarcely yet been perfectly cemented ; and if the interests of an}'' extensive portion should bo too deeply affected, a disso- lution of our compact, " the noblest fabric of human invention," might ensue. A powerful party was opposed to the measure, on the grounds, that an accommodation with England might yet be made, that war could not be otherwise than in subserviency to the views of France, and that we were unprepared for so serious a contest. The opposition of a great portion of the population, of the talents and wealth of the country, was enti- tled to respect, and would certainly tend to throw embarrass- ments on its prosecution. Unanimity, in so important a mea- sure, was not to be expected ; yet the disadvantages of this opposition would be greatly felt. It was foreseen that our Atlantic cities would be much exposed ; that the coasts of the southern states would be laid open to theincursions of maraud- ing parties ; and that the western frontier would feel all the horrors of a savige and murderous warfare. Many persons, on the other hand, entertained the belief, that the Canadas would c ...dOiMMM 80 BRACKENRIDOE'S Doclaratioii of War by the United Statea. I ■■I'M •J fall, and that the Floridas, in case that Spain should be brought into the contest on the side of England, would be ours. Thus should we be freed from troublesome neighbours, and end for- ever, that dreadful species of hostility in which we had been so often engaged with the savages. These liopes were not ill founded ; but we were not aware, at the time, of our deficiency in experience, and want of a full knowledge of our resources — the causes of many subsequent calamities. For some years previous to the declaration of war, a mili- tary spirit was gradually diffusing itself amongst the people. Pains were taken in disciplining volunteer companies through- out the country ; a degree of pride and emulation was every where felt, to excel in military exercises. The general prepa- rations for war seemed to be prompted by instinct of the ap- proaching event. But the military establishments were ex- ceedingly defective. Acts of congress had already authorized the enlistment of twenty-five thousand men ; but it was found impossible to fill the ranks of a regular army, from the small number of individuals who were not in easy circumstances, and therefore under no necessity for enlisting. The whole number already enlisted, scarcely amounted to five thousand men, and these scattered over an immense surface of country. The Pre- sident was authorized to receive fifty thousand volunteers, and to call out one hundred thousand militia. This force could not be expected to be otherwise serviceable, than for the purpose of defending the sea coast, or the frontier. A difficulty of still greater importance existed ; the best troops in the world are inefficient, unless they happen to be led by able and experi- enced officers. Our best revolutionary officers had paid the debt to nature, and those who remained, were either far ad- vanced in life, or had not been tried in other than subordinate stations ; and besides, from long repose, had laid aside their mi- litary habits. There prevailed, however, a disposition to place a degree of reliance on the skill of the revolutionary soldier, from the mere circumstance of having been such, which was not corrected until we had been severely taught by after expe- rience. Such was the situation of things, at the commence- ment of hostilities. Governor Hull, at the head of about two thousand men, was on his march to Detroit, with a view of putting an end to the Indian hostilities, when he received information of the decla- ration of war. His force consisted of about one thousand regulars, and twelve hundred volunteers from the state of Ohio, who had rendezvoused on the 29th of April. In the begin- ning of June they advanced to Urbanna, where they were join- HISTORY OF THE WAR. »1 uld be brought 3 ours. Thus ;, and end ibr- ve had been so 1 were not ill our deficiency -ir resources — ' war, a mili- st the people, anies tlirough- on was every general prepa- nct of the ap- ents were ex- idy authorized t it was found •om the small imstances, and whole numbei jand men, and ry. The Pre- olunteers, and brce could not the purpose icully of still le world are and experi- lad paid the either far ad- subordinate iside their mi- ition to place mary soldier, , which was y after expe- commence- md men, was 1 end to the f the decla- ne thousand the state of In the begin- y were join- Gencral Hull rcuches Detroit. ed by the Fourth regiment of United States infantry, and imme- diately commenced their march through the wilderness, still in possession of the Indians, and which separated the inhabited part of the state of Ohio, from the Michigan territory. From the town of Urbanna to the Rapids, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, they had to pass through a country without roads, and abounding with marshes. From the Rapids to De- troit, along the Miami of the Lake, and along the Detroit river, there were a few settlements, chiefly of French Canadians, but in general the territory was but thinly inhabited ; the whole of its scattered population scarcely exceeded fivj or six thousand souls. It was near the last of June when this little army reach- ed the Rapids, after having experienced considerable obstacles, in passing through a gloomy, and almost trackless wilderness. They now entered an open and romantic country, and proceeded on their march, full of an ardent and adventurous spirit, which ■sought only to encounter difiiculties and danr^rs. The volun- teers of Ohio consisted of some of the most enterprising and active young men of the state ; finer materials were never col- lected. After taking some refreshment here, they loaded a schooner with a part of their baggage, in order to lighten their march. By some misfortune, intelligence of the existing war did not reach the army, until it was on this march, and was followed by the news of the capture of the schooner, and a lieutenant and thirty men who had been put on board. On the 5th of July, they encamped at Spring Wells, opposite Sand- wich, and within a few miles of Detroit. For some days the army had been under the necessity of proceeding with great caution, to guard against surprises from the Indians and their allies, and who, but for this timely arrival, would have pos- sessed themselves of Detroit : they, however, had thrown up breast-works on the opposite side of the river, and had made an attempt to fortify a position about three miles below. From both these holds, they were soon compelled to retreat, by a well directed fire from the American artillery. This was the favourable moment for commencing active ope- rations against the neighbouring province of Upper Canada ; and as governor Hull had received discretionary power to act oftensively, an immediate invasion was determined on. Pre- parations for this purpose were directly made, and boats pro- vided to efl^ect the passage of the whole army at the same in- stant. The British, aware of this design, attempted to throw up a battery, for the purpose of opposing the landing. This was twice rendered abortive; on their attempting it a third time, they were permitted to uccomplish it unmolested, as our army 32 BRACKENRIDGE'S General Hull crosfw^e iiiiu Canada. i t . 5 uf; could eitlior land above or below it, and thus keep out of tho reach of their guns, which consisted of seven small cannon, and two mortars. On the 12th, every thing being made ready, the army embarked, and landed without molestation, some dis- tance above the fort, and entered the village of Sandwich. Tho inhabitants made no show of resistance, and were therefore re- spected in their persons and property ; the principal part, how- ever, had been marched to Maiden, for the purpose of aiding in its defence. A proclamation was immediately issued by Hull, in which he declared his intention of invading Canada, but gave every assurance of protection to the inhabitants, whom he advised to take no part in the contest. The proclamation was written in a spirited and energetic style, and had he been event- ually successful, there is no doubt that it would have been regarded as an eloquent production. It has been censuved by the British, as intended to seduce her subjects from their alle- giance, as if this were not justifiable in an invading army; and as violating the laws of civilized warfare, in the declaration that no quarter would be given to any white man, found fighting by the side of an Indian. When we consider, that Indians give no quarter, there may be as much justice in retaliating upon those who are fighting by their sides, as upon the savages themselves, for it may be presumed that both are actuated by the same intentions. It is not to be supposed that Hull was seriously resolved Cxi carrying this threat into execution ; his object was to prevent, if possible, the employment of savages. It was altogether a suggestion of his own, unauthorized by the government, and never acted upon by himself. In a few days, possession was taken of the whole country along the Trench, or Thames, a beautiful river, whose borders are well settled. This service was performed by colonel M'Arthur, of the Ohio militia, who returned to camp, after hav- ing collected a considerable quantity of blankets, ammunition, and other military stores. Colonel Cass was then despatched in an opposite direction, towards Fort Maiden, with two hun- dred and eighty men, for the purpose of reconnoitering the British and Indians. This place is situated at the junction of Detroit river with Lake Erie, thirteen miles south of Hull's camp. Colonel Cass, following the course of the stream, reached the river Aux Canards, about four miles from Maiden, where he found a British detachment in possession of the bridge. After reconnoitering the situation of the enemy, the colonel placed a rifle company under captain Robinson, near the place, with orders to divert the attention of the guard, by keeping up a fire until the remainder of the party should appear on the -I ■I B'J*' HISTORY OF THE WAR. 88 Hjp out of the 11 cannon, and made readv, ion, Sonne dis- mdwich. The 3 therefore re- pal part, how- 50 of aiding in isued by Hull, Canada, but ints, whom he ilamation was be been event- Id have been censured by om their alle- ng army; and jclaration that iid fighting by Indians give ^aliating upon 1 the savages actuated by that Hull was xecution ; his it of savages, orized by the hole country k^hose borders by colonel np, after hav- ammunition, n despatched th two hun- Ditering the junction of lith of Hull's the stream, om Maiden, SkirmifllieB on tlie River Aiix Canards. )f the bridge the colonel ar the place, keeping up pear on the opposite side. This part of the detachment, was to have forded the river about five miles below. The design was frustrated, by their want of a sutlicient knowledge of the country ; the de- tach- "ent was unable to reach the designated spot, until late in the evr^ning. In the meanwhile, the attempt to surprise the post had been discovered, and it was strengthened by consider- able reinforcements ; notwithstanding which, a smart skirmish ensued, and the enemy was compelled to abandon his position, after losing eleven killed and wounded, besides several desert- ers. Colonel Cass, having no orders to retain possession of it, although constituting the principal obstruction between the Ame- rican camp and Maiden, thought proper to retire. These skirmishes, in which the Americans were generally successful, served to inspire confidence, and, together with the proclamation, had an effect upon the Canadians, many of whom joined our standard, and threw themselves on Hull for protei:- tion. These were, however, but preludes to the main object in view, the reduction of Fort Maiden. Preparations for this purpose proceeded slowly ; no artillery was provided for the occasion. It was not until the beginning of August, that two twenty-four pounders and three howitzers were mounted, and no attempt in the meanwhile had been made upon the fort. The capture of this place, which would have been necessary in the prosecution of any further design, had now become neces- sary to self-preservation. A most unexpected disaster had hap- pened during the last month ; an event, to which many of our subsequent misfortunes are to be attributed. This was the sur- render of Michilimackinac. On the 16th of July, a party of three hundred British troops, and upwards of six hundred Indians, embarked at St. Joseph's, and reached the island next morning. A prisoner was despatched to inform the garrison, and the inhabitants of the village, that if any resistance were made they would all be indiscriminately put to death. Many of the inhabitants escaped to the British for protection. The garrison consisted of no more than fifty-six men, under the command of lieutenant Hanks, of the artillery. A flag was now sent by the enemy, to the fc rt, demanding a surrender. This was the first intima- tion of the declaration of war, which the garrison had received. Until this moment, the American commandant had considered this as one of the outrages on the part of the Indians, which of late had been frequent ; he had therefore resolved to defend himself to the last extremity. He now considered it prudent to agree to a capitulation, as there was no hope of being able to defend himself successfully, against so great a disparity of ,ili 'M lillACKl'NUIDC.K'S TnkiriK uf Micliiliiiiackiiiac. ! ,( force. The garrison was accordinjj;ly delivered up; security to the property and persons of individuals was stipulated, and the liritish put in possession of one of the strongest positions in the United States, on that account, sometimes called the American Gihraltar. The situation completely commands the northwest trade, which is compelled to pass immediately under the guns of the fort, and consequently affords the best means of intercepting the Indian supplies, and of checking the incursions of those restless warriors. The blame of this affair has been thrown by some upon the government, by others on Hull : the follow- ing facts will enable the reader to judge. Hull reached De- troit on the 5th of July, and the fall of Michilimackinac took place on the 17th. The distance is two hundred and forty miles. That the British at Maiden should have had sooner intelligence of the declaration of war, than the American general, is less surprising when we consider the wonderful activity of those engaged in the Indian trade, as well as the cir- cumstances of the regular establishments, all along the lakes. Notwithstanding this, it is not easy to account for the tardiness with which the news of war was transmitted from Detroit to Michilimackinac ; nor was this satisfactorily explained by the American general. Intelligence of this unfortunate occurrence, which so com- pletely changed the face of affairs, reached Hull on the 23d of July, while engaged in making preparations for the attack on Maiden. The British, by this time, were considerably rein- forced, and aided by an additional number of Indians. The golden moment had been suffered to pass. It is generally con- ceded, that if an assault had been made on the fort in the first instance, it must have fallen. This was the opinion of the officers : the general, however, declined it under various pre- texts. But having neglected this opportunity, there was no longer any hope of carrying the place without being provided with a train of artillery, and the necessary means for a regular assault. The necessity of possessing the post, became every day more apparent. With the fall of Michilimackinac, that of Chicago, and all the other western posts, might be expected to follow, and the Indian tribes would move down with all the force of the Northwest Company ; rendering the situation of our army extremely critical. In anticipation of these events, the general had sent repeated expresses to procure reinforce- ments. His confident expectations of those reinforcements, may probably be one reason of the slowness of his movements against Maiden, contenting himself with carrying on a vigilant partizan war, in itself of little consequence. Reinforcements JIISTOUY OF Till-: WAIl. 35 If Hattlo of Drowiistown. p ; security to iluted, uiid tliu ositions in the the American tlic northwest ler the guns ol" of intercepting sions of those 1 been thrown 11 : the Ibllow- 1 readied De- ichilimackinac I hundred and >uld have had I tlic American the wonderful ,vell as the cir- )ng tlie lakes. >rthe tardiness om Detroit to ilaincd by the hich so com- on the 23d of the attack on iderably rein- ndians. The generally con- 3rt in the first ipinion of the various pre- here was no iing provided for a regular lecame every inac, that of le expected to with all the situation of hese events, e reinforce- in forcements, movements n a vigilant nforcements were not hastened, from the belief that the force under his command, was more than sufficient for all the purposes that could be accomplished in this quarter. The sjiirit which had animated the troops in the first in- stance, was gradually giving way to the fjjelings of di^spon- (Icncy ; while their commander had by this time nearly lost their confidence. By the 1st of August, every thing being made ready for the attack on Maiden, a council of war was convened, and the result was a determination to make it im- mediately. Desertions from the Canada militia still continued, and the whole force was animated with the prospect of under- taking an enterprise, which it was believed could not but be successful. The cannon was well mounted, and embarked on floating batteries. The general had apj)roved the deliberations of the council, and the day was actually appointed for carry- ing them into execution. ►Some time before this, a company of Ohio volunteers, under tlic command of captain Brush, had arrived at the river Rai- 'sin, with supplies for the army. As their march to Detroit, a distance of thirty-six miles, was attended with considerable dangers, from parties of the enemy, it was deemed prudent to remain here until an escort could be sent to guard them. This duty was confided to major Vanhorn, with a detachment of one hundred and lllly men. On his second day's march, near Brownstown, he was suddenly attacked on all sides by British regulars and Indians. His little force made a determined re- sistance, and being commanded by a brave and skilful officer, was at length brought off, with the loss of nineteen killed and missing, and nine wounded. Captains Gilcrease, M'Culloch, and Bosler were killed, and captain Ulry severely wounded. Scarcely had this detachment lefl; the camp at Sandwich, when a sudden and unlooked-for change took place in the deter- mination of the commander-in-chief. Without any apparent cause, or the occurrence of any new event, he announced his intention of abandoning not only the design upon Maiden, but even the position which he then held. This operated very unfavourably upon the army ; the volunteers murmured ; they upbraided their commander with pusillanimity, and even trea- chery ; and it was with difiiculty they could be restrained by their own oflicers, in whom they confided. The disappoint- ment and vexation which ensued, can better be imagined than described : all confidence in their leader was evidently at an end: if treacherous, he might deliver them up to be massacred; and it was evident he was deficient in the skill and ability ne- cessary to command. It was with much reluctance this gallant 30 liUACKliiNRIDGE'S Battle or MngngiiA. 1'l|t !'i' > I :m^ little army was compelled to nhnnrlon, nimost in disgrace, the flattering hopes which thc^y tliouj^ht themselves on the point of realizing. They reached the opposite shore on the 8th of August, where they received the intelligence of the aflair of major Vanhorn, of the day heforc. Su(;h was the termination of this expedition into Canada, of whose success, an account was every moment expected in the United States. Happy h.'vd it heen if the misfortunes of our arms had terminated jicre ! The enemy's territory was not, however, entirely evacuated ; a detachment of ahout three hundred men was left to keep pos- session of Sandwich, principally with a view of ailbrding some; protection to the (-Canadians who had been induced by Hull's proclamation to join our standard. One thing was now on all hands considered indispensable, the opening the commuiiication with the river Raisin. In a few weeks, the army might stand in need of the supplies in the possession of captain Brush ; and at all events, its situation was rendered extremely unpleasant, by being thus cut olf from all communication with the state of Ohio. To eflect this ob- ject, a respectable force was detached under lieutenant-colonel .lames Miller, of the United States army, consisting of three hundred regulars of the gallant Fourth regiment, which had dis- tinguished itself under co'onel Boyd, at the battle of Tippecanoe, and also about two hundred militia. The enemy, anticipating a renewal of the attempt, had sent reinforcements of regulars and Indians, so that their force was little short of seven hun- dred and filly men : this force might, moreover, be increased during an engagement, from Maiden, which is situated oppo- site Brownstown. They had also thrown up a temporary breast-work, of trees and logs, about four miles from this town, at a place called Magagua, behind which the greater part of the Indians, under Tecumseh, lay concealed, waiting the approach of the Americans ; the whole commanded by major Muir, of the British army. On the 9th, our detachment proceeded on its march, but with great caution, from the danger of surprise. They, however, drew near the ambuscade, before it was discovered; when sud- denly the attack was commenced on captain Snelling, who commanded the advance, with the usual barbarous shouts of the enemy. This corps, undaunted by this sudden onset, kept its ground until the main body approached, when the Indians sprang up, and with the regulars furiously advanced to the front of the breast-work, where they formed a regular line, and com- menced a heavy fire. Colonel Miller, with the utmost celerity and coolness, drew up his men, opened a brisk fire, and then ■m K 1 IHk^TOUV UF Till-: W'All. 87 n disgrace, tho s on tho point : on tho Hth of r th(^ aflhir of tlu) termination !sa, nn account s. Happy hrid rminatod licre ! 'oly (evacuated ; ['ft to keep pos- atlbrding somo uccd by Hull's inrtispcnsablo, Raisin. In a the supj)lics in its, its situation lus cut oif from D effect this ob- jutenant-colonel sisting of three , wliich had dis- of Tippecanoe, ly, anticipating nts of regulars of seven hun- r, be increased situated oppo- a temporary rom this town, atcr part of the g the approach najor Muir, of arch, but with hey, however, ed ; when sud- Snelling, who reus shouts of len onset, kept en the Indians ?ed to the front line, and com- itmost celerity fire, and then r, Baitin of MiiKi»Kiin TuKun,' of Cliicngo. charged. Tlje iJritisli regulars gave way, but tlie Indians under TeciTnisch, betaking then»s>elvcH to tlio wooils on each side, kept, their ground with desperate obstinacy. Tlic regulars being rallied, returned to the combat, which continued for some time, with equal resolution. Tiie conduct of our countrymen, oil this occasion, cannot be too much admired : the stoutest hearts might have failed when thus attacked on all sides by more than five hundred savages, painted in the most hideous manner, and yelling like demons ; engaged at the same time with a body of regulars. Disregarding both the savage shrieks and the mus- ketry of the British, the American leader repelled their attacks on every side, his troops gallantly maintaining their ground until the enemy was compelled to yield. They retired slowly to Brownstown, literally retreating at the point of the bayonet ; liere they hastily embarked in boats, provided for their recep- tion. Had not this precaution been taken, it is probable the whole force would have lallen into the hands of the Americans. Their loss was, of the regulars, liffeen killed, and thirty or forty wounded ; but of the Indians, nearly one hundred were left on the field. In this battle, which lasted about two hours, we had fifteen killed, and about sixty wounded. The officers who chiefly distinguished themselves were captain Baker, lieuten- ants Larrabee and Peters, and ensign Whistler. The next day at noon, colonel Miller, who kept possession of Brownstown, received orders to return to Detroit. This was rendered ne- cessary from the fatigue which his command had experienced in the engagement of tho day before. It was thought more advisable to send a fresh detachment to accomplish the ultimate object. An occurrence took place about this time in another quarter, which ought not to be passed in silence. Captain Heald, who commanded at fort Chicago, had received orders from Hull to abandon that post and make his way to Detroit. He accord- ingly consigned the public property to the care of some friendly Indians ; and with his company, about fifty regulars, accompa- nied by several families, which had resided near this place, set out on his march. He had proceeded but a short distance along the beach of the lake, when he was attacked by a large body of Indians, who occupied the bank. Captain Heald as- cended the bank, and fought them for some time, until tliey had gained his rear, and taken possession of his horses and baggage. He then retired to an open piece of ground, where he was en- abled to keep the Indians at bay. But finding that he would be compelled to yield at last, he accepted the offer of protection from an Indian chief. Twenty-six regulars were killed, and 3b huacki:nuii)(:i:'s Biirniinlur of Uitiioral Hull. I ' t > I ii. ull till) militia ; a nun>l)Gr of women aiKJ ohildron were iiihii. manly murdtirod. ('aptain Wells and ensign Warner wero umon{^ the killed, lleald willi his lady, who had rccpo.sitc Detroit, batteries. On 1 at SandAvicli, troit, it havini"- The Britisi; he 15th, aihir to surrender, leral Hull by isposal autho- hit. It is tar ition, but you ns who have d my control find nne dis- sf'y the most I'Donald and irrani^cmcnts n of blood." hat the fort ritish imme- throw shells 'eturned, but with litlle etfect on eitiier side. In the morninj^, it was dis- covered that the Hfifish were Iniidin;^' tlu;ir tnJops at Spring Wells, under cover of their shii)s. To |)revent the landing i'viHu (lu- li»rt, at this inonjcnt, was a matter inipossibhs the town lyin'^' between it ami the river. Hut if Hull had not ne^d(«et(Ml the advice of his oHicers, he might have etlectually prevented it, by erectinij batteries on the bank, where they .would be compelled to dtihark. A strani^'e fatality sf-enied to attend this unforttmate man in every thinj^ he did, or net^lcctf'd to do. The enemy havinj^ landed, about ten o'clock advanced towards the fort in close column, and twelve de<;;p. The fort Ixmi*,' separated from the town, by an ojxui space of about two hundred yards, they would be enabU d to approach within this distance, befbrc its ^un» could be brouLfht to bear upon them, unless they could aj)proach in the rear. 'I'he American force was, however, judiciously disposed to jireveiit their advance. The militia, and a great part of the volunteers, occupied the •town, or W(!re post«Ml behind pickets, whenci; they could annoy the enemy's Hanks ; tlu! regulars dc^fendcd the (brt, and two twenly-four j)ounders charged with grape, wen.' advantageously posted on nn eminence, and could sweep th(! whole of the enemy's line, as he advanced. All was now silent expecta- tion : the daring foe still slowly moved forward, apparently regardless, or unconscious of their danger; for their destruc- tion must have been certain, had tlu\v not been impressed with contempt for a commander, who had so meanly abandoned Sandwich a few days before. The hearts of our countrymen • ' beat high, at the near prospect of regaining iheir credit. But who can descrilx; the chairrin and mortification which took O possession of those troops, when ordj^'s were issued for them to retire to the fort; aini the artillery, at the very moment when it was thought the British were deliberately advancing to the most certain destruction, was ordered not to fire ! The whole force, together with a great number of women and chil- dren, was gathered into the fort, almost too narrow to contain them. Here the troops were ordered to stack their arms, and to the astonishment of every one, a white flag, in token of sub- mission, was suspended from the walls. A British officer rode up to ascertain the cause. A capitulation was agreed to, without even stipulating the terms. Words are wanting to ex- press the feelings of the Americans on this cccarion ; they considered themselves basely betrayed, in thus surrendering to an inferior force without firing a gun, when they were firmly convinced that that force was in their power. They had pro- visions for at least fifleen days, and were provided with all the 40 BUACKENRIDOK'S Siirroiuler of Generfil Hull. I . i! ! il *l t I requisite munitions of war. They were compelled thus hu- miliated, to march out, and to surrender themselves prisoners at discretion. The British took immediate possession of the fort, with all the public property it contained; amongst which there were ibrty barrels of powder, four hundred rounds of lixed twenty. four pound shot, one hundred thousand ball car tridges, two thousand five hundred stand of arms, twenty-fiv pieces of iron cannon, and eight of brass, the greater number of which had been captured by the Americans during the re- volutionary war. The whole territory, and all the forts and garrisons of the United States, within the district of the general, were also formally surrendered : and the detachment under colonels Cass and M'Arthur, as well as the party under captain Brush, were included in the capitulation. Orders had been despatched the evening before, for the detachment under Cass and M'Ar- thur to return, and they had approached almost sufficiently near to discover the movements of the enemy, while their ac- cidental situation might enable them to render the most material service during the attack. They were surprised al the silence which prevailed, when every moment was expected to announce the conflict ; and that surprise was soon changed into rage, when they learned the capitulation. A British officer was then despatched to the river Raisin, to convey the intelligence to captain Brush, who at first gave no credit to so improbable a tale, and actually put the officer in confinement. The melancholy story was, however, soon confirmed by some Americans who had escaped. Captain Brush indignantly re- fused to submit to the capitulation, declaring that Hull had no right to include him, and determined to return to the state of Ohio. He first deliberated, whether he should destroy the public stores, which he had in his possession, and which he could not carry away ,* but reflecting that this might be used as a pretext for harsh treatment to his countrymen, he resolvea to abandon them. The greater part of the volunteers and militia were permitted to return home ; but the regulars, to- gether with the general, were taken to Quebec. In his official despatch, Hull took great pains to free his con- duct from censure. In swelling the account of the dangers with which he conceived himself beset, every idle rumour which had operated on his fears, was placed under contribu- tion, while his imagination conjured up a thousand frightful phantoms. He magnified the reinforcements under colonel Proctor, and gave implicit belief to the story that the whole force of the Northwestern Fur Company, under major Cham- HISTORY OV THE WAR. 41 polled thus hu- elves prisoners )ssession of the amongst which Ired rounds of lusand ball car Tis, twcnty.fiv greater number during the re- jarrisons of the eral, were also under colonels captain Brush, been despatched ass and M'Ar- lost sufficiently while their ac- tider the most re surprised at it was expected 3 soon changed m. A British to convey the no credit to so n confinement. rmed by some ndignantly re- t Hull had no lo the state of Id destroy the and which he ight be used n, he resolvea olunteers and regulars, to- to free his con- )f the dangers idle rumour ider contribu- Isand frightful under colonel Ihat the whole 1 major Cham- •xi Surrender of General Hull. bers, was approaching ; nothing, in fact, was forgotten, which could heighten the picture, or tend to take the blame from him. While on the Canada side, it was impossible to effect liny thing against Maiden, from the difficulty of transporting his artiilery. Every thing is difficult to a man who wants the necessary talents. The British garrison had been wonderfully strengthened, and at this critical moment, general Hall, of Nia- gara, announced that it was not in his power to assist him. \Vhat then could be done but to cross over to Detroit? that is, to abandon the inhabitants of Canada, who had placed them- ; selves under his protection ; to fly, before the enemy had even attempted to attack or molest him, and thus encourage them in .what they would never probably have thought it possible to ac- complish. But what appears most to figure, in this attempted vindica- tion, is the frightful display of Indian auxiliaries. The whole . *' Northern hive," as he called it, was let loose : Winnebagos, Wyandots, Hurons, Chippeways, Knistenoos, and Algonquins, Pottowatomies, Sacks, and Kickapoos, were swarming in the neighbouring woods, and concealed behind every bush, ready to rush to the indiscriminate slaughter of the Americans. He represented his situation at the moment of surrender, as most deplorable. In consequence of the absence of colonels Cass and M'Arthur, he could not bring more than six hundred men into the field, and he was, moreover, destitute of all necessary supplies and munitions of war : yet, by the morning's report, his force exceeded a thousand men fit for dutv, besides the de- tachment which might be expected to arrive, about the time of the engagement ; and also three hundred Michigan militia who were out on duty, which would make his force upwards of six- teen hundred. This force was much superior to that of the British, which consisted of about seven hundred regulars, one half of which was nothing more than militia dressed in uniform, for the purpose of deception, and about six hundred Indians. Every other part of his statement was proved, by the officers under his command, to have been incorrect or exaggerated. The most ordinary exertion would have sufficed, to have com- ^ pletely destroyed the British force. He declared, that he was actuated by a desire to spare the rffiision of human blood ! If he had designedly intended the destruction of his fellow-citizens, he could not have fallen upon a more unfortunate measure ; for by thus opening the frontier to the tomahawk of the savage, and givin.T reasons to our enemy for representing us as con- temptible in arms, he invited those very savages, which he so much dreaded, to throw off every restraint, and declare them- ■■,, 42 HRACKl'lNUIDCnrS ; Surrondor cf (JoiicrHl Hull. l\' selves our foes, lie nuu;ht have foreseen, tliat n considerfil>Io force would be sent, by llio Jhitisli, for the purpose of retaining this province, and that our country wouhl be compelled to suf- fer an immense: (wpcMise of blood and treasure, be'">rc our [)os. sessions here coulcl U; regained. Although this atlerwards be- came tile th(>atre of war, wIku'c many of our countrymen gained military renown, y(>t tlu; effect of this laminitable occurrence was visible in every subse(iucnt transaction on the borders of Canada. The sensations produced by this occurnMice, throughout the United States, and particularly in the Western country, can scarcely be described. At lirst no one could believe an event so extraordinary and unexpected ; the public mind was so en- tirely unprepared for it, that univt^rsal astonishment was occa- sioned. VVliatever doubts might have been tintertained, of his being able to subdue the country which he had invaded, there were none of his lunng able to defend himself. Never was any people more dec^ply and universally chagrined. This event, in a country where every man has a personal feeling for the honour and welfare of the nation, natundly awakened the strong- est sympathy with the friends and families of the brave soldiers who had been thus wretchedly surrendered by their con .nander. The general was allerwards exchanged for thirty British pri- soners. Neither the government nor the people were satisfied with his defence. The affair was solemnly investigated by a court martial. ITe was charged with treason, cowardice, and unofficer-like conduct. On the first charge, the court declined giving an opinion ; on tlio two last he was sentenced to death ; but was reconnnended to mercy in consequerce of his revoln- tionary services, and his advanced age. The sentence was ro- mitted by the President ; but iuy name was ordered to be struck from the rolls of the army. The general afterwards published an elaborate, but hopeless vindication. kl i\'- m [iisTOiiv oi' 'riii-: \\\\\. 48 NhvmI KvealH (.'riiiae of Conunoilorc lUtilgv.n. it a considcrnl>lo •pose of i-(;tainiiiir compelled to Muf- , be'M'e our pos- lis atlcrwards hv- •mitrynien jjjuiricd table occurrence u tlie borders of ?, tlirou;Li;liout the Mil country, can believe an event mind was so en- limcnt was occa- itertaincd, of his id invaded, there Never was any sd. This eveni, 1 feeling for thi; kened tlic strontj;- he brave soldiers heir corr .nander. hirty British i)ri-- ile were satisiied nvestigated by a cowardice, and le court declined enccd to death ; e of his revoli'. lentence was re- cred to be struck wards published ...% CHAPTER VA. Nnval Evcnts-Cruisn of rommndoro RoilRcrB— Tlio PrcHidfUt rliamis tlio tMvi- dera— C'riiiHt! of Captain HiiU-Tlic Omstitiitinn cnpturcH the Guerrion!— Coiiiinti- clort! I'orttT raiitiircH tin; Alurt— Criiisi; of tliu rrcsiik-nl and llio Vouumttn—ot tlie Ari(iis-'riu: United Slates captuiuri IIkj Miicedonian— 'i'lii; Wasp captures tlio Frolic — KxpioitH of Auiuncun rrivateera— Uuaull» of the Naval Warfare— Sensations vxcited in Knjiund. The common observation, that evils do not come alone but with others linked in their train, was hapjjily not verified, at the period of the mislortunes of our arms in the west. The nation, overspread with gloom in cons(!(|uence of this unex- pected disaster, was suddtinly consoled in the most pleasing manner. A new and glorious era burst upon our country. The hislori;ii\ will record the fact, that tiie same year which saw prostrated the desj)ot of the land, also beheld the pride of the tyrant of the ocean completely humbled. A series of the most brilliant exploits, on that element, raised our naval renown, to a height which excited the surprise and admiration of Europe. At the moment of the declaration of war, a squadron under commodore Uodgers, had rendezvoused under the orders of the government, oil" Sandy llook. The squadron consisted of the I'rigates President, Congress, United States, and the sloop Hor- net. On the 21st of June they put to sea, in pursuit of a Bri- tish squadron, which had sailed as the convoy of the West India fleet, the pr(;ceding month. While thus engaged, the British frigate Belvidera was discovered, to which they instantly gave chase. The chase was continued from early in the morn- ing until past four in the aflernoon, when the President, out- sailing the other vessels, had come »/ithin gun-shot. She opened a fire with her bow guns, intending to cripple the Belvidera, which returned it with her stern chasers. 'Plie firing was kept up for ten minutes, when one of the guns of the President burst, killed and wounded sixteen men, and fractured the leg of the commodore. By this accident, and the explosion of the passing-box, the decks were so much shattered, as to render il •I \\H ;'ri ill 11' llltf ik • * nil 1 si t •. 44 IJUACKENRl DOE'S Tlio FruHidcnt chanuH tho Dclvideiii CniiHO of Cnptaiii Hull. thn guns on tliat side useless. Tlie sliip was then put about, and a broadside; lired, but witliout tJK^ desinnl eliect, though considerabk) injury was done the l^ilvidera. Tills vesst^I, hav- ing thrown overboard evtiry tiling slie could spare, now gained ground. Tlie cliase was continued until eleven o'clock at night, before it was deemed hopeless. The squadron then continued its pursuit of the convoy, which it did not give over until within sight of the British channel; then stood for the Island of Madeira; and thence, passing the Azores, stood for Newfoundland, and thence, by Cape Sable, arrived at Boston liic JJOth of August, having made prize of several British ves- sels ; but, owing to the haziness of the weather, they were loss successful than might have been expected. The frigate Essex went to sea from New York, on the 3d of July ; the Constitution sailed from the Chesapeake on the liith ; the brigs Nautilus, Viper, and Vixen, were at the same time cruising olf the coast ; the sloop of war Wasp was at sea on hc" return from France. The Constitution, captain Hull, had sailed from Annapolis on the 5th of July. On tlie morning of the 17th, ofi' Egg Harbour, she was chased by a ship of the line, the Africa, and the fri- gates Sharnon, Guerriere, Belvidera, and i^^olus. These ves- sels were approaching rapidly with a fine breeze, while it was nearly a calm about the Constitution. At sunrise the next morning, escape from the enemy was almost hopeless, as they were then within five miles. The Constitution was therefore cleared for action, determined to make a desperate resistance. The enemy still drawing near, captain Hull resolved to make another effort to escape. Boats were sent ahead, with anchors for the purpose of warping, there prevailing almost a calm. The others finding the Constitution gaining upon them, resorted to the srane expedient. The chase continued in this manner for two days, partly sailing with light breezes, and partly warp- ing, until the 20th, when the squadron was lefl; entirely out of sight. This escape from so great a disparity of force, was considered as deserving a high rank in naval exploits, and was much admired at the time, as evincing superior nautical skill. The advantage to the British in this chase was consi- derable, when we reflect that their foremost vessel had the assistance of all the boats of the squadron, for the purpose of towing. The superiority of captain Hull, was that of seaman- ship alone. This superiority was some time afterwards proved in a most remarkable manner : while naval history lasts, it will not be forgotten. The Constitution again put to sea, on the 2d of September niSTOIlV OF 'J'lII': VV'AK. 45 f Cnptnin Hull. I then jnit about, (1 cUcct, though riiis vessel, hav- fire, now grained even o'clock at squadron then id not give over n stood for the zorcs, stood for rived at Boston 3ral British ves- , they were less ork, on the .3d iapcake on tlie ere at the same 'asp was at sea II Annapolis on 'Egg Harbour, a, and the fri- 5. These ves- D, while it was rise the next lelcss, as they was therefore lie resistance. Ived to make with anchors most a calm, hem, resorted this manner I partly varp- entirely out of force, was exploits, and srior nautical 5e was consi- ssel had the e purpose of t of seaman- vards proved ■ lasts, it will September Tlio CoriHlitutiori cnpturcn Iho (innrriero. On the IDtli, a vessel hove in sight, and a chnsn instantly Coinmenc(Ml. It was soon discovered to be the (Juerriere, one of the best frigates in the lirifish nnvy ; and which scn-med not averse from th(^ rencontre, as sIk; backed her niain-topsail, wait- ing for the Constitution to come down. This was a most delsirable occurrence to our brave tars, as this frigate had for some time been in search of an American frigate, having given a formal challenge; to all our vessels of the same class. She h.id at one; of her mast-heads a flag, on which her name was inscribed in large characters, by way of gasconade, and on an other, the words, " Not the Little Belt," in allusion to the broad- sides which the President had given that vc^ssel, before the wnr. The Ouerriere had looked into several of our ports, nnd nflected to be exceedingly anxious to earn th(! first laurel from the new enemy. The Constitution being made ready for action, now bore down, her crew giving three cheers. At first it was the intention of captain Hull, to bring her to close action immediately ; but on coming within gun-shot, she gave a broadside and filled away, then wore, giving a broadside on the other tack, but without ellect. They now continued wear- ing, and manceuvring,on both sides, for three quarters of an hour, the (iuerriere attempting to take a raking j)osition ; but failing in this, she bore up, and ran with her topsail and jib on the (juar- ter. The (Jonstitution, perceiving this, made sail to come up with her. Captain Hull, with admirable coolness, received the enemy's fire, without returning it. The enemy, mistaking this coiidur* on the ])art of the American commander, continued to pour out his broadsides with a view to cripple his antagonist. From the Constitution, not a gun had been fired. Already had an oflicer twice come on deck, with information that several of the men had been killed at their guns. The gallant crew, though burning with impatience, silently awaited the orders of their commander. The moment so long looked for, at last arrived. Sailing-master Aylvvin having seconded the views of the captain, with admirable skill, in bringing the vessel exactly to the station intended, orders were given at five mi- nutes before five P. M. to fire broadside after broadside, in quick succession. The crew instantly discovered the whole plan, and entered into it with all the spirit the circumstance was cal- culated to inspire. Never was any firing so dreadful. For fifteen minutes the vivid lightning of the Constitution's guns continued one blaze, and their rhuwder roared with scarce an intermission. The enemy's mizcn-mast had gone by the board, and he stood exposed to a raking fire, which swept his decks. The Gucrriere had now become unmanageable ; her hull, rig 40 lUlACKIlNUIDCilCVS Thu C(iiistitutii)n capliiros the Ounrri«!ro. It'i ' *l 1 ' r 41 :t;- i > ii {^1111^ and sails drciridi'iilly torn ; when tlic ('onslitution attempted to lay her on board. At this moment lieuten;int iiush, in nttem|)iini5 to throw liis marines on hoard, was killed by a mns- kci hall, and the enemy shot alunid, hut could not be l)!'Oun a vessel appeared in sight the next day. The loss on board the Guerriere was fifteen kilhnl, and sixty-three wounded : on the side of the Constitution, seven killed and seven wounded. It is pleasing to observe, that even the Iiritish commander, on this occasion, bore testi- mony to the humanity and generosity with which ho was treated by the victors. The American frigate was somewhat superior in force, by a few guns ; but this diUbrence bore no comparison to the disparity of the conflict. The Guerriere was thought to be a match for any vessel of her class, and had been ranked amongst the largest in the British navy. The Constitution arrived at Boston on the 28th of August, having captured several merchant vessels. Never did any event spread such universal joy over the whole country. The gallant Hull, and his equally gallant ollicers, were received with enthusiastic demonstrations of gra- titude, v.lierever they appeared. He was presented with the freedom of all the cities through which ho passed on his way to the seat of government, and with many valuable donations. Congress voted fifty thousand dollars to the crew, as a recom pense for the loss of the prize, and the executive promoted several of the oflicers. Sailing-master Aylwin, who had been severely wounded, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and lieutenant Morris, who had been also wounded, was promoted lo the rank of post-captain. This alFair was not less mortify- ing to (ircat Britain, who for thirty years had in no instance lost a frigate in any thing like an equal conflict. The public mind was now continually excited by some new series of naval exploits. There was scarcely time for one vie- tion altrmiited iKint iiush, in lied by a imis- ot be bi'ou^ht, for liflccn mi- nt, taking with oein;^ tliis, the vc siic surren- " a(\or \vc yot and liad not a tvator, so shat- iod lier down." nder it impos- ;c to tlie next by the Consti- 3ncc, tliat she scared in sight re was fifteen le Constitution, ig to observe, ion, bore tcsti- vhich lio was v;is somewhat renec bore no he Gucrriero chiss, and had navy. The ugust, having joy over the |ually gailanl fations of era- ited with the m1 on Ids wav ble donations. J, as a recom live promoted 1\ ho had been leutcnant, and Ivas promoted less mortify- h no instance |>v some new for one vie- BATTLE or THE CONSTITU riU\ AND GUERUIEKE COMMODORE HULL. uattleopthi: vvasi' and riioLu; See l'(ir hiMUg out ninety-six days, nhc returned to New Vork, witii prizes to th(> amount of two hun- dred thousand dollars. tSho made various hairbreadth escapes: at one time she was chased by a British K(|uadron for throe days, and several times almost surrounded; she was one mo- ment within ])istol-shot of a seventy-four, and yet, in the midst of all this peril, she actually captured and manned one of her priz(»s. The United Slates, commanded by that distinguished ofhcer connnodore Decatur, soon after her se[)aration from the squad- ron, had the good I'ortuno to add another victory to our naval chronicle, not less glorious than that of the Constitution. On the 25th of October, oil' the VVestei'n Islands, she fell in with the Macedonian, captain (Jarden, a frigate of the largest class, carrying forty-nine gims and three hundred men. The Mace- donian, being to windward, had it in her power to choose her distance, and at no time were they nearer than musket-shot; I'rom this circumstance, and the previlence of a heavy sc-'i the action lasted nearly two hours. The superiority of tho American gunnery, in this action, was very remarkable, boll) for its greater rapidity and etiect. From the continued blaze of her guns, the United States was, at one moment, thought by her antagonist to be on fire ; a mistake of very short dura- tion. On board the Macedonian there were thirty-six killed and sixty-eight wounded. She lost her mainmast, and main- topmast and mainyard, and was much cut up in her hull. The TJnited States suflered so little, that a return to port was not necessary: she had only five killed, and seven wounded. Among the killed were lieutenant Funk, of whom the commo- dore spoke in the liighest terms. Lieutenant Allen was on this occasion highly applauded. The commodore arrived at New York on the 4th of December, with his prize. Decatur, already a universal favourite, experienced the same demonstra- tions of gratitude, as wen; made to captain Hull : nor was there denied him that new si/ecieo of praise, which the gene- I o\ ^ ! i. IIISTORV OF TIIK WAll. 51 e Argun. ni^ of I ho Prcsi- [jti.s, Siiilrd from States aiifl Ar^mis fdW (lay.s ut'lfM'- •food I'Dl'tUlK! tu hundred thou, •ember arrived at partin<^ from thf cell the continrnt cty-six days, she )unt of two hun- •breadth escaj)es : uadroii lor three he was one mo- yet, in the midst nned one of lior tinguishcd ofllccr 1 from the squad- tory to our naval Constitution. On she fell in with ic largest class, len. The Mace- er to choose her n musket-shot; oi' a heavy sea ipcriority of the cmarkablc, both continued blaze nomcnt, thouglit very short dura- thirty-six killed mast, and main- n her hull. The to port was not even wounded, lom the commo- t Allen was on dore arrived at )rize. Decatur, ame demonstra- Hull : nor was which the gene< Thii United Stt'.e* captun-M the Miir...lonian .... Tin* W8k|> rn|»tiir.'ii the Frolic. rous conduct of our heroic senmen has uniformly drawn forth, the praise of the enemy. All the private projuTty belonging to the men and olficers on board the Macedonian, was restored to the captured with flu- most rigid exiictitud(! ; and their treatment was th(; most polite and humane. The feelings of the nation had .scarcely time to subside, when the welcome news of anoth(M- victory was received ; a victory over an enemy most decidedly superior in Ibrce, and under cir- cumstances the imwt favourable to him. This was the capture of the brig Frolic, of twenty-two guns, by the sloop of war Wasp, ('aptain .Tones had returned from F' ranee, two weeks after the declaration of war, and on the lUth of October again put to sea. On the lOth he cixperienced a h(?avy gale, in which the Wasp lost her jib-boom and two men. On the cveniny of the fijltowiiifr day, the \Vasp found herself near five ■trange sail, and as two of them apj)eared to be ships ot war, it was thought proper to keep at a distance. At daylight on Sunday morning, thf^y were discovered to be six merchant ships, from Monduras to England, under a strong convoy of a brig and two ships, armed with sixteen guns each. The brig, which proved to be the F'rolic, caj)tain Whinyates, dropped be- hind, while the others made sail. The Wasp, being prepared for action, at thirty-two minutes past eleven o'clock, came down to windward in handsome style, wh6n the action was begun by the enemy's cannon and musketry. This was returned, and approaching still nearer the enemy, brought her to close action. In five minutes the main-topmast of the Wasp was shot away, and falling down with the main-topsail yard, across the larboard lore and Ibretopsail, rendered her head yards unmanageable during the rest of the action. In two minutes more her gaft and mizen top-gallant mast were shot away. The sea being exceedingly rough, the muzzles of the Wasp's guns were some- times under water. The FiUijlish fired as their vessel rose, so that their shot was either thrown away, or touched the rigging of the Americans ; the Wasp, on the contrary, fired as she sunk, and every time struck the hull of her antagonist. The Wasp now shot ahead, raked h^r, and then resumed her position. The Frolic's fire had evidently slackened, and the Wasp, gra- dually neared her, until in the last broadside, they touched her «ide with their rammers. It was now determined to lay her by .the board. The jib-boom of the Frolic came in between the main and mizen-mast of the Wasp, and after giving a raking fire, which swept the whole deck, they resolved to board. Lieutenant Biddle sprang on the rigging of the enemy's bow- sprit, where he was at fir.st somewhat entangled, and midship • 02 imACKKNlUUGE'S Till) Wusp copturea tlw Frolic. man Harkcr, in his impatience to be on board, caught liold oi Jiiddlo's cout, and Ibll back on the deck, but in u moment sprang U[) and leaped on the bowsprit, where he found one Lan^' and anotlier seaman. His surprise can scarcely be imagined, ulicn ho Cound no person on deck, except three ofUcerH and tiie s(;aman ut tiu) wljeel. The deck was slipj)ery with blood, and presented a scene of havoc and ruin, such as ims been sej. dom witnessed. As he advanced, the officers threw down their swords in submission. The colours were still flying, there being no seamen left to pull them down. Lieutenant BiddK; leaped h\to the rigging, and hauled them down with his own liands. Thus, in forty-three minutes, complete possession w;h taken of the Frolic, afler one of the most bloody conflicts any w here r(;corded in naval history. The condition of this unfor- tunate vessel was inexpressibly shocking. The birth-deck was crowded witli the dead, the dying and the wounded ; and thi masts, which soon afler fell, covering the dead and every thinj; on deck, lefl her a most melancholy wreck. Captain Jonti sent on botird his surgeon, and humanely exerted himself in their relief, to the utmost of his power. The loss on board the Frolic was thirty killed and fifty wounded ; on board the Wasp, five killed, and five slightly wounded. This was cer- tainly the most decisive action fought during the war. The Wasp and Frolic were bofh captured that very day by a Britisli seventy-four, the Poictiers, captain Beresford. Captain Jones spoke of all his officers and men in handsome •.erms; but the noble part which he bore in this celebrated combat, was touched upon with all that modesty for which our naval heroes have been so justly admired. Lieutenant Booth. Mr. Rapp, and midshipmen Grant and Baker, were particular!} distinmiished. Lieutenant Claxton, although too unwell h O ^ 7 render any assistance, crawled out of bed, and came on deck, that he might witness the courage of his comrades. A seamaii of the name of Jack Lang, from Chester county, Pennsylvanin, a brave fellow, who had been twice impressed by tlie British. behaved, on this occasion, with unusual bravery. Captair Jones reached New York towards the latter end of November, The legislatures of Massachusetts, New York, and Delawarr. of which latter state lie was a native, presented him with thci: thanks, and several elegant swords and pieces of plate ; and the congress of the United States voted him, his cfFiccrs, and crev. twenty-five thousand dollars, as a rccompcnGe for their loss, in not being able to bring in the Frolic. lie was soon afier f moted to the command of the Macedonian, captured by coi modore Decatur. See Engraving, page 47 ante. i HISTORY OF TIJIC WAR. na I, caught hold of it in u moinc.'iil J found ono Jvuiii,' ely be imagined, iroc olliccrs and l)(:'ry with bloud, h as lias been scl threw down their till flying, there Lieutenant Biddk; vn with his own te possession was ody conflicts any ion of this unfur- he birth-deck was oundcd; and tht' d and every thing . Captain Jones xerted himself in he loss on board cd ; on board tiie This was cer- cr the war. The f day by a Britisli men in handsome this celebrated ^ty for which our icutcnant Booth. were particular!} too unwell l> id came on deck, ades. A seamari y, Pennsylvuniii. d by the British. ravery. Captaii nd of November. V, and Delaware. ed him with thei. of plate ; and tli fliccrs, and cre\v. for their lo.ss, ir s soon aflcr f apturcd by cor mte. KxpliiitH of Amaricnn PrIVBtMra. Teats of naval prowess were not confined to national vcsscIh : the e.\i)loita of private armed vessels daily tilled tin; gazettes. Lcffors of marcjUe wer(5 issuiid soon alU'r the declaration of • war, Mild privateers sailed from every port, to annoy and dis. tre.ss the enemy's commerce. They wer(! g(?nerally constructed for swill sailing, an art in which the Americans excel every other people, in their contests they exhibited the same supe- riority over the vessels of the enemy, as was shown with respect to the ships of war. One of the first to sail, was the Atlas, commanJed by captain Motfat. On the :3d of August he fell in with two armed ships, and afler a severe action, captured them both, but was not able to bring more than one of them into port. The J)oIphin, captain Endicot, of Salem, in the course of a few weeks, captured fifteen of the enemy's vessels, and sf>ou became noted for his activity and courage. lie had the nii.sior- tune to be captured by a squadron, under commodore Broke, and in consequence of the prejudice enteitaiiied against j)riva- teers, and the irritation which his exploits had excited, he was treated somewhat roughly: this eomluct, to the honour of the Britisjj oflicers, was soon chaii^'ed, wIkmi they were informed, by the prisoners, of the humanity of his conduct. On one occa- sion, there hap|H?ncd to he on bonrd one of the Dolphin's prizes, an old woman, who had her whole fcjrtune on board, consisting of eight hundred dollars; she made a lamontahlo outcry at her misfortune: but the fact was no sooner known to the sailors, than they spontaneously agreed not to touch her pittance; and on arriving in the United States, she felt so much gratitude, that she could not retrain from giving publicity to it, in the newspapers. It soon became understood, that American priva- teers were under tlu; same regulations as national vessels, acir- cumstance in which they diflercd from those of other nations; that, in lact, private cupidity was not the sole motive in arminji^ them, but that they constituted a part of our mode of carrying on the war, by assailing the enemy in his most vulnerable part ; and that the gallantry displayed on board of these vessels, conferred f.'most as high honour on the actors, as that which was won in the national ships : there were, therefore, the same inducements to correctness of deportment. Thus much may be said in miti- gation of this species of warfare, which it is to be hoped will, at some future day, be suppressed by common consent. Early in the war, one of our oldest and most distinguished naval heroes, but who had, for many years, led a private life, entered this service, Commodore Barney sailed from Baltic more in the Rossie, and, in the course of a few nonths, did 54 BHACKENRIDGE'S Results of llie Naval Warfare. 1 I ; :J" ■*■ ^ H . ,\- more havoc in the British commerce, than was experienced from the French cruisers for years. The fame of this gallant officer was already well known to the enemy, particularly as the captor of one of their vessels of war of superior force, the General Monk, during tiie revolution. Such was the glorious beginning of our naval warfare against Great Britain. In the course of a few months, two of her finest frigates surrendered, each after a few minutes fighting; and a most decided victory was gained over an adversary con- fessedly superior. Before the meeting of congress, in Novem- ber, nearly two hundred and fifty vessels were captured from the enemy, and more than three thousand prisoners taken. Upwards of fifty of them were armed vessels, and carrying five hundred and seventy-five guns. To counterlialance this im- mense loss, "he enemy had but a small account. By the cruise of commodore Rodgers, our merchantmen had been much aided in getting inio port, and the number captured was but trifling f^ompared to theirs. The Frolic and Wasp, we have seen, were captured in a way to give no credit to the captors. Two other smaller vessels were also captured '^v squadrons: the first, on the 20th of July, the schooner Nautilus, of twelve guns, commanded by lieutenant Crane, captured by the frigate Shannon, the leading ship of the squadron. The Vixen was captured or. the 22d of November, by the Northampton frigate Sir James Yeo. Not long after the capture, both vessels ran ashore, and were wrecked. Through the exertions of captain Reed, of the Vixen, much of the property was saved from the wreck ; and, in consequence of his services on the occa- sion, he was publicly thanked by Sir James, and permission given to him to return home on his parole. This he generously declined, as he could not think of receiving any benefits, in which his ofticers and crow did not partake. He accordingly accompanied them to Nova Scotia, where he fell a victim to the climate. He was interred by the British with the honours of war, rccompanied by every demonstration of respect to the memory of a brave and gallant ofliccr. The navy now became the favourite of the nation ; for thus far, contrasted with our armies, it was entitled to the most de- cided preference. There were not wanting occasions in which our arms by land had acquired reputation, but they had also brouglit upon us dishonour : on the contrary, the navy, in every instance, had added to our national renown. The modesty of our naval commanders, in the narratives of the most brilliant achievements, and which were read with delight in every cot- tage, and spread over the country by the means of our thousand ITI.STORV (W TITK WAR. '\'\ >j>j rvas experienced 3 of this gallant , particularly as iperior force, the warfare asjainst ths, two of her inutes fighting; adversary con- ress, in Novem- ! captured from prisoners taken, nd carrying five )alance this ini- By the cruise 3ecn much aided Sonsatjoiid exciti'J in Eiijilaiid. was hut triflintj we have seen, captors. Two squadrons : the tilus, of twelve d hy the frigate The Vixen was ampton frigate oth vessels ran ions of captain as saved from s on the occa- md permission I he generously .ny benefits, in le accordingly ?ll a victim to ith the honours * respect to the ation ; for thus o the most de- sions in which they had also navy, in every he modesty of most brilliant t in every cot- f our thousand newspapers, was peculiarly pleasing: whereas the proclama- tions of our generals were too orten filled with idle fustian. The British had threatened to drive our " bits of striped bunt- ing" from ihc ocean, and we had been seriously apprehensive that our little navy would be at once annihilated ! We, how- ever, sought consolation for this, in the prospect of possessing Canada, and freeing ourselves from troublesome neighbours. In both instances how greatly disappointed I The mortifica- tion of Great Britain was attended with no alleviation. She was wounded in the most vital part. In vain did she seek con- ^ solation in endeavouring to hide her misfortune from horsclf, by representing our vessels, in every instance, as greatly supe- rior in size, and having every advantage in the various con- flicts. This might do with respect to one engagement, but the same cause was insufiicient to account for her defeats in every I encounter. The American frigates were seventy-fours in dis- ■ guise, and she turned her seventy-fours into frigates, that she might contend on equal terms ! But she could not so easily account for the superiority in the management of the ships, and in gunnery. From the idle boast of being the sovereign of the seas (a claim as vain as that to the dominion of the air or the light), without whose permission not a sail could be spread, she was humbled by one of the youngest maritime /States, actuated by no ambition of conquest, and merely con- tending for the privilege of navigating an element designed by the Almighty for the common possession of the human race. CHAPTER IV. Military Enthusiasm in the West— Goncral Harrison takes commind of the North- western Army— The Army advances under General Winchester— Expedition to the Kapids under General Tupper— Failure of the Expedition to the Raj. ids— Second Ex- pedition to the Rapids under General Tupper-Foray under General IJopkins-Second Expedition underGeneral Hopkins-Defence of Fort Harrison-Expedition underCo lonel Russell-Expedition under Colonel Canipbell-Sticurity of the Frontier estab- Ushed. The public mind having recovered from the distress and cha- grin occasioned by the surrender of Hull, was now carried to the contrary extreme. A spirit was roused, which produced 56 BRACKENRIDGE'S Military Enthusiugin in the West. 1 • :'J 'i •'I i .! ,. I i>\ '.' circcts not surpassed in the most enthusiastic periods of our revokition. To the westward and to the southward, volunteer corps were forming in ev jry quarter, and tendering their ser- vices for any enterprise which might he undertaken. The western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia exhibited great alacrity : but it was in the states of Kentucky, Ohio and Ten- nessee, that this generous zeal prevailed in the highest degree. C'ivil pursuits were almost forsaken, while this enthusiasm was shared by persons of both sexet' and every age. The ladies .set themselves to work in preparing military clothing and knap- sacks for their relatives and friends, and cheerfully contributnd from their household stock, such articles as their soldiers might require. Companies were equipped in a single day, and ready to march the next. Tiiere prevailed every where, the most aninji^ted scenes of preparation. The admiration which this excites, is not lessened by the reflection that they were but acting in self-defence ; for excepting in the remote settlements, and merely on the frontier, there was but little to apprehend from the Indians : tlie settlements having become so consider- able in the western states, th'\t i* would be impossible for the enemy to penetrate far. Thtv i\ere actuated by an enthusi- astic love of country, a generous spirit, which could not brook the thought of being worsted, or that a part of the territory of the United States, should fall by conquest into the hands of our enemy. Louisville and Newport had been appointed as the places of rendezvous, for the troops destined to the aid of Hull. So numerous were the volunteers from Kentucky, who offered their services here, that it was soon found necessary to issue orders that no more would be received, and many companies, thus disappointed, were compelled to turn back. The com- mand of the Kentucky militia was assigned to general Payne. The same alacrity was manifested in the state of Ohio, which, in the course of a few days, embodied an equal force under gene- ral Tupper. The Pennsylvania volunteers, under general Crooks, were marched to Erie, and a brigade of Virginians under general Lefhvich, was to join the troops of Ohio, at Urbanna. The Kentucky troops, together with the Seventeenth United States regiment under Colonel Wells, the greater part of which had been enlisted in the Western country since the war, wero destined for ^^ort Wayne, and thence for the Rapids, which was appointed l: the general rendezvous. Thus in a few weeks, upwards of four thousand men were drawn out from their homes, completely equipped, embodied, and ready for the field. The command of this army was given to major-gcnerQl HISTORY OF THE WAR. General Harrison takes command of th« Norlli vcstern Army. lo periods of our thward, volunteer ndering their scr- indcrtaken. The I exhibited i)reat y, Ohio and Ten- 10 highest degree. s enthusiasm was age. The ladies lothing and knap, rfully contributed eir soldiers might le day, and ready where, the most ration which this it they were but mote settlements, :tle to apprehend ;omc so consider- mpossible for the d by an enthusi- I could not brook f the territory ol" the hands of our as the places of id of Hull. So oulars, and a troop of horse, in all about two thousand men. The country which he was compelled to traverse, cj)|H)sed great ditllculties, j)articularly in the transpor. tation of stortis. Along the heads of the rivers which discharge themselves into tlie Ohio on the south, and those which dis- charge themselves into the lakes on the north, there is a great extent of flat land, full of marshes and ponds, in which the streams take their rise. In rainy seasons particularly, it is exceedingly dillicult to pass, the horses at every step sinking to the knees in mud. The ground, besides, is covered with deep Ibrests and close thickets. To facilitate the passage through this wilderness, each man was obliged to carry provi- sions for six days. General Harrison now proceeded in person to Fort ot. Mary's, for the purpose of organizing the ulterior movements of the army. A detachment under major Jennings was ordered to proceed with supplies by the Aux Glaize river, Gencu'al Winchester was obliged to advance slowly, on account of the precautions necessary to avoid surprise in a country highly favourable for Indian warfare. From tlie close- ness of the thickets, the troops were under the necessity of cut- ting open a road each day, and were not able to make more than six or eight miles. They usually encamped at three o'clock, and threw up a breast-wc'v to guard against a night attack. They had the precaution, on their march, to be preceded by a party of spies, under an active officer, captain Ballard, and an advanced guard of about three hundred men. On the 24th, they discovered an Indian trail for the first time, and pursued it some distance ; but from the nature of the country, it was impossible to overtake the enemy. Ensign Leggctt, having obtained permission to penetrate to Fort Defiance, still at the distance of twenty-four miles, set out accompanied by four volunteers. These gallant young men, not being sufficiently experienced in such enterprises, were killed the same evening, and found the next day by the spies, scalped and tomahawked in the most barbarous manner. On the '27th, captain Ballard, who had gone belbre for the purpose of burying the dead, dis- covered an Indian trail ; but being aware of the stratagems of this wily people, instead of following it, he divided his com- pany, and marched his men on each side. The stratagem of HISTORY OF TJli-: WAR. 59 ["filer. Expedition to thn Rapids under General Tiippnr. , with iiiformafioii of the President. ster had marchrd ; I'lacc of ultimate ide of Kcntuckv lorse, in nil about was compelled to y in the transpor- 3 which discharge those which dis- 1, there is a great ds, in which the larticularly, it is very step sinkinj* , is covered with tate the passage d to carry provi- :iceeded in person zing tlie idterior T major Jennings lux Giaize river, ance slowly, on id surprise in a From the close- necessity of cut- make more than it three o'clock, a night attack. )e preceded by a Ballard, and an On the 24th, ne, and pursued country, it was ^eggett, having nee, still at the panied by four eing sufficiently same eveninir, id tomahawked 'aptain Ballard, g the dead, dis- 3 stratagems of vided his com- e stratagem of the enemy being thus frustrated, they rose from their hiding- places, raised the war-whoop, and took possession of an ele- vated piece of grounti ; but were soon compelled, by the ap- proach of the cavalry and the well-directed tire of the spies, to betake then)sclves to the swamps and thickets. The next day, while the army was on its march, four Indians fired upon the spies ; the general instantly drew up his men, and sent forward a detachment of horse, which returning with an account that no enemy could be seen, the line of march was again resumed. They liad not proceeded far, when a trail was discovered, which induced the general to cross tiie river, and shortly after another trail was discovered, which was at first supposed to ■have marked the march of colonel Jennings, who had been ordered in advance with provisions, and was therefore hailed with joy by the troops, who had begun to suffer for want of them. The mistake was unpleasantly rectified by the arrival of the scouts, who brought intelligence that about two miles above Fort Defiance, they had seen the Indians encamped, with their war-poles erected, and bloody flag displayed. On the evening of the 29th, a messenger arrived from colo- nel Jennings, with the information, that, on having discovered the British and Indians in possession of Fort Defiance, he had •thought it prudent to land about forty miles above that place, where he had erected a block-house, and awaited further orders. Captain Garrard, with about thirty of his troopers, was despatch- ed with orders to Jennings to forward the provisions ; this was promptly obeyed. Captain Garrard returned as the escort to a brigade of pack-horses, on which they were loaded, affer hav- ing been for thirty-six hours exposed to an incessant rain. This occurrence -^^ave new life and spirits to the starving army, which had in the meantime taken possession of Fort Defiance. The British and Indians had precipitately descended the river. On the 4th of October, general Harrison left the fort, and returned to the settlements, with a view of organizing and bringing up the centre and right wing of the army ; the left wing having been placed under the command of general Winchester. Or- ders were given to general Tupper, by the commander-in-chief, to proceed immediately to the Rapids', with about one thousand men, for the purpose of driving the enemy from that place. The intended expedition of general Tupper proved abortive The general, in consequence of the damaged state of the am- munition, and the length of time requisite to prepare the neces- sary provisions, was considerably delayed. In the meanwhile the Indians had killed a man on the opposite side of the river, and almost within gun-shot of the camp. He beat to arms, and J 60 HUACKKNUIDCJirS Failiirc of the Expodition to tliu Kapitls. HI. ""f ,i ti ordered major Brush to cross over with about fifty men and explore the woods, while a strong detachment would be Ibrnicd for the purpose of supporting liim, in case of attack. Tiu; parly had no sooner moved, than all in camp began to break away, twenty or tliirty together, in order to join in the chase, and by no exertion of authority could they bo kept back ; s(i totally insensible were they to any thing like regular military subordination. Luckily these small bodies were not attacked, ov they must have been cut to nieces. Immediately after this, orders were given by the commanding general, to go in pursuit of the Indians, and if possible ascertain their number; general Tupper represented his situation, and requested that the order might be countermanded ; but this was answered by a peremp- tory command, which he now attempted to obey. This unfor- tunataly resulted in a misunderstanding between him and tho commanding general, in consequence of which colonel Allen received private orders to supersede him in the command ; on this being made known to the corps of Ohio, they positively refused to march, unanimously set off for Urbanna, and the expedition was entirely broken up. These are instances of insubordination much to be regretted , but they spring from tho want of that kind of habitual obedience, and implicit confidence in their officers, incident to raw troops. Such are the unavoidable evils attending a militia hastily called together, and not kept in a body a sufficient length of time, to learn the utility of perfect subordination. It was now necessary to wait until the arrival of the other divisions of the army, before any thing further could be at- tempted against the Rapids, and much less against Detroit. The army was at this time accompanied by some friendly Indians, whom general Harrison had received into his service at Fort Wayne, the greater part under the command of Logan. No other course would have prevented their becoming our enemies ; it was in vain to expect them to remain neutral, while sur- rounded by war. However contrary to our maxims and policy to employ such auxiliaries, we were compelled to do so in self- defence ; and we afterwards sufficiently evinced, by the conduct of those Indians, that it is not impossible to restrain them from the commission of acts of barbarity. General Tupper, having returned to Urbanna with his mounted men, was despatched with the division of the centre, which consisted of a brigade of Ohio volunteers and militia, and a regiment of regulars, to Fort M'Arthur, while the right wing, consisting of a Pennsylvania and a Virginia brigade, was ordered to Sandusky. HISTORY OF TI.'E WAR. 61 Second Expedition to the Riipiils under General Tiippcr. ut fifty men and would be formed of attack. Tlu; :) began to break oin in the chase, e kept back ; so ! regular military ere not attacked, liately after this, 1, to go in pursuit number; general ted that the order red by a peremp- ey. This unfor- veen him and the ich colonel Allen lie command ; on o, they positively Frbanna, and the h to be regretted , xbitual obedience, nt to raw troops, itia hastily called ;ngth of time, to val of the other ler could be at- nst Detroit. The riendly Indians, service at Fort of Logan. No ing our enemies ; itral, while sur- xims and policy to do so in self- , by the conduct train them from hanna with his of the centre, 3ers and militia, while the right lia brigade, was General Tupper, on his arrival at Fort M'Arthur, organized another expedition, lor the purpose of proceeding to the Ra- ftids. This force consisted of ahout six jiundrcd men; and ^eiiiL' provided with live days' provisions, marched on the 10th, and on the l.*3th approached witiiin thirteen miles of the Ra- lyids, which they found, by their scouts, to be still in the pos- session of the British and Indians. A number of b>ats and •mall vessels were seen lying below. On receiving this infor- mation, they advanced within a few miles of the Rapids, and then halted until sunset, with a view of crossing the river, and making an attack the next morning by daybreak. The rapi- dity of the current was such, that tiieir attempts were ineflec- tual ; many of the men, who endeavoured to cross, were swept down the stream, and it was thought advisable to order those, who had actually passed, to return. It was now resolved to resort to stratagem, and if possible, to decoy the enemy over. For this j)urpose, early in the morning, they showed the heads of their columns, by advancing some distance out of the woods, in an open space opj)osite the enemy's camp. A great confu- sion appeared to ensue ; those in the vessels slipped t'^eir cables, and descended the river, while the Indian women wore seen icampering otf on the road to Detroit. A fire was then opened upon the Americans, with musketry and a four pounder. Tup- per's stratagem did not perfectly succeed ; but few Indians at first seemed disposed to crosj, and then acted with great cau- tion. A number, however, were observed in a little \\ hile crossing higher up the river ; being now apprehensive that his camp might be attacked, the general thought proper to return. He had not proceeded far, when some of the men unfortunately, contrary to orders, fired on a drove of hogs, and pursued them some distance, and others, equally disobedient, entered a field |o pull corn. At this moment, a body of mounted Indians rushed forward, killed four men, and attacked the rear of the riglit flank. The column, being thrown back, commenced a brisk fire, and caused the Indians to give ground. The Indians .rallied, and passing along the van-guard, made a charge upon the rear of the left column : this column was also thrown briskly ■back ; all attempts to break it were unsuccessful, and in twenty minutes, the Indians again retired. Conceiving this only preliminary to an attack of foot, general Tupper ordered the right column to move up in marching order, to prevent the attack from being made on the right flank. Information was now received, that the Indians were crossing in considerable numbers ; on this, the general ordered the left column to take up the marching order, and proceed to the head of tho right 62 BPACKHNRIDGK'S ■ I ^ Ij V Foray under General Hopkins. column, where a number of Indians had already crossed on horseback, while others were still in the river, and about two hundred on the opposite bank. These, a battalion was ordered to dislodge, which completely succeeded in the undertakiiiL', many of them being shot from their horses in the river. Tin diflerent charges of the Indians were led by the famous chici Split-Log, who rode a fine white horse, from which he some- times fired, at other times alighted, and fired from behind ;i tree. The horses appeared to have been nuch superior to those which the Indians generally ride, and they were well supplied with holsters and pistols. The Americans were com- pelled to return in haste, as their provisions were by this timr entirely exhausted, and they had to march forty miles before they could obtain a fresh supply. While these things were taking place in the Northwestern army under general Ilarrison, other events, deserving attention, transpired further to the westward, under different leadc^rs, We have seen that many of the companies equipped for thf service of the United States, were dismissed, as exceeding; the number required, or the number for which supplies had been provided. A spirit of volunteering prevailed, which reminds one of the enthusiasm of the crusaf^'^s. Vincennes, on the Wabash, was appointed the place of rendezvous for an expedition against the Peoria towns, and others situated on the Illinois and Wabash rivers. Nearly four thousand men, chiefly mounted riflemen, under the command of genera! Hopkins, collected at this place, and early in October pro- ceeded to Fort Harrison. This foray was sanctioned by the venerable governor Shelby, of Kentucky, and was, perhaps, the most formidable in appearance that had ever entered the Indian country. The army reached Fort Harrison about the 10th, and on the 14th crossed the Wabash, and proceeded on its march against the Kickapoo and Peoria towns ; the first about eighty miles distant, the others about one hundred and twenty. Its march lay through open plains covered with a luxuriant grass, which in autumn becomes very dry and combustible. Mur- murs and discontents soon began to show themselves in this unwieldy and ill-compacted body, which was kept together by no discipline or authority. Every one consulted his own will; in fact, but little could be expected from this " press of chival- ry." They had scarcely been four days on their march, when they demanded to be led back ; a major, whose name it is un- necessary to remember, rode up to the general, and perempto- rily ordered him to return ! An idea had begun to prevail ' ' * HISTORY OF THE WAR. 68 lI ready crossed on fvr, and about two talion was ordered the undertaking n the river. Thn ^ the famous chief m which he some- ed from behind n nuch superior to d tliey were well ^ricans were com. were by this time forty miles before the Northwestern 3serving attention, different leaders. equijtped for tiv ed, as exceedin:: lich supplies lind prevailed, which '^''s. Vincenncs, f rendezvous for J others situated y four thousand imand of genera! in October pro- anctioned by the id was, perhaps, ever entered the 16 10th, and on d on its march irst about eighty md twenty. It's luxuriant gra.ss, ibustible. Miir- icmselves in this kept together by ed his own will ; press of chival- eir march, when e nams it is un- and perempto- !gun to prevail Second Expedition undur General Hopkins. .that the guides were ignorant of the country, and that their ' course was the opposite of that which they directed.. An un- lucky occurrence, towards evening, gave the finishing blow to this mighty expedition. A gust of wind had arisen, while they were encamped, which blew violently towards them ; soon after, the grass was discovered to be on fire, and the flames approaching with great velocity. This was supposed to be an Indian attack ; it would have been a formidable one, had they not set fire to the grass around their camp, and thus arrested the progress of the flames. The next morning a council of officers was called, and the general, seeing the state of the army, or more properly of the crowd, proposed to pro- ceed against the Indian towns with five hundred men, if that number would volunteer their services, while the remaindci- might return to Fort Harrison. When the proposal was mado to the men, not one would turn out ; the general having en- tirely lost his popularity. He then requested to be permitted to direct the operations of that single day ; this being agreed to, he placed himself at their head, and gave orders to march ; b''^ instead of following him, they turned round, and pursued u contrary direction, leaving him to bring up the rear. Finding it u.seless to attempt any thing further with such a body, ho followed it to Fort Harrison. The same oificcr, some time in November, led another party, with more success, against the towns at the head of the Wabash. On the 11th, he again set out from Fort Harrison, with about one thousand two hundred men ; while at the same time, seven boats, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Butler, as- cended the river with supplies and provisions. On the 19th, he reached the Prophet's Town, and immediately despatched three hundred men to surprise the Winnebago towns on Ponco Passu creek. The party under colonel Butler came upon the place about daybreak, but found it evacuated. This village, together with the Prophet's Town, and a large Kickapoo village, containing one hundred and twenty cabins and huts, were de- stroyed, together with the winter's provision of corn. Until the 21st, no Indians were discovered; when they fired on a small party, and killed a man by the name of Dunn, a gallant soldier of Duvall's company. The next day, about sixty horse- men, under colonels Miller and Wilcox, being sent out to bury the dead, were suddenly attacked by a considerable party of Indians ; and, in the skirmish which ensued, eighteen of our men were killed, wounded and missing. The principal camp of the Indians having been discovered, preparations were made to attack it, but on approaching it, the enemy were found to I :)! n^ '^IW 1 64 nRACUvKNKinOK'S Durunco of Fort Ilarriinin. *.!« UJ Imvo gone of]'. Thnir situation was romrirkahiy strong, hcinj; on a hi'^k hank ol'tho Pona; I'assu, ami no moans of nscondinu biiL through sonui narrow ravines. The inclcniont season ad. vancing rapidly, it was deemed prudent to think of returning, particularly as the ice in the river began toohstruet the passage. Tij<; success and good conduct of this detachment fornif a favourable contrast witli tiic first, and proves that militia may, in ti'.ne, be trained to the discipline of the camp, so as to bo- come crTicient troops. This corps sufTered exceedingly, and without a murmur; many of them were sick, and to use tiic words of the general, many were " slioclcss and shirtless," during the cold weather of this season. Wc have passed over, without noticing, but with the intci ■ tion of recording in a more distinguished manner, the defence ol' Fort Harrison, which was timely relieved by general Hop- kins, on his first exp( dition. This fort was invested about the same time with Fort Wayne, by a large body of Indians, somc! of whom had affected to be friendly, and had, the day before, intimated to captain Taylor, thrl an attack might soon be ex- pected from the Prophet's party. On the evening of the 3d of September, two young men were killed near the fort ; and the n(}xt day, a party of thirty or forty Indians, from the Prophet's Town, "ppcared with a white flag, under pretence of obtaining provisions. Captain Taylc, suspecting an attack that night, examined the arms of his men, and furnished them with car- tridges. The garrison was composed of no more than eighteen efTective men, tl\e commander and the greater part of his com- pany having suffered very much from sickness. For some time past, the fort had actually been considered incapable of resist- ing an attack. About eleven o'clock, the night being very dark, the Indians had set fire to one of the block-houses unperceived. FJvery effort was made to extinguish the flames, but without effect ; a quantity of whiskey, amongst other stores belonging to the contractor deposited there, blazed up, and immediately enveloped the whole in a flame. The situation of the fort be- came desperate ; the yells of the Indians, the shrieks of a num- ber of women and children within, added to the horrors of the night, altogether produced a terrific scene. Two soldiers, giv- ing themselves up for lost, leaped over the pickets, and one of them was instantly cut to pieces. The commander, with great presence of mind, ordered the roofs to be taken ofT the ad- joining barracks ; this attempt, with the assistance of Dr. Clark, fortunately proved successful, although made under a shower of bullets. A breast-work was then formed, before morning, six or eight feet high, so as to cover the space which 1. c D' )ly strong, boin" alls of nsconditi" inont season ad. Ilk of roturnin"- c nict tho passngf climont Ibrni; a [hat militia may, imp, so as to be- 3XcnodingIy, and [, and to use tlic and sliirtlc'ss," with tlin intei • incr, tlic defence by general Hop. vested about the 3f Indians, soinc , the day before, light soon be ex- ling of the 3d of le fort ; and the 3m the Prophet's nee of obtaininir a tack that night, them with car- re than eighteen art of his com- For some time [pable of resist- eing very dark, es unperceivcd. los, but without tores belonKin" d immediately of the fort be- ieks of a num- horrors of the |o soldiers, giv- its, and one of |der, with great en off the ad- Istance of Dr. ade under a formed, before e space which 1 I HISTOUY OF TIIM WAIl. 05 i Expedition und«'r Coloiii;! RiimoII Kx|Militioii umlor Colonel Cninpbell. Jfcvould 1)0 iel\ by the burnt block-house. The firing continue*! until daylight, when tiie liidijius velired, nder sutlerinii^ a devero loss ; that of the fort was only three killed, and a lf"v wounded. The Indians, discouraged by the failure of tiiis attack, tliought proper to retire, and made no further attempts, until the place was iiappily rtdieved by the arrival of general Hopkins. In conseciueiice of his conduct, captain Taylor was atlerwards promoted to a majority. Another expedition was undertaken by colonel Rusuell, with three companies of United States rangers, and a party of inounted riflemen, under governor Edwards, of Illinois. This party, consisting of lhr(!e hundred and sixty men, was destined to meet general Hopkins at th(3 Peoria towns, on the Illinois jriver. They were disap[)ointed in this, in coiise(iuence of what has been already detailed; but they, notwithstanding, persevered in their enterprize, and destroyed one of the towns known by the name of Pamitaris's town, and pursued the In- dians into a swamp in its vicinity, where they had fled for shelter. The party waded into the swamp for several miles, in some places to the waist in w'lter, and killed upwards of twenty of the enemy in this place, on the bank of the river. c^'he village, which was populous and flourishing, was com- jpletely destroyed, together with their winter's provisions. The party returned to camp on the 21st of October, arter an ab- (Knce of only thirteen days. Lieutenant colonel Campbell of the Nineteenth United States ^^fantry, was, about the same time, detached against the towns ;v on the Mississinewa river, a branch of the Wabash. A town, Inhabited by Delawares and Miamis, was surprised on the 17th of November ; upwards of thirty persons were taken prison- ers, and eight warriors killed. The next morning, at daylight, a furious attack was made on the American camp : major Ball, with his dragoons, sustained the onset for some time ; and u l^ell-dirccted fire from captain Butler's " Pittsburgh volun- l^ers," compelled the enemy to give way. Captain Trotter, of the Lexington troop of horse, charged, and the Indians pre- cipitately fled. Captain Pearce, of the Zanesville troop, was, unfortunately, killed in the pursuit. Lieutenant Waltz, of the Pennsylvania volunteers, was also killed. Tiie officers parti- cularly named on the occasion were lieutenant-colonel Sim- moral, major M'Dowell, captains Markle, M'Clelland, Garrard and Hopkins. The loss in killed on the part of the assailants, amounted to forty ; and on our part to eight killed, and about thirty wounded. Several of their villages were afterwards destroyed. 60 DRACKKNKIDGE'S Security of tin! I-'miitlcr cHtiihliiilind. '■■ t Resides thcso nflhirs, thon^ wen; otlier.s of less moment, in winch tiie militia of Indiaim, Illinois, and Missouri territories, grtmtly (listinj^uishcd themselves. The Iiuliuns were now so much harassed, that tliey Ijegan seriously to repent of havin;,' taken up the war-cluh so hastily ; and their sufrerin<;s, duriii;,' the Hucceedinj:; winter, were not likely to produce any chaniic of feeling towards those who had thus urj;ed them to encounti r their own ruin. The security of the frontier from the murder- ous scalping-knifc of the savage, was thus, in a great measure, effected. The Indians would he compelled to remove to flic distant British establishments for sustenance, during the win. ter, since their means of subsistence were cut oif. As to tlu loss of tiicir huts or wigwams, that was a matter of little con. sequence to them ; a few days being sufficient to rc-construrt them. But by their Ixiing thus driven to a distance, with their wives and children, they were prevented from annoying the settlers, with their fiendlike warfare. Many a peaceful settler was saved from the'r midnight attacks; and "the slumbers of the cradle" verc piotectcd from the savage war-whoop. CHAPTER V. •I .. •'■ Troops on the Canada Frontier— Capture of the Caledonia— Battle of Queenstown, and Death of General Brock— Bombardment of Port Niagara by the British— Abortive attempt of General Smyth— Northern Army— Incursion of Porsythe-of Colonel Tike —War on the Lakes— First Cruise of Commodore Chuuncey. It is now time to turn our attention to the Northern fron- tier, that we may take a view of the occurrences on that exten- sive line, from Niagara down the St. Lawrence. Towards tlio close of the year, our forces had chiefly concentrated in two bodies : one iiear Lewistown, v^onsisting of some rcgi'.lars newly enlisted, and militia, amounting to four thousand men, under general Yan Rensselaer, of New York ; the o'.hcr, in the neighbourhood of Plattsburg and Greenbush, under the com- mander-in-chief, general Dearborne. At Block Rock, at Og- densburg, and Sackett's Harbour, some regulars and militia were also stationed. During the summer and autumn, a num- ber of volunteer companies had marched to the borders, as also the new recruits, as fast as they could be enlisted. Bodies of HISTORY OF THH VVAU. 67 i ">f less moment, in issouri territories, iuns were hdw so repent of haviii;,' suflerinj^s, duriiii' otiiice any cliaiif^c them to encounter r i'rom the miinler- 1 a great measure, to remove to the e, (luring the win. ;ut oir. As to tlic attcr of httlc con. mt to re-construct listancc, with tlioir •om annoying tlio a |)(?acelul settlor " the slunibcrs of var-whoop. -Baule of Quccnslown, jy the British— Abortive rsythe— of Colonel Tike le Northern fron- ces on that cxten- c. Towards tlm ncentratcd in two f some rcgi'.Iars r thousand men, the o'.her, in the under the com- civ Kock, at Oij- jlars and militia autumn, a num- ) borders, as also sted. Bodies of Tro()|>i on tliu Canada Frontier Capluro of the Cak-ilonin.^ jgidars were distributed in each of these places, with ollicera ^f exps. Tlu; force designated to storm the heights, was divided into two columns ; one of three hundred militia, under colonel Van Rens- selaer, the other of three hundred regulars, under colonel Chris tie. These were to be followed by colonel Fen wick's artillery, and tlien the other troops in order. The British, in the mean- while, anticipating this attack, had obtained considerable rein- HISTORY OF THE WAR. 69 boarded them, and ^r weigh ; but the ;m against the cur. odonia, so as to be It the Detroit, allcr the military stores d destroyed. The int of one hundred id witli the loss of the Americans of be led to the inva- ireatcned to return ith. But this was vhh the dangers to the inconsiderate ticipate the proper o persevere when a conlerence with seiacr resolved to n. From the in- ; had been chiefly s supposed, under the territory of Proctor, until ho lacc be possessed the approaching s of the Western n the mornini; of storm and heavy but, owing to the on accidents, tiic npatience of the )jdcrs were des- corps, as another cry arrangonirnt of the 13th, the lerican batteries, divided into two lonel Van Rcns- or colonel Chris ivvick's artillerv, sh, in the mean- Dnsiderable rein- Battle of dueenstown. Pbrcemcnts from Fort George, and if necessary, could be sliU .'further assisted by general Brock, who, it now appeared, com- 'munded at that place. At daylight, as soon as the approach of the Americans could be discovered, a shower of musketry and grape opened from the whole line on tlie Canada shore, and was returned by our batteries, with the addition of two sixes, which, afler an extraordinary effort, lieuteflant-colonel Scott had brought to their assistance from the Falls of Niagara. The fire of the enemy, and the eddies in the river, pro- duced considerable embarrassment, in consequence of which, lieutenant-colonel Christie, who was wounded by a grape- ehot in the hand, and colonel Mulaney, fell below the in- tended point, and were obliged to return. Colonel Van Rensselaer, who commanded the whole, and who led the van, reached the shore, with only one hundred men, in the midst of a most galling fire. He had scarcely leaped on land, when he received four severe wounds, wji'.ch retarded the onset. This gallant oflicer, being still able to stand, though suffering the most excruciating pain, ordered his men to move rapidly up '4he heights. Cuptain Ogilvic assumed the command, seconded by captain Wool, who was also wounded, and followed by lieutenants Kearney, Carr, Higginan, Sommers, and ensign Reeve, of the Thirteenth. Lieutenants Gansevoort and Ran- dolph ascended the rocks to the right of the fort, gave three cheers, and after several desperate charges, at the head of a ho.ndful of men, carried the heights, and drove the enemy down •the hill in every direction. The enemy retreated behind a .large stone house, and kept up their fire ; but thtiir batteries, with the exception of one gun, were silenced. The detachment under colonel Christie, on his second attempt, now landed. Considerable reinforcements soon ailcr arrived, under captains Gibson, M'Chesney and Lawrence ; and colonels Mead, Stra- han, Allen, and other militia officers. About this time general Brock arrived in person, with the Forty-ninth regiment, six hundred strong. Perceiving him approaching to the rear of the battery, captain Wool, who commanded at this point, ordered a detachment of about one hundred and sixty men to charge. The detachment was driven back, but being reinforced, charged a second time. Encountering a great superiority of numbers, they were again repulsed, anti on the point of being driven to the very verge of the precipice, when one of the officers, considering • their situation hopeless, placed a white handkerchief on the point of a bayonet, in token of submission, which was instantly torn away by captain Wool, who ordered the men to stand their ground. At this instant, colonel Christie advanced with a rein- . Hri 111 •mJji in 70 BRACKENRIDGE'S Dattic of Cluocnstnwn, and Death of General lirock. forcement, which increased the number of the detachment to three hundred and twenty. This ofticcr now led on a dcspe. rate charge, and completely succeeded in putting to flight a rcgi. ment twice his numbers, and bearing the name of Invinciblcs. General Brock, exasperated at this conduct, endeavoured to rally them, when he received three balls, which terminated his existence ; his aid, captain M'Donald, at the same instant fall. ing by his side, mortally wounded. At two o'clock, general Wadsworth of the militia, and coloncis Scott and Nlulanoy crossed over. Captain Wool, having been ordered t\) retire to have liis wounds dressed, again returned to the action. Thf Forty-ninth being repulsed, and the British commander haviii:: fallen, the victory was thought to be complete ; and general Van Rensselaer crossed over, for the purpose of immediately fortifying a camp, to prepare against future attacks, should tliu enemy be reinforced. This duty he assigned to lieutenant Totten, an able engineer. The fortune of tl)e day was not yet decided. At three o'clock, the ennmy having rallied, and being reinforced by several hundred Chippewa Indians, again advanced to the attack. At first, our men were disposed to falter, but beiii;,' animated by such leaders as colonel Christie and colonel Scott, marched boldly to the charge, and at the point of the bayonet onc(; more comj)elled the British, who were now the assailants, to retire. This was the third victory gained since morninir, and had the contest ended here, it would have been one of the most glorious for our country. General Van Rensselaer per- ceiving that the men on the oi)poHitc side embarked but slowly, and learing another conflict, re-crossed for the i)urpose of exj)o- diting their departure. Ikit what was his astonishment, on reaching the American side, when he found that they positively refus(Hl to embark ! More than twelve hundred men under arms were drawn up on the bank, where they remained as idle spectators of the scene, and neither commands nor entreaties could prevail on them to move. They planted themselves on their constitutional privilege ; the same men, who a few days before had expressed so much impatience that their ardour was restrained. It seems that this boiling ardour had suddenly been cooled, by what they had witnessed on the opposite shore. At four o'clock, the British Ix^ing reinforced by eight hundred men from Fort George, renewed the engagement with fresh vigour. General Van Rensselaer, perceiving that our men were now almost exhausted with fatigue, and their ammunition nearly spent, was compelled, under the most painful sensations, to address a note to general Wadsworth, commvnicating the IIISTOUY OF THE WAK. 71 ral Brock. the detachment to ow led on a dcspc- ting to flight a rcgi. amc of Invinciblcs. ct, endeavoured to hich terminated liis e same instant full. o o'clock, gene ml cott and Alulancy ordered h) retire to • the action. TIk commander haviiii; :)iete ; and general Jsc of immediately attaclis, should tlm ;ned to lieutenant lecided. At three sing reinforced by advanced to tlic ) falter, but beiiii,' and colonel Scott, int of the bayonet low the assailants, ;d since mornini', 'e been one of the n Rensselaer per- arked but slowly, 2 purpose of exj)e- astonishment, on lat they positively idred men under remained as idle s nor entreaties ed themselves on who a few days their ardour was lad suddenly been )osite shore. by eight hundred :m(^nt with fresh g that our men their ammunition iinful sensations, Timunicating the Battle of duecnatnvvn. i t unexpected circumstance, and giving him permission to consult his own judgment ; and at the same time he despatched a number !of boats, that in case it should be so resolved, he might return '•with his troops to the American side. A desperate contest soon llfollowed, which was kept up for half an hour, by a continued discharge of musketry and artillery ; when our troops were * gradually overpowered by numbers, their strength rapidly de- 'clining, and their hopes being subdued by the information they !^had by this time received. The militia attempted to re-embark, jtbut in this they were frustrated. It being impossible to hold •out any longer, and more overcome by the a|)athy of their countrymen, who stood looking coldly on, than by the strengtli of their foes, they at length surrendered themselves prisoners of war. During the greater part of the engagement with the jlast reinforcement, the regulars, not more than two hundred and jfifly in number, bore the brunt of the action entirely alone. i^lThe prisoners were generally treated well by the British, but «they imposed no restraint on their allies, who proceeded im- .fmediately to the work of stripping and scalping the slain, and lleven many of the wounded. Amongst other indignities which Ithese wretches were not restrained from committing, were those loilered to the body of ensign Morris, brother to our naval hero. -Contrasted with this, it is worthy of being mentioned, that the guns of the American fort were fired during the funeral cere- /mony of general Brock, a brave and generous enemy. Even savages, had they chosen to inquire the meaning of this, ought to huve learned a lesson of humanity, which their civilized allies tcould not teach. ^ Every officer who crossed the river, it is said, distinguislied fhimself. Colont^l Scott, aflerwards so highly distinguished, con- tinued the greater part of the day in the hottest of the fight, and 'although dressed in uniform, and of a tall and elegant stature, i did not receive the slightest woind. Several Indians aflerwards (declared that they had taken doliberate aim at him. A volun- < tecr company of riflemen under lieutenant Smith, who took prisontir an Indian chief, when ihe enemy rallied a second .time, was much distinguished. Lieutenant colonel Fenwick ^was severely wounded, but never lefl the ground du.'ing the . action. Captains Gibson, Wool, and M'C'hesney, were highly -complimented by the general. The loss of the British and Indians is not exactly known ; ours must have been at least one thousand in killed, wounded and prisoners. The greater part of the prisoners were taken to Montreal. During the embarkation of the troops at Lewistown, a fire was opened from Fort George on the American Fort Niagara 72 BUACKKNRIDGE'S Uoiiiltardnient of Fort Niagara by the Rritish. I :< l« :, vh ,1, f II i ■n-ii which was returned and kept up during the day on both sidos. The battery commanded by captain M'Keon, which was man. aged witli ability, set tire to several houses near the British lui;, A twelve pounder happening to burst, and at the same time the opposite garrison beginning to throv shells, captain Leonard thought it prudent to leave the fort; but soon after, perceivir.i: the British about to cross, he returned with a guard of tweiitv men, and kept possession during the night. Tlie next eveniii(r he was joined by the remainder of the garrison. Three days afterwards the British batteries below Fort Erie, opened a liix- on the camp at Black Rock. One of the barracks was de- stroyed by a shell, which blew up the magazine, but no lives were lost. The garrison of Niagara, having been considerably reinforced was again attacked on the 21st, from the batteries of For! George. These places are situated nearly opposite each other, and at the entrance of the Niagara. The cannonading continued from sunrise until dark, the enemy throwing upwards of ihm thousand red-hot shot, and upwards of two hundred shells ; several of the barracks and adjoining buildings were fired, but, through the indefatigable exertions of Major Armistead, of the United States artillery, the fire was repeatedly extinguished. Colonel M'Feeley, who commanded the fort, ordered the different bat- teries to open ; and the enemy's fire was returned with interest, Several houses in Newark, and about the fori, were burnt ; a schooner lying under its guns was sunk, and one of their bat- teries for a time completely silenced. Captain M'Keon com- manded in the southeast block-house, and captain Jack, of the militia artillery, in the northeast, the situation most exposed. The diflbrent batteries were commanded by lieutenants Rces and Hendal, both of which were very destructive. Lieutenant Gansevoort commanded the Salt battery ; Doctor Cooper, ot' the militia, had the command of a six-pounder. Lieutcnniit Rees having been wounded, h*'^ place was taken by captain Leonard, during the remainder of the day. During this severe bombardment, we had only four killed, and a small numkr wounded, among whom was lieutenant Thomas. Colonel M'Feoley spoke in high terms of colonel Gray, major Armi- stead, captain Mulligan, and all the other officers and men. Such was their ardour, that having expended their wadding, the officers tore off their sh'rts and the soldiers their pantaloons to be used for that purpose. An extraordinary instance of fe- male bravery occuriud on this occasion. The wife of a com mon soldier, of the name of Doyle, taken prisoner at Queens- town, and carried to Montreal, determined to revenge the iiisToiiv Or tul: wau. 73 British. ! day on both sidos. n, which was man. icarthc Britisli lui;, t the same time the s, captain Lnoiianl m after, pcrccivii)- a guard of twenty Tlio next cveniii!; 'ison. Three daw Erie, opened a liro '. barracks was do- azine, but no hv(^ iderably reinforced ! batteries of Fori >pposite each other, nonading continued 5 upwards of Uinv dred shells ; several 5 fired, but, through tead, of the Uniteu iguished. Colonel 1 the different bat- irned with interest, 3rt, were burnt ; a 1 one of their bat- ain M'Keon com- ptain Jack, of the on most exposed. ^ lieutenants Rocs ;tive. Lieutenant Doctor Cooper, of idcr. Lieutenant taken by captain Juring this seven a small number homas. Colonel ray, major Armi- )fl'(cers and men. d tiieir waddinii, their pantaloons ry instance of fe- e wife of a com soner at Queens- to revenge the Abortive attoiiipt of General Smyth. treatment of her husband, volunteered her services, and ob- Iftined permission to assist at one of the batteries, where she continued to serve hot siiot until the last gun was fired, although tile enemy's shells continually fell around her, and every mo- Bient threatened destruction. IShortly aflcr the unfortunate battle of Qucenstown, General Van Rensselaer resigned the command, which devolved on brigadier-general Smyth, of the United States army. General Smyth announced his det'^rmination of retrieving the honour of (he American arms, by anotiier attempt on the British batteries and entrenchments on 'he opposite side. He conceived that the former attack had net been conducted with judgment, in the ■election of the jK)int of debarkation, directly in the face of their batteries, whereas it ought to have been between Fort Erie and Chippewa. 'I'liis ho had at first recommended to general Van jjten.sselaer, and to the neglect of his intimation he attributea iSie failure ol' the former at<"mpt. Having now the sole com- mand, and being at liberty to carry into execution his own plan, he set about prejjaring a ibrcc for the j)urpose; that which ho then had under his command being insulficient. As the most effectual mode to accomplish this, he issued a proclamation appealing to the public feeling and patriotism of the American people, and inviting volunteers from every part of the country. Every topic which could influence the hearts and minds of the |ieople, was strongly urged : they were reminded of the exploits of tiieir ancestors of the revolution; of the little honour which jbad thus far attended the prosecution of the war ; the recent fiiilure, and liitj disgraceful surrender of Hull. They were told that even the Indians of the friendly Six Nations had ofiered tiieir servicers, but that, through regard to the cause of humanity, jhe had rellised to follow a disgraceful example, by letting loose .these barbarous warriors upon the inhabitants of Canada. He ihen addressed himself particularly to the " Men of New- York," fapl'ealing to their patriotism, calling on them to retrieve the late disaster, and at the same time, by this step, secure their wives and children from the predatory and murderous incur- ifions of the savage. This address was v,eil calculated to reach ihc feelings of the moment, although eccentric in its style, and lin some respects reprehensible, particularly in the reflections indulged at the expense of others. Moreover, it was not dic- tated by prudence as respected himself; for in the event of a ^failure, he would naturally be exposed to ridicule, for wh^it fwould then be termed a pompous and inflated rhodomontade. It iwas, however, not without some cflect ; particularly whsn be- -conded l)y an animated proclamation from general Porter, ot I 6 74 IJUACKLONRIDGIvS Abortive ntlein|it of General Smyth. •♦" M i b ill • ^i I: II „, the New- York militia. About tlie 27th of November, upward* of four thousand five hundred men, consisting of regulars, aiK the volunteers from Pennsylvania, New- York and Baltimore were collected at Buffalo ; and the officers were actively (n. gaged in drilling, equipping and organizing them for the ii, tended enterprise. Seventy boats, and a number of scows, were prepared lij; the reception of the army, that they might be at once transpon ed to the Canadian shore. But preparatory to the principa attack, two detachments, one under colonel Boerstler, and m, other under captain King, received orders to pass over bclbr day : the first to destroy a bridge, about five miles below For Erie, and capture the guard stationed there ; the other to storn the British batteries. Before tiiey reached the opposite short the enemy opened a heavy fire ; the first detachment landed an took some prisoners, but failed in destroying the bridge. Tlh other, under captain King, landed higher up at the Red Hoiist drove the enemy, and then advanced to their batteries, wliic; they stormed, and then spiked the cannon. Lieutenant Angus with a number of marines, accidentally separated from captaii King, and no reinforcements arriving from the opposite side they concluded that King and his party had been taken prisor, ers, and therefore returned. The party of King, now consist ing of seventeen, besides captains Morgan and Sprowl, ant five other officers, was in full possession of the works, whilt the enemy was completely dispersed. Finding, at length, tha they could not expect to be supported, they resolved to refurii But one boat could be found, to transport them all. Captair Sprowl and Morgan passed over with the prisoners ; leavin; captain King, who was soon after, with his small parly, sur rounded and taken prisoner. On the return of captain Sprowl, colonel Winder was ordered to pass over with about three hiiii' dred men. He instantly embarked and led the van. His owr boat was the only one which touched the opposite shore, the others having been cwept down by the swiftness of the current. From various causes the embarkation of the main body wa^ retarded much beyond the appointed time, so that it was twelvt o'clock in the day, when about two thousand men were readv to move. General Tannehill's volunteers, and colonel M'Clurc- regiment, were drawn up ready for a second embarkation The enemy by this time had collected on the opposite shorr.' and appeared ready to receive them. The departure of oin troops was, in the most imaccountable manner, delayed unti late in the afternoon, when orders were given to debark. Mucli murmuring and discontent ensued ; which were in some mea' HISTORY OF THE WAR. 75 November, upward? ng of regulars, auc )rk and Baltimore s were actively en. I them for the iii were prepared lii. )c at once transpon ry to the principa 1 Boerstler, and m pass over bcl'or e miles below For ; the other to stovn 1 the opposite shore achment landed an g the bridge. Tlh |) at the Red Hoiist icir batteries, wliic; Lieutenant Angii^ »arated from captaii I the opposite side I been taken ])risor, King, now consist n and Sprowl, ant of the works, whilt ling, at length, tha resolved to return hem all. Captair. prisoners ; leavinf s small party, sur I of captain Sprowl, th about three hiiii' the van. His ow[ opposite shore, ik ess of the current, the main body wa> that it was twelv- men were readv colonel M'Clurc- ond embarkation e opposite shoro' departure of om ner, delayed unti to debark. Muc^, ^ere in some mea Abortive attempt of General Smyth Northern Army. ire silenced, by assurances that another attempt would be made. ft was now resolved to land about five miles below the navy mrd ; and accordingly, on Monday evening, the 29th, all the )oats were collected for the purpose. The whole body, with the excei)tion of about two hundred men, were embarked Ht four o'clock; the men conducting themselves whh great 0T(hv and obedience, and affording every hope of success. Nothing was wanting but the word to movo ; when, after some ^elay, orders were suddenly given for the whole to la^.d, ac- tort\[> ined with a declaration, that the invasion of Canada was %iv(Mi over for that season, while arrangements were made to go into winter quarters. One universal expression of indigna- tion burst forth ; the greater part of the militia threw down their arms, and returned to their homes, and those who re- fnaincd continually threatened the life of the general. Severe fecriminations passed between him and general Porter, who lAccuscd him of cowardice and of unofficer-like deportment. •fGfpneral Smyth, in vindication of his conduct, alleged that he had positive instructions not to risk an invasion with less than Ihree thousand men, and that the number embarked did not ex- ceed fifteen hundred. Be this as it may, great dissatisfaction mas produced through the country, and his military reputa- lion, from that time, declined in public estimation. Through- •eut the whole of this year, we were continually suffering the (iffects of our total want of experience in war. Every thing ifcemed to baffle our calculations, and to disappoint our hopes, particularly in our movements against Canada, although many |lcts of gallantry were performed both by regulars and militia. It is row time to turn our attention to the Northern Army, ik)llecting on the borders of the St. Lawrence. But little was ■Mone in this quarter, until late in the autumn. At the declara- ^on of war, but a small number of troops were stationed at any >|)oint along this frontier ; and it would necessarily require a Considerable length of time before the militia could be embodied lind marched, or the regular troops, newly enlisted or already «0n foot, could be collected from over an immense surface of country such as ours. It was confidently expected that the .lippcr provinces of Canada would fill an easy conquest to our troops of the Northwestern Amiy,an(l of the Army of the Centre, which might then move down, and join those on the St. Law- ;nco, and, long before the winter, the war would be carried to [ontrcal. But ihc unlooked-for and lamentable surrender of lull produced a total change in the situation of affairs. It ras not until late in the autumn, that any thing worthy of note #cciirred in the Northern Armv. 76 HUACKKNKIDcilO'S ^l 4| I i^'^ Northern Army IiicurHioii of Foray the— of Colonvl Tike. On tho 1511) of Soptomber, twonty-livo barj^os of tlic Britisli passed up the St. Lawrcnco, and wore attacked by a party of militia from O-rdcnsburj^, and al\er a s(;vore contest, the enoiiiv were forced to abandon their boats, and fly for shelter to thf woods ; but soon aller, receiving reinforcements, tlicy conipclldi th(i militia to retire. Some time aller this, captain Forsythe niadi an incursion into the enemy's country, with a party of his rillc. n)en, and after twice defeating a body of regulars of superior numbcn's, burnt a block-house, containing tlie public stores, and returnetl with the loss of only one man. In revenge llir that attack, tho British, on the 2d of Oclober, determine to attempt th(.« destruction of Ogdensburg. A heavy fire wib or ineii from the breast- works, at the village of Prcscott, situa. i nearly o[)posite. On the 4th, they attempted to crosj jf.i St. Jjawrence, and storm the town, and embarked in fortv ■uius, with about filleen men in each; but they were warmlv recei\ vi by general Brown, of the New York militia, \\\v. commanded liere in person. A sharp action continued fc nearly two hours, when they were compelled to abandon thci; design, leaving one of the boats in our hands, and suffering a considerable loss. Colon(>l Pike, to whoso zeal and indefatijrablc cxertioiv the army was even at this time much indebted, on the IDtt passed into the enemy's territory, surprised a block-house dr. fended by a considerable body of English and Indians, put then to flight, and destroyed the public stores. Skirmishes likf these were not unfrequenl until the close of autumn, and ever: occurred during the wii..er ; but nothing of moment transpiivi in this quarter, until the beginning of the year. A new scene of warfai*e was about to open upon those va?: inland seas, which constitute so remarkable a feature of oii: continent. For the first tim.e, their waves were to be lightrc up with all the sublimity of naval combat : and they soon boi* witness to achievements as glorious as those which immortniiz^ ed our heroes on the ocean. In consequence of the failuroc our arms at Detroit, it became necessary * • form a navy ontlii lakes. VVc were now without a single armed vessel on Jiaki Erie, and our whole force on Lake Ontario was the brie Oneida. sixteen guns, commanded by lieutenant WooJsey. In Octohtr, commodore Chauncey, with a body of seamen, arrived at Sack. ctt's Harbour, for the purpose of carrying this design into eflbct; he instantly purchased every trnder capable of being fitted iii as a vessel of war, and ordered lieutenant Elliot, as we haw seen, to organize a naval force on Lake Erie. That his prp- parations proceeded with rapidity, cnnnot be of Prescott, siliia. ittempted to cros? embarked in fortv they were warmlv York militia, \\\v. jtion continued II .• ;d to abandon thoi; Js, and suflering a fatigablc exertion- lebted, on the 19tl, a block-house dr d Indians, put thou Skirmishes Ilk' lutumn, and over; uoment transpiid ar. n upon those vn<' a feature of on, ere to be lights nd they soon boi' which immortnliz e of the failuro c brm a navy on tli d vessel on Laid as the bris; Oncitk sey. In October, n, arrived at Sack. design into q\Xc<'\\ of being fitted ii| Ltllliol, as we have 0. That his pre- loubted, when ve War on the Loket Fi rat Cruise of Commodore Chauncey. w IC nd, that on the 6th of November he considered himself able to ntend with tlie enemy's whole force. Having received infor- ntion that the enemy's fleet had sailed down the lake, for the urpose of bringing u[) the reinforcements to Fort Oeorge, he dc- .ermined to intercept him at the False; Ducks, on his way up. he force of Commodore Chaunccy, created in this short space f time, was comp»)S('d of the Oneida, fourteen guns, in which e sailed ; the Governor Tompkins, li(!Utenant Brown, six guns; c Growler, lieutenant Mix, of five guns ; the Conquest, lieuten- nt Elliott, of two guns ; the Pert, Arundel, of two guns ; and the Julia, Trant, of one thirty pounder; making in all thirty-two cuns. The vessels of the (>nemy, which were supposed to Bave pLssed up the lakes, constituted nearly the whole force of the British, and consisted of the Royal George, twenty-six guns; fhij) J^/irl Moira, eighteen gims ; schooner Prince Regent, eighteen guns; IJidce of (Jloucesler, fourteen guns; Tarenlo, iburteen guns; (Jovernor Simcoe, twelve gu' . : On the 8th, the squadron fell in with the •*, )y George, but lost sight of her during the nighl, having lase . "ler into the bay of Quanti. In the morning she was "is '^vered in King- ston channel. The commodore had made u. 'ii.« mind to board her; but the wind blowing directly in, ind the enemy being too well protected by the guns of the hb. -"'o, he changed his intention. The next morning he heal up m good order, and Qommenced an attack on the Royal George, under a heavy fire both from this ship and from the batteries. The Conquest, the Jblia, the Pert, and the Growler pushed forward in succession ; aflerwards the brig General Hamilton, and the Governor Tomp- kins ; shortly afier, the whole fire of the batteries was turned Vpon the brig, and continued hot on both sides for an hour, yhen the Royal George cut her cables, and ran higher up the *ay. The squadron now being exposed to the cross fire of the batteries, and not deeming it prudent to pursue the Royal George, hauled ofT to the wind, and made sail out of the bay. This was certainly a most daring exploit, and, to say the least of it, merited success. The Royal George sufTered severely in her hull ; the shot from the gim-vessels struck her frequently, while the loss of Commodore Chauncey was very inconsider- ible. The commander of' the Pert, Arundel, was wounded by the bursting of a gun, but refusing to quit the deck, was Jcnocked overboard and drowned. The commodore captured |i schooner off the harbour, and sent the Growler as her convoy j|>ast the entrance, for the purpose of decoying the Royal jGeorge, but without success. She then sailed with her prize ^or Sacket's Harbour. On her way she discovered the Prince o !l Marl Moira, and innn('diat(>ly set oil' in the midst of a severe storm, to intercept h(>r at tin* i''alse Ducks; bnt returned to tho lUirhour uiihout heini; able to fall in wiih her. lie now occupiiHl himself chielly in sup(M-inlendin<^ tho now ship Madison, which was launcluMl on tlu; 'MU\\ of N()vend)er, The winter set in soon aOer, and put an end to any further nnvnl incidents for the seas(Hi. CHAPTER VT. Meeting of CoiiproM— Proposal of nn Arinisticn— RevcrwH of Napoleon— Measiirps for rnirying on the War- Blockade of our Coasts— War with the Southern Indiaiii — Tecunisch's Visit to the Cref-ks War with the ScniinoleB— Third Naval Victory over a British Frigate (ili of party spirit is necessary and healthful to our political sy;;- tem ; it is like the current of the stream, which preserves it piu" and untainted. In despotisms there is no party spirit ; thoio all is conducted in the darkness and secrecy of intrigue. I^ut party has its evils. In peace, it renovates the flagging energies of the nation, and keeps all things pure and sound ; on the con- trary, in a period of war, this animosity may clog the efibrts of the party in power, and may be a useful ally to the enemy. IIISTOKY Ol' TriK WAU. 79 nmlnrn ChniinrRy. Kinr that, oll'icf'r, (•(•('ivctl th(> inli'lli. •diatcly set oil' in t lh(> l''als(; Ducks; !)!(« to (all in with ntcndin^ tlio now )th oC Novonihrr, nd to niiy furtiirr Mi'PttiiB of ( 'i>i\ftrvn Pro|Mt»iiil uf an AriiiiMlcB. of Na|)nlenn— MeaRiirn the Southern Iiidiani I— Third Nnvnl Viclnry lit! West. nssomblcd on the lort, on account rs. Party spirit h degree, and it ortion would fiiii! at ions of French utrajres of (IroMt The existence our political sys- preserves it |)m''' \rty spirit ; tlinc )f intrigue. But flagging energies und ; on the con- log the efibrts of V to tlie enemv. Unlortunatrly ihrrr prevailed a strong disposition to thwart the •Mrasiircs of tln' acliiiiuislratioii, and in this way r(»mp('l it to n 8ue l<>r peace, \Miiii»ur pern lliiMit perhaps siillicieiitly rellecfing, that the enemv niiglil not he dispt (I to grant it, upon other terms than such as would h«' disgnicelid to the nation. It is not hecoming n tru(! lover of his country, to (h'sin; that the g«)V(!rnment, with V which the nation, as respec^ts others, is identilied, slxtuld l»<; dis- ; graced, in order that the power may he translerred to In-ller ^ hands. 'J'his would not have been the maxim ol' the patriot Washington. Hut on this stihjecl it is diflicult, iC not imjiossi- hle, to draw the exact line !><'twe<'n a manly and laudahh' op- position to what wgent had repealed his onh^rs in council, one of the principal causes of hostilities : an act, which was hy no means dictated hy a sens(? of what was due to justice and to us, hut hy the urgency of the particular intercuts of Great Hritain. Having rej)ealed them, he considered himselt' entitled to the same regard as if they had heen expressly re- pealed on our account, and demanded that hostilities, on our part, sliould cease. To this the [^resident replied, that heing jnow at war, the ll^nited States would not put an end to hostili- ties, unless provision were made for a general settlement of diflerences, and a cessation of tlio practice of im[)ressmcnt, pending the negotiation. In the meantime, a law would be passed forbidding the employment of British seamen in our ves- sels, of whatsoever kind. A law to this eirect was passed during the session. Shortly aAcr the commencement of the war, a proposition for an armistice had bivn made by the governor of (Janada, but was rejected as a matter of course. The American min- ister in London was authorised to agree to a cessation of hos- tilities, even on the unofficial assurance that the practice of im- pressment would be discontinued, during the armistice. This was rejected. A proposition was afterwards made by admiral Warren ; whicli required as a preliminary to every other step, ,. that our armies should be immediately withdrawn, and the y orders to our cruisers recalled. This he alleged, was in con- $ sequence of our being the aggressors, and that as such it be- ;* came us to take the firs step, and unconditionally throw down 80 nRACKRNRiixnrs ;.Ii Roverici of NuiHileon. 't .' \f . * • : m our arniH. Here it nii^ht Imvc; bct^) askod, wIiciIht this country liad ever experienced so much good faitli and forhearancc from (Jroat Britain, as to justify such confidence? Hut was sho not the aggressor, by her own acknowledgement I for, l)y tin; repeal of tlie orders m council, if on our account, she acknow- ledged herself to havu violated our neutral -ights. Moreover, it was well known that she had, at that moment, more than two thousand impressed American seamen, confined as prisoners of wur, and j)ersisted in refusing every arrangement which migiit remedy in fulure the odious practice, ^o strangely in- consistent arc the pretexts of injustice. These attempts at reconciliation ha(' failed, when the emperor of Russia inter* |)Osed his mediation ; which, on the part of our government, was instantly accepted ; hut, on being made known to England, was declined, as being incompatible with her naval interests. She profesi^ed a willingness, however, to enter into a direct negotiation ; which, it will be seen, was men.'ly thrown out ns .1 pretext, to prolong the war at her j)leasurc. A most important change had taken place in the affairs of Europe. Napoleon had cxi)crienced a reverse, proportioned to the vastness of his designs. This man, intoxicated with his for- mer success, and with the vile flattery which is always paid to tho despot who is the fountain of honour, and oflicial emolument and power, had begun to think himself more than mortal. It is thought that he liad conceived the idea of universal empil'e ; natu- rally enough the ultimate object of a conqueror — for what con- queror ever set bounds to his ambition ? The vanity of the scheme, if any such ever entered his head, (if bringing all Europe to his feet, of mastering the fleet of England, and then extending his power over the globe, was now fully demonstrated. The joy which many of our fellow citizens expressed on this occasion, was perhaps ill judged. The fall of a despot and a tyrant, is cer- tainly an agreeable theme to a republican ; but the immediate connexion of this event with our welfare, was not easily traced. It was very evident that the enmity of both France and England towards this country, proceeded from the same cause; and, considering human nature, u very natural cause ; to wit, the circumstance of our prospering and growing rich from tlnnr dissensions. We had but little to fear that we should be molested by any European power, attempting to conquer our vast country ; and as to universal dominion, England, in her claim to the sovereignty of the seas, already possessed it, as far as the thing, in its nature, was capable of being possessed. As to Europe, the mad attempt of Napoleon had been followed by an overthrow so complete, that so far from being dangerous ^ IIISTOKY OF TUK VVAU. 81 icthor tills country forbearance froiu D ? But was sh(« tncnt ? for, by tlic )unt, she acknow- ight.s. lVroreov(.>r, jujcnt, more tlinn ifined as prisoners ranj^ement which So strangely in. 'Iiese attempts at of Russia inter- our government, [lown to England, r naval interests. Iter into a direct :.>ly thrown out as ! in the aflairs of 6, proportioned to ^ated with his for* always paid to the al emolument and in mortal. It is lalempil'e; natu- ' — for what con- ic vanity of the n^ing all Europe d then extending rated. The joy on this occasion, i a tyrant, is cer-^ t the immediate lot easily traced, ice and England me cause; and, ise; to wit, the rich from th(Mr t wo should be to conquer our •England, in her possessed it, as )eing possessed, d been followed )eing dangerous .Ml ..urn* for carrying on th* War Blockade ofourCoMU. 40 its repose in future, it became a matter of doubt withenlight- rncd politicians of the day, whether hi; would l)0 abb; to maintain his own ground, aufl wliefhcr, if France were reduced to a se- cond-rato powt-r, Ivirope would not have to fear a more for- midable enemy in Russia. Nothing but the i)acinc temper of Its jiresent sovereign, would be a guarantee to the safety of the neighbouring nations. Tlie consequence of the rapid decline of the power of Napoleon, would be highly favourable to Eng- land, in the disposal of her forces against this country ; and elated by lier success against France, it was not probable that •he would feel much disposition to treat with us on reasonable terms. 'I'be first business, on the meeting of congress, with a view to the war, whi("h now occupied its (diief attention, was the providing an additional force. Enlistments had been extremely Blow, and sufficient encouragement had not been held out for recruits. It was proposed to receive into the service of the United States, twenty thousand volunteers, for a year, to ha clothed and paid in the same manner as regular troops. Tho inellicacy of mere militia, under no discipline, and under no control, had b(;en sufficiently seen, both during the present and the revolutionary war. Hut there was no mode of remedying the evil ; for regular soldiers could not be raised, or at least, in sufTicient numbers. Tlie navy attra-^ted much attention. (~)n this subject there prevailed the most perfect unanimity ; and it was resolved, that It should be fostered, as the best and safest reliance of our country. Such as had once l)een inimical to it, became its warmest friends. The national legislature now engaged with great assiduity, in devising such measures as were necessary, for a vigorous prosecution of the war, anrl as would tend to remedy th«^ evils already experienced. The seaboard, although sometimes threatened by the enemy, had not yei experienced any serious molestation. In the month of Decembe", the whole coast was proclaimed in a state of blockade, but with no force actually applied. This paper bloekade had no pretence of retaliation, like that declared against tin "oast of France ; and the United States did not choose to fol- low an example so contrary to tho law of nations, and in turn declar"^ the coast of England in a state of blockade, and under that pretence interrupt the commerce of neutrals i^om^f to her ports. The British vessels were chiefly employiid in the pre; tectlon of her commerce against our cruisers ; and her attention was so much taken up with the mighty affairs which were then passing on the continent, that wc fortunately remained, during* PI , 1 i ■i ' i'4 II 114 82 nrv\f'K!:\iifi)(jirs Wnr with ihi* Boiithrrn Iinlianfl. this season, unmolcstod ; at least our homos and our firesides were not disturlKd. A war, however, threatened us in another f[narter, to which we now looked with no small anxiety. Tiie southern Indians. equally ferocious in their modes of warfare, and perhaps mor tlarinjif tlian the nortiiern, bc;^ran to exljihit signs of iiostilitv, No pi.'ople had (>ver le.^s cause to complain. The Creok^ within llie territorial liniits of the United States, had heen iiiii. (<»rndy ))r()fec"ted hy tiie Americans; intruders upon their Uim]- wiTc turned off at tji'; point of the bayonet ; iunnonsc; sums were expended in teadiing them the arts of civilized lifo; persons were employed to reside among theni, for that pur- pose, and implements of agriculture were furnished at the public e\f)cnse. This humane^ syst(;m, conu"nenccd by Wash- irigton, was strictly pursued by subsequent administrations; and the elll-ct.s were vi.sible, in the course of a few years, Their c(»untry and climate, probalily the best in the United States, were ca[)al)l(; el" aliording every thing essential to thoir hap[»iness. The domestic arts had taken root amongst tliem: that str<»ng sfimidant to industry, separate property in the soil. was be-rinniii f to Ikj understood ; tliey ])ossessed numerous herds, and all rritory, unless married to a native. The benevolent societies of th«^ United States, had openrd schools through the country, for the purpose of giving the fmisli to this state of manners; for in every other respect they had entindy tl-rown olf their savage habits. Nearly the same state of improvement exist<»d amongst th(^ other tribes, tlu' Choctaws, (.'hickasaws, and Cherokees. Tlu? same regular industry was visible in tin; vil'ages of these |)eople, in their d:;ily occupations, in their cultivation of the soil, in their atten- tion to th(^ lands, and even in the construction of their dwell- ings, which, in many cases, were built by white carpenters employed for the pur))ose, and were little inferior to those of the generality of whit(» settU^rs. To setluce thes(» people into a wnr, would bo an act of cru- elty to them; and hostilities on their part would he the extreme mSTOIiV OF THE VVAil. 83 Tecumseh'H visit to the Crcckti. 1 and our fireside^ quarfc^r, to whirh .soiitlifrn Indians, and perhaps moro signs of hftstilitv. in'. Tho Crook tt's, liad boon iiiii. ^ npon their land. t ; immonso suin< of civilized iill-, em, for tliat pur- furnished at the nenccd by \Vash. administrations: of a few years, est in the United ; essential to tlifir t amoni'3 terribly vehe- ment and audacious. Against the United States, he j)ronounced the most furious invectives, which might l)e compared to the Philippics of the Grecian orator; and he unquestionably made 4 ■;>|;^ ' ! '■' ' Irii? h ki !ii II , ■:> 64 HKACKIvNlllDllirS VVur with the fli'Uiitiolcfl. H strong Impression on tlio inlliiminahlo iniiuls of tho sopthom Indians. Tiiorc existed, however, another and niorc^ inimethate eniis*- of (hnt, with a vi(!W of (!nj^a^in;j; theni to make war iipnn Ihc United Stales, and also to prevail upon tlie other ('reeks tn join tliem. Th(; town of IN-nsacoht, which was then, to everv pmpose, under the control of (Jreat Hritain, was tho usual phiet^ at wliieh these; j)resents were (hstrihuted, and where the vagabond Indians could Ix; supplied with arms; and tlicv resorted to it, from all the dillerent trihes, for the j)urpose of receiviui^ them. It was no dillicult matter thus to tixcitc; hos- tilities; and the attempt, unfortunately, proved hut too success- ful. Such was th(! disposition of the southern Indians, during' the first year of tlu; war. The Choctaws, Chickasaws and ('heroke«!s, th<» latter par- ticularly, heini^ turther remov(>d from liritish inlluence, aini w ithin reach of om* pow«!r, were disposed to he friendly ; hii" niany ol' their restless yo\mg men, in spite of tin; nation, straycii olf and joined our euemi«»s. Hostilities did not commence on the part of any of these Indians, within our territory, duriiiL' the lirst year of the war. The ;,fovernment, howevt^r, feariii;^ tlic^ worst, calh'd on th(.' s of ^ of Spain, Wen iVoiii tlu! British mnko war iipnti jc otiier ('recks Im »vas then, to cvcrv II, was tlio iisiial mI, and whoni tin arms ; and tlicv for tlu; purpose of MIS to (!Xcito lios- (i hut too success, rn Indians, duriiii: !OH, tlie latter par- ish influence, aini ) he irieiidly ; lur 1 he nation, strayoi not conuiience on territory, durinj; howev(^r, feariii;: and 'I'ennessec, Jackson, at tli( marched throuirh lez, a distance of Lf peaceful in tliH u'dition had tli«' issed, and of rr- th(; limits of the a red themselves ;ainst the fronli'r m of war, he^aii hy a numl>er of rjst them. Tlipy .! iiihahitants and mlx^r, a party of aptaifi Williams, (illy Indians nivl h capfnins VVil- ^ |)arfy retreated, ;ons and teams. War with Utv Hoiniiioloii. On the 24th of the same month, colon<;l Newman, of the Georj^'ia volunteers, wi'h ahout one hundred and seventeen men, marched to the atta<'k of tlu; l^ochway towns. When within a liw miles of th<; lirst of these, he met a party of one liundred and tlHy Indians on liorsehack, wh(» instantly dis- ^inount(jd and prc|)ared l!)r hatth;. (.'olduel Newrrwm ordered a chari^e, and the Indians wen; driven into one of the swamps which ahound in this part of the country. As they Med, the lire ot' the musketry did considerahle execution, and, amongst others of ihr; slain, th(!y lell tlu^ir kin;,' in the hands of tluj 'w!iil<'S. TIk! Indians discovering' this, with a spirit which deserves to he admire'd, made several des|)erate charges, in onler to recover the hody of their chief, and wcu'e (?ach timcl driven hack. iJut in another att(!mpt, still more desperately furi(jus, they su(.'c('eded in carrying oil* the dead hody ; wlien they retired from the field, after a sevens conflict (»f two hours. This, how<'ver, diil not free the ( ieor^ians from their unplea- fiant situation. IJefore niij;ht, the Indians returned with eon- 8iderahl(! leinforcenu'iits of negroes; and alter a loss more severe than the first, they a^ain fled. The v(»lunteers now found Jheir situation Ixicoinin^ «'very moment more critical ; th(; num* ber of their wounded, would neither permit them to nitreat jaor to advanc", and tiu! enemy was hourly increasing on all •ides. A messenj^er was df'spatched for reinforcements; and in the meanwhile, tlu'y threw up a small hreast-work. Here they remained until the 4th of Octoher, waitii '^ for a; astance havinjr in the meantime repelled muuerous assaults from the Indian.s, who continued to harass ihem day and ni^ht. The Indians, ohservinj^ that a perfect silence prevailed within tlu; breast-works, suspec^ted that they had Ix-en des«;rted in tho night ; and approacluHl under this assurance, imMl within thirty or forty paces, when the (Jeorgians suddenly showed them- selves ahove the hreast-work, fiaul their pieces, and sent them yellinj,' to the swamps. Tin; volunteers then decamped, and reaclK'd unmolested the villa;,'e of Peccolatta, whence they had Bet out. Intelligence of this afliiir reached the government ahout the ct)mmenc(Mneiit of the session of congress, and it was found necessary to mak(! suitahle prepMratioiis to meet a war in this (piarter. 'J'he deliiKM; of this im|)ortant imnfier was assigned to general Pinckney, of South Carolina, a gentle- man of greet distinction and jihilily, who was apjiointed a hriga- dier in tlu; ser> ice of the United States. Congress Lad not Inien long in session, when the puhlic feelings weri^ (jn<'»! more excin-d hy innvs of the most flattering kind. Another naval victory was announced, not less sj)le!idid H •if 1 ).,. '5. i ' i ^i' U »» ,1 I***:. i ■ (■' i' I' iiili 86 BKACKKNUIUGH'S ThinI Naval Victory over a nritish Frigate (the Java.) ihan that ot'tlic United States, and the first of the Constitution the flag of anotlier Britisli frigate was transmitted to our capitoi, and was placed amongst the other trophies of our naval prowess, In October, the Constitution, commodore Baiidjridge, and lli> Hornet, captain Lawrence- sailed from New York, and wciv to ctlect a junction with the Essex, captain Porter, which snild about the same time from the Delaware ; the object of whicli was to cruise in the South Seas, and destroy the British li.sh. cries and commerce in that quarter. The junction not happen. ing at the time and place appointed, commodore Porter passcii round Cape Horn alone. In the rncanwliilc, on the iiiitli o! December, a few leagues west of St. Salvador, the Constitution. which had a few days before parted company with the lioriK!, descried a British frigate. Commodore Bainbridge tackul, and stood for iicr. At two P. M. the enemy was within ii.ili a mile of the Constitution, and to windwaid, having h;uil'i down his colours except the union JJ ' iv, which was at th mizen-mast head. A gun was then fired ahead to make liiii show iiis colours, which was return«i(' by a broadside?. Tlir enemy's colours beini; now hoisted, the action commenced witi round and grape; bjt lie kept at so i^, ., a distance that tin- had little ellect ; and in this nositior-, if h* were brought nearer, the Constitution would be exposed lo rakiig. At thirty minutes past two, both ships were nit))in gooJ canister distance, wIkii the Constitution's wheel was shot .ivvay. At forty minutes jMst two, tile fore and iiain sail v t. set; and commodore Bainbridge, being now detern.lr sd to Ai so w ith her, lufled up for that purpose : in ten mii;;itr,s aftcrvard the enemy's jib-boom got foul r.'^ the Constitution's niizen-ngging, and in another ton minutes hic /»o^ sj .rit and jib-boom were shot away. At livf minutes |)ast fhre<\ s maintopmasf v,as shot away just above the cap. Thi.-! v »» iollowed by tiie iossof his gafTand spanker- boom, and soon af\er his mainmast went nearly by the l>oard. At fjfleen minutes past three, the enemy was completely si- lenced, and '^is colours nt the mainmast being down, it was thought he had surrendered : under this idea the Constitution shot ahead to repair damages ; after which, discovering the enemy's tlag still flying, she wore, stood for him in hand- some style, and got close athwart his bows in an effectual position for raking, when liis mainmast went entirely by the board, and he lay on unmanageable wreck. He now struck his colours ; and being taken possession of by lieutenant Parker, wa.s found to be the British Irrigate Java, of thirty-eight guns, but can ying forty-nine, commanded by a distinguished officer, ca^iluin Lambert, who was mortally wounded. She had on li^ .To J HISTORY OF THE WAR. 87 the Java.) r the Constitution ittcd to our capitoi, our naval prowess, •ainbridgo, and ili, \' York, and worf ortor, which soildi c object of whirl; y the British liisli. nction not haijpcn. lore Porter passcn 3, on the yyili (i! r, the Constitutinii, y^ with the Horiii!, Jainhridjie tackrd, Y was within li.'ih id, having haiilo; ivhich was at ili lead to make iiiii. I broadside. TIk 1 commenced with distance that flii^ re brought nearer, At thirty miniitrs er distance, when At forty nu'nuti's and commodore th her, luffed up enemy's jib-hooin id in another ton away. At five away just above [.(affand spankrr- y by the board. IS completely si- ng down, it was the ConstiiUtion discovering the or him in hand- in an eflectiinl t entirely by the e now struck his nant Parker, was -eight guns, hul iguished ofticcr, id. She had on The Cuastitution capture! the Juva. board four hundred men, besides one hundred .^eamen whom she was carrying out to the East Indies for the service then\ ^ The Constitution had nine men killed, and twenty-f»ve wound- ed ; the Java, sixty killed, and one hundred and twenty wound- i ed. She had on board despatches for St. Hf;lena, tlu; Cape of ^ Good Hope, and the diflerent establishments in the East , Indies and China, with copper tor a seventy-four, building at Bombay. There were also on board a number of pas.s(rnger8, among whom were lieutenant-general Ilislop, governor of , Bombay ; major Walker ; and one staff-major ; captain Mar- shall, master and commander, of the royal navy ; and several . oflicers appointed to ships in the East Indies. The conduct of all th(! American officers on this occasion was is conspicuous lor gallantry during t'le engagement, as for humanity to the vanquished. It is this true chivalric courtesy which gives estimation to valour. Lieutenant Aylwin, so fa- vourably known to the reader, received u severe wound, of which he soon after died. He was in the act of firing hi.s pistols at the enemy from the quarterdeck hammock, wher; bo received a ball in his shoulder blade, wiiich threw him on iho deck. Midshipman Dulany, who had fought by his side in both actions of this ship, ordered two men of his division to carry him below ; to this he would not consent, until he .snw the issue of th<; battle, at the same time declaring that no man should quit his post on his account. Lieutenant ParkiT, .lames Dulany, of Pennsylvania, and James Pack(^tt, of Virginia, wtre much distinguished ; tlui latter was afterwards presented m ith a sword by his native state, and was promoted to a lieutenancy. Many e.vtraordinary instances of bravery were, manin-siv,! hy .the seamen, one of whom, after being mortally v.ounde'l lay upon deck during a great part of the action, apparency tAp'r- ing ; but no sooner was it announced tl =t the enemy had ■struck, than he raised him.self up, gave tl o cheers, fell back and expired. On the 1st of January, the commodor finding !he prize in such a state as to render it impo.ssible ,,> bring her in, and leaving every thing on board except the prisoisers' baggage, blew her up. On arriving at St. Salvn tor, the commodore re- ceived the public acknowledgements of governor Hislop, who : presented him with an elegant sword in considfM-inor- of tho polite tr(>afmfMit which h;> had shown. He dismissed the private passengers without considering them a.s prisoners ; th«- public passengers, ofticers, and crew were released on their [)arol. At this place the Constitution met with the ■ hrnet ; and leavi- g this vessel to blockade the Bonne Citoyeune, the commod« i hi ( !< SI l» 1. ;'I|M' ^i . 5 51 88 imA(;Ki:.\uii)(iK'.s OiMiKtiim of our Arini to tlio West llarriHon rolurns to Ohio. sailod for the LJnifod States, changing the original destination for the South Seas. On the arrival of rommodorn Hainhridgc in the Unitcfj States, ho was univ(^rsally hailed hy the ajiplauses of his coun. trvnien : he rectjived the freedom oi' the city of New York ii, a gold box ; a pieee of plate from the citizens of Philadelphia, and Uie thanUs of many of the state legislatures. Congress nis.; ])r('sented him a medal, and voted firty thousand dollars to him. self, olfieers, and crew. in the midst of- these affairs, news of fresh disasters to t!, westward, and accompanied by circumstances such as raixlv occur in the annals of history, tended much to temper Ik- public joy for the second victory of the Constitution. CHAPTER VII. Ilnrrison returns to Olv -Goneral Winchfstijr Bondg n detachment to the reliefs Frciirlitown — Ufftal of tht; British and Indians — Winchctttcr arrives with Reinforc* inentH— Dt^feat and Surrender of the AmerirauR at the River Raisin — Cruelty of it Kritinh nnd riidians r: Mie River UaiMin— Humnnily of the People of Detroit— MarrI of (Jenerr'.l Unrnmtn— oiefe of Fort Mei^s— Defeat of Colonel Dudley— Sortie uiidt; Colonel Miller -Hiege of Fort Meigs raised— Exploit of Major Hull. We have seen with what indefatigable industry general ITiir- risen was engaged in j)lacing the western frontier in a pcstiin of defence, and in attempting to regain what we had lost. The Indian tribes liad l)een made to feel the war in their own country, and were driven to such a distance by the destruction of their villages, as to prevent them from annoying our settlements, they were comju'lled to remove their wives and children to tht distant Hritish establishments, in order to obtain the means of subsistence. The clo.se of the season was now chieOy occu- pied in strengthening the frontier posts, and in establishing others, (ir(tat exertions were made by governor Meigs, of Ohio, fo ke(^p up the necessary sup[)ly of men, and to provide the means of se.bsistence. (Jeneral Flarrison established his head quarfors at Franklinton, whence he could with greater facility organize and distri!»ute lo tin? dilierent forts the reinforcements and sup- plies which must arrive. Hi: object was to concentrate a con- siderably force at tlie Rapids, and thence, unless a change of cir* lIISTOilY OK TIIIO WAR. 89 n rcluriii to Ohio, riginal dcstinntion gc in tlic United lauscs of iiis conn. ^ of New yf)rk ii, IS of Phiia(i('l|)|)l;i, ros. Congress al> ind dollars to him. ill disasters to th- cs such as rarciv jch to temper iIr stitution. tacliment to tlie reliefs. arrives with Rcinfurf* Rniiiin — Cruplty of il, (ipic nC Detroit— MarrI 'I Diiilloy— Sortio iindi: pr Hull. stry general IT.ir- nficr in a pcsfiin c had lost. The K'irown country, stnictif)n of their our settlements, id children to flu in the means nf o\v chiefly o?cti- tahlishing other'', igs, of Ohio, to rovide the means iis head quarters facility oruanizp ements and sup- )ncentrate a con- a change of cir- Ouneral VViiicltcHtur wiidti a Dutachiiiciit to llic ruliiif of Freiichtowii. cumstanres forbade, proceed to Detroit. The government was coMipcllecl, in c()nse: and Allen, witli orders to wait at Presque Jsle, until joined by the main l>ody. On their arrival, inl'ormation was received that an advance party of [Jritish and Indians hiid already taken j)Ossession of Frenchtown. It was det<;rmine(l to march instantly and attack them. As *!;ey drew near, the enemy became apprised ol' their ap|)roach, and prepared for their reception. Colonel Alh^n com- nuuided the right wing, major Graves the lell, and major Madison the centre. On coming to the river, which was bridged with ice, they di'ployed, and movecj forward under a tin! from a howitzer and musketry. Majors Gravey and Madison, with their battalions, were ordered to dislodge the enemy from the houses and picketing, which they in a moment effected, under a shower of bullets, and drove tUf British and Indians to the Woods. Colonel Allen made a simultaneous movement upon H* nUACKI'NUlDGF/S Defeat of the Hrilisli and IiidiiitiB Wimlit!8tnr nrrives witli rcinforcRmunli liii M i ■ri m ^^ "I ii- ' \ d If 1 ; t their loll, and nflcr several sj)irit(;(l charges conipoUcd thcso to fake to the wood also. Hero, availiii;^ themselves of the Ibncfs and fallen t.iinb(;r, they attempted to make a stand ; but wen attacked a second time, and allor a conflict more obstinate th.n: the first, again fled. 'I'hey now attempted to draw their jtiir. suers into a wood ; and partly succeeding, they charged in turn furiously, but were unable to break the American lino. .\ severe conflict now ensued, but the enemy were finally beaten, pursued with a continual charge for several miles, and ontinlv dispersed. The American loss was twelve killed, and fllly-liw wounded: that of the enemy could not well be ascertained, Im; fiflcen of the Indians were left on the field. The volunteers, having thus gallantly effected their object, encamped on tin spot, wherj they remained until the 2()th, when they wer. joined by general VVinchester. With this addition, their whdi' ibrce exceeded seven hundred and fifiy men. Six hundred men were placed within a line of pickets, and tly remainder, to the number of one hundred and fifiy, cncanipdi in the open field. On the morning of the !22d, a combined font of about fifteen hundred men, under Proctor and the Indian cliif'!> Round-Head and Split-Log, suddenly attacked our littU; army. They were in an in.stant ready for the rccoptioii of the oncmv, who planted six pieces of artillery, and opened a heavy fire, accompanied with musketry, against the slight breast-work <>( pickets. The body of men belonging to the encampment, and composing the right wing, was soon overpowered by numbers, and endeavoured to retreat across the river. Two companies of fifty men each, seeing the situation of their comrades, Hallini out of the breast-work to their relief, but were obliged to retrciu with them. Nearly all these unfortunate men were either cu! oir, or surrendered themselves prisoners to the British, uiidir promise of protection. The left wing within the pickets, stil! continued a cool and steady resistance. Three successive as- saults were made by the British Forty-first, but they worn driven back, with the loss of thirty killed and one hinidn! wounded. When the right wing broke at the commonconieiit of the action, great eflbrts had been made by general VVinches- ter and colonel Lewis, to rally and bring them within tin pickets ; but in the attempt these officers were taken prisoner-. Notwithstanding these misfortunes, and the overwhelming font; which assailed them on every side, they still continued, with firmness and determination seldom surpass(>d, to repulse everv assault of the ememy, until eleven o'clock in the day ; makiiii; prodigious slaughter in his ranks. Finding at length that it would be \ain to contend openly HISTORY OF Till-: WAR. 01 II with reinforceincnti Dtifeat and Surrondcr of the Americans at the River Uaittin. coinpollod thcso to iclves of tho fcncos a stand ; but were nore obstinnto than to draw their j)ur. icy charged in turn Vmerican lino. .\ I'erc finally beaten, miles, and eiitirclv :illed, and fifly-livf be ascertained, hm . The volunteers, encamped on tin , when they wen Idition, their whole • I of pickets, and tlir nd fifty, encanipm 1, a combined lljrce nd the Indian cliiofs :ed our little arinv. [tioii of the enemy, ned a heavy fire, it breast-work oi' encampment, ami *'crcd bv numhers. Two companies comrades, sallicii obliged to refreiit n were either eii! the British, undrr n the pickets, still ree successive .'is- f, but they wcmc and one hunilrni le commenceMicii! general Winches- them within tin taken prisoners. erwhelming forco I continued, with , to repulse everv he day ; makiiii: jith such men, resolved to defend themselv(;s to the last, ond that even if they had now Ixien successful, their victory would lave been dearly bought, the enemy attempted to prevail on them to surrender. 'J'h(^ general was told by colonel Proctor, l^hat unless his men surrendered, they would be delivered over |to the fury of the savages, or what amounts to the same thing, ^o responsibility would be taken for their conduct, and that |he houses of the village would be burnt. The general sent a ;jflag communicating these particulars, and stating that in order |o preserve the remainder of his brave troops, he had agreed |o surrender them as prisoners of war, on condition of their Jxjing protected from the savages, of their being allowed to ijretain their private property, and of having their side arms Returned them. The flag passed three times ; the Americans |)eing unwilling to surrender with arms in th(!ir hands, until they received a positive engagement Irom a British colonel that they ^hould not be murdered, and thit tli(;y should have the privilege pf burying their dead. Thirty-fiv(^ oflicers, and four hundred ^jfind filly non-commissioned oflicers and men, still remained, filler fighting six hours against artillery, surrounded by the yells of a thousand savages, waiting like wolv(!S for their prey. At this time the killed, wounded and missing, of the little army, including those that had been outside the pickets, amounted to more than three hundred. The loss of the liritish could not have been hsss. The little band, thus solicited by their general, fnd giving way to that ray of hope which the bravest in despc- fate situations will seize, at last consented to a surrender. ; The office of the historiin .sometimes imposes a melancholy fluty. The mind may be allowed to indulge a generous satis- fection, in recording those actions where a high, but mistaken fimbition calls forth our energies at the expense of humanity. Who can read without admiring, the retreat of the ten thousand Greeks, and what heart can be insensible to the recital of tho fate of Lconidas and his immortal l)and ! The virtues of such men, their fortitude, their love of country, their unconquerable minds, give a sanctity to their fate; and whili; w(> grieve for them, we rejoice that we also are men. Far otherwise, when We trace, in characters of blood, the cold, deliberate, fiendlike depravity, which assimilates men to the most odious and fero- cious of the brute creation. The task I must now fulfil is painful ; I must speak of sitcIi things as I almost shudder to name ; neither can it be done Without tearing open the yet bleeding wounds of my country. But faithful history forbids that they should be passed over in lo co.'itcnd openly iUoncej tliey must stand forth in al. the awfulness of truth : 'Mm w Iwf •^1 4' ' . -^ -1 ' ;h \n i ■1' » 1 1 ■ :i 92 nUACKF.NKIDGH'S Cruelly of tho Hritinh ntiil Itiitinn* nt tho Riviir Raiiin. und that impartial judgment must l)c passod upon tlujm, whir'i will doom tht-ni to the detestation of all posterity. TIk? ven- fronncc; of heaven does not sleep. 'J'liere is a measure of rotri. hutive justiee even in this world, which soon or latt; overtake, tli(^ Hwillest guilt. Not the most infuriated passions of the wom times, over caused tho ptM-petration of more sliocking crial. ties than were now practised lowards this l)and of hravo iihh Jmpelh.'d by feelings of humanity, they had marched to protcc, the leel)l(!and the helpless from savage violence: and assailed in overwhelming numhers, they might have contended to th(; Insi man ; but yielding to the solicitations of their captured general. and to the threats of the conflagration of the village and the mur- der of its inhabitants, they surrendered in an evil hour to a faith- less and treachfM'ous foe, that they might be consigned to cruel suHcring, to butchery, to murder, to unrelenting torture, t', every species of savage death. Well might thosi; dis^)ose(i Im wage such a war, wish to destroy tlu; pen of history. Would, for the honour of IJritain ; would, for the sake? of humanilv: would, for tho sake of our connnon relationship to a nation which po3sesses so many virtues, that the odious talc of tlif river Uaisiii and Frenchtown, mijiht be consinned to etern;il oblivion ! Hut it cannot be. The sacred call of truth must U obeyed. The savage and wanton massacre of our heroic conn- trymen, in tluj presence of a Ih-itish ollicer, has not bofn d(!nied, or palliatcul. Other atrocities the j)erpefrators have attempted to cover, by some flimsy veil of unsubstantial excuse; but this charge has always been met with silmice. They have not dared directly to deny; and, gracious heaven, where could they find an excuse ! Scarcely had the Americans stirrendered, under the stipu- lation of protection from tho, Hritish ollicer, than our brave (Mtizens discovered, too lat(>, that they were reserved to lio butchered in coKI blood. Of the right wing, but a small num- ber had escaped ; the work of sculping and sfri|)ping the dead. and murdering those who could no longer resist, was suflend to go on without restraint. The infernal work was now to begin with thos(^ who had so bravely defended them.selvci The infamous Proctor and the Ikiti.sh oflicers turned a deaf car to the just remonstrances of these tudiappy men. ('ontrary t" express stii)idation, the swords were taken from the sides of the ollicers ; and many of them stripped almost naked, and robbed. The brave dead were stripped and scalped, and their bodies shockingly mutilated. 'J'he tomahawk put an end at once to the sullerings of many of the wounded, who could not rise; in allusion to which, some days afterwards, a British oilicer ob- f fct Raiiin. I'pon them, \vhiri| •xfcrity. T\u> vt-n. I measure of retri. II or late overtiik., issionsofthewoM re shocking criitl, and of hrave idcii inarclicd to i)rol('(! let and assailed l,\ ntended to th(; laM • captured general, illageand the niiir. L'vil liour to a faith. consigned to crue. enting torture, (o those dis])os('(] 1 1 ' liistory. Would, ake of humanih ; nsliip to a natiliii :)dious talc of tlio Jsigned to cternai f of truth mu,st U: 'our heroic conn, •r, lias not hccn )erpetrator.s liavi il)stantial excuse; nro. They liav. ven, where coiiM tuider the stipu- than our hrave ! reserved to lir >iit a small niim- •ippinrk was now to ded themselves. urned a deaf ear en. Contrary fo 1 the sides of tlic ed, and rohht-d, md their hodies end at once to )uld not rise; in ritish olFicer ob- IIISTOKY OF Tin-: WAR. 08 Cruelty of thn DritUli and liuliaiia at tho River Raittn. J _,rved, "The ln 0>^ y m /A Photographic Sciences Corporation a? ^^ '^^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4is I', V* #? ^ M fA 5^' 94 BRACKENRIDGE'S I ' m ■ 1 '■ * ■ ' I ! ' V'il 'I ■J Cruelty oi' the British and Indians at the River Raisin. Woolfolk, and a few others ; but the remainder, nearly twr hundred in number, never had this office performed for thcni, until their friends and relatives triumphed in turn, the autiimc following, and then gathered up their bleaching bones and Ian: them in one common grave. Their mangled bouies had beer: suffered to lie on the ground exposed to the ferocious beasts qi prey, or to the more horrible pollution of domestic animals. The tragedy was diversified by the most afflicting scenes o! individual suffering. The fate of the brave and accomplisheu captain Hart, a near relative of two of our most distinguished statesmen (Henry Clay and James Brown), a young gentle. man of ffnished education and polished manners, cannot k related without a tear. He had in a particular manner di.stiii. guished himself during the engagement, and had received a severe wound in the knee. On being surrendered with the other prisoners, he was recognized by colonel Elliot, a native of the United States, with whom he had been a classmate i\: Princeton, but who had become a British officer and an ally tj the savages. Base indeed must be that man, whose soul, under such circumstances, would not be touched ! Elliot voluntarily offered his services to the friend of his youth, his countryman, and promised to take liim under his special protection, and to transport him to Maiden ; but whether he changed his mind, or was forbidden by Proctor, certain it is, that he gave himselt no further concern on the subject. The next day a party of Indians came into the room where he lay, and tore him from his bed ; he was then carried to anothe-r apartment by one of his brother officers, where he soon experienced the same treat- ment. He then, by the offer of a large sum of money, induced some Indians to take him to Maiden ; they had proceeded but a short distance, when they dragged him from his horse, shot him and scalped him. The same species of suffering was undergone by colonel Allen, by captains Hickman, Woolfolk, and M'Cracken. This ill-fated band was composed of the ffowcr of Kentucky ; we may name Mr. Simpson, a member of congress, captains Bledsoe, Matson, Hamilton, Williams and Kelly, and majors Madison and Ballard. With the excep- tion of three companies of United States infantry under captains Hightower, Collier and Sebree, they were, all, the volunteers of that patriotic state. On the evening succeeding the engagement, rum was distributed to the Indians, for a frolic in which they were disposed to indulge, and we may easily suppose what was the nature of their infernal orgies. Proctor now beginning to fear the infamy attached to his conduct, offered a price for those whom the Indians still pre- HISTORY OF THE WAR. 95 iver Raisin. Humanity of the People of Detroit. minder, nearly twr )errormed for them, in turn, the autuim hing bones and laic ed bodies had bcec ferocious beasts qi omestic animals. afflicting scenes o! e and accomplished ' most distinguishcc i), a young gentle. nanners, cannot k ;ular manner dihitin. md liad received a rrendered with the 3nel Elliot, a native ►cen a classmate a; ficer and an ally to , whose soul, uiide: Elliot voluntarily :h, his countryman, protection, and to changed his mind, lat he gave himself ext day a party of ind tore him from artment by one of ed the same treat- of money, induced lad proceeded but om his horse, shot of suffering was ickman, Woolfolk, composed of the mpson, a member amilton, Williams With the excep' ry under captains , the volunteers of the engagement. lie in which they ily suppose what y attached to his Indians still pre- gci-vcd — those prisoners who had surrendered on the faith of a capitulation with him, and whom he ought never to have aban- doned. The humane inhabitants of Detroit had already exhi- bited a degree of tenderness and solicitude for their unfortunate countrymen which will ever entitle them to our gratitude and esteem. Many of them parted with every thing they possessed of value, for the purchase of the prisoners ; for, to the disgrace ©f the British arms must it be recorded, persons of the first Respectability, who composed this Spartan band, were suffered, under the eyes of colonel Proctor, to be hawked about the streets /rom door to door, and offered for sale like beasts ! The only restraint on the cruelty of the savage wretches, arose from permitting them to consult their avarice. Even such prison- ers as were more fortunate, no matter what their rank or character, were treated with every species of contumely and contempt. ; The conduct of the people of Detroit was such as might have been expected fi'om humane Americans. The female sex, ever the foremost in acts of benevolence to the distressed, were parti- cularly distinguished ; they gladly gave their shawls, and even the blankets from their beds, when nothing else remained for them to give. Mr. Woodward, the former judge of the supreme court, and appointed by the President of the United States, a man of enlightened mind, now openly and boldly remonstrated with Proctor, and in the manly tone of his injured country depicted the infamy of the British conduct. " The truth," said he, " must undoubtedly eventually appear, and that unfortunate day must meet the steady and impartial eye of history." Those facts have been established by a cloud of witnesses, and the anjieal of judge Woodward will reach posterity. Let the reader o 'this history now remember, that this was but the commence- ment of a series of barbarities both upon the Atlantic board and upon the frontier, which was aflerwards systematically pur- sued : that so far from this having been covered by the base excuse of retaliation, it is a charge which has never otherwise been met than with the silence of conscious guilt. Never did any calamity so deeply affect the sensibilities of a people. All Kentucky was literally in mourning; for the -soldiers thus massacred, tortured, buf-nt, or denied the common rites of sepulture, were of the most respectable families of the state ; many of them young men of fortune and distinction, with numerous friends and relatives. it would be unjust, in this common anathema, to include all the British officers: the names of some deserve to be rescued from this indelible reproach ; major Muir, captains Aikins, |l r i i „wl' B***' 96 BKACKImNUIDGE'S March of General Flarrison. '' i': '* ii I . i' i • w i * ij "!'. :t f Curtis, Dr. Bowcn, and tlu3 reverend Mr. Parrow. Elliot \\a, also spoken of in favourable terms by the American otllcers, a« having on some occasions interested himself for the sulier(i>, Enough has certainly been said on this distressing subject ; om,; part, however, cannot be omitted. Proctor, perceiving il,. eagerness of the people of Detroit in purdiasing the unhapjiv captives, actually issued an order prohibiting any further pu,-. chases, on the ground that they gave more than the govern. ment. This officer was afterwards promoted to the rank oft brigadier, in consequence of his good conduct, particularly ir, saving the prisoners from the fury of the Indians. If arv thing can move indignation, it is this climax of insult. The facij were afterwards proved to the satisfaction of every one ; but the British government was silent, instead of making a signa, example of the man who had brought such disgrace upon her name. A few days after the affair, a Dr. M'Keehan was despatched by general Harrison for the purpose of attending the sick, ani provided with gold to purchase such things as they might want. The doctor, notwithstanding his flag, his sacred errand, aiii an open letter directed to any British officer, stating the objcc; of his mission, was actually wounded and robbed, then draggci! to Maiden, whence he was taken to Quebec. Afler the suf- ferings of several months, having been dragged from place lo place, from dungeon to dungeon, he at length reached home, with a constitution totally impaired. Such are the distressing occurrences which it becomes the painful duty of the historian to record. The news of this melancholy afTair soon after reached general Harrison, who was on his march with reinforcements to general Winchester. He had heard with chagrin the movements of that officer, and apprehensive of the consequence, had ordered a detachment of three hundred men, under major Cotgreves, from general Perkins's brigade of Ohio militia, to march to hi:* relief. Hearing of the disaster, they fell back upon the Rapids where general Harrison was then stationed, who retreated to Carrying river, for the purpose of forming a junction with the troops in the rear, and favouring the convoy of artillery ami stores then coming from Upper Sandusky. He first, however, despatched a chosen body of one hundred and seventy men for the purpose of picking up such of the unfortunate fugitives as might have escaped. The number of these was very small, on account of the depth of the snow, which rendered it almost im- possible for them to make their way. Governor Meigs having promptly despatched two regiments to the assistance of Harri- f IIISTORV Oi' Till': WAU. 07 Farrow. Elliot wa. American officers, a- ilf for the sullcrors, ressing subject ; oin: ;tor, perceiving il,, >liasing tiic iinl)a|i|,v ing any lurther ])ur. *e than tiie govern. ited to the rank of a duct, particularly jc le Indians. If ar.v of insult. The faci; 1 of every one ; bin of making a signal h disgrace upon her han was despatched ending the sick, and as they might want sacred errand, aiii ;r, stating the objec! obbed, then draiiiicfi ec. After the suf. igged from place lo gth reached home, I are the distressing Jty of the historiaD ter reached general rcements to general the movements of uence, had ordered major Cotgreves, ia, to march to his upon the Rapids who retreated to 3. junction with the 3y of artillery and Fie first, however, id seventy men for tunate fugitives as was very small, on lered it almost im- rnor Meigs having si stance of Harri- Jc Siege of Fort Meig.^. il>n, the latter again advanced to the Rapids, and immediately let about constructing a fort, which, in honour of the governor of Ohio, he named Fort Meigs, Fortifications were at the iBmc time constructed at Upper Sandusky by general Crooky, lirho commanded the Pennsylvania militia. Excepting some artizan excursions, nothing additional transpired during the ivere winter months. The movement of general Winchester id entirely deranged the plans of Harrison ; and it was neces- iry to organize a new system. He retin'ned to Ohio, for the irpose of obtaining an additional force from that state, and Kentucky. Towards the beginning of April, he received in- )rmation which hastened his return to Fort Meigs. The enemy for some time past had been collecting in con- ;rable numbers, for the purpose of laying siege to this place ; id as the new levies had not yet arrived, the Pennsylvania l^rigade, although its term of service had expired, generously I0olunteered for the dcience of the fort. Immediately on his lirrival, general Harrison set about making preparations for the l5)proaching siege. The fort was situated upon a rising ground, ||t the distance of a few hundred yards from the river, the lountry on each side cf which is chiefly natural meadows. The girrison was well supplied with the means of defence, and arrison, with unremitted exertions, laboured, night and day, to improve its capacity for resisting the siege. Tiie assistance of captains Wood and Gratiot, his principal engineers, enabled vjhim to put in practice whatever was necessary to improve his ^ibrtifications. The troops in the fort, to the number of twelve hundred, the greater part volunteers, were in high spirits, and aletermined to defend themselves to the utmost. On the 28th, "line of the parties constantly kept out for the purpose of noting ttie advance of the enemy, reported that he was in great force about three miles below. A few British and Indians showed themselves on the opposite side ; but a few shot from an eigh- ^|fcen-pounder, compelled them to retire. A despatch was now lent to hasten the march of general Clay, who was approach- ing with twelve hundred militia from Kentucky. These brave |ieople, so much sufferers during the war, were ever the fore- Bnost to meet danger, and the first to fly to the relief of their • friends. On the three following davs, the enemv was occu- |ied in selecting the best positions on either side of the river, iround the fort, whence it might be annoyed, and in erecting batteries on the opposite side : in the latter, they were conside- rably impeded by the fire from Fort Meigs ; but they usually ftviiiled themselves of the night, to proceed in the work. A fire of small arms had been kept up by them, which was re- I 08 MU,\('Ki:MKo <»(■ Fort MfiKH. tnrncfl by tho Anicricnn arf'll(M'y, biU without, ;iny loss of in, porfanco ( n citlur side. The garrison sntllTrd somcwiiat IVoru want of water, iIk-, well not h(MniT completed; and it was attended uitli great ri to ohtuin their supply dnrijig th(! night iVotn th(! river. Tl, perpetual vigihine(< n(>» (\'^sary to h(M)hs(M'ved in guarding a;^aiii. n surpris(\ reijninMl thi^n to lie eonslanlly on tlieir arms, an was calenlated (o wear them down. On the 1st of May,lli. rnemy had nionnled his halteries, and opened a lire witiidi; twenfy-four pounder, on(> twelve, «)ne six, and on»^ liowitzo; No niaterial injiu'y was done on either side: tlu; eonnnMiidr in-ehiefmade a narrow (\seapt%a hall having striiek a heiicln; which lio w;is sitting; and s(Mne days belore, a nuin was mo; tally wounded by his sid(\ On the M. an additional hatter was opened, at the distance of two hundred and lilly yar; from the lort, mounted with a mortar; and 51 nuniber of homir were thrown: but tiiis was several tiuKvs silenced. In tli part of the siege, major (Chambers ajiproached the fort with flag, and, for the first time, sunnnoned th(5 place to anrreiult: He statinl, that the liritish cf)mmander »wj5 desirous of spam, the vjf'usion of human blood ; that his force was so immnii that it would be impossible to withstand it ; and that, unless tl Americans threw tlKMuselves at once upon the tender mercyo Proctor, they might expect to be massacred in cold hloix This snnmions was received by Flarrison, with the conloni: and indignation it merited. To look for mercy from the liaiii of Proctor, yet reeking from the murder of the Kcntuckian at the river Raisin, would have been imbecility indeed; and: he had not hacn able to restrain the Indians then, how could li now, when, according to his own account, the number these collected, was greater than had ever been known ? Tli commander expressed his surprise, that the garrison had nc been summoned before ; this at least implied they thought hii; resolved to do his duty ; and that as to the number of his fore- which he represented as of such unusual magnitude, it was trick which he perfectly understood. He then requested nu jor Chambers to return for answer to general Proctor, tlii while he had the honour to command an American fort,; should never sarrender tc a combined force of British and h dians. The siege was renewed with great vigour, and the firing wa hotly k'ept up on both sides. The Indians mounted on trees? some distance from the fort, fired into it, and killed and wounde several. On the 5th, a small party from the advancing corp under general Clay, reached the fort, with the informatior. ttia jm^- 1 IIS roll V OF TIIK VVAK. 99 out, (uiy loss of iin M\\\\ of water, iW. • \\{\vi\ with t;r('ut ri:, )iii tli(! rivei". '11, I in n;uiirrcat of Colonel Diitlloy Hortio iimliT Col(»nol Miller. he was in his boats not i.iany miles abovr-. Orders were in- Itiuitly d(:s|)atch(Ml by the roniinander-in-chier to the general, tec|niring hiin to detach eight hundiefl men lor tli«; purpose of fnnding on the opposite! side; and destroying th(! enemy's bat- ierifs; and in the meanvvhilo he projficted a sortie ag'iinst those %n the side of the l()rt, under the command of lieutenant-colo- |»(!l MilU.T of the Nineteiinth United States infantry. This liniultaneous attack was well plamied : should it succeed, the jn(!Uiy wV general (ylay, land(!(l his men in good order, and then ad- fanced on the enemy's camion. 'J'Ik; four battfiries were car- lied in an instant, and the JJritish regidars and Indians com- l^lkd to take to flight. A large body of Indians, imder the )lebrat(;d Tecumsf^b, wer(M)n their march to the Hritish <;amp, hen they m«!t i\u) fugitives : this body was instantly ordered form an ambush, and wait tlu; apj)roa('h of the Americans; d, to decoy tluun, a few Indians showed themselves out of e woods, as if to renew the action. (Jolonel Dudley having ecuted his orders, commanded a retreat: but his men, flushed ith victory, and roused with the desire of avenging their aughtered countrymen, i)ush(!d forward with irresistible im- tuosity. Their commander in vain attempted to check their career ; ho even turned his s|)ontoon against them ; but nothing could restrain them, in a few moments, they found themselves turrounded by three times their number. A desperate fight p\v ensued, which was followed by a slaughter of the Ken- ekians, almost as terrible as that at the river Kaisin, though t to the same extent afler the battle. The chief who now mmanded, was of a much more generous character than ound-IIead, or Proctor; and even on the field of battle per- nally interposed to save those who yielded. But one hun- ed and fifty made their escape ; the rest were either killed missing. Colonel Dudley attempted to cut his way through the river; but was killed, having himself slain an Indian af- r he was mortally wounded. The other party, under gene- l Clay, landed upon the side of the fort, and was near being awn in like manner into an ambush, when general Harrison irdered a troop of horse to sally out and cover their retreat. The impetuosity of colonel Dudley's party, in some measure, iconccrtcd the plan of tlie sortie under colonel Miller. Not- ithstanding this, he sallied forth at the head of three hundred n, assaulted the whole line of their works, manned by three ndred and fifty regulars and five hundred Indians, and after veral brilliant charges, drove the enemy from their principal 'hi' l! ■•» if' 100 IJKACKIvNRIDCK'S Si)rii(; midcr Colonf I Miilm j^iffjeof Vnrl Mciks raiwud. hatfni'ios, spiked thr^ eannon, nnd roturnod to the Tort with for. ty-two prisoners. Tho first charge was made on the (.'alla(li;lll^ and Indians by major Alexander's h.nftaliou ; tl>e second bv eolonol Miller, against tin) regulars: the oliieers of these wcii (Jroghon, Luiuiham, Bradford, a gallant ollicer, Ncaring, jitri lieutenants (iwynno and (.'ampbell. A company of Kentuck. inns, comman(led by captain i?ebrc<', who had distinguishfi; himself in t)ur times its numbers ; and being entirely surroundd, would have been cjit to pieces, had not lieutenant Gwynno, o! the Nineteenth, gallantly charged through the enemy, ami released it. A cessation of hostilities took place during tlic tliree follow. ing days ; flags frcquently passed between the besiegers aiii; the besieged, and arrangements were entered into for tin exchange of prison(M's. 'IV'umsch agreed to release h'\s claiii; to the ]K>rsons taken by the Indians, provided some Wyandot>, to the rmmber of forty, were delivered up : and Proctor pro- mised to furnish a list of the killed, wounded and prisoners; with this., however, he never complied. On tlie 9th, the m<. my appeared to be engaged in making preparations for raisin:; the siege: a schooner, and some gun-boats had been bronglii up during the night, for the purpose of embarking their artii. lery ; a lew shot from the fort compelled them to reHnqiiis!, this design, and at ten o'clock, thev raised the siege, and mova' oir with their whole force. Thus terminated a siege of thirteen days, in which our ciV' mies weix) taught, that in future they must expect to meet wilt! resistance different from that which they had experienced fro& Hull ; and that, if they should succeed in taking an America!; garrison, it must be ai'ter severe fighting. The loss of tli' Americans in the fort, was eighty-one killed, and one hundroi: and eighty-nine wounded. The loss of the Kentuck ians, a- usual, was much the most severe, amounting to upwards « seventy killed and wounded, besides the loss under colonel Bd ley. This officer was much regretted ; few men in Kentuck. were more generally esteemed : his body, after much search, wi- found unburicd, and horribly mangled. He was interred, tc gcther with sonm of his companions, with the honours of war The force under general Proctor was reported at five hun- dred and fifty regulars, eight hundred militia^and fifteen hundre Indians ; the latter of whom fought v. ith great courage, and,cr several occasions, rescued their allies in the sorties from t^^ garrison. On the day of the last afiair, Tecumseh arrived ii ^j0i0^" mSTOKY Ol' T1I1<: WAR. 101 S'ofl Mi'ifis raiwed. to tho fort with for. dc on tho Caiiadiiiii, ion ; ll>G second bv licers of those woiv >llicer, Nciu*in iting to wpwardso! under colonel Due w men in Kentucky er much search, wa le was interred, ((• the honours of ^a: ■ported at five hiiH' , and fifteen hiindre' 2at courpjre, and,oi; the sorties from tnf 'ecumseh arrived ii Siege of Fort Mvign raiMsd. person, with the largest body of Indians that liad ever been collected on the northern frontier ; and had not the sortie taken place, it is probable tluj situation oi" the army would have been extremely critical. The Indians, after the battle, according to the custom which prevails amongst them, had returned \o their villages, in spite ol' the exertions of Tecumseh and his subor- dinate chiefs. Thus weakened. Proctor was obliged precipi. lately to retreat, leaving behind many valuable articles, which in his haste he was unable to carry away. Besides the Ame- tican olHcers already named, there were many others who dis- tinguished themselves : major Ball, an active officer, who was frequently complimented in general orders, rendered great ser- vice during the siege ; captain Croghan on one occasion made a brilliant sortie on the British regulars ; majors Todd, John- ion, Sodwick, Ritzen, and Stoddard, were also mentioned in the most honourable terms. The latter, a man of distinguished literary attainments, received a severe wound, of which he liflerwards died. Captain Butler's Pittsburgh Blues, which l)ehaved so handsomely at the battle of Mississiniwa, composed ichiefly of young gentlemen of Pittsburgh, suHered severely; 4he accomplished young officer who commanded them, was a >on of the lamented general Butler, who fell in St. Clair's de- Ceat. It would be in vain, on this occasion, to enumerate all who deserved the applauses of their country. Ailer the siege of Fort Meigs, offensive operations were for a considerable^ time suspended on both sides. Until the com- pletion of the naval preparations on Lake Erie, which were i^hen in considerable forwardness, the troops were to remain at |Port Meigs, and Upper Sandusky. Without the command of ^he lake, little of consequence could be effected ; the troops %rould, therefore, continue a great part of the summer in a Jtate of inactivity, awaiting th's event. In the meantime %eneral Harrison returned to Franklinton, for the purpose of <5rganizing the forces expected to concentrate at that place. A IBeputation from all the Indian tribes residing in the state of |[)hio, and some in the territories of Indiana and Illinois, made t tender of their services to follow general Harrison into Cana- , a. Hitherto, with the exception of a small band commanded Jby Logan, a distinguished chief and nephew of Tecumseh, %one of the friendly Indians had been employed by the United ^tates. The advice to remain neutral, could not be understood Iby them : they considered it in some measure a reproach upon ^heir courage ; more particularly, as several hostile incursions fiad been made of late into their settlements by the hostile In- dians. General Harrison consented to receive them into the i 00 102 HRACKHNUIDGirS . It Exploit of Major Dall British PreparnlionR in Canada. ' ■ »■: i.! !!i » I I " ! 4 ■! i ' service; but, expressly on eoiulitlon, tliat they should spare their prisoners and not assail del'oncclcss women and children. Logan was killed not l<>n»f aller wards. Althoui^h the settlwl parls of the country W(>re shielded from the depredations of the Indians, they still continued to attack the settlements along the borders of the lake, fix)in Fronchto^vl| to Erie. These inroads receivcnl a temporary check, fronu squadron of horse under major Ball. This olRcer was descomj. ing the Sandusky with twenty-two m(?n, when ho was fired upon by about the satne number of Indians in ambuscade, He charged upon them ; drove them from their hiding-places; and, after an obstinate contest on a plain, favourable to the ope 'ations of cavalry, killed their chiefs. The savages, see- ing no hope of escape, contended with dreadful tury until their whole band was destroyed. During the heat of the fir;ht, the major was dismounted, and had a personal conflict with ii chief of prodigious strength. They fought with desperation, until an officer shot the Indian. We now return to the operations of our armies on the northern frontiers ; where, since the winter, and the renewal of hostilities, events of a very important character had trans- pired. CHAPTER VIII. British Preparations in Canada— Incursion of Forsythe— Attack on Ogden§burgh- General Piice— Tailing of York— Explosion of a Magazine— Death of General Pike- Taking of Forts George and Erie— Battle of Stony Creek— Capture of Generals Chan- dler and Winder— British attack Sackett's Harbour— repulsed by General Brown- Resignation of General Dearborne— Town of Sodus attacked— Affair at Beaver Uams —Lieutenant Eldridge— Indians taken inlo the American service— British nttark Black Rock— Second taking of York— British devastate the Borders of Lake Chanv plain— Cruise of Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontado. During the winter. Great Britain had sent a number of troops to Halifax, for the purpose of being employed, in the spring, in the defence of Canada. The recent success of the allies on the continent, had taken away an}'- disposition she might have had for a peace, as was clearly proved by the re- jection of the Russian me'diation, The militia of Canada was IIISTOUY OF Till: WAU. io;j rntioni* in Canada. Ihcy should spare omen and children, were shielded IVoni Kontiiuird to attack e, i'lxnn Frcnc^)to^vl| )rary chock, from a olHcer was dcscoiul. wlion ho was fired ians in ambuscadp. their hiding-places; I, favourable to the The savages, set- dreadful fury iiniil he heat of the fight, lonal conflict with n it with desperation, our armies on the r, and the renewal iiaracter had trans- Inc irsioii of Forsjiho Altuck on O^'diMiiiburgli. i\ttack on Ogdensburgh- Death of General Pike- apture of Generals Chan- sed by General Browii- I— Affair at Beaver Uaiiis service— British attack Borders of Lal. h !^ a<')i, at «>ig|it o'clock in thn inoriiin^% and W(^rn coininMiidcd hy captain ArDonncl, ol'thc (ilcii^arv li^lil itdJiDlrvsa corps trained wiili peculiar care, and colonel l''ra/,ier, of IJie ('anada militia. Tin; Americans kept np the contest for an hour, with tlu; loss of twenty men killed and wonndcd ; and from the cool and do. libt^ratii aim of the ritlemen, the cniMny must have lost twice that inuTiher, amon^ wjiom were live oHicers of distinction, A nourish was made by the Hritish of this allair ; and a mcssnij,; was stMit with tlx^ news to colon rank of a brigadier, in consequence of bis meritorious services, and increasing re|)Utation. Pike was cradled in the camp; his father, a revolutionary olUctn*, was still in the army, but too far advanced in life for active service. He was acquainted with all the details of the militarj'^ profession, having served in every grade from a soldier to the general. 1 Ic possessed an ardent mind, and was animated by a desire of martial glory and renown ; but such glory and renown as were compatible with the welfare of his country. The models which he had placed before him, were somewhat of a romantic cast ; he desired to combine the courage of the soldier, and the ability of the com- mander, with those ornaments of character which become the man. Pike was already a favourite in the United States, and distinguished as the adventurous explorer of the immense Wes- tern desert, traversed in another direction by Lewis and Clarke He had here given proofs of much fortitude of mind, vigour of body, and great prudence and intelligence. His zeal and activity were afterwards conspicuous, in the success with which he form- ed the regiment placed under his command. He was beloved by his troops, whose affections he knew how to engage, and into whom he could infuse a portion of his own generous spirit. It is not surprising, therefore, that the progress made by the troops, at Sackett's Harbour, under the unceasing attention of m iiisTouv or Tiii'i WAi:. lori TnkiiiK of York. ncn rnchy nt v.\ff\\\ laiidrd l»y «'aptiiin corps triiiiu'd with niida militia. Tin; r, with tlio loss of n iho cool nnd do. 1st have lost twice H^rs of distinclioi), iiir ; and a incssni;!! y, commanding tho iiim tiuit a Nalutt' im(>rican olliccr ex. rn the compliment, caj)tiirc of his m;i. of equal force ; ami the same time, in ; nt Sackctt's Tlar- invert new recruits, rut troops, was an Table industry was [^ly promoted to tin' KM'itorious services, d in the camp ; his e army, but too far las acquainted wifli liaving served in 1 le possessed an f martial glory and re compatible witli lich he had placed ast ; he desired to lability of the com- which become the nited States, and Ithe immense Wes- Lewis and Clarke, f mind, vigour of is zeal and activity ith which he form- He was beloved engage, and into nerous spirit. It ess made by the sing attention of 4his accomplished olhccr, should Ik* unusuMlly ra|)ie mortal; lie still, however, preserved his undaunted spirit: ** Move on my brave fe'llows, and revenge your general," he cried, addressing them for the last time. This they instantly vbcyed. lie was then taken up by some of his men, to be ^conveyed onboard the siup ; scarcely h.'id he reached the sliorc ff the lake, when a loud and victorious shout from his brigade rightened, for a moment, the expiring lamp of life ; a faint jigh was all his strength would permit him to express. Shortly ^fterward, the British flag was brought to him by one of his Soldiers; at the sight of it, his eye again resumed its wonted ustre for a moment, and making signs for it to be placed under is head, he gloriously expired. Thus fell a warrior who will ive with honour in the page of history. Brave, prudent and hivalrous, he was adorned with that moral cxc(;llence which is essential to the accomplished soldier and the real hero. '^s he terminated his career in the very day-spring of life, we fan but imperfectly estimate what tlie ripened age of so much jpromise would iiave brought forth. No oflicer entertained a inore refined sense of honourable warfare; a proof of it is to t)e found in the orders which he gave on this memorable day, Jhat any of his soldiers who should molest the possessions or J)ersons of the inhabitants, or wantonly destroy the public pro perty, should suficr instant death. 105 !|! 1 ir :l^ :,: ' 1 .1 .f ! I •!(«!« I f' 'll : ' i Tii': 110 lUlACKENRlDGE'S Taking of York. On tlie fall of general Piko, the command devolved f colonel Pcarce, who advanced to the barracks, which he four, already in the possession of Forsythe ; the enemy having p treated to the fort. No one now being acquainted with the fu;, ther execution of the plan of attack, the enemy was not imm diately pursued ; otherwise the whole of the regulars and pubi stores must have fallen into our hands. The Americans, alV nalting a short time, moved on towards the town ; and on draw mg near it were met by officers of the Canada militia, with oiil.r of capitulation. This produced some delay ; but it being s^ pected that it was only intended to facilitate the escape r general SheafTe and the principal part of his regulars, and' gain time while they could destroy the military stores, p.i burn the vessel on the stocks, Forsythe and Ripley push forward, and were soon after followed by Pearce. The stricti; observance of Pike's order, with respect to the treatment of;! inhabitants and their property, was enjoinec. At four o'cliv the Americans were masters of the town. Although with j ;- tice they might be enraged at the conduct of the Brifisi for their barbarous and unmanly attempt to destroy thf by a mine, the troops conducted themselves with the most pc; feet order and forbearance ; perhaps considering this the h. testimonial of respect for their brave leader. The stipulation' of surrender were entered into with colonel Pearce, at the ver moment the British were engaged in the destruction of the piii- lie property. By the terms of the stipulation, the troop; regulars and militia, naval officers and seamen, were surrendere prisoners of war ; all the public stores were given up, and a private property was to be guarantied to the citizens of York •every thing relating to the civil departments was to be respected and the surgeons, attending on the wounded, were not to be con siderod as prisoners of war. It. is gratifying to reflect that the deportment of the victor; on this occasion, was such as to extort praise even from tli; vanquished. So far from inflicting any injury on the inhabi tants, a considerable portion of the public stores, which couk not easily be transported, were distributed among them, an they expressed themselves highly satisfied with the conduct o! the Americans. The principal civil officers of the place ad' dressed a letter of thanks to general Dearborne, for the strk regard which was manifested by the troops under his commaiKi for the safety of the persons and property of the inhabitant?. The commander-in-chief landed soon after the fall of Pike. but did not assume the immediate command until after the sur render of the town. HISTORY OF THE WAR. Ill Taking of York. nmand devolved f icks, which he Iburi ic enemy having j,. [uainted with the ll: lemy was not iminr e regulars and pulii rhe Americans, all. town ; and on draw. da mihtia, with oth ly ; but it being si;;. litate the escape r his regulars, and • military stores, vi and Ripley pusli 3arce. The strict^ the treatment ofii ec. At four o'clor Although with j :• luct of the Brills; ipt to destroy flu is with the most pt: idering this the be- r. The stipulatirr Pearce, at the ver struction of the pii ulation, the troop- en, were surrendcre re given up, and a le citizens of York was to be respected J were not to be con ment of the victor; 'aise even from tli: ijury on the inhalj: stores, which coul: among them, an with the conduct o; rs of the place ad' )orne, for the stric jnder his commaii(i. f the inhabitants, er the fall of Pike, until after the sui' Great assistance was rendered during the engagement by the co-operation of commodore Chauncey, after landing the troops. The vessels, in consequence of a contrary wind, were com- .pcUcd to beat up to their several positions with great difficulty, and under a heavy fire from the batteries. When this was etlected, they opened a galling and destructive fire, which con- •ytributcd much to the success of the attack. In the squadron, 4hrce were killed and eleven wounded; among the first, mid- wshipmen Thompson and Hatfield, both much regretted. ,^ The loss on the American side was inconsiderable until the ^|explosion of the " infernal machine," which caused it to amount •vto three hundred in killed and wounded. Several ofiicers of -merit were killed or wounded by the explosion. The aids of the general, captains Nicholson and Frazicr, were wounded ; the first mortally: also, captain Lyon, captain Hoppock, lieu- tenant Bloomfield, and many other valuable officers. Much .praise was bestowed on lieutenant-colonel Mitchell, of tho gthird regiment of artillery : he formed tho column after the ^explosion, and throughout the whole of the aflliir behaved with the greatest gallantry. Major Eustis, captains Scott, ,Ycung, Walworth, M'Glassin, and Stephen H. Moore of the Baltimore volunteers, who lost a leg by the explosion," and Lieutenants Irvine, Fanning and Riddle, were named among the most distinguished of the day. There were taken from the British, one lieutenant-colonel, one major, thirteen captains, nine lieutenants, eleven ensigns, one deputy adjutant-general, four naval oflicers, and two hun- dred and fifty-one non-commissioned officers and privates; ; and it was contended, that according to the capitulation, the ^^ commanding general, his staff, and all his regulars, ought to .h have been surrendered. There was certainly an unfair proce- dure on the part of the British general, as well in this business, as in the destruction of the public property after it had been fairly surrendered. With respect to the explosion, it was i attributed by general Sheaffe to accident ; and as a proof, he mentioned the circumstance of forty of his own men having been killed and wounded in the retreat. But the American I officers, who witnessed the afliiir, were perfectly satisfied that it was designed. After the conflict had ceased for some time, and the magazine and barracks had been entirely abandoned by itlie enemy, the occurrence of such an accident was almost im possible ; and leads to the conviction, that a match had been purposely laid, intended to explode on the approach of the Ame- rican troops; which, but for the fortunate precaution of their commander, would have involved them in one general destruc- n it Jill;* ^ I) i ■'- 'i I! »i ii i,:^ .:i-« ii '^ 112 niiA('Ki':NKi])c;i-;s Taking of V'ork Tnkinji of Forts (Seorgi; niul I'rir, fidii. It is imjiisf, oil liij;ht irfounds, to impulo to the liritish ^rf,,,,, ral, conduct so dishononrMhlc ; and Imt (or the circiiinstaiiccs %. have mcnlioMcd, it tniulit ho roiifardod as iho iMiauth()ii/(>(l actui soinn base individual. Tlu; fact ol'a part of his own coliuun Imv. ing boon ovortakon l>y stonos j)r()p('il(Ml to an iininonsc; distninc t:;;ivos no weight t(^ liis exculpation: this may liavo procecdhi from his not havinu; calculated with sullici(Mit accura(\v l<>r llici; own safety, although nothing could hav(^ lu'on hettcM* timed fn] the ccMuplete dr^struction of our gallant countrymen. Had tli, explosion taken i>laccr in the midst of the fight, tluM'e iiii^li thcMi b(^ room for supposition that it was the result of acc-idcn! but, nnd(>r the circumstances, that this should hav(^ been tli ibU The 1( )f the Brills case, aj)pears next to nn|iossii)i(\ i lie loss ol llie isni amount(^d to seven jiundred and fdly men in kilhMJ, wouinlni and prisoners : of these, tlie kilUni and wounded were iiu; less than two hundred ; the prisoners amounted to filly reguhrs, and five htmdnnl militia. Property to an immenst? amount was destroyed, and tliere still remained to the value of at least half a million of dollars: in his hasty retreat, general SIk.v .'Jilli: abandoned his baggage, containing all his V)ooks and papers, which proved a valuable acquisition. Upon the whole, the cajUure of York was a brilliant achievement, and worthy of Pike, its projector. It was the first dawn of tiiat military dis- tinction, to which we afterwards so rapidly attained und(M- the gallant otlicers wliom tlie school of experience liad fiishioncd. The object of this expedition being now fully attaincMl, the American forces evacuated York on the 1st of May, and rc-oni- barked. The fleet, however, did not leave the harbour until the 8th. A schooner had in the meantime been despatched to Niagara, to inform general Lewis of the success of the ex- pedition, a d of the intended movements of the troops. The next thing to be undertaken, was the attack of For; George and Fort Erie, which had been unsuccessfully attemiitcii the year before. Commodore Chauncey having the commnnd of the lake, forces could be transported to any part with facility. On the evening of the 8th, the troops were landed at Four Mile creek, so called, from being four miles distant from Niagara. The next day, two schooners, under the command of lieuienant Pettigrcw, sailed with a detachment of one hun- dred men, commanded by captain Morgan of the Twelfih, for tho purpose of destroying some of the enemy's stores at the head of the lake. On their approach, the guard, about eighty men, retired ; the public buildings were burnt, and the party returned with the greater portion of the property. On the 10th, commo- dore Chauncey sailed to Sackett's Harbour, for the purpose ol IlISTOKV OK Till': VVAK. 113 i (•uorK*! and F.rir. tollie lirifisji M;riip, ic (Mrciimsfaiicc.s w, ini;nitli<)iT/,(!(I acini lis own coliiniii Inv. 1 immense rlistnnn-, lay iiavo procccdcl lit accuracy l<»r thi- ccn hvitcr timed |i,- titrymon. Had tli, I light, thoro niii^li: 5 result of nccidciit, otild liav(» been {]],■ OSS of tli(« IJi-ilisli, in kill(Ml, woiiiiilni wouiulcd were im: ted to filly regidar.^, 1 immensi^ amoum he value of al 1( ;m sat, general Siiivilir l)ooI\s and paptMs, ion the whole, the 311 1, and worthy of f that military (lis- attained under the ice liad nishioncd. ' fully attained, the f May, and rc-nii- the harbour until o been despatchcil success of the ex- 10 troops. 10 attack of For: cess fully attemptcii ing the conim;uiii part with facility. e landed at Four lilcs distant from der the command mcnt of one bun- le Twelfth, for tho stores at the head ibout eighty men, he party returned the 10th, commo- or the purpose ol D Tnkini; <»f l-'urts Uvarm! uml Drii-. Vleavinu; the woimdcid mtiii and ollicf-rs, and of bringing sin'h § additional forc(! as could be span^d from that place. I le again j|.sailed on llie XJ'Jd, bjaving tht; Fort and iIk; Fair American to Iwalch the movemenls of tiie enemy. Two days alhrrwards Ik; ifarrivetl salely al Nia-ara, with three; hundred and liify men of I colonel Macoml/s regiment of artillery, and an additional num- ber of guns. t ArraiigeiiKints were now made for carrying tliecont(!mpbifed enterprise into immediate execution. Commodore (Jliaunc(!y " having, on the 'JOth, recoimoitenMl the ()j)[)osite shore, and asc(!r- laitiecl the best places l()r landing, and the stations for tin; smaller V(!ss(;ls to i)ccu|)y ; the next morning was fixed ujion for tli(! attack. A numlnir of boats W(;re iiiack; n^ady ; and others, Uvliich had been building ibr the occasion, were launclnid in the ,;allernoon ; this being observed by the enemy, a fire wasopen- icd upon the workmen from a battery, erected for the |)urpos(!, ;; nearly opposite. Tiiis brought on a severe cannonade from the forts and batt(>ries, which continucid for some hours, and in :; which the Amm-icans had the decided adv.'intage. F'ort George i appeared to sullijr considerable injury. The guns of the Ame- rican battery were directed with so much precision, tluu the halliards of the flag-staff were shot away, and the buildings of every description around the fort wer(! nuudi damaged : wiiile the loss on the American side was very inconsiderable. All the boats in the meanwhile passed safely to the encampnnont at Four Mile creek : and as soon as it grew dark, the artillery was put on board the Madison, the Oneida, and the Lady of the Lake ; the troops were to embark in the boats and follow tlie fleet. At three o'clock in the morning, signal was made to ; weigh ; but in consequence of the calm which prevailed, tho schooners were obliged to resort to sweeps to gain their stations. These consisted of the Julia, Growler, Ontario, Governor Tompkins, Conquest, Hamilton, Asp, and Scourge; , each within musket shot of the shore, and skilfully disposed ] to attack the different batteries, and cover the landing of our forces. The troops had now all embarked, and amounted to about four thousand men ; and at daybreak, generals Dearborne and Lewis, and suites, went on board the Madison. The ene- :; my's batteries immediately opened, as the troops advanced in I three brigades. The advance was led by that accomplished ..ofncer colonel Scott, who had so much signalized himself in tliis place the year before ; and was composed of Forsythc's riflemen, and detachments from various infantry regiments: it ; landed near the fort, which had been silenced by the Governor i Tompkins. General Boyd, to whom the brigade lately com- h I K # lit nRACKI-.NPJfXil'AS Tiikintt (tf l''ort« (irnrRo niiil Krin. i^' I '> 11 ii!^ ri ill • if! ♦ ! ■ if f II ^1 4i i h ml Tiintidcd by i^imkmmI l*ik(^ li.ul bcni Mssifriicd, f()nno(l thr Jirsi line, wliirli was (laukcd hy lli(> llalfimon^ and Albany vohin. IcMTs under coloui'l M'('hir(». 1 1<« readied tli(» shore iniincili. i\\v\y aOer flie advances liad landed, (leneral Winder followcil, at file iiead of lli(^ scvond brigade, and was closely .succccdtd by tlio third, undy drew near the sliore, a sur- prising d(\irree of emulation manifested itself both amoiiirst olbccM's and soldiers ; many of them Icapinjj; into the bik(>, iiml wading to land. Captain Ilindman, an accomplished youiii; odicer of the second artillery, was tlu; first on the enemy's ter- ritory. No sooner were tht^ troops formed on the beach, than they were led to tlie charge, and instantly dispers(!d the enemy in every direction ; some Hying to the woods for shelter, and others seeking refuije in the fort. The first were briskiv as. sailed by Forsythe ; while the advanced corps and the first bri- gade, under general Boyd, vigorously attacked the latter. The prevailing panic bad seized the garrison, which made but r leeble resistance. Fort Niagara, and the batteries on the Anio- rican side, opened at the same time ; and Fort George haviiit; become untenable, the British laid trains to their magazinos, abandoned all their works, and retreated with the utmost pre- cipitation by dillerent routes. Colonel Scott and his \\ii\\\ troops followed closely in their rear, when he was recalled by general Boyd. Lieutenant Riddle, with his party, not receiv- ing the order, pursued the enemy almost to Quecnstown, and picked up a number of stragglers. The light troops took pos- session of Fort George ; captains Hindman and Stockton en- tering first, and extinguishing the fire intended to explode the magazine. The former withdrew a match at the imminent haz- ard of his life. General Boyd and colonel Scott mounted the parapet for the purpose of cutting away the staff; but Hind- man succeeded in taking the flag, which he forwarded to gene- ral Dearborne. The American ensign was then immediately ■w*-, 1^ HISTORY OF THI-: VVAIl. Iir, 'I'likingor FnrtNOonrKn nn(!, lonncd the Urst Mild A!l)nny vuhm. il th(> slion* imiiicdi. •al Winder rollowcil, s closely .succeeded The wind suddciiK •in<^ a c()iisi(ler;i|i||, . Oneida could in,: adcs had advanccil; ider captain Hiiiitli, ion Imd boon com. fivo hundred men, lore, to an incessant uidrcd r(\ii;ulars, st,t. iiiposed ol' the (lowir md briskly nMuriicil r the shore, a siir. ts(>ir both anioiiiisi ig into th(» lake, ami icconiplished yoiinj: on the enemy's tor- I on th(! beach, than lispers(!d the eiuim ids for shelter, any rst were brisklv as. rps and the first bri- ked the latter. The which made but r, itteries on the A mo- 'ort George haviiii.' o their magazines, h the utmost pre- cott and his li^'lii le was recalled by party, not recciv- o Quecnstown, and ht troops took pos- and Stockton en- ded to explode the tbe imminent liaz- Scott mounted flie e staff; but Hind- forwarded to gene. then immediately |)oisted ; and the troopM ordered in and quartered. At twcdvo ©VIock the whole of the; Hritish I'ortilicalioiis on IIuh shon;, from l''ort (ieorge to Fort lOric; iixdusive, wen; in tlu^ rpiiet 'poss(\ssion of the A»nericans. TIh* enemy had mi>V(}d olf with iucli rapidity, that in a short time nothing mon; of them was =|o be s(!en ; and oin- troops, having been eleven hours imder mrnis, wer<' too much liiligued to pursiu! them far. The loss of the ilritish in this alliiir, considering the tinw; during which |he contest lasted, was v«'ry cousiderabl;!. 'I'here were one liundred and eight killed, and oik; iiimdred and sixty woimded, Ivho Ic'll into our hands: b(!sides which, onr; hundred and filbuMi regulars, and liv(! hiuidred militia, werh. |i(H«mI ; lull li(' rclMscd In viclil (ln< citimnnii'l o\' lln' rvpcdiiinn tnitl isMH'd hiM niilrlN IVoiii his Ik'iI. I .iriilciiMiil I'riiv \\;is «li's|»;ilfh(Ml, (Iii< diiy n\]v\- llic li!illli',i„ ni.'itdv Ktx'K, will) lilly ni«'ii, llir lli<< |)in-|)os(< ol* Inluii'r livr vis. sch lo I'iiic MS soon MS possililo, mihI mIso of j»rr|)Miiiii; i||, S(|IIMtll'OM Ml tllMl piMt'C, tt> i>OinilU opiMMlioUM, ill ('0|||Ullrt|i,| wilh P'HoimI llMiris«)ii, l»y the ir)llior .liiiio. A l("\\ (Imvs MllorwMi'ds, il WMs nsrcrlMiiiod iIimI IIic cncinv, nndor i',tM»(M'Ml Niiu-oiii, liMd rclirod lo ilic llcMVor hMins, mm lonniMl M jiiiK lion with llio ('oimimmiuI ol' lifMitoiiMiit-rnlniiii Hisliop iVoiM I'orl Miii> Mild ('liippcwM. Tlio dMV mDci tin WMs cIlt'iMod, llu> Hritisli i.n>ii(M'Ml rclroMlod luislily !•> lli<< ii|>|iir (Mid of IimKo ('iilMrio. Mild lo(d\ m posilioii on (lio lioisdilM !il ili< h(>M(l iA' niirliii;!,loii IImv. Mis liufc, il wms .supposed, did iii,i (^xrcod M llioiisMiid Mioii. (IcuorMi W iiidcr, mI his rcipicsl, wik tlolMtdird, Ity lli(' »'<>inmMiid('r-iii-(diit'r, in piirsiiil, willi \\u briuMdi>. llMviii;.!; rrMtdicd Twriily Mile crccU, on llio sccdinl dMv's niMndi, the i;(Mi(>rMl lofcivrd inlorniMlion, iIimI flic ciicnn liMd Ix^t-n riMnlorrod h\ sonci'mI liuiidrcd men littin Kin<.',sl(i|i; lliMl Ills lori'(% l)(\sid(>s liidiMiis, Mnd m lew inililiM, iin"|i' Minouiit fo linden hmidrrd mm : lie, in conscipicnco, llioiii^li; il prudcnl lo dcspMlcli mh ollircr lo (umum'mI hrMi'honio litr im Mddiliona! lori'e ; lli.il iiiidcM' liis ('t)inniMnd not cxcccdin}^ IwcK liundrcd inllintry, (exclusive ol' iUo drM^oons nndcr colDini Hums, Mild Tow son's Mrlillory. Il<' novcrllirloss continued Iik lUMi'i'li lo l"\n'ly MilcM'reck, wliere, seleclin!^ m i^cxul position, In propos(Hl to wait lor tlie ('xpivMiul rcMnlorcement. 'I'liis, Cdii. sistin^ oi" CliMudler's l)riii;Mde, in a short time arrived, .allcr:! rapid march ; wIkmi jxenoral (Miandlor, hcint!; tlio senior olliccr, assumed tlu^ command. On the s;imc day, \\\o uihUmI (ori'(< proc(>C(le(l to u riviild called !St(Uiy Creek, wjkmc* th(\v (Micamped, haviiii^ in lln course of tlu^ alternoon skirmisiuMl with, and driven hack llii' ndvanc(> parti(\s o{' the cnciny\ In order to socnrc tiie hnjiif.i!,'! o( \ho army, whii'h had heen eonveycMl in haltc^aux aloii:: th.e lake shon\ colonels Christie and I'oerstler, with thin ri's'pective reiiiments, the Thirteenth and F(Hirteenth, wciv delached, to take a position at tlu^ distance of tw^o miles iVoiii the main hody, on the neck ot' land whicli divides th(^ l;iko iVom HurlinjTton Hay, and on the road I'rom Fort (leoriio to York and Kinij;st(Mi. The distance of the main hody ol' the British was ahout eijjjht miles. The ground occupied hy general Ciiandler was a high b.'tiik on iStony Creek ; on the opposite side of the stream there m'Jis a small meadow, and the bank was much lower. He halted ini- IIIS'I'OIIV nl' 'rill': WAU. 117 (I 111' IIh' r\|»nliliii|| y nlli'i- flic liMllli-,1,, I' i>r liikiii;!; Iivr« \,,. so of |ti'r|iiirili(; III, ■ liniis, in <'(tii|iiiii'iii,| imI tlliit llli> rnciiiv, McMVcr I >nnis, an,; r |jrlil(n the lirinJilM ill III, s NUp|ios(d(Ml to il riviilii 'd, linvinii; in lln 11(1 driven hack lln secure I lie l)aanx aloii:; xn'sller, with their lAMirt(!onth, were of two miles iVoni li divides the iako ini JAirt (ieor Until lat(! in tin; evc^ninii;, the soldiers of the Twenty-fifth harl |t)ccu[)ied tho rnriaflow ^rounfl on the; o[)pfjsitf! sidr; of the creek, ,wlier(; tlicy had kindled fires for the [)urpoKe of cooking; hut towards inidnif^ht they wc^rf; withdrawn to the position fissi^^ned jthcrn on tla; brow of tho hij^ii hank. I'his |)recaution had well |ligh proved fnntless, from tho nrsglifrence and misconduct of fhe main <;uard. Several of the sentinels in advancf; were si- lently bayoneted by the enemy, who, unmr)lf!sted, pus[if:d a co- lumn of seven or eight hundr(;d men past the chapel : our guard inust have been buried in sl(!f;f», sincr; not a shot was fired. f)n apijroaching the fires made by the Twenty-fifth, and wliich liad not yet been extinguished, the enemy raised a tremendous Indian yell, expecting no doubt to bayonet the Americans, grhom they supposed to be asleep a few paces from them, his yell was most fortunate for the Americans, who were fl '^' iT- IIH UKACKKNlillXilO'H :.^i. r ! n k ■ ■} i II .11 i; nmili! iif Hlniiy (Vcok CiiptiiM (if (ji'iicrnlH ('liaiiillcr uml Wimkr iiislimlly roused on llio ouposilc liank. 'I'lio 'I^V(>p.fy•^lli!| Imil liiiii on tlicir anus, iiiul iiistaiilly roMiiiXMiccii a heavy lin on till" llrifisli, who were rcvcialed hy llio lircs \vhi<'h had d,, hi(l<<(l thcin. Ci(>tii>ral Winder, who eoinMiand<>d the troops n;, the lell of th(^ road, suecv .-ded in a lew moments in stalionii,. th(^ f^reater part oC them on tlu; vih^^r. of lh(^ (•re(d{, \^^ the? Ii; ill' the artillery, and joined his fire with that of the 'rw(nt\, tilth, wliieh was hy this time n^tnrned hy the enemy, tli(ii|H' >\ilh little elU'ct. In twenty mimites the lirini; on the parti,, the llrilish e<>ased ; and as they had li(>eome invisihle aller piisv inii tjie tires, theni^hl heinif excessively dark, it was un( eri.ii; wiu'ther they had retired, or meant, under cover of tho diiii. ness, to cltarj;-e with the hayonet. The lirini,' on the partofili, Americans was ordered to cease; and arranj^'cments were raiiiii. ly made to r(>])(d an attacdv. At this moment som(> shots in ili. rear ot' the arniy induced the ii;eneral, who was appreheiisi,, that an attempt mi^dit also he madiMU that (juart(M', to onli; one of the rc'iiiments to faco ahout, and tjdv(^ su(di a jHtsitJon, as would enahle hin) to met^t it, whetiu;r made; on ilank or rear, Whilst ireiieral Chandler was direiMinii; thes(» movements on tl; riiihf, his horse tell under iiim. y\ller recovering; sonu'wli;,' iVom the fall, whi(di iiad slunui^d him, h(^ attcnnpted to \\;ils tt)wards tlu^ centre, near the artiII;eueral CluuuUer, being surrounded by then), was tak(Mi prisoncM". CJeneral \Vindm% in returning from maintaininijj tlic dispo^i- tions on the lell, mc^t with a j)art of the Sixteenth, which liaii eitlun* nevcn* nviched its position, or had fallen back, and wa< posting it to protect the artillery, wlien, discovering some cw i'usion there, ho rushed forward to ascertain the cause, and \va? made prisoner in attempting to turn back what ho supposed to be the American artillerists. The British finding two piecoi limbered, drove them oil*, overturned one or two more, anil then retreated Mith iirecijjitation and disorder. Before clear diiy- light tliev liad covered themselves from tho view of theAnK'i'i- cans by a wood. General Vincent, tlie British commander, was thrown from his liorsc, and did not rejoin his troops until even- ing, almost exhausted with fatigue. Several gallant efforts were made by the American troops, to recover the artillerV' Lieutenant W. M^Donough prevented the capture of one m IIISTOUV OF Till-: WAIJ. 110 hniiillfr mill Wiiiikr. 'I'liii 'I\vn',ly.(ltii iirnccd a lu'iivy lu lircs wliicli liiid (I,, iiidcd the troops III) uciits ill stMtiniiii lie (Trek, fo flic I, lial ol* llio 'r\\iiii\, lliii ciiciny, IIkmi. iriiii^ oil I he part i. • iiivi.sil»l(!Mll»'r piu. I'k, it was iinccrl.i!: • cover of tli(> (l;ir', 111^ on I he part oi'ili, ^fcinciits \\'i'V(\ nijiiii. nt, sdino shots iiiilii o was Mi)pr('li('nsi\, lat (|uarl('r, to (inlc kc siicli a jtosilinii iclo on Hank or ica:, «) movements on til jcovcrin^u; soiucwh: \ att(!inpt(>(l to \v;i! i\> lu> and lijciioii (' and (U)innumic;i' \c, Ca von rod iiy iL iscd l)y tho sniulii, , and niin covering some cor^ the cause, and wa> vliat. 1)0 supposed tc /hiding two piecci two more, anil thcr. Before clear (lay- view of the Anicri' sh commnnder, was is troops until cveii- ral gallant effort ;ovcr the artillerj' e capture of one Hnttlii of Htotiy Crnrk. hur.r, nnd lioutonant M'Chcsiioy another; lh«'S(? oflicers, nn V'cll as colonel l^nni nnd colonel ^tiltoll, and captains llind- pian, Arut colonel Ihirn, who now commanded, aft(;r consultation with the ollicers, judged it most |)rudent to fall back on Forty Mile treek. lien; he was joined by colonel Miller's regiment, iUvh'u'U had been s<'nt to guard the bfiats ; and geiKirals Lcnvis (ind l?oyd: tho former of whom now assumed the conmiruid. * Tbolh-itish claimed in this allair a splendid vi.-fory. 'riie Accidental capture of the American generals would se(;m to give tthe app(!arancc of one; but in the action they were certainly aten with great loss. Their object, howev(.'r, was ellected by tin; attack, thougii not to the extent which they had ex- piicAvA. * A /lag having been sent into our camp und(;r pretence of Dbtaining information of the killed and wounded, and permission to bury the dead, but in rc;ality to procure information ; general inc(Mit immediately despatchiid a messenger to sir James Yeo, dvising him of tlu; position of th<^ y\m(!ricans. On tbt; Hth, sir fames, with his s(piadron, appeared abreast of the exicampm(;nt, 4nd within a mile of tho shore, fie att(;m])tf!d to destroy tho i^oats, and warped in u large scliooncr for tlie purpose; but Captains Archer nnd Towson, hastily constructing a furnfice, Opened a /ire with hot shot, which compelled him to haul ibff. A party of Indians now appeared upon the brow of the fnountain, but were soon dislodged by lieutenant l^ldridge, who ;ained the summit with a few volunteers, in advance of the letachment which was ordered for the purpose. Sir .Tames emandcd a surrender, with the usual story of Indians in tho fear, a /loot in front, and regulars on the /lanks ; but this artifice pad grown stale, and could be played off no longer. Orders laving been received from General Dearbornc, for the army to leturn to Fort George, the greater part of the camp equipage ind baggage were put in boats. These were intercepted by an ':*« 120 BRACKEN RIDGE'S nritish attack Snckotl's Harbour, iiiHii -I '1 ; ! "I it', ..''i :il';ii' +5 1 ■ 1::^ (■' ■# fri ^ i^^l ? armed schooner of the enemy, and twelve of tliem taken. Tlie army broke up its encampment about ten o'clock, and took u;, its march for Fort George, harassed nearly tlie whole way Lv Indians, who hung upon its flank. The movements of general Dearborne against the Briiisi. fortifications on the Niagara, had well nigh cost him dear. The British, having obtained information of it, resolved to seizt the opportunity of the absence of .. 'r troops and fleet, to a;. tack Sackett's Harbour. They well knew the importance !j us of this place. It was the depository of all our naval and rniii tary stores; both those captured at York, and those which ha; been collecting for a year with a view to the operations againv; Canada. Its convenient locality haa caused it to be selected a^ the place at which to fit out our navies of the lake ; and gre;;; quantities of timber and other materials were here collected li- the construction of vessels. The new ship, the General Pike, was on the stocks, nearly ready to be launched, and the prize, the Gloucester, lay in the harbour. No time was lost in carrying into effect this important enterprise. Sir Gcoriif Prevost selected a thousand of his best men, and embarked their. on board the fleet under commodore James Yeo. Scarcely ha: commodore Chauncey arrived at Niagara, when sir Jame< showed himself ofT the harbour, with the Wolf, the Roya George, the Prince Regent, the Earl Moira, and some smaller vessels. The small vessels under lieutenant Chauncey, placw to give notice of the enemy's approach, espied the squadron, on the 27th, and hastened to the harbour, firing guns of alarm, This was immediately followed by the alarm guns on the shore, to bring in the militia, and to give notice to such r-gy. lars as might be near enough to hear them. Lieutenant-coloiiei Backus, of the dragoons, had been lefl in command of \h place ; but in case of attack, general Brown, then at his resi- dence, eight miles off, was requested to take the command, although his brigade of militia had retired to their homes, their term of service having expired. The whole of our regiila: force consisted of a few seamen, lieutenant Fanning's artillery, and about two hundred invalids, not exceeding in the whole iivi' liundred men ; and colonel Mills's Albany volunteers and sonic militia, amounting to about five hundred more. On the 26tli, the enemy was seen at the distance of about five miles, anil seemed to be standing for the harbour, when a fleet of Ameri- can barges was discovered coming round North Point, with troops from Oswego. Their attention was now occupied by these, and they succeeded in cutting off twelve of them ; and taking it for granted that there were many more, they stood oil ^.AtW HISTORY OF THE WAR. 121 ir. of tlicm taken. Tlie a'clock, and took \i; [y tlie whole way L, against the Britiji, British attack Sackett's Harbour— repulsed by General Drown. fiigh cost him dear. f it, resolved to seizt ops and fleet, to a;. !W the importance to 11 our naval and iniii ■ind those whicii hu ic operations n gains ed it to be selected a; the lake ; and greai sre here collected k ip, the General Pike, iched, and the prize. time was lost in jrprise. Sir George , and embarked thci: 1 Yeo. Scarcely ha: ra, when sir Jamc; he Wolf, the Royi 1, and some smallei nt Chauncey, placcc espied the squadrcm, firing guns of alarm. alarm guns on tlie lotice to such rigu- Lieutenant-coloiiei in command of the vn, then at his resi- take the command to their homes, their /hole of our regular ; Fanning's artillerv, ling in the whole five volunteers and some nore. On the 26tli, )out five miles, ami en a fleet of Amen- [ North Point, witt s now occupied by velve of them ; and more, they stood oti $\ the day, with a view of intercepting them. In the mean- #hilc general Brown was diligently occupied in arrangements ir the defence of the place, in making which he discovered Juch judgment. But a small part of the ground adjacent to ike village was cleared, the rest being surrounded by woods. It the only point of landing, a battery and breast-work were {istily constructed, and the militia placed behind them ready |t> receive the enemy as they landed, and to open a fire upon iem in conjunction with the artillery. The regular troops, and 16 light artillery, were stationed in a second line, rearer the irracks and public buildings. On the approach of the ene- jhy's boats, which "/ere commanded by Sir George Prevo-^t in jferson, a well directed fire, which had been reserved unti' tnen, ^iDmpellcd them to pause; and several officers and men were seen H fall. Encouraged by this fire, our militia were engaged in leading a second time, with the artillery to sustain them ; when Sddenly they were seized by some unaccountable panic ; a panic which corps composed of the bravest men individually are Ha- lle on being engaged for the first time ; and fled in confusion. Ifheir officers in vain attempted to rally them ; and their brav« 7 "j ibperior in force, and every moment gaining ground, he re 'I't- tri to a ruse de guerre : a considerable part of the militia, now Iphamed of their panic, having collected near the scene of ac- tm, he instantly formed them, and marched them silently rough the woods, so as to be discovered by the enemy. On his roar vvas about to ii' :„^ *u lllUl .irhich, sir George Pre vest, b( |e cut off", ordered a retreat, which became a precipitate flight tta tfie boats, and left all his wounded and a number of prisoners I The resistance at the barracks had been exceedingly obsti- iate : a destructive fire was poured from the buildings, whiVr* L 122 BUACKENRIDGE'S British attack Sackctt's Harbour— repulsed by General Brown. t;. 1 11 M :i I H ^ lieutenant Fanning, though severely wounded, still directed oni; not less so from his piece of artillery. Captain Gray, a valua. ble British officer, and an accomplished gentleman, was shot 1/, a small boy, a drunnncr, who snatched up a musket and firci at him, as he was advancing at the head of a column, to stom, one of the barracks. Tiiis boy, who was an American, ha served him in his kitchen, and on the war breaking out, hac returned home : he now approached his former master wliilt; in his last agonies, and owned that he had shot him. Captai:. Gray generously forgave him, and with a nobleness of soul c: which there are but too Cew examples, took out his watci. and presented it to him with these words, " My brave little lei. low, you have done well." It is delightful to read such trail; even in an enemy : whether the boy deserved this encomim:, is a matter to be settled by casuists. During the battle, information having been communicated : lieutenant Chauncey, that our troops had been defeated, he im. mediately, according to orders previously received, set fire lo the public store houses ; and the fire was not extinguished up. til considerable damage had been done. The loss of the Anip. ricans in this affair was, one colonel of volunteers, twenty rcgii. lars, and one volunteer, killed ; one lieutenant-colonel, tlmv lieutenants and one ensign, and seventy-nine men, non-commiv sioned officers and privates, of the regulars, wounded ; and twcn. ty-six missing. The loss of the enemy amounted to three fielc officers, two captains, and twenty rank and file, found dead iipor. the ground ; two captains, and twenty ranlc and file, wounded: besides those killed and wounded in the boats, and carried away previous to the retreat. On the same evening, lieutenant-colo- nel Tuttle arrived, after a forced march of forty miles, witli about six hundred men ; and other reinforcements were rapidly coming in from every quarter. Notwithstanding this, a modest demand to surrender wai made by sir George Prevost, which he soon after as modestly changed into a request that the killed and wounded in our hands should be respectfully attended to ; in ans'ver to which he received satisfactory assurances. On his return to Kingston, he issued a vaunting proclamation, in which he announced a splendid victory, which no one believed. The injury inflicted on us was certainly considerable, but fell far short of the object of this expedition ; and that the enemy was compelled precipi- tately to retreat, he could not pretend to deny. General Brown received and deserved applause for his conduct on this occasion: he here laid the groundwork of his military celebrity. Shortly after this affair, commodore Chauncey returned with HISTORY OF THE WAR. 123 ! General Brown. Resignation of Dearborne . • Town of SoduB attacked . . Afftiir at Beaver Dams. ded, still directed on^ iptain Gray, a valua. ntleman, was shot k p a musket and firti; Df a column, to storn IS an American, ha. 'ar breaking out, hai. former master whilf; d shot him. Captaii I nobleness of soul c; , took out his watc!. " My brave little fci. ill to read such trah ervcd this encomina )een communicated i: been defeated, he im. f received, set lire ;, not extinguished iin. The loss of the Anip. luntec'rs, twenty rcgii' utenant-colonel, tine- ine men, non-comm!>. , wounded ; and twcn^ nounted to three fielc fde, found dead iipoc I and file, wounded: ats, and carried away ning, lieutenant-colo. of forty miles, with ".ements were rapidly id to surrender was on after as modestly vounded in our hands ms'ver to which he return to Kingston, ich he announced a The injury inflicted ir short of the object compelled precipi- !ny. General Brown uct on this occasion: y celebrity, uncey returned with lis squadron ; and general Lewis, taking command of the place set about repairing the buildings and public store houses; iWhile general Dearborne, whose increasing indisposition dis- "'jualified him for active command, retired from service, leaving :olonel Boyd in command of Fort George. On the 16th of June, lieutenant Chauncey, who had been )rdercd to cruise off Presque Isle with the Lady of the Lake, ;aptured the Lady Murray, with some officers and privates, be- jides a quantity of military stores. About the same time, a devastating and plundering party )f the British made an attack on the village of Sodus, where ^ome public stores were deposited. On their approach, these ^ere concealed in the woods, until the militia could be assembled defend them. The British, exasperated at their disappoi.it- lent, set fire to all the valuable buildings in the town, destroyed Hhe private property of individuals, and wc^e only induced to lesist from the entire destruction of the place, on the stipula- iion of the inhabitants to deliver the public stores at the wharf. 'iThe militia soon after appearing, the Britsh were compelled %o decamp with the booty they had already collected. They lotiade a second attempt a few days afterwards, but were pre- ■%ented from landing by the appearance of the militia. This hiarauding expedition had no pretext of retaliation to cover it. Shortly after, an aflair of some moment took place at Beaver Dams, in which our arms again experienced a severe reverse. A detachment of our troops had been ordered out for the purpose ^i dislodging the enemy at La Goose's house, about seventeen -%niles from Fort George, where they had been stationed for some ^me, in the neighbourhood of two other parties of them still lore formidable, but which were both nearer to Fort George. iieutenant-colonel Boerstler was selected to command it. The jxpcdition had no rational object, was dangerous, and ill-judged. '^he Americans had not proceeded more than half way, when Indians were Gcen skulking across the wood in their rear : a .;|;amp of several hundred of those lay between them and the point %> which they were going. The Indians now made an attack *|rom the adjoining woods ; and although at last compelled to fly, '%ey kept up the fight long enough for the British parties to come tip to their assistance on all sides. Colonel Boerstler made a l>rave resistance, which he continued until his ammunition was Jftearly expended, and a third of his detachment placed hors dc %omhat. His rear was assailed by a large body of British and Indians ; and no way of retreat remaining but by cutting his way ^^rough the enemy, he proposed a charge upon them. He had leen twice summoned to surrender ; and on consultation with ■^' *^%- 124 DRACKENRIDGE'S •4 ■'"J- ■ I •• n'i ';'! M 1 Lieutennnt Eldridi^e ■ ■ Indiana tnkcn into the Service ■ ■ Britinh attack Blark Roc^ his officers, it was agreed to capitulate under stipulations sitnila: to those made hy general Winchester, and which were but litt;, better respected. A Cew days aflcr this, the British, having been greatly rcir, forced by general Dc Kottenburgh, invested the America: camp ; general Vincent was stationed at BurUngton hcigiiH and De Rottenburgh at Ten Mile creek. The New York volunteers were detained at the head of tl;. lake, contrary to their parol, and on the 12th were ordered t Kingston ; but on the way, a number effected their escape. During the remainder of this and the succeeding months, war of posts was kept up between the two armies. On \[. 8th of July, a severe skirmish was brought on, in which near! the whole force on each side was engaged, without any thir;. of moment resulting from it. An incident, however, occurre. which exasperated the Americans to a greater degree than an thing which had transpired during the war in this quarte: Lieutenant Eldridge, a gallant and accomplished youth, uit: about forty mcr was drawn by his impetuosity too far, and \vt surrounded by British and Indians. The greater part resis!e; until they were killed ; but lieutenant Eldridge, and ten other: were taken prisoners, and never afterwards heard of. The k dies of the slain were treated in the most shocking manner byth Indians ; their heads were split open, and their hearts torn out, I; those monsters, the allies of a Christian king ! General Boyc considering the forbearance hitherto practised in declining l\- aid of Indian allies as no longer justifiable, and by way ofpR venting a recurrence of these barbarities of the British Indian; accepted the services of four hundred warriors of the Scncc: nation, under Young Cornplanter, or Henry O'Beal, an Indiar. educated at one of our colleges, but who, on his return, ha: resumed the blanket. It was, however, positively stipulatec that the unresisting and defenceless should not be hurt, an. that no scalps should be taken ; a stipulation which was abide by during the whole war. On the 11th of July, a force of two hundred of the encni crossed the Niagara, and attacked Black Rock ; the militia sta tioned there at first fled, but soon returiiing, with a reinforce ment of regulars and Indians, compelled them to fly to tlici: boats, with the loss of nine of their men killed, and their con; mander, colonel Bishop, mortally wounded. On the 28th of July, a second expedition was undcrtake: against York, which had been re-captured by the enemy afte: the battle of Stony Point. Three hundred men, under colont Scott, embarked in commodore Chauncey's fleet, and suddenl; HISTORY OF TIIH WAR. 125 Iriliah nltnck Black Roe^ stipulations simila. vhich wore but litt!- ; been greatly rcir,. stcd the America: Burlington hciglni at the head of ik 2th were ordered t ed their escape. cceeding months, ; o armies. On tl on, in which ncarr , without any thin. however, occurrei ,ter degree than an ^ar in this quarte; iplished youth, uit: sity too far, and \vt greater part rcsiste dge, and ten other; heard of. The k :king manner by ti ir hearts torn out, l ng ! General Boyc sed in declininij tir and by way of pre the British Indian; :iors of the Scncc r O'Beal, an Indiai on his return, ha: )Ositively stipulatcc d not be hurt, an, [1 which was abide dred of the enciii 3ck ; the militia sta g, with a reinforc(' hem to fly to thei: led, and their con: on was undertake: 3y the enemy alte: men, under coloiif fleet, and suddenly Second taking of York . •■ • British devastate the Borders of Lake Champlain. landing at that place, destroyed the public stores and property, ireleased a number of colonel Boerstlcr's men, and returned 'to Sackett's Harbour, with a trifling loss. ^ The British, who were at this time pursuing a system of devastation along our seaboard, which will be recounted in the tiext chapter, were at the same time engaged in laying waste the country on the borders of Lake Champlain. A small navy- had been set on foot by both sides, on this lake, in the begin- ning of the year ; but that of the United States was thus far less prosperous than that of the enemy. The whole American force, on this lake, consisted of a few armed barges, some gun Iwats, and two schooners, the Growler and Eagle, under lieu- tenant Sydney Smith. In the beginning of July, the schooners Vero attacked near the entrance of this lake into the St. Law- lence, and after a severe resistance of three hours, against a iery superior force, were compelled to surrender. The Briti. !>, |)eing now masters of the lake, cruised along its borders, land- fcg in various places, and committing many depredations on tfie property of the inhabitants. On the 31st of July, twelve iundred men landed at Plattsburgh, where no resistance was Ifiade, a sufficient body of militia not being collected in time ; iliey first destroyed all the public buildings, and then wantonly burnt the store houses of several of the inhabitants, and carried <>fr great quantities of private property. The same outrages ^ere committed afterwards at Svvanton, in the state of Vermont. These acts served only to provoke the inhabitants, and render lem better disposed to give the enemy a warm reception at Ibme other period. On Lake Ontario, a naval armament which might be termed irmidable for this inland sea, was arrayed on either side ; and an iteresting contest ensued, between two skilful officers, for the Superiority. The General Pike, of twenty-two guns, having jbeen launched, and proving to be an excellent sailer, commodore Chauncey was now fully equal, in point of strength, to his anta- )nist. Sir James Yeo, though somewhat inferior in force, id the advantage in an important particular : his ships sailed Btter in squadron, and he could therefore avoid or come to engagement as he thought proper. It being a matter all important to the British, to prevent the Americans from be- coming masters of the lake, sir James prudently avoided a general action ; while, on the other hand, to bring him to ac- tion, was the great object of commodore Chauncey. On the 7th of August, the two fleets came in sight of each other. Commodore Chauncey manoeuvred to gain the wind. Having pssed to the leeward of the enemy's line, and being abreast of 120 HKACKllNlillMllO'S CniiBo nrCuiniiuMloro Chnmicoy on Jinko Untnriu. liis van ship, Iho Wolf, ho firnd a fnw p;nna to nscortain whetlFf ho couM n;aoh tho hostile^ Hoot. 'V\v) sliot falling sliorl, jic woro, and lumlod u\nn\ a wind to the; starboard tjiok ; the rcfi- of his sciioonors boing six niilos aslorn. Sir Janios Wdr also, antl liaidod npon a wind on tho same tack; but olism ing that tlio Aniorioan floot wonld bo ablo to woathor him i lh(^ n(\\t taok, ho tack(>(i again, and niado all sail to tho iion!. ward. Coinniodoro (-Imnncoy ])nrHnod him. Ho oonliiim the chase nntil night ; but tho schooners not being ablo to lui up, a signal was made to relinquish the pursuit, and lo forr in close order. The wind now bhnv heavily; and at midni|,'lii two of tho schooners, the Scourge and the Hamilton, wir found lo have overset in tho squall. liieutenants Wint(;r im; Osgood, two valuable olTicers, were lost, and ordy sixteen nir; oftlie crows saved. The next morning, the enemy, discovcrio. this misfortune, and having now the superiority, manifijstnli disj)osition to engage tho AnuMMcans, and bore up for tho pn;. pose. Two schooners were ordered to (mgago him ; but win; they were within a mile and a half of him, ho attemptoti Utn: them otr. Failing in this, he hauled his wind, and hove to. \ squall coming on, commodore Chauncey was fearful of Lciii, separated from his dull sailing schooners, and ran in toward Niagara and anchored. Here he received on board, from IV (leorg(^, one hundred and fifty men to act as marines, and di- Iributod them through his fleet. On the morning of the; !Jtr he again sailed. At eleven o'clock, after much manoDuvriii'^fi; both sides, the rear of the enemy's line opened its fire; an; in filleen minutes tho action became general on both sides. .1 half past eleven, the American weather line bore up, and pnssi to the leeward, the Growler and .Tulia excepted, wliich so- afler tacking to tho southward, brought the British betwcc: them and the remainder of the American fleet. Sir Jaincv afler exchanging a few shot with tlie American comniodoif: ship, pursued the Growler and Julia. A firing comni(!icc. between them, which continued until one o'clock in tho moii ing of the 10th; when, afler a desperate resistance, the (« schooners were compelled to yield. The fleets had lost siiij of each other in the night ; but as sir James on the next dav when they were again visible, showed no disposition to rciie» the action, commodore Chauncey returned to Sackett's Ifai hour. A victory for this affair was claimed by the British com mander. IIISTOKV OF Till-: VVAIl. 127 (o Ontiiriu. ^ to nscrrtain whdlKr hot railing short, k board tju*lc ; tlic nn; •11. Sir Jamos wnn. ric tack ; but obsorv. lie to weather liiiii ir, ^ all sail to the iiort!;, him. He eouliniK lot being able to hr pursuit, and to forn ^ily; and at midni^hl, the Hanailton, wca untenants Wint(;r nii: and ordy sixtetin nin, ic enemy, discovciin; ;riority, manilestod a 1 bon; up for the piir. igage him ; but wiiu II, he attempted tuni kvind, and hove to. \ was fearful of liciii- , and ran in towarJi 1 on board, from IV as marines, and dt morning of iho. \}\[ Tiuch manoDuvringo: opened its fire; an: ral on both sides. .1 le bore up, and passK excepted, wliich soo; the British betwra in fleet. Sir JaiiiC) ncrican comniodoie: A firing comnionco:. o'clock in the inori. te resistance, the t«; fleets had lost si;:':^ nes on the next il;iv disposition to reik' ed to Sackett's llai d by the British colli >-- War oM tho Connt. CMAPTKIl IX. jWiir nn tlio ConHl— Hrilisli nttnrk Lf;wif»t()vvii— Ouii rioiitH n'tfirk somo IJriliHli IcisriH of Wnr -KxplMJiH of (Ntrklmrn- Allnck on F'r.-'iirhtowii^ riiindfriin? nnrl kiriiiiii; of Iliivri! dc? <# racn— of (irorKctowii mid Frcdrriiktowii- Arrival of Adirii- II Warrf'n anil 8ir Hydncy lierkwith— Hi)iiUi<>rn Citins tlir(;nt«;nod— Attnck on ^ancy Island— gallantly rcpulHcd— Hamilton aHHaiiitcd and iiliindrTtid -('.tiorinitieu fmniilti.'d tliort!— (Jorn.'Hp()nd(Wi(|)osit for the lines of transporlatu; between the cities of Philadelphia and lialtirnure ; and Cod burn rightly conjectured that here there might be j)rivat(3 pro. perty to a consid(»ral)le amount. lie accordingly set out on tli. expedition, from his ship the Marlhorough, in barges, wilji ti\ hundred marines; a number sulhcient to have carried the tow: on their backs. Some show of -esistance was made by a siim party of militia collected from KIkton, which retired as ti. admiral apjjroached. The store houses were destroyed ; ti> gether with such goods as could not be carried off, to an innncnv amount. Amongst other objects of wanton destruction, was a: olegant drop-curtain, belonging to the theatres of tlu; citii* bei'orc mentioned. The brand was applied to .some of tlio pr vatc dwelling-houses, and to several vessels lying at the wliaii aller which, tho British, fearing the approach of the niililK hastily returned to their shij)ping. The next exploit of the admiral was of still greater iinpor: ance. The town of Havre de Grace is situated on the k^n; cpiehanna, about two miles from the head of the bay, and is: neat village, containing twenty or thirty houses. An attack w this place was the next object in the plan of his operatioiK Accordingly, on the 3d of May, before daylight, his approar; was announced by the firing of cannon and the discharireo; numerous rockets. The inhabitants, thus awakened from thcii sleep, leaped up in the greatest consternation ; and the nM courageous repaired to the beach, where a Ccw small pieces oi artillery had been \ lanted on a kind of battery, for the purpoi' of defence against the smaller watering or plundering partki of the enemy. Alter firing a few shots on the approachiii. barges, they all, with the exception of an old citizen ol" tlic place of the name of O'Neill, fled, abandoning the village \<: the mercy of Cockburn. O'Neill alone continued to fight, load' ing a piece of artillery, and firing it himself, until, in recoiling. it rv 1 over his thigh and wounded him severely. Ho the?. armed himself with a musket, and keeping up a fire on t!i advancing column of the British, which had by this time landet and formed, limped away to join his comrades, whom ht attempted in vain to rally. '.-J, IIISTORV iW TflK WAR. 131 nitiK of Ilavro do (Iracf. eC, niij^'lit be grutiiK; li his attention to tb bay ; carefully avdii ieli ini<^l»t be atfcmi, loits was against th. lin«if-hoiiscs, tvvolari;' act; was important, n inos of transporliitio! laltimurc! ; and Cod inii^bt be private pro. rdingly set out on tlu li, in barges, witii tlv have carried the tows was made by a sina wiiicb retired as il, were di^stroyt^d ; t • ried oil", to an immciij^ jn destruction, was a: theatres of tlie (Mtifi ed to some of the pr;. An lying at the wharf prouch of the niilitis f still greater impor, situated on the ^^u: I of the bay, fii^l i;^ '- houses. An attack r; an of his operatloii> aylight, his a|)i)roaa and the dischargee: awakened from the;: lation ; and the nior; a few small pieces o; ttery, for the purpo;^ or phmdoring partie; on the ap))roachiii- an old citizen ot' tlit doning the village ! »ntinued to fight, Inafl' elf, until, in rccoiliiic. severely. He thfi ing up a fire on th- id by this time landec comrades, whom lit ^ riunduring and Uuriiing uniavro du Grace. No sooner had the enemy taken possession of tho village by lis sudden and bold assaidt, than thisy set themselves about isiroying the |)rivatc dwellings, and j)lundering llu;ir contents, laving glutted their avarice, they then annis(Ml themselves with ^ery species of barbarous and wanton mischief. The houses >ing now on fire, they cut (^pen the beds of tho inhabitants, id threw in tlu; feathers to increase the flame. VVf>men and ^ildrcn (lt;d shrieking in every dinsction, to avoid lh(5 brutal solcncc of the Hritish seam(;n and marines, and no where did jy lind a prot(!ctor amongst th(!se savages. Tlu'ir clothes jre torn from their bi^ks, and they felt th(>mselves at every mil lit in danger of being massacred. Not on wonu n and lildnn al, a ncjat and beaulifid gilding, dedicated to the worship of th(! Almighty, and took unu- d i»ains to deface its doors and windows. One building yet mined undemolislKid, an elegant dwelling Ixdonging to com- )dor(; Rodgers. Here the most resp(!ctable fi;males of tho tOiwn had taken refuge with th(Mr children ; belit^ving that a aaval oiriC(n' would not wantonly insult the unprotected wife of a brav(! and gallant seaman, who was then absent in the servic^c of his country. The odicer to wliom the task of conflagration had been assigned, already held the torch, when by much soli- citation ho was induced to wait a few moments, until an ap- peal to the admiral could be made. It proved successful ; and l|.i3 nu^ntioned to his praise, that he refrained on one occasion Q0y from that the doing of which would have been the climax of MUtality. No fin-thcr mischief remaining to be perpetrated il|the village, the enemy divided their force into three bodies , aid while one remained to keep watch, tho others proceeded tq^lay waste the adjacent country. One party pursued the B0ilte towards Baltimore for several miles, plundering the farm- Im|iscs, and robbing the travellers on the road of their clothes aig^ money ; tho other marched up the river, committing similar 0l|rages. It were endless to enumerate tho acts of cruel and wanton injury, inflicted by this party, during the short time wWch they remained. On the Gth, to the great satisfaction of 4i inhabitants, these savages, than whom those of the west were not worse, returned to their fleet. The gallant O'Neill, who had been taken prisoner, was carried with them and de- tamed several days ; at the end of which time they thought pro- per to release him. The inhabitants of the village, many of I t1 1 1 133 imACKKNIUUGii'S Pluiiiiitriiiff anil lliiriiiiiir (if (>iiori[«>tiiwn nnil rrrilini ktown. whom wcro almost iiiirHMl, threw themselves on tho huniiiniir of their lellovv-eiti/enH of I^ihiinore, who eoiilrihiifed 80{r((|,', rously to tlieir reli(>f, tliaf they wcrn soon aller cnnhli^d to com. nKMH'o the rehiiildirj;^ of their houses. lOlafed with l\\i' prolitahle issin' of tliis descent, in whidi rich hooly was ohtainetl witii so htth* danger, the enemy w. eui^or for some other ('nterj)rise o(|iially honoiirahio to flic jl . tish arms. On tho river Sassafras, which empties itself intoi! buy, stood (ieor;j;etown and Fredericdctown, two heatitifiil \i!, la<^rs situated nearly opposite' to each other, one in Kent,tli(«(i||ir in Cecil county. These had attracted the* attention of tl.,; iuIh;. ml. liis hired ai^cnts, for miscreants may ho foimd in cvrr country for such |)urposes, had informed him, that then; ho mi::!' jjjlut his crew with jilunder. On tho (Ith, placinj]; himself jitt|, head of six hundred n\(;n, in oij^hfeen l)ar;^(!S, ho ascended i, rivor, and proceeded towards I''r(!(loricktown. Colonel Vcii/ had collected liere about filly militia; and, on tho approach of li bargcj, he immediately commenced a heavy fire with laniir shot and musketry. The greater part of the militia soon iV. leaving the colonel to oppos(5 the enemy as he could ; ho, notwiiL standing, kept up a steady fire, until they approached so ina that he was comj)elled to retreat. The admiral boldly advainr to the town, plundered the houses, and in spite of the entrcatih of tho women and (diildrcn, again acted the incendiary. Leav ing Frcdoricktown in flames, he passed to the opposite sidci the river, whence, after treating tho village of (Jeorgetown the same manner, he returned, glutted with spoil and satiat: with wanton havock. Not long after this, admiral Warren entered the bay, with: considerable reinforcement to l^c fleet, and a number of lac troops and marines under the co-mnand of sir Sidney Bcckwiil lie had seized some of the vessels employed in the navigalji; of the bay, with the view of using them in penetrating tliov inlets which were impervious to the larger tenders. To oppo> the small parties which he sent out, the government hired number of barges and light vessels, which, by moving fror place to place with great rapidity, tended to keep him in chert By the arrival of admiral Warren, the hostile force in \\: Chesapeake was increased to seven ships of the line, and tweh- frigates, with a proportionate number of smaller vessels. Tl;' appearance of this formidable armament created much alarm: the more considerable towns along the neighbouring coas: Baltimore, Annapolis, and Norfolk were threatened ; and soon became evident that the latter of these places was selecte to receive the first blow I rriMlrrkktown. vos on tbo hunianit; colli ril)iif('(l so ^{'tir', ullcr cnabl(!d locom. f (Icscrnt, in \\]w\\ i ui to be attributed: The conduct of lie. Shubrick, Saunde^ acknowledgements t: officers J and two net and corporal Motf. ts which they took: emy beyond mcasiir; revenge was excitec selection of the obje* ^een admiral Wane ch resulted in a dete; about eighteen nii'.c rison here, consistit infantry. The forii; lie ; and the town itse. 'tWage which had bee Hampton assaulted and plundered Enormities committed there. tillaged by Cockburn. It was thought, that by the possession of this place, the communication between Norfolk and the upper »art of Virginia would be entirely cut off. On the 2.5th, the plan attack having been adjusted, admiral Cockburn advanced Awards the town, with a number of barges, tenders and smaller 3ssels, throwing rockets, and keeping up a constant cannonade; %hile sir Sydney landed below, at the head of two thousand men, t tending to march up and gain the rear of the Americans. Ad- iral Cockburn was so warmly received by major Crutchfield, |be officer commanding at Hampton, who opened upon him a iw pieces of artillery, that he was compelled instantly to draw ick, and conceal himself behind a point. In the meanwhile, Sydney made his appearance, and was severely handled by frifle company under captain Servant, which had been posted a wood, near which he had to pass. Major Crutchfield soon ler drew up his infantry in support of the riflemen ; but find- himself unable to contend with numbers so superior, he made )d his retreat, not however without qx'zn.t difficulty. Cap- jn Pryor had been left to command the battery which opposed enemy's approach from sea. The royal marines, having ided, had advanced within sixty yards of him ; and his corps, jfnsidering their situation hopeless, already regarded them- llves as prisoners of war ; when, ordering the guns to be spiked, ^ charging upon the enemy, he threw them into such con- sion, that he actually effected his escape without the loss a single man. The loss of the Americans in this affair, lounted to seven killed and twelve wounded : that of the itish, according to their statement, was five filled and thirty- ree wounded ; but it was probably much more considerable. [Scarcely was this village in the possession of the invaders, len full permission was given to the troops to gratify their irst passions and propensities. After enacting the usual 3nes of shameless plunder and devastation, they proceeded to ler violence to the persons of those of the unfortunate inhabit- Ks, whose age, sex or infirmities had prevented them from iping. Was there no British officer who, on this occasion, for the honour of his country, and endeavoured, at the risk his life, to rescue it from indelible reproach ? It seems there not one. An old man of the name of Kirby, unable to rise ^m his bed, was set upon and murdered in the arms of his id wife, who, on daring to remonstrate, received the contents ^a pistol in her breast ! To complete this barbarous act, they itonly put to death his faithful dog ! Two sick men were irdered in the hospital ; the medical stores were destroyed ; the wounded who fell into their hands, were not only de- "A "^IPi^ -: ■^1 i30 BliACKKNUIDGE'S (joncs-iKJiulenco Ix'twvon G(!iit>ral Taylor and Bir Sydney lieckwith. nice! medical aid, but cen common sustenance. During u days, did the British tlius throw aside, not merely the cliaraci* of soldiers, but of men ; when, fearing an attack from i- neighbouring militia, they withdrew with such precipitutio;, that a considerable quantity of provisions and ammunition, a;, some of their men, were Icil behind. This picture is by no means overcharged, tt is founded; autjjentic evidence submitted to a committee of congress, fr, feelings of the people of Virginia were, if possible, more b cited by this affair, than were those of the citizens of KenUici at the massacre by Proctor. General Taylor, who commaiiii; the station, addressed a letter to sir Sydney Beckwith, coiiclv in terms of dignified, thrilling eloquence, such as the Ikliii. t)f an honourable man alone can dictate. After statini; i cjnormities of which the British had been guilty, he desird be informed of the nature of the war which they intended: carry on against the United (States ; whether the scenes cnactr at Hampton were unauthorised by the British government,. whether that power had entirely thrown aside the usa« which govern civilized nations when at variance. "Won less," said he, " is the laurel steeped in female tears, and j-i less the conquests which have inflicted needless woe on ;. peaceful and unresisting." Sir Sydney replied, that he wi sorry for the excesses at Hampton ; and hoped that, in I'litii: the war would be carried on with as much regard to human as possible. This evasive answer was not deemed satisfactor and one more explicit was required. He then declared that. excesses committed were in retaliation, for the cond'ictol'i: Americans at Craney island in shooting at the seamen t clung to a barge which had overset. General Taylor ini? diate'v instituted a court of inquiry, which proved the chati to be without foundation. On tlie result of this investigai being communicated to sir Sydney, he did not think propr give a written reply : he promised, verbally, io withdraw i troops from the neighbourhood ; excusing himself, on the sc- of his ignorance of the kind of warfare to which his iir had been accustomed in Spain; and alleging, that as soon as: found them engaged in the excesses complained of, he had gn orders for them to re-embark. It is unpleasant to impfc admiral Warren and sir Sydney Beckwith in this detesta: affair ; but there was in the conduct of these two ofKcer; shameful indifference upon a subject which so deeply regani' the character of the British government. The squadron, during the remainder of the summer, f' quently threatened the cities of Washington, Annapolis andR m 4 s Bir Syilnty Beckwiih. Lenancc. During u >t merely the cliaracif r an attack IVoni f ith such prccipitutifi i and ammunition, a;, gcd. It is founded. tteo of congress. Tii , if possible, more a »c citizens of Kcntucs aylor, who command ney Bcckwith, coud e, such as the iucliB; ite. After staling ;; !n guilty, he desired ^'hich they intended ther the scenes cnac;- British government, Dwn aside the usa^i it variance. "Wori I female tears, and jo; i needless woe on,: y replied, that he v; i hoped that, in I'utii: ich regard to human ot deemed satisfactor B then declared that. for the cond'ict ofi: ng at the seamen wi jeneral Taylor imit uch proved the chat: lit of this investigai; did not think propr rbally, -to withdraw : jg himself, on the sc are to which his ii> ging, that as soon as; plained of, hehadgi* unpleasant to impfc with in this detesta: of these two oftiopr; lich so deeply regaft- !r of the summer, ton, Annapolis and F>; IliSTOllY OF TUK WAK. i:n (Jockbiirn plunders the Coast of North Carolina. ore. Large bodies of militia were on several occasions awn out, and the country was in consequence much harassed, his was fair and justifiable in the enemy, and is no subject of mphiint ; and had any of our towns been laid in ashes while t tempting a resistance, it would have been regarded only as a isf M'turie of war which the enemy had a right to ii-.dict. Ad- iral Cockburn was permitted to pursue his own inclination, in oving to the south with a formidable squadron, to carry on, the Carolinas and Georgia, the same species of warfare hich he had so successfully practised in Chesapeake Bay. the beginning of .luly, he appeared off Ocracokc, a village North Carolina, and shortly after, crossing the bar with a mbcr of barges, attacked two private armed vessels, the Ana- nda and the Atlas, which, after a gallant resistance, he cap- red. The revenue cutter, then in port, made her escape to ewbern, and giving the alarm to the citizens, they assembled such numbers that the admiral's designs upon that lown re frustrated. Landing about three thousand men, he pro- ded to Portsmouth, and treated its inhabitants in his usual nner. He returned to his barges with a valuable booty, d a number of slaves, whom he had induced to leave their ters under a promise of freedom, which he afterwards eemed by selling them in th3 West Indies. To the north of the Chesapeake, where fortunately these dis- ceful depredations were not committed, the coast was not mpt from the effects of war. The city of New York was ictly blockaded. The American frigates United States and cedonian, and the sloop Hornet, attempted to sail on a cruise m that })ort about the beginning of May ; but finding the ce at the Hook much superior to theirs, they put back, and sed through Hell Gate, with the intention of getting out by sound. In this they were also frustrated; and on the 1st June, after another attempt, they were chased into New Lon- Six hundred militia were immediately called in from the rounding country, for the protection of the squadron ; and imodore Decatur, landing some of his guns, mounted a bat-* y on the shore, and at the same time so lightened his vessels, to enable them to ascend the river out of the reach of the my. This place was so well fortified, however, that no mpt was made upon it, although the blockade was strictly t up for many months. t is pleasing to contrast the conduct of commodore Hardy, lO commanded the bquadron north of the Chesapeake, with t of Cockburn. Although he frequently landed on different s of the coast, his deportment was such as might be ■'"4 'I -li 138 liUACKKNUIDGR'3 niockude of llie AmericHii Squadron Torpodo SyHtem. expected from a manly, hiimano and irenerous enemy. If ii,, proceedings of Cock burn were iwitlioriscd by liis governrncn' they were dictated by a very mistaken policy ; lor nothing cnulr more efTectuaily heal political dillercnces, and render tlie war; common cause with every American. An act of congress had been passed during the winter, whiri, cannot be mention^u) but with Ibelings of regret. By this ac a reward of half their value, was otlered for the destruction, ships belonging to the enemy by means other than tliosc ofii,. armed or commissioned vessels of the United States. Tk measure was intended to encourage the use of torpedoes, c whicli so much at that time was said. There is somctliir,; unmanly in this insidious mode of annoyance. It is not jus,, liable for defence even against an unsparing foe ; and is k little better than poisoning fountains. Valour can claim ;, share in such exploits ; and to the noble mind little pleasu.^ can be derived from the recollection of success over an ciienv, treacherously vanquished. It had been in the power of gcncr; Sinclair, in the war of the revolution, to have poisoned his sp rituous liquors at the moment of his defeat, and thus to Im destroyed a cruel enemy ; but shame would have followed ti infliction of such an injury, even upon savages. Several attempts at blowing up the enemy's vessels ve;; made, in consequence of the law. The most remarkable we: those against the Ramillies, the admiral's ship, and the Plaiiii genet. The schooner Eagle, having been filled with flour ba; rels, and a quantity of gunpowder, with the latter of whicli; concealed gun-lock communicated, was thrown in the way i the blockading squadron's boats. Fortunately, the seamei instead of taking her alongside of the Ramillies, determined k to unlade some of the cargo : while employed in doing tls the schooner blew up, and destroyed several of her capto The next experiment made with the torpedo, was against tf- Plantagenet, then lying below Norfolk. After four or k attempts, in which the persons engaged could not come suf ciently near the ship without being discovered, the torpec was dropped at the distance of a hundred yards, and left to > swept down by the tide. On touching the vessel, it explode: in the most awful manner ; causing an immense coluinn ( water to be thrown up, which fell with vast weight upon I'r deck of the ship ; while a yawning gulf seemed to swallow her up. The crew immediately took to their boats, complete' panic-struck. Commodore Hardy was justly indignant at ifc dishonourable species of annoyance, and protested against: in strong terms. It had the effect, however, of compelling ti? . . . . Torpedo System. crous cnciny. If \\f I by his govcrnmen', icy ; for nothing cmiir and render tlie wait rini; the winter, wliiei ' regret. By thisac. for tlie destruction fi: )ther than tliosc of tii; United Slates. Tin. J use of torpedoes, c; Tlicrc is sonielhin; ^ancc. It is not ju>i, iring foe ; and is k; Valour can claim i, Ic mind little plensii.-; luccess over an ciicir,, 1 the power of gcnea have poisoned his sp feat, and thus to liav luld have followed il fivages. enemy's vessels w most remarkable m- s ship, and the Planls n filled with flour ba; the latter of which: thrown in the way c tunately, the seamei nillies, determined k iployed in doing tlis cveral of her capto pedo, was against !t- . After four or fc could not come suf. iscovered, the torpec d yards, and left to > he vessel, it explode: I immense column t vast weight upon !• ilf seemed to swallo' their boats, complete ustly indignant at tfc d protested against. ver, of compelling li; ■I ■'S HISTORY OF TIIK WAil. 139 Torpedo System Naval Airairg. fcncmy to be extremely cautious in their approach to our hai- lours ; and although the use of torpedoes was relinquished, Iheir apprehensions served to keep them at a greater distance, |f any thing could justify this mode of attack, it was the scenes )X Hampton, and the deportment of Cockburn and his crew ; [)ut commodore Hardy was a generous enemy, and merited iitfercnt treatment. CHAPTER X. Naval Afl'airs— Tlic Hornet captures the rcacock— Humane and generous Conduct If Captain Lawrence and tlie Crow of the Hornet— Captain Lawrence appointed to lie Chesapeake— Tlie Shannon challenges the Chesapeake— The Shannon captures lie Chesapeake— Death of Captain Lawrence— The Pelican captures the Argus — truise of Commodore Porter in the South Seas— The Entcrprize captures the Boxer -Cruise of Commodore Rodgers— Cruise of the Congress— Gallant Conduct of Ame- ican Privateers— of the Coniet-of the General Arraatrong— The Privateer Decatur iptures the Dominica. It is now time to return to the affairs of our navy. Our ves- 3ls continued to annoy U.3 enemy, in spite of the thousand ships nth which she pursued them in squadrons through every sea. istead of courting an engagement with them, she studiously ^voided coming in contact, except where her force was greatly pperior. The " fir built frigates" of America had suddenly icome ships of the line, and Great Britain cut down her sev- ity-fours, that her vessels might engage with ours on equal srms. The government of the United States had become so jnsible of the importance of our marine, that congress, during le last session, had authorised the building of several additional ^essels ,* and it was proposed to continue to augment our navy, ^y annual appropriations ijr the purpose. This was undoubt- ly wise policy ; for whatever we may fear from a standing ^rmy, there can be no similar ground of objection to a navy, jsides, it is onlj'^ on that element that we can < ome in con- act with an enemy of consequence. Fortunately for us, our irritory adjoins to that of no power, from which we need ap- prehend any great danger : while the colonies of England and " Spain might have reason *ot apprehension, if the genius of 1 ! « \ i " '. ! ■ « f' ■ \ H '1 ■■ .r $n nnxcKV.NWunW'Vi^ Thfl lloriK't rn|iliiri'H th» l'i>n«'ock. our ^ovornnu'nt wim'o not opposotl to cotKjtiosJ. On (lie oroim lu)\V(ivor, wo nu .si nnnvoidnhly conic in conlncf with ollicrtin. lions, so lonti; mn wo prclcnd 1<> have connntMTo ; for witlioin. nnvy t'iJit conuncrco cannot he protected. In oiM" last <'lia|)ter on tlio naval war, it was nientioncd, iliy the Horn(>t, captain Lawrence, was leil to l)locka«l«i th(» Wnm, Citoyeinie, at St. Salvador. This latter vessel was liirmiilk challentfed hy tlu^ Hornet: hnt either (Vom iniwiliinj^iK'ss || risk th(> loss ol' a (piantily ol* s|)cci(> which she had on \)ik\u\ or lu'cause she was not in(din(>d loen^a^i^ in tluM-onduit iIkhii;^ ol'snp;ht ; rop(>r to pay no atttention foiiio challcMige. Connnodore ltaiid)ridjj;e had parted fronj the llnr. n(4 at this place : and it will h(> recoIlect(>d how jrloriousK !i. ujct the Java and captunul h«n' a lew days aHerwards. Tlii Jlornet conlinu(>d tlu^ hlockado nntil th(» 21th of .laimnrv, when (he Montaj^iie seventy-four hove in sinht, and coinpclli her to escapt^ into port. Sh(> ran out, however, the sam nijirht, and procciuled on a cruise. Her eoinniander firs shaped his course^ to l\M'nand)Uco ; and on tlu^ 4th of Fclirii. nry, captured the l'inii;lish hri^- Kesolution, of ten i^uns, \\% twenty-three thousand dollars in spe(M(\ Ho then ran ; an: thence olf Surinam, where he also cruised for sonu? time; aiil on tlu^ 'J'Jd stoml for DcuKM'ara. The next day, h" discovoroii an I'iUiilish hriij of war lyinj; at anchor outside of the har, r.iil on heatinsjj around the Carahana hank, to come nc^ar her, he (lis. covered, at half past thre(» in the al^M'noon, another sail on liis weather quarter, editing down for him. This proved to boa larm^ man of war hrijjj, the Peacock, captain Pcnike, somcwlia! superior to the Horm^t in force. (\'iptain Luwrenct* maiidii. vred t .le time to ^iun the weatlu^r i!;ack,M(l(^ flic ili)||i,, vessel was rnriiinlli •«»ni unwillitii^riirss i| li she had on honrj in the eoinhaf llioujtji ly no atttention Ut\\i> [)arte(l from Ihe Ilor, .mI how ^lorionslv !i, ys alli-rwards. Tlie w 2U\i of .laniiiirv, siirhf, and eoinpcllo; , however, lh(! sinnf er eoinmander lirs' on lh(^ 4th of \'\'\m. •n, of ten guns, m\ lie then ran flown e a sjiort lime; an! 1 for sonu! time? ; aiiJ ted a signal of dis uid had already sb losc conduct in thi; ctions with the Guer officers and crew of let. He found thai er part of her ciw lilSTUUY Ob' THE WAK. 141 lliiinano Cuniluct of CupUiii I^wrunco, and tliu C'riw or itic Uunml. f' ither killi.-d or wounded ; and that tho vessel was sinking fust, 1 spite of every ellbrt to keep her above; water. fcJtrenuous ox- irtions were inudo to take oil" the crew Ix-foro the vessel sunk: jicr guns wen; thrown overboard, the shot holes were plugged ; ind a part<)f the Hornet's crew, at the risk of thriir lives, laboured nc(;ssantly in the removal of tho prisoners. Tlie utmost ellbrts »f the.scj generous men were vain ; she sunk in tho midst of them, Surry ing down nine of her own crew and three of tho Ameri- m. 'I'hus did our gallant countrymen twice risk their lives: ^rst in th(; cau.so of their country, and next in the cause of hu- lunily ; first to conquer their enemies, and then to save them. I'lie.se are actions, which it unlbrtunately falls too rarely to tho )t of the iustorian to record. Tho crew of tfie Hornet divided icir clothing with the prisoners, who were lefl destitute by \n: sinking of the ship ; and so sensible were tho officers of le g(;nerous treatment which they experienced from captain juwrence and hi.s men, that, on their arrival at New York, they [.X|)ressed their gratitude in a public letter of thanks. "So lucli," say th(;y, " was done to alleviate the uncomfortable id distressing situation in which wo were placed, when re- iived on board the ship you command, that we cannot lx)tter cpr(!ss our feelings, tlian by saying, wo ceased to consider lur.selves j)risoners; and every thing that friendsliip could dic- ite, was adopted by you and tlie olficers of the Hornet, to jmedy the inconveniciuce we otherwise should have experi- iccd, from the unavoidable loss of the whole of our property id clothes, by tho sudden sinking of the Peacock." Thia ^rai.se is worth moro than a victory ; and tho conduct which licited it is certainly much more deserving to bo termed glo- jfous than the destruction of human life, on whatever scale it lay be accomplished. The number of killed and wounded, on board tho Peacock, )uld not be exactly ascertained, but was supposed to exceed ly ; while tho Hornet received but little injury. The officers lentioned as having distinguished themselves on this occasion, ^ere lieutenants Conner and Newton, and midshipmen Cooper, tayo, Getz, Smoot, Tipnct, Bocrum and Titus. Lieutenant ptewart was unfortunately too ill to take a part in the action. I On the 10th of April, shortly after the return of the Hornet, le Chesapeake arrived at Boston, after a cruise of four months. ler commander, captain Evans, having been appointed to the lew York station, she was assigned to captain Lawrence. *l The British, whose mortification at their repeated defeats Say be easily imagined, and who regarded the reputation of eir navy as their great bulwark, had become seriously alarmed. 142 RRACKENUIDGirs (.'nptnin I.awrcnce Th«> Sliuiiiion clinllt'ng(.-8 llie C'lit^flniHiake. m ill If tlie charm of their fancied superiority on this element werf once destroyed, other nations, who now yicldttl to them the pahn, might conceive the idea of resistance also. In some recent encounters, even the French, wlio liad been so unfor- tunate in their naval combats with the British, had begun to pluck up courage. Something immediate must be done to retrieve their character, or all their naval songs must be burnt and their boastings suddenly terminate. The course was natur- ally fallen upon of selecting one of their best frigates, manned by picked seamen, and exercised with all possible pains, for the special purpose. They deigned to copy every thing which iu reality, or v.-hich they fancied, prevailed in the American ships, A rumour was current, that backwoodsmen were placed in the tops of our vessels, expressly for the purpose of shooting the British olTi'^ers. Sharpshooters were now carefully traineil by the British, and directed to aim only at the officers of the Americans. Thus provided with a chosen ship and crew, cap- tain Broo!ce appeared with the Shannon on the American coast, ! In April, o!i' Boston harbour, he sent a challenge to the President commodor(3 Rodgers, which happened to be there. On the 23d, this vessel, with the Congress, captain Smith, sailed on a cruise ; but the Shannon, then in company with the Tenedos, cither intentionally avoided them, or by accident happened to he out of the way. The Shannon some time afterwards re- turned, and sent a formal challenge to captain Lawrence, who had just taken the command of the Chesapeake, which unfor- tunately was not received by him. We are now to relate an occurrence which imparts a melan- choly tone to our naval chronicle, thus far so brilliant. Cap- tain Lawrence, on arriving to take command of his ship, was informed that a British frigate was lying before the harbour, apparently courting a combat with an American. Listening only to the dictates of his generous nature, he burned with impatience to meet the enemy, and unfortunately did not suffi- ciently pause to examine whether the terms were equal. The greater part of the Chesapeake's crew consisted of men who had just been enlisted ; several of his officers were sick ; and that kind of mutual confidence, which arises from a long knov- ledge of each other, was wanting between himself and his men. But he could not brook the thought of being thus de- fied. On the 1st of June h-^ iied forth, resolved to try his fortune. When he came in sij^ l of the Shannon, he made a short address to his crew, but found it received with no enthu- siasm ; they murmured, alleging as the cause of complaint that their prize money had not been paid. He immediately gave HISTORY OF Tllli WAR. 143 li:% the CliKsniMJake. 1 this cloment wore icldi.d to tliem the c also. In some ad been so unfor. British, had begun 3 must be done to Dngs must be burnt e course wasnatiir. frigates, manned by iibic pains, for the sry thing wliich in he American ships. were placed in the )se of shooting the ' carefully traineil the officers of the ;hip and crew, cap- he American coast, ige to the President, here. On the 23cl, mith, sailed on a with the Tenedos, ;idcnt happened to me afterwards re- in Lawrence, who akc, which unfor- 1 imparts a melan- so brilliant. Cap- of his ship, was efore the harbour, trican. Listening he burned with ately did not suffi- were equal. The istcd of men who rs were sick ; and rom a long knor. himself and his of being thus de- ^solved to try his nnon, he made a ed with no enthu- \ of complaint that immediately gave llie Sliannon captures the Chesapeake Death of Captain Lawrence. tjiem tickets for it, and supposed they were now conciliated ; but, unfortunately, they were at this moment almost in a state of mutiny. Several foreigners, who had accidentally found their way into the crew, had succeeded in poisoning their minds. The brave Lawrence, consulting his own heart, looked only to the enemy without, and not to the enemy within. The Shannon, observing the Chesapeake, put to sea, and was followed by her. At half past five, the Chesapeake closed with the enemy, and gave him a broadside ; which was returned. It proved equally destructive on both sides ; but the Chesapeake was particularly unfortunate in the loss of officers : the sailing master. White, was killed; lieutenant liallard, mortally wound- ed ; and lieutenant Brown, of the marines, and captain Law- rence himself, were severely wounded. The latter, although in great pain, still continued to give orders. A second and a third broadside were exchanged, with evident advantage on the side of the Chesapeake; but the same misfortune in the loss of offi- cers continued ; the first lieutenant, Ludlow, was carried below mortally wounded ; and three men successively were shot from the wheel. A ball having struf^k her foresail, so that she I could no I i longer answer her helm, and being disabled in her rigging, the Chesapeake fell with her quarter on the Shannon's starboard anchor. This accident may be considered as having decided the contest ; an opportunity being thus given to the enemy to rake the Chesapeake, and, towards the close of the action, to board her. Captain Lawrence, although severely wounded, as before mentioned, still persisted in keeping the deck, and commanded the boarders to be called up ; at this mo- ment a musket ball entering his body, he was carried below, having first uttered those memorable words, which have since become the motto of the American navy. Don't give up the Ship. The officers of the Chesapeake being now nearly all killed, the command devolved on lieutenant Budd, who called up the men for the purpose of carrying the order of Lawrence into execution. At this time, captain Brooke, finding that his vessel had received so many shots between wind and water that there was danger of her sinking, and perceiving the confusion which reigned on board the American ship, threw twenty of his marines on board of her, and immediately followed them. Lieu- tenant Budd endeavoured to shoot his vessel clear of the Shan- non ; but being soon after wounded, and a part of the crew hav- ing mutinied, the scheme entirely failed. A number, however, continued to fight with unalterable resolution. Captain Brooke received a wound in the head, and was carried on board his own ship ; and lieutenant Watt, who succcdded him in the command. .11 'j in. M^ ^M ^ \Ki IJUACKKNUIDCIK'S Tho Bliannon rapttiroH the (?hcnnpflakc. was killod ; hut a lar«5(^ roinrorcomciit conniig to tho asHistanco of tho enemy, tlu^v gained jmasessiou of tho deck, and soon allor lioisted the I'lnglish lla^. In this sani^Jiinary connict, twontj'-thrco of the enemy wen) killed, and filiy-six wounded: atnonjr th(i kilh^d, her first lieu- tenant, her clerk and purser; and amon^ tho wounded, Ikm" ea|)tain. On hoard tlu; Chesapeake, lh(^ eaptain, the first and fourtli lieutenants, the lieutenant of marinoa, the master, mid- shipnuni Iloj)(nvell, Jiivinrry, and ahout eighty men, wounded. Tho «^reater proportion t)f this loss was sustained after the enemy had gained the deek. The Hritish have heen charged with cruel and ungenerous conduct towards the van- quished ,* and wo could wish that thhs charge, if untrue, had heen properly rejielled. It is said that, after the Americans bad submitted, the work of destruction was continued ; and fljat tho tr(>atment of the prisoners was not of that liberal cha- racter which might have been expected from manly victors. The generosity of their subsequent conduct leads us to hope that these complaints were unfounded. Tho bodies of our naval heroes, Lawrence and Ludlow, on their arrival at Ilali- fax, were interred with every honour, civil, naval, and mili- tar)', which could be bestowed ; and no testimony of respect that was due to their memories was left unpaid. They wens afterwards brought to the United States, by Mr. Crowninshicld of Boston, at his own expense, in a vessel manned by twelve masters of vessels, who volunteered their services fortheocca- sion ; a passport having been readily granted for this purpose by commodore Hardy. The loss of the Chesapeake has been attributed to the acci- dent of her falling on board the Shannon, and to the mutinous state of her crew. She was somewhat inferior in force also : but this ought not to be taken into consideration ; for until thp fatal accident, the advantage in the contest was decidedly hers. Never did any victory — not the victories of Wellington in Spain, nor even those of Nelson — call forth such expressions of joy, on the part of the British ; a proof that our naval cha- racter had risen somewhat in their estimation. In the United States it was regarded as an occurrence which proved no supe- riority in the enemy ; and it was lamented chiefly for the loss of our brave otTicers. The tide of fortune seemed for a short time to set in favour of Great Britain. On the 4th of August, another of our national vessels was captured by the enemy. The Argus, after carry- IIISTOIIY OF TIIK WAR. 145 ho nssistanro ck, nnd 80011 I oiuutjy wrro icr first licii- voiindod, li(!r tlio first niid nuistcr, mid- bout sovonty mts, inidsliip- ; eighty men, vas sustained di hav(i boon irds tho van' f untrue, had le Americans fitinued ; and it liberal cha- lanly victors, s us to hope bodies of our ivnl at Mali- al, and miii- ny of resprct They wore >owninshiold led by twelve 3 forthcocca- • this purpose to the acci- the mutinous n force also: for until the cidedly hers. Vellington in expressions Lir naval cha- in the United oved no supe- y for the loss t in favour of ' our national , after carry- Th« Pfliriin rnptiin-ft tho ArKim. ing out Mr. Crawford, our minister to I'Vanoo, in the spring of 18 1 H, proceod(Ml, early in Juno, to cruise in tho Hritish chan- nel, whore she confima'd lijr two months to commit groat ha- vcM'k on the Jiritish ship|)ing. So nuich unoasin(;ss did .she cause, that tho lOnglish morohants were unable to elli^^t an m- siiranoe on their V(!ssels, und(!r throe times the usual premium. 'Vhr liritish government was indiiood, at last, to adopt mea- sures for driving olf this daring onomy. On tUr. 14th, at four in the morning, the; IVIioan, a JJritish slo^op of war of greater loreo than the Argus, obtained sight of lii^r by \\ir. light of a brig then on fire; and innnediatoly prepared to attack her. At five o'clock, the action comm(!n('ed at tiie distanaj of musket shot ; the Pelican having th(^ weather gage. At the first broadside, captain Allen, of the Argus, fell, sevc^rely wounded, !>ut remaincitl on deck until several broadsides wcn'o exchanged, when he was carried Ixdow, leaving the command to lieutenant Watson. At half past six, the rigging of the Argus was so cut up, as to ron- d(^r her almost umnanageabl(! ; and the licMitenant was severely wounded in the head, 'i'ho command now devolved on lieutenant William II. Allen, .Tun., who for some time, by great exertion, dtifeated the att(^mpts of tlie I'olican to gain a raking position. At thirty-five minutes past six, the Argus, having lost her wheel ropes and running rigging, could no longer be manoeuvred, and the Pelican having chosen a position in whi(di none of the guns ofthe Argus could be brought to bear upon her, the latter had no- thing but musketry tooppose to the raking broadsides of the other. At forty-seven minutes past six, she surrendered, with the loss of six kiiied and seventeen wounded. On board tho Pelican, there were three killed, and five wounded. Captain Allen, and midshipmen Delphy and Edwards, died soon afterwards in England, and were all interred with the honours of war. Tho Pdican was a sloop of twenty guns, the Argus of eighteen ; but the victory, in this instance, may fairly be awarded to the English. Our officers and men did their duty ; but were com- pelled to submit to a more fortunate adversary. Captain Allen was justly a favourite in this country, and his memory is dear to his countrymen. By letters dated early in July, news reached the United States from captain Porter, that he had captured several British vessels in the South Seas, and was then cruising with great success. He had actually created a fleet of nine sail, by means of vessels captured on those seas, eight of which had been letters of marque ; and was completely master of the Pacific ocean. This iTfiay be regarded as a novelty in naval history ; and there is lit- tle doubt, had it been performed by an English naval com- N * l-i .* : (- w 1 'i .■ < Ik 146 nRArKi:\Rii)(;i:'s CniiM of Porltr in tlip Hoiith H«>iiii 'I'hn Knti ; and ari«— (irthn f7oni(ri>H<4 AnicrW'nii I'rtvatnfrk P«M'M, arrivf>(l at Newport, UImxIc Island, alh-r a crui.s(? of un- usual Niigth. 1 1(! had put to m'h. on tin! MIMli of April, in company with th<' (-ongrcss, ca|)fain Sniilh. /Mlcr cruising; oil' our coaNt without any iin|)ortant occiirniK'c, lli«> roiniiiodoi-c parh'd fVoni llio Congress on the Hth of May, and slia|)cd his course no as tit intercept the ihilish tradr in the VVrst Indies. Meeting with iKi success, h(! stood towards tin; A/.ores, whi'ie he continued until the (Wh of June, without eiKouiiteriiig any of thf cneniy';) vcssrls. Me now sailed in flu- direction of hiUgland ; and made linir captun's iMitwcni iho Oth and iJUh of June. Ih* Mf'xt <'ruised in th<' IracU iVoni Newlimndland (o St. tieorge's ('lianiKd, witiiout meeting a single vessel; and heing short (if provisions put info North ilergeii on ihe 'J7th of June, 'riiciice he steer<'d towards the ()rkneys, to intercept a convoy iVoiu Archangcd ; hut ahout tlu; middle of July, when in mo< iiieiitary cxp<'Ctation of meeting with it, he; was chasc'd by a ship «jf the line and a IVigJite for several (hiys. Ila. ing elfecfed his escape, he next placed hirusfdf in tin; direction of the trade ))iissing out of and into tin; Irish ('IimiiikI. In this position he iii;ul^*jf, Affuira of the Weet — Patriotic EnlhiiMiasm of Ohio and Kentucky — Hovernor Shelby— Character of the Kcntuckians— Gallant Defence of Fort Banduaky liy Major Croghan — Humane Conduct of the Besieged— Tecumseh raiaea the Siege of Fort Meigs— Naval Preparations on Lake Erie— Commodore Perry aaila with hia Fleet- Battle of Lake Eric— Gallant Behaviour of Perry — Capture of the Enemy's whole Squadron — " We have mot the Enemy, and iliey are ours" — North-western Army reinforced— Capture of Maldon— Skirmish at (Chatham— Battle of the Thaniea — Cap- ture of the British Regulars— Colonel Johnson wounded— Death of Tecumaeh— Cha- racter of Tecumseh — Escape of General Proctor— Public Tcatimoniala of Respect to General Harrison- Generous Trentmeiit of the British Prisoners — of the Savages- Correspondence between General Harrison and General Vincent. 1 Yii'' In the midst of tlic various occurrences of the war on the northern frontier, on the seaboard and on the ocean, important preparations were making to the westward ; and although the spring and summer had elapsed without the occurrence of any incident in this quarter worthy of record, they had not passeJ inactively. The general attention was now turned towards it with much anxiety ; and the armies of the Niagara and the St. Lawrence remained almost with folded arms, awaiting the respec- tive results of Harrison's campaign, and of tlie contest for the command of Lake Erie. The British, aware of the conse- (juences of defeat, laboured with great assiduity to strengthen themselves ; and the reinforcements continually arriving at Fort George, were evidently destined to follow uj) the advantages which Proctor, in conjunction with the commander on the lake, might gain. In the meanwhile, the people of the neighbouring statca of Kentucky and Ohio were excited in a surprising degree. Had it been necessary, they would have risen en masse ; for N * »r 150 HKACK1CNR11)(}I«:'S Govi>riior Hhniliy i'liiirarti'r of llio KonliickiniiR. "! ^ ^ *V r«tj I- l1 almost ovcry nuiii capahlci of Ixiariu^ a imiskrf, wa.s n-ady lo march. 'V\\o. governor of ()hi<> '.sail scai 'r issiuMl his proclu- mation ll)r voUn\l(MM\s(ror thi^ \v^n\ ()l)lif2;ali()ii to ronlor niililiiry service was no loiijriu' eiilorced), when lilleon thousand njcn, coin|)lctcly arnnMl and cijuippcd — a number livt^ times greater than was KMjuired — presented tlicinselves. Tijc venerahl(' governor of K(>ntueky, Shcllty, a rcvohifionary Ikm'o, and (li(> N(Vstor oC the war, made it luu)wn that lu- woeld put himself at th(^ head ol" th(^ injured ns of that stale, and lead tlieiu to s(vk nncn^-e lor the murder t>f their relatives and friends: but he limited the nund)er of volunteer's to lour thousand. The territory end>raced hy the stati* of Kentucky, called by lh(^ natives " the dark and bloody irround," sixty years am> was an uninhabitcMl fonv'-l ; and had b(>(;n, from time immemorial, flu; theatre of sanjjuinary Indian wars. At this day, it blooms be- neath \ho hanil of airriculture ; and is Idled with beautiful towns and villao(\s — the aboikvs of peace and opuh'nce. Tlu» inha- bitants are derived principally from those of Virginia and North Carolina. Livinii; in nbundanc(» and ai. i.'icir case, and remote from tiie seats of commerce, th(>y hud "r.d)ibed Icvss of foreign attachments and feelings, than any of our people ; and >vcre imbu(Ml M-ith a purer enthusiasm for the institutions of freedom. To an enlightened manliness of mind, th(;y united u romantic cast of character, arising from the independence of their situation and the absence of too close an intercourse with the sordid world. Possessing not a little of the chivalric in their generous and hospitable deportment, and fearing dishonour more than danger; they were benevolent and disinterested in the extreme. Had the elder brethren of our confederacy acted in any respect as did this younger member, the Canadas would have been ours. The transactions which are now to be related, may justly be ranked among tlu^ most pleasing to our national pride, of any M'hich took place during the war. The campaign opened with an affair, Mhich, though comparatively of small consequence, was characterized bv the most brilliant bravery. This was the unjiaralleled defence of Fort Sandusky, by a youth of twenty-^iio years of age. In August, an«l before the arrival of the Ohio and Kentucky volunteers, which did not take place until the following month, threat(V "ng movements had been made upon all theditlerent forts established by the Americans on the rivers which fdl info Lake Krie. Aller the siege of Fort Meigs, the British had received considerable reinforcements of regular troops, and also of Indians undc their great leader Tccumseh. It was all-imj)ortant to reduce these forts before the arrival of the IIISTOUV OI' TIIK VVAK. 151 Uiillnnt Dpfonro of Fort HiimliiKky by Mnjnr (.'ro({hnn. American voliiiilonrH. Major ( !roir|jaii,tli(iri corninaiHlin^^ at Up- per Sandusky, havinj^ r(?(;(g(yroghan lo retin; on the approach of the enemy, allor destroying tho works. By a dcs|)at(dj, which was intended to fall into the hands of the ene- my, the latter d(!clared his unwillingness to obey, as hn was able to defend the fort. This n^aching the g(;noral, lu; sent for ('roghan; and, on recc'iving satisfactory explanfitions, fully authorised him to make the attempt. On tho 1st of August, general Proctor, haviMg lel}. a largo body of Indians under Tecumsch to kec^p up th(! app(!aranco of a siege of Fort Meigs, arrived at Sandusky with about fivo hundred regulars, seven hundred Indians, and some gun boats. After he had made such dispositions of his troops as rendered the retreat of tho garrison impracticable, ho sent a flag by colo- nel Elliot and major Chambers, demanding a surrender, accom- panied with the usual threats of butchery and massacre if the garrison should hold out. ("roghan, who found that all his com- panions, chiefly stripling^: like himself, would support him to the last, returned a spirited answer: to the offect that, "when tho fort should bo taken, there would Ik; none lefl to massacre ; as it would not be given up while a man was able to fight." When the flag returned, a brisk fire was opened from six- pounders in the boats and a howitzer, which was kept up during the night. In the morning, it was discovered that three sixes had been planted, under the cover of the night, within two hun- dred and fifty yards of the pickets; which shorti / after com- menced firing, but with little effect. About four o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy having concentrated his fire against the northwest angle of the fort, with the intention of making a breach, it was imn Jiately strengthened by means of bags of flour and sand. At liie same time, the six-pounder, the only piece of artillery in the fort, was carefully concealed in the bastion which covered the point to be assailed, and loaded with slugs and rM, !i;te 1 jpWft*^ 152 nuACKi*:Niiii)Gi<:vs ■ f Ualluiit Dufoiice of Fort Samluvky Ilumano Conduct of the ikinioged. i!;rnju\ About live luiiidred of tlio rnotiiy tiow advanced to as.sail tlio part vvlu-rc; it was siipiJosed \\\r. pickets luid been injured : at tho suuio time nuikiiij^ s(!Voral feints, to draw tlie attention of tlie besie^tnl from tbe real point of attack. Their force beiiii? thus dis|M)si'd, a eoUunn of tliree l»un(h'(Hl and lifty men, who were so envel()p(Hl in smoke as not to b(; seen until they apjireached within twenty juiees of the hues, advanced rapidly to the assault. A fin; of musketry from tlu; fort, threw themi'or a moment into confusion ; hut tlujy wore quickly vallied by colonel IShort their commander, who sprung over the j>uter works into the ditch, and commanded his men to follow, crying out, " Clive tlie d d Yankees no quarter !" Scarcely had thesi! words escaped his lips, when tho six-pounder opened ujHJn them a most destructive fire ; killing their barbarous lodde;* and twenty others, and wounding ns many more. A volley of musketry was, at the same time, fired ui)on those who had not descended. 'Vho. olficiH' who succeeded Short, exasperated at being thus treated by a few boys, iornuHl tlu; broken column anew, and again rushed to the ditch. The six-pounder was a second tiuu' played on them with the same success as before; and the small arms were discharged so rapidly, that they wcn^ again thrown info confusion, and, in spite of the exertions of their oilicd to one killed and seven wounded. That of the enemy coulu not have boon less than one hundred and lii'ty ; upwards of iitly were found in and about the ditch. It was discovered next morning, that the enemy had hastily retreated; leaving a boat, a co)isiderable (juantity of HISTORY OF TIIR WAR. 153 TficuinRt'Ii ralieR tlio BieRo of 'Fart Moigs — Navnl Preparatiotm on Lake Rrio. military stores, and upwurds of sovonty stand of arms. The Americans were engaged, during tli(» day, in burying the dead with tlie honours of war, and providing for the wounded. This exploit called forth the admiration of all j)arties through- out the United States. Major Croghan, together with his com- panions, captain Iluntwr, lieutenants Johnson and IJaylor, and ensigns Shipp and Duncan (afterwards governor of Illinois) of tht) Sev(^ntecnth regiment ; Anthony ard Anderson, of tho Twenty-fourth ; and Meeks, of the Seventh ; and the other ollicers and volunteers, were highly complimented by general Harrison. They afterwards received the thanks of congress. Major Croghan was promoted to the rank of licuUenant-colonc!!, and was presented with an elegant sword by the ladies of Chil- iicothe. See Engravings P(^g<^ 1^^^ ante. Soon after this allair, Tecumseh, having raised tho siege of Fort Meigs, followed Proctor to Detroit ; and all hope was given up by the enemy of reducing the American forts, until they could gain the ascendancy on the lake. The utmost exertions had been made, in tho meanwhile, by raptain Perry, to complete the naval armament on Lake Erie. ]}y the 2d of August, the ftect was equipped ; but some time was lost in getting s(!veral of the vessels over the bar at the mouth of the harbour of Erie. On the 4th, he sailed in quest of the enemy ; but not meeting him, he returned on the 8th. After receiving a reinforcement of sailors brought by captain Elliot, he again sailed on the 12th, and on the 15th anchored in the bay of San- dusky. Here he took in about twenty volunteer marines, and again went in search of the enemy ; and after cruising oft' Mai- den, retired to Put-in-Bay, a distance of thirty miles. His fleet consisted of the brig Lawrence, his flag vessel, of twenty guns ; the Niagara, captain Elliot, of twenty ; the Caledonian, lieute- nant Turner, of three ; the schooner Ariel, of four ; the Scorpion, of two ; the Somers, of two guns and two swivels ; the sloop Trippe, and schooners Tigress and Porcupine, of one gun each : amounting in all to nine vessels, fifty-four guns and two swivels. On the morning of the 10th of September, the enemy was discovered bearing down upon the American squa- dron ; which immediately got under weigh, and stood out to meet him. The Americans had three vessels more than the British ,* but this advantage was fully counterbalanced by tho size, and the number of guns, of those of the enemy. The fleet of the latter consisted of the Detroit, commodore Barclay, of nineteen guns and two howitzers ; the Queen Charlotte, captain Finnis, of seventeen guns ; the schooner Lady Prevost, lieute- nant Buchon, of thirteen guns and two howitzers ; the brig « u I II 104 IJIlACKMNilinCl'AS Wm W jB^n mm. 131 IJI 'I'-'i IH| ■'» 1 '''^' H ii-'y Battle of Laku Erie Gallant Beliaviour of Coniiiioiiore Perry. Hunter, of ten guns; the sloop Little licit, of three guns; and the schooner Chippewa, of one gu'i and two swivels : in all, six vessels, sixty-three guns, four howitzers and two swivels. When the Americans stood out, the British fleet had the weather gage; but the wind soon atler changed, and brought ihe American fleet to windward. The line of battle was form- «'d at eleven; and at fifleen minutes before twelve, the enemy's Hag ship, and tlio Queen Charlotte, opened ti.eir fire upon the Lawrence ; which she sustained for ten minutes, before she was )jear enough for her guns, which were carronades, to return it. {She continued to bear u}>, making signals for tl^e other vessels to Jiasten to her support ; and at five minutes before twelve, brought lier guns to bear upon the enemy. Unfortunately, the wind being lighi, iho smaller vessels of the squadron could not come up to her assistance ; and she was compelled to contend, for two hour.;, with two ships each nearly equal to her in force. The contt -it was, notwithstanding, maintained by her with un- •shaken courage, and with a coolness which deserves the higli- ost admiration. By this time the Lawrence had become entirely unmanageable. Elvery gun in the brig being dismounted ; and with the exception of four or five, her whole crew cither killed or wounded ; Perry determined to leave her. With a presence of mind which drew forth 'the praise of the gallant ofiicer to whom ho was opposed, he sprung into his boat, and neroically waving his sword, passed unhurt to the Niagara, carrying his flag with him. At the moment he reached the Niagara, the flag of the Lawrence came down. She was utterly unable to make further resistance ; and it would have been a wanton waste of the .remaining lives, to continue the contest. Captain Elliot now Ici- the Niagara, with the view of bringing up the rest of the fleet ; while Perry again bore down among ihc enemy in a ship which had as yet taken no share in the action As he passed ahead of the Detroit, Que^^n Charlotte and Lady Prevost, he poured into each a broadside from his starboard side ; and from his larboard fired into the Chippewa and Little Belt. To one of the vessels — the Lady Prevost, which he approached within half pistol shot, the fire was so destructive, that her men were compelled to run below. At this moment the wind fresh- ening, the Caledonia came up, and opened her fire ; and severJ. dhers of the squadron were enabled soon aft:cr to do the same. For a time, this novel and important combat raged with inde- scribable violence and fury. The result of a campaign, the command of a sea, the glory and renown of two rival nations matched for the first time in squadron, were at issue. The contest was not long doubtful. The Queen Charlotte, having "'*l :i. ^ .^^^^,Vv-.-> '■ ' • -• '-^e*'^ ',r^:J^^^' u « M m ^i Jl ^pWKI* f 11 'HM » A' ij^ Eft ' 1 If ..'I I i;:: 1 1 (i ' ii i i i 1 ^1 rl! *' mi 1' ' v^-, HISTORY Ob' THE WAR. 167 Capture of the Enemy'8 Squadron ■ . " We have met the Enemy, and they arc ours.* lost her captain and all her principal officers, by some mis- chance ran foul of the Detroit. By this accident the greater part of their guns were rendered useless ; and the two ships were now in turn compelled to sustain an incessant fire from the Niagara, and the other vessels of the American squadron. The flag of captain Barclay soon stri'ck ; and the Queen Charlotte, the Lady Prevost, the Hunter and the Chippewa surrendered in immediate succession : the Little Belt attempted to escape, but was pursued by two gun-boats and captured. Thus, after a contest of three hours, was a naval victory achieved, in which every vessel of the enemy was captured. If any thing could enhance its brilliancy, it was the modest manner in which it was announced by the incomparable Perry ; We have met the Enemy, and they are ours, were his words. Great Britain had already been defeated in single com- bat ; she was now beaten in squadron. The carnage in this affair was very great in proportion to the numbers engaged. The Americans had twenty-seven killed, and ninety-six wounded : among the former, were lieutenant Brooks of the marines, and midshipman Laub ; among the latter, lieutenant Yarnall, sailing-master Taylor, purser Hamilton and midship- men Claxton and Swartwout. The loss of the British was about two hundred in killed and wounded ; many of whom were officers: and the prisoners, amounting to six hundred, exceeded the whole number of the Americans. Commodore Barclay, a gallant sailor, one of whose arms had been shot oflf at the battle of Trafalgar, was severely wounded in the hip, and lost the use of his remaining arm. The news of this event was received with unbounded demon- strations of joy. All party feelings were for a moment forgot- ten ; and the glorious occurrence was celebrated by illuminations and festivals, from one end of the continent to the other. It is highly gratifying to know, that the treatment of the British prisoners was such, as to call forth their thanks. Cap- tain Barclay declared, that " the conduct of commodore Perry towards the captive officers and men, was sufficient, of itself, to immortalize him." The Americans having thus obtained possession of the lake, active preparations were immediately made for expelling Proctor from Maiden and for the recovery of Detroit. Gene- ral Harrison now called on governor Meigs for a portion of the Ohio militia, spoken of in a former page ; the whole of which had not as yet been disbanded. On the 17th of September, four thousand volunteers, the flower of Kentucky, with the venerable governor of that state, Isaac Shelby, the hero of King's Moun- t 'if' mm .'^'^i m i ; '« W.I •!■ 14 r 158 BflACKLCNlllDGF/S NdriliweBtcrii Army n;inforccd .... Capture of Muld. .i . . . . f^kirniish at Chathnni. kin, at their head, arrivcf) at the cnmp. Thus reinforced, general Harrison dutr rminod to cinbiirk the infantry on board the fleet for Maiden ; and directed colonel R. M. Johnson to proceed with his mounted regiment of Kentuekians to Detroit by land. The hitter accortlingjy marched ; but on approaching the river Raisin, they halted some time to contemplate the tragic spot. The feelings which they experienced on this occasion cannot be described ; for many of them h? d lost friends and relations here. The mourn^-rs collected the st.ll unburied bones of the victims, and consigned them to one common grave, with the' most atlecting demonstrations of grief. On the ti7th, the troops were received on board, and on the same day rea :hed a point below Maiden. The British general had in the meanwhile destroyed the fort and public stores, and liad retreated along the Thames, towirds the Moravian villages, together with Tecumseh's Indians. When tiio American army arrived at IMalden, a number of females came out to impJore the i»rotcction of their general. This was unnecessary ; for gen- eral Harrison had given orders that even Proctor, if taken, should not be hurt; and governor Shelby had issued an address to tho KciUtueky volunteers, in which he said, *' while the army remains in thif "country, it is expected that the inhabit- ants will be treated with justice and hunrinity, and their pro- perty secured from unnecessary and wanton injury." On the 2nth, the army reached Detroit, where it was joined on the following day by colonel Johnson's regiment. It \\ns row resolved by Harrison and Shelby, to proceed immediately in pursuit of Proctor. On the 2d of October, they marched, with about three thousand five hundred men, selected for the purpose, consisting chiefly of colonel Ball's dragoon>3, colonel Johnson's regiment, and other detachments of governor Shelby's volun- teers. The herOiC Perry and general Cass accompanied general Harrison as volunteer aids. They moved with such rapidity, that on the first day they travelled the distance of twenty-six miles. The next day they captured a lieutenant of dragoons and eleven privates, from whom they learned that Proctor had no certain knowledge of their approach. On the 4th, having reached Chatham, seventeen miles above Lake St. Clair, they were detained some time by a deep creek, one of the branches of the river Thames, the bridge over which had been partly destroyed by the retreating enemy. While the bridge was being repaired, some Indians commenced an attack from the opposite bank ; but were soon dispersed by colonel Johnson, and the artillery of colonel Wood. Here, the Americans found two thousand stand of arms and a quantity of clothing; and, crossing HISTORY OF TIIK V/AR. 159 M. V sli at Chalhani. Battle of liio Tliaiiicfl. the creek, pursued the enemy four miles up the Thames, took •several pieces of cannon, and obhged them to destroy three vessels containing public stores. On the r)th, tin; pursuit was renewed ; when, alter capturing j)rovisions and aininunition to a considerable amount, they reached the placo whero the enemy jiad encamped the night before. Coloni.'! V\'^ood was now sent forward by the commander-in-chief, to reconnoitre the liritish and Indian forces; and he very soon rtjturncd with information, that they had made a stand a few miles distant, and wore raixdy for action. General Proctor had drawn up his re^^ular forces, across a narrow strip of land covered with beach trees, n.'inked on one side by a swa»np and on the other by the river; their lell rest- ing on the river supported by the larger portion of their artil- lery, and their right on the swamp. i3eyond the swamp, and between it and another morass still further to the right, were the Indians under Tecumseh. This position was skilfully chosen by Proctor, with regard to locality, and the character of his troops ; but he committed an irreparable oversight in neglecting to fortify his front by a ditch or abati«. and in draw- ing up his troops " in open order, that is, with intervals of three or four feet between the files" — a mode of array whicdi could not resist a charge of cavalry. His whole force consisted of about eight hundred regular soldiers and two thousand Indians. The American troops, amounting to something more than three thousand men, were now disposed in order of battle. General Trotter's brigade constituted the front line ; general King's brigade formed a second line, in the rear of general Trotter ; and Chiles's brigade was kept as a corps of reserve. These three brigades were under the command of major general Henry. The whole of general Desha's division, consisting of two brigades, was formed en potence on the lell of Trotter's brigade. Each brigade averaged five hundred men. The regular troops, amounting to one hundred and twenty men, were formed in columns, and occupied a narrow space between the road and the river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's artillery, should opportunity offer. General Harrison had at first ordered colonel Johnson's mounted men to form in two lines, opposite to the Indians ; but he soon observed that the underwood here was too close for cavalry to act with any effect. Aware of the egregious error committed by Proctor as above mentioned, and well knowing the dexterity of backwoodsmen in riding, and in the use of the rifle, in forest ground, he immediately determined that one battalion of the moimted regiment should charge on the British regulars. The other, under the immediate command %:i if. (t't' KIO llliACKI'.NUIDCI'/S llntlli> III' till' 'riiiiir<'« roloiirl JoIiiinimi tviiiiiiiloil I>«'iilh nl' 'IVrtiiii«i>li. of coloDcl .lolillsoii, wns IcO to roiilVonf tlii< lililiiiris. 'I'lip r«M)nisili* MiTiiiiiiii'incMts liiiviiiL; Imtii iiuiiIi', ilKMirniy liiid iiiiivnl I'orwnnl luit ii slmrl ilisliiiu'c, wlicn flic niniiy Hii'd. 'I'hiii >VMS llu» .si!>;u!il l»»r xiir fuviilry l<» rhnr^i'; iiiul jiIiIhhu;Ii the Mini tiMil Ihmncs ill llir iVoiil ol' lli«< coliiinii nt lirst rrmilrd, l|ir\ si»ou n'(*t»v<'nMl llicmsrlvrs, mid lliruhidr luidy , iVoiu llir nntiirr oT tlic f^roiiiid mid the pmiic wliirli piwailcd, lo I'oiin tlicir broken nuiKs, iiiinu'dialcly siir- rcndcn'd. On tlio Nd), tlio Imtll«» was l)oij;iin l»y 'rrciiinsrli nilli ^rciil fury. 'Vho jjjnlling (inMtrilic Indians did nol cln'fdi flic advance soil and the niimher and «dose- ness ol' the thi»dv(>ts which covered i*. In these circimisfanees, colonel .lehnson ordenmonnt, and leadini; them \i\> a sectMid tiiiu\ suoceed(>«l, aOiM" a desperal*' <*onfesf, in hnak- inix through th«» line of the Indians and ^ainin^ their rear. Ni>twithstandin<^ this, and that tin* colonel now directed his iiKMi to lii^lit them in thmple formed hy the front lin<^ and Desha's division. The comhat now ragcMl with increasing fury, the Indians, to the numher of twelve or fiHecMi hundred, s«'emiiig determined to maintain their ground to the last. TIk' terrible voice of Tecumsrh could bo distinctly heard, (Micouraging his warriors; and although beset on every side i^xcept that of the morass, they fought with more determined courage than they had ever before exhibited. An incident, however, now occur- ring which eventually decided the contest. The gallant colonel Johnson having rushed towards tii<) spot where the Indians, clustering around their undaunted chief, appeared resolved to perish by his c'^dc ; his uniform, and the white horse which he rode, rendered him a conspicuous object. Jn a moment hi- holsters, dress and accoutrements were pierced with a hundred bullets ; and he tell to the ground severely wounded. Tecuni- seh, meanwhile, was killed in the melee. After the rescue and removal of the wounded colonel, the command d-^volvcd on major Thompson. The Indians maintained the fii3.it ^"►r more I iif 'rt'niin«i-li. iliiiiis. 'rhi« V IiimI inovi'il t'li'i'il. 'riiiM iilllioiii;li ll;i< rrroilril, llir\ sIumI iIiioiimI ^ in tln' ir;ir IIT, Mild Wtir ollicrrs, liiid- ind lli<< |)niii(' UMlintrly siir- h willi ^rnil i the julviuiti" ol siicccssl'til, )(M* nnriiiMN«>h. Ilirtii nil hour ; Iml no Imi^iM' ln'ririii^ llic voicn of f|i»'ir j^ronf. ifiplniii, Mmv '•' I'l"^' /rnvp w/iy on nil hkIcp. IN«'rir Mm njiof \vll«>l'»» llilM Hhii{j;j/I«' luul« |i|»Mr, lliiffy Inilliilin nixi nix wliifn« Wf'io roiiiiij (li'iui. *riiii« IMI 'ri'cihiist'li, Miif^ mI' iIm' moul rp|»i|trfil»Ml w/irr(or« flint f|in III' our itiiliitn pnf Immmi ii wildr-riiPMH. To (Iiohm who jircirr n Niiv/i^p, iim iillivnIiMJ wmhIp, iiih»iliif«'firi'5rfi /it n ]ii.^h nl. his donfh h<; Mftnnoly oxfcoflod forty yonrn of tt^f\ 'rooinnsoh lind rooi-ivod tho «ifnrn(i of ^ro/ilnos.s IVoni tho hund of iintnro ; nnd Imd hi^ lot, l)Of;n r-nMl ill H dillt'iont nImIo of Hooioty, ho would hfivo HJionr; im f>ui'. of flio moHt ilisfinj^niHJiod of nion. Ih) wmh r-rifjowod with n [»ow- orl'iil mind, and with tho hoiiI of n hf;ro. Tlior*! wnn nn wnoorn- irion dignity in his oonntonnncf! nnd iiiMnnorH : l»y tho lorrrir;r ho could oiisily ho I; fflilSfli^ n ITlHf ■' i^ifrflis IBHilH^lff'-^ ''Ml raw 1 ' M"* 19 iK K* k^^^4. fr jm B. JT^ * 4 ■ ' 1 .-; • 1 ; vm n-. Eacnpo of Proctnr Public Tostiinoiiiala or Recpcct to Harrison. tish ofliccrs. His form was uncommonly elegant. His stature was aU'Lit six foet, and his limbs were perfectly proportioned. In this engagement, the British loss was, nineteen regulars killed, fifiy wounded, and about six hundred taken prisoners. The Indians left one hundred and twenty on the field. The American loss, ir ivilled and wounded, amounted to upwards of fifty ; seventeen jf the slain were Kentuckians, and among them was colonel Whitely, a soldier of the revolution who served on this occasion as a private. He by some was sup- posed to have killed Tecumseh ; while others affirmed that colonel Johnson was the person. Several pieces of brass can- non, the trophies of our revolution, and which had been sur- rendered by Hull at Detroit, were once more restored to our country. General Proctor had basely deserted his troops as soon as the charge was made ; and though hotly pursued, was enabled, by means of swift horses and his knowledge of the country, to escape down the Thames. His carriage, with his private papers, however, was takc^i. By this splendid achievement, general Harrison rescued the whole northwestern frontier from the depredations of the savages and the horrors of war. The national gratitude burst out in one loud voice of applause. He was complimented by congress, and by various public bodies; and a prominent public man asserted, on the floor of the national house of reprc sentatives, tliat his victory " was such as would have secured to a Roman general, in the best days of the republic, the honours of a triumph." We regret to be compelled to add. that this distinguished ofticer not long afterwards retired from the army, in consequence of being placed in an inferior com- mand. His services were thus lost to the country for the re- mainder of the war. For the act which induced general Har- rison to take this step, the administration, and particularly the secretary of war, general Armstrong, were much and justly blamed. The time had now come, which would prove whether the stigma cast upon the chivalrous people of Kentucky by Proctor, in order to hide his own conduct, was founded in truth. It was now to be seen whether, to use the words of Proctor, they were a " ferocious and mortal foe, using the same mode of warfare with the allies of Britain." The recollection of the cruelties at the river Raisin might have justified revenge ; and the in- struments of those deeds were now at their disposal : for, be- reft of hope by this signal defeat and the loss of their great leader, the savages had sued for peace ; and as an earnest of their sincerity, offered to raise their tomahawks on the side of HISTORY OF TIIK WAU. 165 to Harrison. Generous Treatment of the Priaoners Interesting Correaimndenco. tliG United States, and to execute on the British captives the same atrocities they had perpetrated on the Americans. But the Kentuckians, as might have been expected, forbore even a word or a look of reproach to their prisoners. The lat- ter were distributed in small parties in the interior towns ; and although extremely insulting in their deportment, were not only treated with humanity, but in many places actually fed with dainties by the humane inhabitants. This treatment was car- ried to an extreme which might properly have been termed foolish, had it not been a noble retaliation for what our coun- trymen were at that moment enduring in the British dungeons on the land, and in their floating prisons on the sea. Nor was the treatment of the conquered savages less gene- rous. Peace was granted to them, and during the succeeding winter they were actually supported at the public expense. They were obligated to raise the tomahawk against their former friends, but were forbidden to assail the defenceless and the non- combatant. Security having thus been restored to our frontier, the greater part of the volunteers were permitted to return home; and Ilar- Cass at Detroit with about one nson, after stationing general thousand men, on the 23d of October proceeded, according to his instructions, with the remainder of his force, to join the Army of the Centre at Buffalo. Shortly before his departure an interesting correspondence took place between him and gene- ral Vincent, growing out of a request by the latter, that the Bri- tish prisoners in his possession might be treated with humanity, (jreneral Harrison, after assuring him that such a request was unnecessary, referred him to the prisoners themselves for in- formation on this score. He then took occasion to go into a minute detail of the violations of the laws of civilized warfare committed by the British and Indians. He painted the scenes of the river Raisin, the Miami, and other pluces, the atrocity of which general Proctor had attempted to palliote by the utterance of a slander on the Western people ; and at the same time stated, that in no sinjjle instance had the British had occasion to com- plain of a deviation from civilized warfare on our part. For the truth of these facts, he appealed to the pergonal knowledge of general Vincent. General Harrison said, that, in his treat- ment of British prisoners, he acted purely from a sense of hu- manity, and not on the principle of reciprocity ; and as there were still a numbcx- of Indians in the employment of the British, he begged to be informed explicitly, whether these allies would be kept in restraint for the future, or whether general Vincent would still permit them to practise their usual cruelties. " Use, J? J 166 BRACKENRTDGE'S m pi'- !''. ri ^- I ^* Preparations for invading Canada. I pray you," said he, " your authority and influence to stop the dreadful effusion of innocent blood which proceeds from the employment of those savage monsters, whose aid, as must now be discovered, is so little to be depended Oii when most wanted, and which can have so trifling an effect on the issue of the war." The reply of general Vincent, like that of sir Sydney Beck with, was vague and evasive. He expressed himself perfectly satisfied vith the assurances as to the treatment of the prisoners, but dechned saying any thing on the other topics ; it was beyond his power to give an explicit answer; but he pledged his honour, that*, to the utmost of his power, he would join with general Harrison in alleviating the calamities of the war. CHAPTER XII. Prcparationsfor invading Canada— General Armstrong appointed Secretary of War — Geneiu^ Wilkinson appointed Commander-in-chief of the American Forces— Gene- ral Hampton takes command of the Army of th^ North at Plattsburg— Rendezvous of the American Forces at Grenadier Island— General Wilkinson descends the St. Lawrence— British harass the American Army— Battle of Chrystler's Field— General Hamptoi descends the Chatoaugay River — Is attacked by the British — He retreats— His Inability or Unwillingness toco-operate with General Wilkinson — Both Ameri- can Armies go into Winter Quarters— Failure of the Expedition against Montreal- Cruise of Conmiodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario— He captures five armed British Schooners— Burning of Newark by the Americans— British Retaliation— Fort Niaga- ra surprised— Destruction of Levvistown, Buffalo, and other places. The glorious result of the operations of the Northwestern army, and the splendid victory on the lake, opened the way to a more ellcctual invasion of Canada. We were now in the situation in which we should have been at the commencement of the war, had Hull's expedition proved successful ; with this difference, however : that the British had beet; enabled to pro- vide for defence, by collecting troops, disciplining militia, and fortifying the borders of the St. Lav/rence ; while, on the other hand, the American force on the frontier was more formi- dable than it had been at any time previously during the war, and was commanded by officers whose merits hod been tried in actual service — in addition to which the gre^^ter part of the I HISTORY OF THE WAR. 167 ifluence to ;h proceeds hose aid, as cd Oil when jffect on the dney Beck 3lf perfectly le prisoners, was beyond I his honour, general nth Secretary of War Forces— Gene- rg— Rendezvous lcs luindrcd bouts siilliMcd llm Kligblc st injury ; mihI hcloro ton o'clock ol" iIk^ next (l.iy, llicy lind all saU'ly anivcil at tlu? \Ai\ro of dcslinnlion. A int'.sscngcr was now dcspalclic'd to grnoral lianiplou, iMronuin^ liini of iIk; niovcnicitls of tiio army, and nMjuiring lii.s co-opcrntion. Tho cnrniy, liaving l>y tlii.s linif pcncfralcd tlio drsi^n of \ho Americans, «-ndca\oiircd, as.sidiionsly, to counteract it. 'J'Ik; tlcscont of our troops w.is now I'ound to l)c impeded by con.sidci- able bodi( s ol'tlic Hrili.sh, .stationed at narrow parts of the liver, whence they could annoy our bo/ifs within muskef shot ; and the eniharrassnieni thus occasioned was increased by lla; illne.ss of tho commander.i;i.( jiiel", which had aiiirniented in th(3 most alarmiuju; dt 'e. 'he army was also delayed lor half a dny in extricafin >. "hooners loudecl with provisions, which liU'l been driven i\\ ^ ; - ' oftlK* river near ()(j;densbur«i;, by the ene- my's fire. Oi\ liic 7tl- "\ llie mornini:;, a corps of twtdvc; huii- dred hkmi, under colonel Aiacond), was des|)iitclied to removo the obstructions to the descent of the armv ; and at IImim; o'clock he was followed by the main body. On passiiii; the first ra|)ids o{ the St. Law rence, the barge of the conunander-in- chief was assailed by two pi(>i'es of artillery, which had not been perceived by colonel Macomb in his ujarch. No injury was done except to the. riijiiinij; : and the attention of the enemy was soon diverted by lieutenant-colonel lOustis, who returned their fire from sonic liii;ht barij;(\s ; while major Forsyth(^ kind- ing souK^ of his riOiMnen, attacked them unexpectedly, and com- pelled them to retiwit. The tUttilla came-to about six miles Inflow Hamilton ; where the gtMieral received intelligence tliiil colonel Macomb had routinl tho enemy at a block-housc two miles below, and that the dragoons attached to the first divi- sion of the enemy had been coll(X't Anifrimn Army. nvoidod ; nnd this, in tlio prcwnt cjist!, wmh I Ik; lUTOssfiry coii- Hoqnpnco of withdrnwiiig tho troops from iihovf? wlii(;h might Imvo kopt lli(5 oiHuny iti chrck. I fad two thousand rnnn hccn Nfationod in tho vicinity of Kingston to thrcaton it, tho onemy would \mv() IwHMi <'ornp»'llod t(» rotnin a larg(5 forro fit that place; hy which means tho main hody ofcMir army might have; passed on in groa,t(!r saloty. In tho conrso of the; (lay, tho cavalry, and four piorxis of nrlillcry nndor captain M*P}ior- Non, wore ordor(!d to clear tho coast helow as far as tho head of the LotifrxiP Sunt, a rapid <;ight miles long; and in the even- ing the army arrived at a place calUrd the Yellow Ffonso, whirli stands near the; Ha'it. As the passagf! hen; would lie attended with considerahle ditlictilly, from the rapidity and length ot" the current, it was deemcnl prudent to wait until the next day ; niid in tin; meanwhih; it hec^amr; necessary io use the utmost vigilanc(\ On \h() morning orth(; 10th, general Hrown, with the ' vhich he had occupied some days before, called the Four Cor- ners. Here he arrived on the last day of the month. The British claimed a victory for this aflair ; which, they said, wns gained \\ ith a very inferior force. It was not, however, the intention of general Hampton to penetrate to Montreal, but merely to divert the attention of tlie British from the army of general Wilkinson. Having accomplished this object, he fell back to a position whence he could, with greater facility, make Ijis way to some point f)n the St. Lawrence. It was then that, in reply to the order of the commander-in-chief, he despatched the letter already mentioned, stating the imi)racticability of a compliance with it. On the receij)t of general Hamilton's com- IIISTOUV OV 'I'lII-: WAR. nri ,1 ■•!! AmtrlMa Armlm go hito Winter Uuiirurtf Fuilum of the Kxpfditlon. inunicutioii, a c(jiui(mI of tlu; |>i'iii('i|>al oll'icers \vu8 called, ut whi(;h it was (Ictonnincd that tin; ulijirts of tiu; campaign weru no loijj^er attainable. It was llu'ielon! resolved that the arm*' shoiilil (jiiit the Canadian side of tlu; St. Lawrenee, and nitire into winter (iuart«»rs at Frencii Mills on Salmon riv«;r. (ieno- nd llampton, with his troops, soon a Her l()llowed this example ; iii'd, in eonseijuence of indisposition, resigned the eonuiiand of tlieni to general Izard. 'J'hus terminated a campaign, the issue of which gave rise to dissatisfaction proportioned to the sanjjuino anti('i|)ations which had hcen indulged. This un(!xpected turn of affairs appeared t6 cast a shade? ii|)on all the brilliant successes which had preceded. Much diversity of opinion prevailed as to tlu! causes of tiu5 failure, and the parties who ought to bear the blame, (leneral Wil- kinson, aller the disappointment w hich lie met with in his rein- i'orcement and suj)plies, could not |)erha|vs witii prudence have jjcrsevered in the prosecution of tlu; original object of the cam- paign ; and besides, from the state of his health, he; was not (|ualified to carry into cx(;cution what would have re(|uircd the utmost vigour of mind and body. With respect to Hampton, jnilitary men will probably say, that it was ins duty to have obeyed ; but if we place implicit reliance; upon the correctness of the facts which he alleged, it will be dilficult to ceuidemn his conduct. The presence of tlu; secretary at war, for the pur- pose of superintending the operations of the cami)aign, was j)(;rhaj)s more injurious than serviceable. lie was by no means ia a situation in which he could be considered respre was no hope of closing with the enemy before he could reach the Btitish batteries, nor without great risk of running ashore. The commodore was justly entitled to claim a victory in thisaflair. Although tlir enemy were noi HISTORY OF THE WAR. 177 He captures live Dritiih Armed Scliuoners. captured, they were certainly beaten ; two of tlieir vessels had ut one time been completely in the commodore's power ; and but for his eagerness to close with the whole fleet, they could not have eftected their escape. The loss on board the General I'ike was considerable, owing to her long exposure to the fire of the enemy's fleet ; which was seriously increased by tiic bursting of one of her guns, an accident by which twenty-two men were killed or wounded. The vessel also was a good deal cut up in her hull and rigging. Commodore Chauncey, shortly after this aflUir, communi- cated with general Wilkinson on the subject of the expedition then on foot ; and was advised to continue his watch of the enemy's squadron, and, if possible, to prevent its return to Kingston. In the beginning of October, ho again pursued the liustile fleet for several days, and forced it to take refuge in I'urlington Bay ; and, the next morning, on sending the schoon- ( r Lady of the Lake to reconnoitre, he found that sir James iiad taken advantage of the darkness of the night, and escaped towards Kingston. I\Iu(di pleasantry was indulged in, at the shyness of the British knight, and his ungullant cscap<» from the Lady of the Lake. The chase was now renewed, and, favoured by the wind, the commodore came in sight of seven si.'hooners belonging to the enemy. Before sun-down, three of them struck to the (Jencral Pike ; another to the Sylph and the Lady of tin' Lake ; and afterwards a liflh to the Sylph. They turned out to be gun vessels, bound to the head of the lake as transports. Two of them were the Julia and Growler, which hiid been taken from the Americans by the enemy, as men- tioned in a previous chapter. On board of the captured schoon- ers were three hundred soldiers, Ix'longing to lie Watteville's regiment. It was ascertained that the ship of sir James Yeo, and the Royal George, had suflered very considerable injury, as well as loss in killed and wounded. The enemy's fleet were seen going into Kingston the same evening ; and commodore Chauncey remained master of the lake during the remainder of the season. The consequences of leaving a large force in the rear, and withdrawing the troops from \hv Niagara, soon began to l)e felt, (icneral Harrison reached Bufthlo some days after the departure of the commander-in-chief; and although directed to follow immediately, he was compelled to wait until somcitime in N«- vomber, in consequence of the deficiency of trarjsports. '.: was not until general Wilkinson had gone into winter quarters that Harrison embarked ; orders having previously been sent lor him to remain at Buffalo, which unfortunately did not arrive ■ fi ■ i M ;m' 178 IJIlACKKNlllDCl-rS ■ 1 «- * ^^i-' •Sf V Uurriin^' u( Newark by the Aniprirniit Dritisli Rvtuliation. until jiIUt his dr'parturo. Fort Gcorgo was \cA\ under tlie com- inniid of gencjral M'CIure, witli troops consisting entirely of militia whose term of service Imd nearly expii-ed. By the 10th of Dc^cemhcr, liis force being reduced to u handful of men, and a considerahlc body of the enemy being within a few miles of kiiin, he called a coiuicil of officers, at which it was unani- nioiisly agreed, that the jjlace was no longer tenable. Scarcely li;id the general time to blow up the I'ovl and pass the river, Ix'l' re the Hriiish appearetl. His retreat was preceded by 'm net which excited universal dissatisfaction throughout the United K^tates. On the Canadian side of the Niagara and situated im- riiedialely below where I^^ort ( «eorge stood, was a handsome vil- lage, calhid Newark. As this place, from its situation, would trcatly favour th»! Ix'siegers, authority had been given by the irecretary of v.;ir, in case it bec^ame necessary for the defenct; of the lull, I) destroy the; village. The general, misconceiviutr these orders, gave twelve hours' notice to the inliabitants to retire will) their cflects, fired the buildings, and led the village in flames. This act was no sooner known to the American govrtnmri!', th;'.n it was |)romptly disavowed. On the 6th ol" .fanuary iidlowing, the order under which general M'CIure con- ccdved himself to have acted, was enclosed to sir George Pro- vost, with a formal intimation that the act was iu)aufhorised. To this an answer dated the 10th of February was returned by the gove'rn(»r of (-anada, in whii'h he exprc'ssed "great satisfaction, that lie Icul HM-cived assurance that the; perpefiation of the burn- ing oi" the; town of Newark was bo'.i: unautheris<'d by the Ameri- can government, and abhorrent to >rvery American feeling ; that if any outrag(^s had ensued the wanton and unjustifiable destruc- tion of Newark', passing the hounds of Just I'ctaliation, they were to b«^ attributed to the influence of irritated passions, on the part of the unfortunate sufferers by thnt event." The dif:er(?nce of lh(! principles, on which the war was car- ried on by tl'^ Americans, and by the British, was very striking. The former, uniformly disavowing the system oC retaliation, eonsiden'd the outrages conunitlcd by Hriiish oflicers unau- thorised, until expressly acknowledged by ilie British govern- ment : while the British, on tlu? contrary, ))r()ceeded at once !o retaliate any \ •olafion of tlK; laws of war, without waiting to inquire wheth^-r it was disapproved or sanctioned by our gov(!rnment. Had the Americans followed the example of their enemirs, th" burning of Newark would have been amply ju.stified by the (outrages which had been wantonly coumiittod on Lake Champlain and (>n the s(\'i-board ; and yet, shortly a/lcr the mossncre nnd conllagrotion of Ihe village of Ilamptoii, IIISTOKV OF THE W AU. 179 tetaliation. war was car- Fort Niagara itirprised .... Dcitruction of Ijewiatown, Buffalo and other places. when the captain of an American privateer had destroyed some private property in the West Indies, on the score of retaliation, his commissicii was instantly taken from him, and the act pub- licly disapproved. Their high sense of honourable warfare, \vi;s indeed manifested by the American government in a very remarkable manner. Our humane treatment of British prison- ers was acknowledged in the British house of commons even by lord Castlcreagh ; but he meanly attributed it to fear. Sir George Prevost, however, without waitinj^ for the disap- l»roval by the American government of the burning of Newark, had proceeded to inflict a retaliation sulficient to satiate the ven- geance of the fiercest enemy. At daylight, on the lt)th of December, Fort Niagara was surprised by colonel Murray, with about four hundred British regulars, militia and Indians; and the garrison, nearly three hundred in number and princi- j)ally invalids, was put to the sword. Not more than twenty •itrected their escape. The commanding officer, captain Leon- ard, appears to have been sham(;fully negligent, or perhaps he had been bought by the enemy, lb; was absent at the time, and had used no precautions against an assault. Having pos- sessed themselves of this j)ost, the British soon afler increased their force, and began to lay waste the Niagara frontier with fire and sword. A spirited, but unavailing attempt was made by major Bennett to defend Lewistov.n from the enemy. This place, together with the villages of Manchester, Youngstown, and the town of the Tuscarora Indians, was speedily reduced to ashes; and many of the inhabitants were butchered. Major Mallory advanced Irom Schlosser, to oppose the invaders; but was com[)elled by superior numbers to retreat. On the 30th, a British detachment landed at Black Rock, and proceeded to Hulfalo. (.leneral Hall had organized a body of militia for the defence of the place ; but on the approach of the enemy, they could not be induced to hold their ground, although great exerticns were made by majors Staunton and Norton and lieutenant Riddle. This village also was reduced to ashes. The whole frontier, indeed, for many miles, exhibited a sceno of ruin and devastation. Thus was ample vengeance taken for the burning of Newark. Hven the British general was satisfied. In his proclamation of the 12th of January, ho said, " the opportunity of punish- ment has occurred, and a full measure of retribution has taken p/are;" and J«e dei^lared his intention of '♦ pursuing no further a system of warfare so revolting to his own feelings, and so little coiigenial to the British character." It would have been well to ask, whether .he conflagrations and pillaging antccc- m m ■ t a 180 nuACKL:NUii)(iF;s Meeting of Congrcas Violence of I'arty Spirit. dently committed on Lake Chatiiplain, and the horrid outrages in Chesapeake Hay, in tlie course of the previous summer, W(;ro net an ample set-oil* for the hurning of Newark ? Would that tlie enemy liad so deemed them ! Tlie ailUir continued to be followed up by subsequent retalia- tory measures in other quarters of our extended territory. The decree; of admiral C'ochrane, to lay Maste our maritime towns and districts, was founded, in part, on the destruction of New- ark, and the charge that we had burnt the parliament house at York in Upper Canada. It was not enough that the burning of Newark should have been reprobated and disavowed by our government ; it was not enough that it should be expiated b) an extensive course of murder and conflagration on our lako shores, which, according to the admission of sir George Pro- vost already recited, amply glutted the vengeance of Britain : but our extensive sea-coast of fifleen hundred miles, and our populous and flourishing cities, must be given up to destrucinn and j>illngc, to fill up the measure of Hritish retaliation. These events will, however, be detailed in their proper place. 'l :' I : I CHAPTER XIII. MeelingofCongrfss— Violence of Parij s-jpUr,! -i.jkewarm Poportment of the Niw England States— Measures for cnrryin^r on Hi'i W.tr Rcc.o'irse to Tazatioii -Ailop. tion of means fi)r recruiting tlin Ajiny— Ii'i'!' , -i r use of twtnty-tlirtr Ameticaii Prisoners— ArroRnnce of ilie British government -Debates in Congress on the rjbji rt —Result of the Debates— Infiiiiry by Congress into the manner in which !hr; V/ar had been carried on by the Enemy— American ComniiHsioners of Peace sent to Oof- tenburg— The War gains ground in Public Opinion. I . i ', , On the 6th of December 1813, the congress of the United States again a.sseml)led. The fever of party spirit had almost reached its crisis, and the debates in that body were character- ized by a virulence and animosity which had never before been w?*nessed since I he foundation of our government. It would l>', impro H>r, at this date, to enter minuiely into the discu.ssioM of a subject which at ony rate had better be forgotten ; and in a nri^rai've of the events of the war, there is scarc^^ly room for it. On (he one eide, we lind the opposition accused of manifestmg a lIIrfTOKV OF Till-: WaU. 181 imer, wcro Lukewarm Deportinctit uf tlio Nnw KnuUnil Stateii. s|)irit of hostility to tiioir country, inu\ a dctorininod rosistanco to every measure Ibrcarryiiit^otitlu' \var,altlioM:;li frointlio pcromp- tory rejection by (Jreut liritaia of iho Jlussiaii mediation, there existed no hope of peace. On the other Imnd, the party in power were ciiarged witli iiavini; ruined the country, destroyed its commerce, involved it in debts which it could never pay, and with being engagiul in a guilty projr'ct of eoufinest, und'T llie pretext of vindicatii.g national rights. lOvery measure with respect to the war was sure; to involve in it a consideration of its causes, and the same discussions were renewed until they grew stale by repetition. The opposition to every measure proposed for tiu; prosecution of hostilities turned upon the in- justice apd wickedness of the war. Hy some it was denied that any cause of war existed; and hy others it was alleged, that although we had c;iuse, the tim(! chosen for declaring it was improper. Among the members in opposition was Mr. Webster, of whom it is but justice to say, thpt iiis sentiments were uni- forndy national. TIk; sj)londid abilities of this gr-ntlom. n,and the no less splendid but more poj)ular career oi' Mr. Calhoun, lirst Ujcume conspicuous about this period. The o|)])osition of Mr. Webster was maidy and generous. Th(3 suppf t given to the adtninistration by Mr. (Jalhoun, was fervid and powerful. Notwithstanding the warm Jind often intemperate debates to which these subjects gav(> rise;, the tlillerent measures in sup- port of the war continued to be carrit.'d by large majorities. In yome of the New England states, t\u\ oijjiosition was car- ried on in a spirit of animosity, which occasioned serious regret in the breasts of the more considerat(\ Such conduct did not, by any means, meet with the concurrenc«i of the; opposition party in other parts of tljc United States, and certainly not of the great mass of the popula?iou of the states in which it was exhibited. The cflects of the embargo, which was about this time adopted, and the non-inti!rcoursc, it was said, wcrf It much more severely by the i)eoplo of New Pingland, tb in the southern districts ; and the administration was acci, i of partiality. It was alleged in rej)ty, that tlw; smuggling tho (Janada line, and the trade from the nortluM'u ports wihtho British, was carried on to such an extent, as almost t( i>ut tho government at defiance; and that the British scpjadro , which hud so much harassed the southern coasts, had been in a great measure supplied tc the northwanl, when without such -issist- unce it would have been dillicult, if not impossible, for it to remain on our shores. The war had hitherto been supporttnl by means of loans ; ns the resources of the government, which were derived v.,.clu- u;i.- h :;>,' 182 BllACKIOxXRlDCili'S Measures for carrying on ihe War Recourse to Taxation. i H- I 1 >' 1-1 sively from sales of pul)lic l.inds and from imposts, were alto- gether inadequate. It was now j)crccived that even as the secu- rity upon which to support a credit these were insuflicicnt ; and it was therefore determined to create an internal revenue. This measure, it may be said, ought to have been coeval with the: war : but the unwillingness of the pco[)le to submit to taxation, had already been seen ; and hence it was the wish of the jkU ministration to avoid ii as long as jmssible. At the declaration of war, it was believed that England would scarcely require iis to give proof of our ability to carry it on. The proposals for a cessation of hostilities, and the prolfered Russian mediation, kept up the hopes of peace for a time ; and a measure disagree- able to the people was therefore delayed until it had become unavoidable, or rather until it was called for by themselves. The expenses of the war had also unexj)ectedly increased, from the unlooked-for reverses of our arms to the westward, and tiu; consequent necessity for the creation of fleets on the lakes ; while the means of meeting them were diminished by the un- willingness of the New England people to join heartily in its prosecution. Had we possessed ourselves of Upper Canada, there is very little doubt that we should have had |)eace the first year of the war; for it was not until she discovered our weak- ness on our northern and western fron ars, that England reject- ed the Russian mediation. Not that the loss of Canada would have been a matter of so much consequence to (Jreat Britain; but that it would have furnished her with conclusive proof, that she could have no ho[)e of severing the union by sowing (lis- sensions between the different states. The next thing with which the national legislature occupied itself, was the j)rovisioii of means for (illing the ranks of the army. Tlie fli'ficulty of inducing men to enlist continued to increase, and even furnished an argument to prove that tho war was not popular. Jiut this could be easily accounted for, from the natural reluctance of all men, not actually urged by their necessities, to enter into a positive engagement to serve as common soldiers for a number of years. Besides, the j)rofession of the common soldier, during our long peace, and on account of t!ie inconsiderable force kept on foot, had sunk very low in the estimation of the people: an enlisted soldier was almost a pro- verbial name for a lazy, worthless fellow. An idea was also prevalent, that the obligations of the enlisted soldier created a species of slavery ; or, at least, were incompatible with repub- lican freedom : this was suflicient lo prevent a great number of spirited and enterprising young men from entering the army. The sons of farmers, and young mechanics, were willing niSTOUY OF THE WAR. 163 Meaturei for recruiting the Army . • . ■ Caac of twonty-three American Priioncrt. enough to engage as volunteers, or to turn out on a tour of militia duty ; but to enter into engagements which were perma- nent, or which they regurdcd as disreputable, was a very ditlerent matter. The only mode of combating this aversion, was the olfering of extravagant bounties ; not so much with the view of hoiuinjj out a bait to cupidity, as to overcome the popular pre- judice against thisf mode of serving the country. A law was passed, increasing ihc pay of privates, and giving them bounties in money and lands to a considerable amount. This, it was conlidently hoped, would produce the desired ellect. During this session a very interesting subject was submitted to the consideration of congress. Twenty-three American sol- diers, taken Jit the battle of Queenstown in the autumn of 1811i, were detained in close (ionfmenunt on the charge of being native-born British subjects, and alhirwards sent to England to undergo a trial for treason. On this bt-ing made known to our government, orders were given to general D«^arborno to confme a like number of British prisoners taken at Fort (ieorge, and to keep them as hostages for the safety of the; Americans ; in- structions which were carried into ellect, and soon fii\vr made known to tlie governor oi' Canada. Tlie British government was no sooner informed of this, than governor I'revost was ordered to place forty-six American cominission^'d und non- commissioned otlicr;rs in confmemcnt. Cloverii m' '/revost, in his letter to general Wilkinson iipon this Mubject, sta'ed, that he had Ix^en directed to appiise him, that if any of the liritish prisoners should sutler deutli, i i (•(»nse(|uen(.'(! ol' the twenty- three American soldiers above hientioued l)eing lound guilty and the known law of Oreat Britain and of every other coun- try in similar circumstances IxMng e.\ecut(>d on them, double the numlxjr of American olVicers sbouM sullJ-r instant death: he further notified the general, for tlu; informal ion of his govern- ment, tjiat orders had been given t(» the British commanders to prosecute the war with unrelenting severity, if unhappily, allor this notice, the Am«;ri('an government should not Ik; deterred from putting to death the Britisli soldiers now in confinement. (Jeneral VVilkinson, in his reply, forbori! to animadvert on the nature of the piocedire, but could not help ex|)ressing his sur- ))riso at the threat by which tin; British government supposed the United States could 1x3 a"v<'d into submission. " Th«' govcrn- nnsnt of the United Stat) soon proved, that her only wish was to kccj) open a door for nego- tiation. Subsuntry to over- come their hatred for the men in jKJwer. Tlu? sentiment, that it becomes every virtuous man to rejoice in tlu; good fortuno of his country, however he may dislike; th(; rulers for the time being, was gradually gaining ground. The \v/irlike nsj)ect of every thing around them, interested th«! ardent minds of the yoimg and enterprising; the feats of arms and at Eccanachaca. was little short of three hundred killed, their whole forco exceeding a thousand. General Cocke, who commanded the other division of the Tennessee militia, detached general White, on the 11th, from Fort Armstrong, where he was encamped, against the hostile towns on the Tallapoosa river. Afler marching the whole night of the 17th, he surprised a town at daylight, containing upwards of three hundred warriors, sixty of whom he killed and the rest took prisoners. Having burnt several villages which had been deserted by the Indians, he returned on the 23d, without losing a single man. The Georgia militia, under general Floyd, advanced into the Creek country, about the last of November. Receiving infor- mation that a considerable body of Indians were collected at the Autossce towns, of which there were two, on the Talla- poosa river, a place which they called their beloved ground, and where, according to their prophets, no white man could molest them, general Floyd placed himself at the head of nine hundred militia and four hundred friendly Creeks, and marched from his encampment on the Chattahouchec. On the evening of the 28th, he encamped within ten miles of the place, and resuming his march at one o'clock of the next morning, reached the towns about six, and commenced an attack upon both at the same moment. His troops were met by the Indians with uncom- mon bravery ; and it was only after a most obstinate resistance, that they were ibrced, by his musketry and bayonets, to fly into the thickets and copses in the rear of the towns. In the course of three hours from the commencement of the engage- ment, the enemy were completely defeated, and thoir villages wrapt in flames. The troops having almost exhausted their whole stock of provisions, and being sixty miles from any depot, and in the heart of a country filled with hosts of hostile savages, now returned to their encampment on the Chattahou- chec. In this battle eleven Americans were killed and fifty wounded ; among the latter, the general himself: of the enemy, it is supposed that, besides the Autossce and Tallassee kings, upwards of two hundred were killed. In the month of December, general Claiborne conducted a detachment, from Fort Claiborne, on the east side of the Ala- bama river, against the towns of Eccanachaca, on the Alabama river above the mouth of the Cahawba. On the 22d, he came suddenly upon them, killed thirty of their warriors, and afler destroying their villages, returned. The loss to the Ameri- cans was, one killed and seven wounded. Afler the battle of Talladega, general Jackson was left with :ir: '' . 1 !''*♦. lua HRACKENUlDliE'S vim \ I fe.;-l.l i General Jucknon mnrclics to the Relief of Fort AriiiHlronf; Retreats. but a luviKlful of moil, in consequence (>'" tlic! term of service of the lilitiii haviiin; expired. On tlie lltli of J.muary, 1814, he was Ibrtunately reinlorced by eiglit hundred vohuiteers Ihmi Tennessee, and soon a(\er by several hundred friendly In- dians, lie was also joined by general Coliee with a number of olFicers, liis militia having returned home. On the ITtli, with the view of making a(liversi(jn in lavour of general Floyd, and at liie same time ol" relieving Fort Armstrong, which was said to be threatened, he entere-d the Indian countiy, with the determination of penetrating still farther than liad }et been attempted. On the evening of the 21st, believing himself, from appearances, in the vicinity of a large body of Indians, he eiic.unped with great pa'caution and kept himself in thcattiludi} of delence. During the night, one of his s|)ies brought infor- mation that he had s{;en the enemy a few miles olf, and that as they were busily engaged in sending away their women and children, it was evident they had discovered the American^', and would either escape or make an attack before morning. While the trooj)s were in this state of readiness, they were vigorously assailed on their left; flank about daylight. The enemy were resisted with firmness, and after a severe contest, fled in every direction. General Coffee having been detached with four hundred men, to destroy the enemy's camp, with directions not to attack it if strongly fortified, returned with information that it would not be prudent to attempt it without artillery. The attack already made was soon discovered to be a feint; and half an hour had scarcely elapsed, when the enemy commenced a second fierce attack on Jackson's left flank. It seems they had intended, by the first onset, to draw the Americans into a pursuit, and by that means produce confu- sion ; a result which was completely prevented by Jackson's causing his left; flank to keep its position. General Coffee, with about fifty of his oflicers, acting as volunteers, now assailed the Indians on the left, and two hundred friendly Indians came upon them on the right ; while the whole line in front, after discharging their first fire, resolutely charged, and forced the enemy to fly with precipitation. On the left fl.ank of the Indians the contest was kept up some time longer. As soon as possi- ble, a reinforcement of friendly Indians was sent to general Coffee, with whose aid he speedily compelled the enemy to retire, leaving fifty of their warriors on the ground. In this action general Cofiee was severely wounded, and his aid, A. Donaldson, killed. Being apprehensive of another attack, general Jackson for- tified his camp for the night. The next day, fearing a want of I118T0UY OF Tin: WAR. 193 Dcfcau an Indian Ambuscade Indians repulsed at Camp DcAance. provisions, he found it necessary to retreat, and before night reached Enotachopco creek, having passed a dangerous defilo without interruption. In tlie morning he had occasion to cross a second defile, where he had good reason to icar an ambus- cade of the enemy. Having made tlic most judicious arrange- niL'Uts for the dispositioii uf liis force in case of attack, he i.ioved forward towards the pass. The advanced guard, with part of tiic flank columns and tlie wounded, had scarcely crossed the rrcck just named, when the alarm was given in llic rear. Jackson immediately gave orders for his right and left columns to wheel on their pivots, and crossing the stream above and below, to assail the flanks and rcar of the enemy, and thus completely enclose them. When, however, the word was given for these columns to Ibrm, and a lew guns were fired, they precipitately gave way. This flight had well nigh proved fatal ; for it drew along with it the greater part of the centre column, leaving not more than twenty-five men to maintain the ground against over- whelming numbers. All tliat could now be opposed to the enemy, were the few who remained of the rear guard, the artil- lery company, and captain Russel's company of spies. Their conduct, however, was admirable. Lieutenant Armstrong, with the utmost coolness and intrepidity, and aided by a few more, dragged a six-pounder to the top of a hill, although exposed to a heavy fire ; and having gained his position, loaded the piece with grape, and fired it with such eflcct, that after a few dis- charges, the enemy were repulsed. They were pursued for several miles by colonel Carrol, colonel Higgins, and captains Elliot and Pipkins. Captain Gordon, of the spies, had partly succeeded in turning their flank, and thus contributed greatly to restore the day. The Americans now continued their retreat without further molestation. In these different engagements, about twenty Americans were killed and seventy-five wounded; the loss of the enemy in the last engagement was about one hundred and eighty slain. Meanwhile general Floyd was again advancing towards the Indian territory, from the Chattahouchee river. On the 27th of January, at Camp Defiance, he was attacked by a large body of Indians, about an hour before day. They stole upon the sentinels, and af>er firing on them, rushed with great impetu- osity towards the main body. The action soon became gene- ral. The front of both flanks was closely pressed, but the firmness of the officers and men repelled the assaults at every point. As soon as it became sufllciently light, general Floyd strengthened his right wing and formed his cavalry in the rear, and then directed a charge. The enemy gave way R r; >% lyj- l;^-:? 'Hi ■■».'., 104 imACKKi\RII)(»l'AS Ocneral JorkHon Kuins the BanKiiinnry Victory of Horse-8lioe Ikml. '■1 i ! 'iu before the bayf>not, and l)eing pursued by the cavalry, ur-rc many of them killed. The loss of general Floyd was seven- teen killed and one hundred and thirty-two wound«^d. That of the Indians could not be ascertained; although it must hiwc. been very considerable: thirty-seven of their warriors were left dead on the field. By this time, it might be supposed that the Creeks had Ix-en satisfied with the experiment of war ; but they appear to have been infatuated to a most extraordinary degree. Under iho influence of their prophets, they were led on from one ruinous efTort to another, in hopes that the time would at last arrive when their enemies would be delivered into their hands. General Jackson having received considerable reinforcements from Tennessee, and being joined by a number of friendly Indians, set out on an expedition to the Tallapoosa river. He proceeded from the (Joosa on the 24th of March, and reached the southern extremity of the New Youca on the 27th, at a place called tlie Horse-Shoe-Bend of the Tallapoosa. Nature furnishes few situations so eligible for defence, and here the Creeks, by the direction of their prophets, had made their last stand. Across the neck of the peninsula formed by the curva- ture of the river they had erected a breast- work of the greatest compactness and strength, from five to eight feet high, and provided with a double row of port-holes, artfully arranged. In this place they considered themselves perfectly secure ; as the assailants could not approach without being exposed to a dou- ble and cross fire from those who lay behind the breast- works. The area thus enclosed was little short of one hundred acres. The warriors from the Oakfuskee, Oakshaya, and Hillabee towns, the Fish Ponds, and the Eupauta towns, were here col- lected, in number exceeding a thousand. Early in the morning of the 27th, general Jackson, having encamped the preceding night within six miles of the Bend, detached general Coffee, with the mounted men and nearly the whole of the friendly Indian force, to pass the river at a ford about three miles below the Creek encampment, and instructed him to surround the Bend in such a manner, that none of the savages should effect their escape by crossing the river. With the remainder of his force, he advanced to the point of land which led to the front of the breast-work ; and at half past ten, planted his artillery on a small eminence within eighty yards of the nearest, and two hundred and fifty of the farthest point of the works. A brisk cannonade was opened uj^on the centre ; and a severe fire directed with musketry and rifles, whenever the Indians ventured to show themselves above or outside of their HI8TOUY OF TIIK WAR. 195 Victory ut llot»c Shoe-U l'ri>«>k Wiu lorinliinlcil, iiml Piudi illtinit'it on Mt>vi>rt> TcniiN. (V«H'I»<\\('r (»!' Ihcsp misjMinlnl mrti nMn|»I<'l('I\ . '\'\\o Mclury ol' 'riilliiMlmlclirM, wmi Ity ('nllrc; ti(' th(> 'rfill.ipoosa, Ity ('tM'Kr; lh«» two vnloius nl' j'^ninal I'lnyil, on iho (looijiia nH\r ol'llir IihIimu l«'iiil»»ry ; 1|«mh«» or'riilliitlijrn iin«l l'ln*il(i('|io|M'o, uon liy JiicKmoii ; iiinl lli«< Ditnl l)(iltli< of llm I lorsf'-Shor-Hrud. ll'Ujrhl by .l«n'kst»ii and ( 'olli>r, nuiy Itr H.iitl \o linvo "ml np the war l»y Mh» iooIh/' .lackHon soon allrr sronrrd llio coniilry on llu* ( 'oosa iiinl 'I'allaiMxts.a nvois. A parly ol llio rncniy on lln' InlhM' rivi i, »>n Ins npproaih. (IfMl to I'onsacola. TIm' larm'i* portion of iId. CitH^kN, anil anion;;; IIumm llioir ntosl. alilo and san^iMnary rliii f VVralhorliud, now rnnir lorward and tlirrw llioniHolvrH on llm nwn'y o[' \hv viclors. A «U<(achnu'nl ol' nnlilia iVoni North inn! Il^onlh C.arolma, »n»d«'r Ifii' t peaco was dielnlid to th«^ ('neks by pM\(Mal Jaekson, on severe lernis. 'I'liey agre(Ml to yield a larj^<> portion of their country as an indeninitv lor lh<» e\p«M»s<'s of the war; they <'on«M'detl the privik'jre ol" oponnvi; nvids llM*i»n/j;h their country, toirrlher with the liixMlv of imvij^Mitinjj; their nv(n's ; they rngair«'d to rstablish trading; liott8<^s, and to «Mid(sav»>nr \o brinjr back the nation to its lorjncr state; th(\v «'ds«> stipulated to hold no int«>rt'ours(^ with anv Hrilish oy Spanish pusl or ijavrison, and l(» deliver up the \no- porty they had takt^n iVoni the whites and the iVit'ndly Indians. The ijem^al, on tho part of tjn> IhntcMl States, undertook to guaranty ihtMr nMuaininij; territory to th(»ni, to rostoro all their pris(Uicrs, and, in consiik^'ation oi" thi>ir (lestitut<> situation, te inrnish thoni ixratuiftuisly with the nccossarios of lile until tli(>\ oouhi provi(i(^ lor thenisc Ives. It was truly lamentable to contemplate tho ruin of trilits which WTiv making such rapid uilvances to civili/alion. 'VUvw villages wore entirely destroyed; and their herds, which had Invome numerous, wore killed by themselves ut uu early part of tho oonteet. Ifl IIIS'I'OUV n|. rill, U Ml n>7 I'lmia nt 0)H>tiiUoiiN niNliiiil rmiiidn Mntrli of UkmmibI Hmwu CIIAI'TI'.K XV. Vinii* iif ()|inrnil()nii ngniimt ('miiidn propo^t'il (><>nnrnl llinwrt iriiirrh<<« to nark • n'M llnrltonr (Jpnnrnl WilkliiaoM iplir»*ii to l'lntl»iliiirK Atlni k* ilif liiilith nt I, a I'lilln Hiid In rrpiiliril Ktii*|Mr i'ri>nk llrllluli riii't i>tit«tH l,nk<<)'hninplniii l.nkxOnlnrio ConlrHi for Miipr-rlorlty iJK'rn (inlltitil Dcrciirt' of UHWi'itn llrilixli lainl nt I'lilli'iify viljc lllo) ko'lf* nt F*nrk< •'(In llnrtiiiiir I'.iiKnKiMiM'tit ill Hniiily Crook niiil Cnpiiirn of ttitt llrltixh th«-r«* Ix^ntli • II INiIdih-I ForHvtliii offniilniti Mnlloiix, in ii HkiriiiiHli ('rilmicl ('nit}\ih>'\\ n F.(p<' ililinii HK'*!'*"' Ilovnr, t'niindn AliiiirM lo tlit> Wi'Hiwnr)! <'oloii<ii nt Wnrnhnin and Rcitu- nie - Altnrk on llooth liny ri'ii'lli'ij (XriipHrion of all tlii' IhImikIii in i'lMNnrnnquoddy liny by tlic llritiNli (Jnllnnt l>t * Aftkk th(? failuro of flio caiiipui^n n^ainst IIk! flritinh pro- vinroH, tho artny rtiriiaiinid in winltir tjuurlorH, without the occurrtiniM! of any iMcidciit of tniicli itri[)orlanr,P, until towards il Wi|. tlio Ittttt^r vim ol l'(!t>ruury ol llui yunr iwi4. Ufmcrul Wil- kinson had Hiibmittfxl Hovoral plans of attack on tho different Ih-itish poslH in his vicinity, with tlitj viow of cutting off tho communication hctwtion Upper and Lower Canada, to tho doparlmont of war. These, li(jwovf!r, did not meet the appro- hution of the Htjcretary, who f^avo order.s tliat tho American Ibrcx) should 1x3 withdrawn from its present position : that two thousand men should march under general Brown to Snckett's Harbour, with a suitable proportion of field artillery and battering cannon ; and that the residue should fall back on I'lattsburg. The general-in-cliief, in obedience to these orders, destroyed iiis barracks and the flotilla, and retired to the place d(;signated. Tho British, apprized of his retreat, detached n large force under colonel Scott, of tho One hundred and third British regiment, against French Mills, who destroyed the public stores and pillaged the property of private citizens, but, on heaririLi; of the approach of^an American force, retreated in ii -A' 10« itK \cKi:Nini)<;i':'s % «llln '^ Ornrrnl \Vllltln*«n rrttrr* l<* I'lnlUliurK Atlnrh* llio nrMivli iil l.n rnllr tlu* most |ir(M'i|tiliil(< niiiniirr. Mm \vIioI<< |inily siillrii'd ihik h (Vom M severe snow slonn, liesides losing ii|ivv(inlM ol" Iwu linn. jlred men Itv deserllnii, \\ ||0 sMriellderetl llieniMelveM lo ihe Aiiie- noniH. il \\MS iilxMlt lIlH lime, lli.it losM l>v «l I'serliojH liM'iiiiii OIK* of (l)o serious ilill'inilties wliieli the eiieiiiy liail to eiieoiiiiln . 'V\\r prai'tiee o|' |)(>niultm}^ tlieir soldiery lo plmidei* in mIuiomI rvery instnut'e, iumv jterhaps Imve lui'^on lV(»m llie nefessil v ol" sonif sueh indnl^tMire as tins, in order to i-elani Ihetii in llien scMviej'. 'I\nvards lli<» latter viu\ oC Man'h, ivihtmI W dkinson tieler- iuin(Ml to er«M't a hallery at a \)huH) ralleil |{oiisi>'m I'oint, wiirn- his (MUjim»rev«MUed. The Ineakinjr np of the i«'e on the lake at an ear- lior |HM'iod of the sinisou than u.snal, delealnl his plan. A Ixnly ol'lho (MUMuy, npwards ol' two thousand strong, on discoverinff his (k'sii'M, l>ad hocu rollectod at ha CoIIp ntill, thror nulivs Iv^low Koiise's I'tMnl, for iIk^ purpos(» of opposin}j; liini. With a viewof thsIotlral of the enemy's skirmishin;^ pnrtios, hi* ivacluHl liU ('olio mill, a lar^c^ fortifu'd stono lioiise, j?itnat(>d in th(* t'onlro <^l' an op«'n |)i('ce of ground, and lie- fondcnl hy a sironij; eorps of ilritish rci^ulars under the commaiid of major llancoi'k. For Ihe purpose of cU'eotin^ a hrcach, an eiglitoen-poundcr was orderctl up hy gon nature of the iin>und over winch it had to pass, tlio transportation was loiuid iinpraetieahl(% and a twelve and a fivc-and-a-half ineh howil/er were then'fore substituted. These pieces, under tiie dinvtion of eaptain M'lMierson, and lic.ute- nnnts Laral)ce and Sii(Mdi>n, were posted at the distance of two hundred paces from the house, and covered by the second brigade: with part of C(^lonel('larke's connna nd, innUa* jreneral Smith, on tlie right ; and the third brigade, under general Rissel, on the lelh C'oloutd iMilli^r was ordered to take a position with theTweinii and Thirteentli rcgiuu'Uts which would enable him to cut otVthe enemy's retreat ; while tlie n^serve, composed of a select cor[)s of the first brigade, was placed under the command of gentn-al .Macomb. These arrangements being made, the battery opened upon the house. The lire was promptly re- turned ; and, owing to tlie unavoidable exposure of the Ameri- can troops, was extremely destructive. Captain M'Pherson was wounded at tlie connnencement of the attack, but continued at his post until a second shot liad broken his thigh ; his ncKt iiisTouv (>i- 'I'lir: w ak. HKI •■{ WllklniMtii miiipHiiili'il Iriiin ilii< ( 'iiiiiiiifiiiil !),<« iiiuiitiiiin ItilDriiKlol. rtdicpr,, Lfirahrt', WHS wliot tluoii^li thn liiiijrH ; oixl, liciitrnrint Sliolilnti, wIlM lu|il ll|t llif (||-|< iiiilil tlir; iikI of tlir ufl'iir, Ixiiavcd in a intiniu'r wIikIi

  • |ira('li«'alil<' to make an iinprcMsion on tlw iniiisnally tlii'k walU ol" tlii,«i .stronjr liiuMin;^, uilli Hn<'>li li^lit piricos, iiotwitlistandiri}^ that tlicy W)>n- niana^^cd with ^/rcat Nkill, the ((iiniriandrr-in- rhicf (Milled in his dilliTciit parties, and fill h.iek in ^ood order. 'I'lu! Ions of the Aineiieaiis u'.is iipwjirds (»f" »»nsition to hasty and harsh decision respecting the <'ondiict and charac- t(!r of piihlic. nuMi, which no moro ceas»;s to he injiistico when cnturtaintMl hy Um millions th/in if hy ivn individuals. Men am oll(!n ruined in piihlic ostimaticm, for Hiight <;auseH, or for uncontrollahle accidents; and they are as often f;levat(;d to tho liighost pinnacle of C(!lehrity, for actions which may he better considcHid as tho eflcc.t of ehancf? than the test of merit. Tho most discoura^ini^ diHiculties prijscnted themselves in tho economy, (3qui[)ment and f^overnment of tho Amfsrican forces, to the very last hour of the war. The severity of the climate on tlu? bord(;rs of the St. Lawrence and the lakes to which our tyros were exposed, and their want of the knowh;dgo and experience requisite to render themselves cotnfortahle in camp, wore tho causes of fatal diseases, which carried off a number greater than fell in battle ; and the {)roporfion of sick and unfit for duty was at all times very great. From the want of that system, regularity and strictness which belong to old establishments, there (existed at one moment a superabun- dance of all the necessary munitions, and at another, as great a scarcity. There was no end to the irregular and unforeseen expenses which the govornmnnt was constantly called upon to incur. Abuses the most vexatious, and which bafHed every I H ^ ^H 200 DRACIvJ^NRIDGK'S n -'^.'i ■ '• , & ill (1 !'■ BmuKgling UiisucccHsful Attack by the British at Otter Croek. fiflbrt to reform, were practised in all the subordinate depart- )iicnts. All this must be attributed to the true causes: our .•settled habits of peace, and the slowness with which the organization of military establishments must ever be effected imd .' a government like ours. Wo had yet to learn and put in practice, the ceaseless and ever-varying minutia3 of camp })olic(\ VV^e had no regular soldiers until almost the close of the war; and what school of experience had we in which to train and form them? Our subalterns, at first, \V(^re generally men of little ecfucation of any kind, and required themselves tlie instruction which they undertook to communicate. To these unavoidable misfortunes, was to be superadded the disgraceful conduct of many of our frontier inhabitants, who supplied the enemy with every thing of which they stood in want. In spite of vigilant exertion to prevent it, a constant intercourse was kept up across the Canada line ; and the British were not only furnished with immense quantities of provisions without whicli they could not have subsisted their armies, but were also regularly advised of each matter of importance which transpired on the American side. Shortly artcr the affair of La Colle, the greater part of the enemy's force was collected at St. John's and Isle Aux Noix, lor the purpose of securing the entrance of the British squad- ron into Lake Champlain, on the breakin|t<> and I*tilli'ii<>yvilla . .. DIockiidM of Sackott's llarbuur Pici*c« ; nnd pluntod all tlio tents tlmt could he |)rocurcd on th»3 village side of the creek, in order to give tlie appearance of a large fonv; of militia. 'J'he shores l)attyle, seconded hy lieutenjint Legat(\ ;\t one o'clo( \, litleen harges Idled with troops moved towards the shore, pre- ceded hy several gnn-hoats to cov(!r the; lanc'i ig, \v? ilc 'he can. nonade from the; larger vessels was still conlinncd. As soon us the enemy got within range of shot, they were so warmly nreived hy the gun on the shore, that their hoats were twice repulsed, one of the largest falling into tlu) liands of the Ame- ricans ; and at last were compelled to retire to their shipping. Tiic British squadron now stood otF, hut this was evidently for the purj)ose of renewing the attack in such n manner as to rendiu* it etlectual. On the; (Uh, the enemy again approached, having resolved to land under cover of their ships. They ac- cordingly kept uj) a heavy lire for three; hours, while their land forces, two thousand in nujnher, under general De Wattc- villc, succeeded in gaining the shore, atler a gallant resistance by lieutenant Pierce anijrht the American command(;r to avoid th(5 expense and delay of land earria^«; ; and it was therefore deter- mined, since the liritish ihot had disappeared, to transport tlieni by wat(!r. To d(!C(>iv(! the enemy, who had nurneron^i gini-boats ijovcM'inj^ about th(! dilli'rent creeks, a report was circulated that tlii! stores were to Ik; forwanl'-d to the (Jneida iiake. Nineteen barges, then lying at Oswego Falls, wcro .isbigned for their conv(!yan<;e, and W(;re placed under tho command of caj)tain VVoolsey ; and major Ap|)ling was des- patched by (Jeneral (Jaines, with a detaclmu^nt to aid in their (kifencc. On the 2Hth of May, captain VVoolsey brought his Hotilla down the cr(M;k and reached IIk; village of Oswego by sunset. Finding the coast clear, he took advantage of the dark- ness of the night and put into the lak(;. The next day he reached Sandy (Jr(M;k, and aseciuded it a lew miles. A boat was now despatched to look out for the British on the lake, which was discovered by some of their gijn-vessels and inmicdiately chased. Major Appling and captain Woolsey determined to (haw them into an ajnbuscade. As had been foreseen, tho enemy pushed their gun-boats and cutters up the creek, while a party of thf^m landed and ascended along the bank. The Americans now suddenly rushed uj)on them, and in a few mo- ments, aller one fir{; by which a number of them were killed and wounded, the whole party, consisting of four lieutenants of Ihc navy, two lieutenants of marines, and one hundred and thirty men, were taken prisoners, and all their boats and cutters captured. Major Aj)pling, for this affair, was breveted, and his officers, lieutenants Smith, M'Intosh, Calhoun, M'Farland and Armstrong, and ensign Austin, were publicly thanked. The conduct of captain VVoolsey and his oflicers was not less ap- plauded. A party of Oneida Indians, who had joined the Ame- ricans in this affair and had been the ffrst to reach die British affer their surrender, were about to commence the mode of war- fare practised by the savages in the British service at the river Raisin, Lewistown, and Tuscarora ; but they were compelled, greatly to their displeasure, to desist. The barges soon affer arrived at Sackett's Harbour in safety. ■■t^\ F 204 BRACKKNRIDGE'S M' 4'1' Death of Colonel Forsythe— of Captuin Malloux .... Expodilion against Dovi-r. The consequences of this affair were severely felt by the Bri- tish : they lost a number of their best seamen and officers, and commodore Chauncey once more became master of the lake. He according sailed out, and several times presented himself before Kingston ; but sir James did not think it prudent to stir until his large ship of one hundred and twelve guns, then on the stocks, should be completed. This mode of warfare was exceedingly expensive to both parties, but especially so to the enemy : it is ascertained that their outlay was more than twice what was incurred by us, in consequence of the greater difli- culties which attended the transportation of their supplies. No other event of material consequence transpired in this quarter, nor on Lakes Eric or Champlain, until late in the sum- Piier. In a skirmish on the borders of the latter, colonel Forsythe, an active but eccentric partizan officer, lost his life. On the 28th of June, he made an incursion as far as Odelltowi ; and having attacked a party of the enemy, retreated, with the view of drawing them into an ambuscade. Before he had completely succeeded in this, however, ho showed himself and his men, and a severe skirmish ensued. In this engagement seventeen of the enemy were killed ; among the number, the celebrated par- tizan officer captain Malloux, a Canadian, who was shot by lieutenant Riley. Colonel Forsythe was wounded in the neck, and died a few days afterwards. After his death, the command of his corps devolved on major Appling. It would be improper, also, to pass unnoticed the following afTair. Colonel Campbell, having crossed the lake from Erie with about five hundred men, landed at Dover, a small village on the Canada side of Lake Erie, and proceeded to destroy the mills, together with the greater part of the private dwellings. This expedition was undertaken by him without orders ; and as his conduct in it was generally reprobated, a court of inquiry, at which general Scott presided, was instituted. The court deci- ded, that the destruction of the distilleries and mills, as they furnished the British troops with their necessary supplies, might be justified by the usages of war ; but the other part of his con- duct, although excused in some measure by the example of the enemy in laying waste and pillaging the villages on the Nia- gara, was condemned. The offence of colonel Campbell was mitigated by his humane treatment of the defenceless part of the inhabitants. To the westward, but little of moment transpired during the remainder of the war, as we w ere once more in quiet possession of all our territory except Michilimackinac. Early in the Ifi linHt Dover. )y the Bri- Rcers, and the lake, d himself dent to stir , then on arfare was ' so to the than twice eater difli- )plies. •ed in this in the sum- Forsythe, On the towi ; and ;h the view completely IS men, and vcnteen of ibrated par- as shot by n the neck, e command e following ! from Erie nail village destroy the I dwellings, ers ; and as f inquiry, at court deci- lls, as thev plies, might t of his con- mple of the n the Nia- mpbell was 3SS part of during the ; possession irly in the HISTORY ov Tjir: war. 205 Aflfaira to the Westward Gnllaiit Dijfcncc by Cnptnin Holmes. feprin ho \\ intelligence was received by colonel Butler w ever, commanded at Detroit, that a considerable number of rci^u. lars, Indians, and militia had l)ern collected at the river Thames. Captain Lee, with a l)arty of mounted men, was sent to reconnoitre ; and succeeded in gaining the rear of the British forces unobserved, and making prisoners of several officers — among the rest, of colonel Baubee, who had command- ed a body of Indians which took part in the British depredations on the New York frontier. A gallant alfair was soon after achieved by captain Holmes, a youth of promising talents, and brother to the governor of the Mississippi territory. With a party of about one hundred and sixty rangers and mounted men, he was despatched by colonel Butler, on the 21st of February, against some of the enemy's posts. On the bd of March, he received intelligence, that a British force, then at a village fifteen miles distant, and which afterwards proved to be double his own, was about to descend the river Thames to attack him. Finding himself not in a situation to give battle, from the fatigue which his men had already encountered and his ignorance of the number of the enemy's party, captain Holmes fell back a few miles, and chose a position, in which he was confident of being able to maintain himself, until he could obtain the necessary informa- tion. For this purpose, he despatched a small body of rangers, which soon returned, pursued by the enemy, but without being able to learn his force. The British, perceiving the strength of captain Holmes's position, resorted to stratagem for the pur- pose of drawing him from it. They feigned an attack, and then retreated, taking care not to show more than sixty or seventy men. Captain Holmes pursued, but with caution ; and after proceeding about five miles, discovered their main body drawn up to receive him. Immediately returning to his former posi- tion, he disposed his troops in the most judicious manner, and firmly waited for the enemy ; having in front a deep ravine, and the approaches on the other sides being somewhat difficult and also protected by logs hastily thrown together. The attack ivas commenced at the same moment on every point, with savage yells and the sound of bugles ; the regulars charging up (he heights from the ravine, while the other sides were rapidly assailed by militia and Indians. The former approached within twenty paces of the American line, against a very destructive fire; but their front section being cut to pieces, those who fol- lowed severely wounded, and many of their officers cut down, they retired to the woods, which were within thirty paces; from whence they continued their fire with great spirit. The Ameri- s s V' M m lli <■:& WM 206 lJ!lACKlu\Rll)GlM f. a 208 r.liACKl'lNUIDlll-VS -\ -^ Urcat Britniit dirortn linr iirtdiviilt'il rnorKic" nsniiiMt tltn tTnitml Htatea. national iatcn'sts. i-'ircd l)y her siicress in l\\r wars of tlio ooMliiK'Ut, anil «'\lrava^aiilly clakMl hy \\vv supposed pov/cr and ifrcatncss, our cncniy coukl now simuI hen* veteran troops and her numerous fleets to ehastis(? AuKM'iea ; while our (!oni. niissioners in Europe were allowed to remain for months un- notic(.'d. This turnof aflairs, so fur from allbrdin^ i^roimd for exultation, ouL;ht rather to have depressed the fricMids of lihertv and America. (Jreat Hriljiin was highly incensed that we had not, with all due j)alienec and meekness, continued to eudinc her numerous and (lai^rant outraifes, until, disengaged from Ikt Euro|)ean war, slu; should have leisure to cope with us on what she called ecpial terms, or, in other words, he in a condition to direct the undivided force of Inn* immense army anfenco. In the plenitude of her arrogance, Hritain talked of recolonizing our country, and of crippling us for fifty yi^ars to come. JSuch was the situation of America at this eventful period. The tiine was approacliing which would test the strength of our confede- ration, and our ability lor defence, and, what was still more in-/ tercsting, the sincerity of our attachment to political institutions, which, if not venerable from time, deserved the highest admi- ration for their justice and wisdom. The northern sea coast, which had thus far experienced little molestation from the enemy, became the object of attack early in the spring. On the 7th of April, a body of sailors and ma- rines, to the number of two liundrcd, ascending the Connecticut river, landed at Saybrook, and spiked the cannon and de- stroyed the shipping they found there : thence, proceeding to Brockway's Ferry, they did the same ; and, remaining there, amused themselves, unapprehensive of attack, for twenty-four hours. In the meantime, a body of militia, aided by a number of marines and sailors, under captain Jones and lieutenant Bid- die, from the neighbouring American squadron, had collected for the purpose of cutting off their retreat ; but the British, taking advantage of a very dark night, and using muffled oars, escaped safely to their fleet, having destroyed two hundred thousand dollars worth of shipping. About this time, the coasting trade was almost destroyed by a British privateer, the Liverpool Packet, which cruised in Long Island Sound. Commodore Lewis sailed with a detachment of thirteen gun-boats, and succeeded in chasing her off. Proceed- ing to Saybrook, on his arrival there he found upwards of fifty vessels bound eastward, but afraid to venture out. The com fllSTOUY OF TIIK WAIL l?09 VJll's of lh(» (>s«'(l pov/cr tM'iin troops 1(^ our roiii- inoritlis un- ; L;rouii(l lor lis of lihcrtv llmf. wo had •(I to oiidiiri' red from licr i us oil what condition f(t i.'ivy Mi^aiiist Janada : our di^vastafcd ; soll-dcroiu'o. rocoloni'/inu; oino. Hucli . The time our confcdi'- still more in-/ institutions, ghost admi- rionccd Httlo attack early lors and ma- Connecticut ion and do- rocceding to linintr tlierc, twenty-four by a number utenant Bid- collected for itish, taking )ars, escaped ed thousand Icstroyed by ised in Long ;tachment of If. Proceed- i^ards of fifty The com Nurlhern 0oa Const invndud by Cointiuiilori' Hardy. modon^ consented to take Ihein under convoy, without |)roiniHing IJU'iii |)rotectioii against the British sipiadron then blockadini; New London. Ih; sailed with them on the iiOtii, and in the afternoon of the same day, was compelled to throw hlmseir hetween his convoy and a JJrifish frigate;, a sloop of war and a tender, and maintain a contest until all the coasters had sallily reached New London. Having attaiiUMl this object, h(> determined to try what ho could do with his gun-boats against the emuny's ships. Furnaces being hastily constructed, he brjgan to throw hot balls at the sides of the eiUimy's ships, and rcpeati'dly set them on fire, without receiving any injury liimself. The sloop soon withdniw, and tlx; lire was now principally directed against the frigate. One shot passed through her, very near the maga/ine; her lieutenant, and a great number of her men, were already killed; and lu^r ca|)tain was on the point of surrendering, when he observed that the gun-boats had ceased firing. The night having closed in, and it bfiing exces- sively dark, commodore L(!wis had been obliged to order the gun-boats to desist from the attack, and to wait until morning. At daylight, he j)erceiv(!d that the enemy W(!re towing away their vessels, and instantly resolved to pursue them; but several other frigates soon after making their a[)f)earance, lie aban- doned this design. This affair, together with that of Craney Island, revived the discussion of the utility of gun-boats in the defence of harbours and the coast. Great service had been rendered by captain Lewis, on this as well as many other occa- sions, by means of them. Formidable scjuadrons were maintained by the enemy before the ports of New York, New London, and Boston ; and the whole eastern coast was exposed to their ravages. The war was carried on here in a very difterent manner from that to the south. Commodore Hardy would not permit any wanton out- rages upon private property, or upon defenceless individuals. In spite, however, of his prohibition, there were particular in- stances on the part of the oftlcers commanding smaller parties, in which they gave way to their insatiable thirst for plunder. At Wareham and Scituate, they burned all the vessels at their moorings ; and at the former town, they set fire to an exten- sive cotton manufactory : but at a place called Booth Bay, they met with a spirited resistance, and were repeatedly re- pulsed, in various desperate attacks, by the militia in the neigh- bourhood. An invasion of a more serious nature was made in July On the 11th of that month, sir Thomas Hardy, with a strong force, made a descent on Moose Island, in Passamaquoddy .1 n ffCi' 'i aio BUACKKNIUDGE'S Dritiih occupy all thu Islands in PaMamaquoddy Bay. Bay, and after taking possession of Eastport, situated on that island, declared all the islands and towns in the i)ay to ap. pertain to his Britannic majesty, and required the inhabitants to appear within seven days and take the oath of allegiance. About two-thirds of the inhabitants submitted, in the expecta- tion of enjoying the privileges of subjects : nevertheless, in the month of August, the council of the province of New Bruns- wick declared, that notwithstanding the oath of allegiance which they had taken, they should be considered as a conquered people, and placed under military government. Eastport was soon after strongly fortified, and remained in the possession of the British until the conclusion of the war ; but they found ex- treme difficulty in subsisting their troops, and desertions were so frequent that the officers were often compelled to perform the duties of sentinels. On the 9th of August, commodore Hardy sailed with a part of his squadron, for the purpose of attacking Stonington. The ap- pearance of this force before the town excited much alarm, which was not diminished when the inhabitants received a message from the commodore, directing them to remove the women and chil- dren, as he had received orders to reduce the place to ashes. Although with very trifling means of defence, the citizens de- termined to make an attempt to save their property ; having first complied with the terms of the commodore's note. The handful of militia of the place repaired to a small battery erected on the shore, and to a breast-work thrown up for musketry ; and at the same time despatched an express to obtain assistance from gene- ral Gushing, commanding at New London. In the evening, five barges and a large launch, filled with men, approached the shore, under cover of a heavy fire from the enemy's ships. The Americans, reserving their fire until the enemy were within short grape distance, opened two eighteen-pounders on the in- vaders, and soon compelled them to retire out of the reach of the battery. The British next endeavoured to land at the east side of the town, which they supposed defenceless ; but a part of the militia being detached thither with a six-pounder, they were again repulsed. The enemy now retired to their ships, determined to renew the attack in the morning ; and in the meantime kept up a bombardment until midnight. The next morning, at dawn, one of the enemy's vessels approached within pistol shot of the battery, and the barges advanced in still greater numbers than the day before : these were again gallantly re- pulsed, and the vessel was driven from her anchorage. The squadron then renewed the bombardment of the town, but with- out effect ; and on the 12th, the commodore thought proper to HISTORY OF TIIi: VVAIl. 211 UritUli occupy Muine eait of the Pt'iiobacot .... Deitructinl« TIm) rr)>«lili>ni 'rii«roii«l|l)illiMi. tit I CIIAI'I'I'IU XVI. nm ■:. Nnvnl Kvonl* TIh! riiiiiinsiMiol H«>virliii«>« n CoiiIohI with r'tmiuMi. ilorp Hoit|ii ('riiinciir r<H<>\ III' I ii|i(ini'ii tMi'hi' iitini'il Mi iliHli \Vliiili> Hlii|m Aniv<'« nt till' l«liinil ol NuDnliirvnli 'rnKif |M>nm'»iHii>ii In llii' iiimu' nt Ihi' Aiiu'iliiui (iovrnintcnl Ih* IMlIlnilili'N willi llin HnviiHi'x Ihcro llo tMiriiNllM>'rvp<<«> VlllnKi'ii- ll) .Miimi' ('oiimiidiIkii' rmirr iiiiiM>« ill \'Ml|)iiriitMo I* iitlix kcil liy lln' riiii'lii> iiiiii (Mti'nih Mm DiKptinti' Iti siHtaorr t 'a|itiiti' nl tlu' l''.»ia«>\ mid I'.fM'x Jiiiuiir . Thi' IVnr.n'K cnpiMrc* ilio IliittHJi Miik Kpcrvlfr 'I'Ih' Wnxp nipliiU'M lln' lli'iiiijii'r - Till' Wniip miiKii llii' Avon 1M\ xIriimiH Iiwm of llii' Wicp I'iiiimi' nC lln« I'lcNiilrni, tlii< Pcnrork nnil the lioinrl Tin' ricNiili'iil iiiptiiii'il li> a Hrilixli Hi|ii(iilriiM Tin* Cotiiaiiiiition cnKniii'N niul rnpltiU'M I he ('>niii< ninl tin* I, ex nil I Tho lloiiii'l, <'iiptiiiti IliiKllo, I'liptiiri'!) the I'l'iiitinii Kxploitn of I'l j\ iiIui'ih ( 'npliirt* ol' Ilio AiiK'ririiii I'ri \.i(orr Ai iiiHliiiii^, nHrt a iliradl'iil ('arniiK<' ol ilii' llncniy. TiiK naval iiuitliMits ofi'loljiccn limulnMl aiul roiirlccn, vvnc as iiraliMul \o tlu* Irclinf^s ol'tlu' nation as tliostM)!" lliii two pre- vioiis yrars. An omirnMici* took \A;u'o in i\\o In'^rinnin^!; of if, u liicli alllini- 0(1 niut'h nu>itir\i'ation (n (lu* cnciny. In the inonlh of l"\>lini- ary, t'oinniodorc Uodtirrs, ou his iclmn I'vom a (Miiisc in llic IVosidiMit, found hinis(*lf oil* Sandy Hook, in lln; nciiilihoiirliood of tlu'iM^ lariiv Hrilish ships of war, Iho m^arcsl ol' which was tho riantaijrihM, u scvtMily-lour. llrhi^vinj^ Ihal an <'n^ai,fniicMt M ith o\u\ or all o\' iIkmh, was nnavoidahir, ho irnmcdiatrly rlt\MnMl lor at'tii>n, dt^tiM'iniiiinii n«>l to surnMidcr his ship wilhoiil sollin|j it as doarly as In* could. Hut notwithslandin«^ ho lircd a gun to windward as n iiroofof his williiiiinoss to cngaj^(>, iIk^ ]iritish vessels ditl not think ju'opor to api)roa(*h, and ho n^acheii IS'ow York salMy. (\-iptain Lloyd, of tho Plantagcnot, alhr rolurninii to lMi<;land, acc(Muit«Nl for his conduct, hy allo^ini; a nuitiny in his ship; and several of his sailors were executed on the charije. In the month of April, captain St(>wart was on his return in the Constitution from a cruise, when lie was ehasetl hy two British fri;ixates and a hrig, hut escaped hy superior seamanship into Marhlehead. Some time hefore, al\er capturing the pub- lic schooner Pictou, he fell in with the British frigate La Pique, IllSTOltY i lit* Arnvnl nl Nnonlifcvnli. Willi CiiiniMo. rrn-rriitw; nf .VIiiiIk Hlii|m llll> AllM'tll lit) |H<«> VtllnBi>)i hv tiii> riiii'U' '.NHi'i Jim lor ' III' HrltiilriT till' I'n" in tile lilxMirliood uliicli was llJiMi^lMncMt MiMcdiMtcIy liip \villir ]\{) lircd ho, Yviu'Uvd [cncf, alll( r Jille^iiii^ a xecutod oil s return in scd by two Hwmansliii) ig the pub- c La Pique, ni|)tfiiii Miiillaiid, whii li llrd uii tlit> a|iproiii Ii ol' lim ( 'oimlitu (lull, iind liimlly rMrnpid d(iriii<^ fbc iii^hl, al)»'i ii luni^ rliMHc <'iiplMiti Miiitlniid, oil hiM iirriviil in I'lii^'Jitiid, was ronipliini'iilfd by tb(« bnard of ndiiiiially, I'm- ibuM obiyinir Ibeir iiistriM'tiMMM, ill iiuf linlifinjf (III Atiifiiraii iViinilc. 'I'bc ••finny bad bpf.iurin I'lpially shy id' tli(< ^mim boat llitldla. ('oininudorn L«<\vis re- |Miiltee Villages at NGualieevuli. a village for liis accommodation, and freely traded with him for provisions ; and for some time the greatest harmony pre- vailed. His security was pgain menaced by the hostile conduct of he Typees, one of the most warlike tribes on the island, who were continually urging the friendly savages to destroy the strangers. Finding his situation growing every day more Critical, and being very unwilling to engage in a w^r with thein, the commodore sent them presents, and requested that they would remain quiet and be at peace. This had no other effect than to increase their insolence to the Americans, whom they represented as cowardly, or they would not have condescended to beg for peace. He now discoveicd that his saR '.y depended entirely upon making these people feel his strength ; as it was impossible for him to leave the island until his vessel could be repaired, and while the greater part of his effects were actually on shore. He therefore set ofl' against them at the head of thirty-five men, determined to give them battle, and, by showing the elficacy of his weapoi^s, to compel them to a pacific course. The necessity for this step was great, as those tribes which hud liitherto been friendly were on the point of breaking out into hostilities. But the force with which he marched, was insufli- cicnt to make any impression on his savage enemies. Their country being exceedingly mountainous, and abounding in thick- ets, it was easy for them to escape. The commodore was, therefore, compelled to return from this expedition without achieving his object. To prevent the friendly savages from rising, he found it necessary to inform them, that he would proceed the next day with a much larger body of men. He now, with the greater part of his crew, marched across the mountains, notwithstanding the extreme difficulties of the route, and penetrated into the valleys of the natives. Being unable to come at them, as they again took refuge in their inaccessible fastnesses, he burnt nine of their villages, and then retreated. The Typees now gladly accepted terms of peace ; and all the tribes on the island vied with each other in friendship towards the whites, as long a^ the commodore remained. The destruction of the Typee villages furnished the British writers with occasion for the most scandalous abuse of com- modore Porter and the American people. The burning by an American officer, in self defence and for the sake of peace, of a few wigwams covered with palm leaves, erected merely for shelter from the heats or rains of the torrid zone, was to be viewed with horror; while the conduct of the British government in India, in America, and throughout the world, without any motive HISTORY OF TIllO WAR. with him mony pre- ::onduct of sland, wlio estroy the day more with thcin, that they Dther eficct vhom they iidescendcd y depciidtxl ; as it was lel could be jrc actually le head of by showing :itic course. ! which hud ing out into was insu lil- ies. Their inijin thick- lodore was, ion without Lvages from t he would men. He across the )f the route, eing unable inaccessible retreated. and all the hip towards the British ase of com- rning by an peace, of a y for shelter be viewed 'ernment in t any motive a 215 He arrives at Valparaiso. but that of a base rapacity, was to be passed over unnoticed ! There is one part of commodore Porter's conduct which could not be approved ; and thai was the taking possession of the island in the name of the American government. This, although it gave satisfaction to the natives, who regarded it as an expression of friendship, was following the evil example of European states, which have usually considered themselves entitled, by the right of prior discovery, to territories inhabited only by uncivilized men. Had the Typee war ensued in consequence of this act, it could have found no justification. The Essex being completely repaired and supplied with provisions for four months, the commodore sailed for Valpa- raiso on the 12th of December, accompanied by lieutenant Downing with the Essex Junior, and arrived there on the 12th of January, 1814. He left behind him three of his prizes, secured under a fort which he had erected, in the charge of lieutenant Gamble, of the marines, with orders to proceed to Valparaiso aflcr a certain time. It was not long after the arrival of commodore Porter at Val- paraiso, when commodore Hillyar appeared there in the Phoebe frigate, accompanied by the (Jhcrub sloop of war. These ves- sels had been equipped for the purpose of meeting the Essex; and carried flags bearing the motto, " God and our country, British sailors' best rights : traitors offend them.'*'' This was in allusion to Porter's celebrated motto, " Free trade and sailors' rights." He now hoisted at his mizzen, " God, our country, and liberty : tyrants offend them." The British vessels soon after stood out, and cruised off the .'Ort about six weeks, rigorously blockading the Essex. Their united force amounted to eighty-one guns, and five hundred men ; while that of the Essex and Essex Junior was only sixty-six guns, and three hundred and twenty men. Commo- dore Porter, being prevented by this great disparity of pow^^- from engaging, made repeated attempts to draw the Phoe'-i singly into action, as well by manoeuvring as by sending forma challenges; but commodore Hillyar carefully avoided it. Th American commander, hearing that an additional British force was on its way, and having discovered that his vessel could outsail those of the British, determined to put to sea, and by diverting the pursuit to himself, to enable the Essex Junior to escape to a place of rendezvous previously appointed. On the 28th of March, the wind blowing fresh from the south- ward, the Essex parted her starboard cable, and dragged her larboard anchor to sea. Not a moment was lost in getting sail on the ship. In endeavouring to pass to the windward of the lli:* I X" ■a#' - S aio BKACKr.iNKIi)(ii:'8 ('iiinii«nlnri' rmtcr in nttnrkoil liv the Phii'lii' ttinl Clicriih. If i II 1 r ■' i p' '" ,=: 7, ] ' ^•' ' ; i: ' m nuMTiy, n s(|UmII slruck llu^ Atncricaii vossol, just ns sli<> wns ct IIk; neulralily of the ptu't, he thoui^ht himself sceure. He soon IImuuI, hoW(>vy approached, lliat h(^ was uiistaken. W ith all possihle despatch, therelore, he pn^panMl his ship lor action, and endeavoured to get a sprini; on his cahlo: he had not accomplish(>d thiswIuMi theiMiemy com- uumummI the alta(d\, at liDy-ibur nuiuites past thnv^, 1\ 1\I. At lirst, the I'luehe jilaciMl herself on his st(M'n, and the C'heruh on his larhoard how ; hut tiie latter, linding hiM'self exposed to a hot lire, soon chanijiMl her position, and with h(M' consort kept up a raking fire und«M' his stern. The Americans, heing unai)leto hring then' hroadside to hear on the enemy, were ohiiged to rey for deienc(^ against this tremendous attack, on (liree long twelvc- pound(M's, winch th<^y ran out of the stern ports, riieso W(>r(i worked with sucli hravery and skill, and so much injury to the enemy, as in half an liour to conijiel them to haul oif and re- pair. It was evident tliat commodore Ilillyar meant to risk nothing from tlio daring courage of the Americans ; all his maudnivn^s were (k^liherate and wary : his antagonist was in his power, and his only concern was to succeed with as little loss to himself as possihle. The situation of the Essex was now most deplorahle : already many of the gallant crew were killed and wounded ; and the crippled state of their ship ren- dered it impracficahle for them to hring her guns to hear upon the enemy. {Still they were not disheartened : aroused to ilea- j)eration, they expressed their defiance to the enemy, and their determination to hold out to the last. The enemy having repaired his damages, now placed him- self, with hoth ships, on the starhoard quarter of the Essex, where none of her guns could he hrought to hear ; and the commodore saw no hope of injuring him hut hy getting under M'ay, and hecoming the assailant. The flying-jih was the only sail he had left : causing this to be hoisted and cutting his cable, he ran down on both ships, with the intention of laying the Phoebe on board. For a short time he was enabled to close with the enemy. Although the decks of the Essex were strewed with dead, and her cockpit was filled with the wounded; although she had been IllsroilV OK TIIIO VVAI{. 217 III*. ns sIhi wris if \hr. lijir- ^oth Hnlisli scMpd ill his ( liiU'k into iiitf) a siii;ill 1 ol' thn liar- where, iVoin respect lh(> He soon appioaehcd, h, therefore, get, a sprini,' enemy com- , P. 1\I. At n Clierub on osed to a hot sort kept up nil nnahle to tliged to re.y loujr t\velv(>- Theso wvw. injury to tlio olF and re- r^ant to risk ins ; all his onist was in I'ith as littk; Essex was jt crew were eir ship ren- to bear u|ion )use(l to des- ly, and their placed bini- f the Essex, ar ; and the ^ettiniT under rvas the only his cable, he he PhcBbe on li the enemy, th dead, and she had been His n<'!Ilod to haul olK She did not return to elos(^ action again ; but sln3 kept up hiT fir(< at a dislanco, with her long guns. TIk* Essex was unable however, to take advantage; of the circutnstancf^; as tlie I'lwetKi I'dged otr, and also kept u|>, at a distarx^e, a destructive fire. Commodore I'orter, finding that the enemy h/ui it in his j)ower to choosr; his distance, at last gav(! up all hope of again coming fo <-lose quart(>rs, and attem|)ted to run his vessel on shore. The wind at that moment liivoured th(' design ; but it suddf(l the hope of being abh^ to board. At this moment lieuteiiaiit-commandaiil Dowiics, of the biS-(!x .Junior, came (Ml board to receive orders, in the expectation that hiscorn- inander would sf)on b(! a prisoner. Ilis services could be of no avail in the |)resent deplorable state; of tbr; P'issex ; and finding, iVom the (Miemy's |)uttiri!!; up bis helm, that the last attempt at hoarding would not succ(>ed, be directed Downes to repair to his shi|), to be prepared for deleiiding her in case of attack, and, if necessary, of destroying her. The slaughter on board the JOssex now becamr; horrible, the riiemy continuing to rake her, wUWo, shr. was unable to brincj ;i siiigh' gun to bear. Slill l.er commandeer refused to yield while a ray of hoi)e ap[)eared. lOvery (\\pedient that a fertile ;iiid inv(^ntive genius could suggest was resorted to, in the for- lf>rn chance, that he might be able, by some lucky circumstance, to escape from the grasp of the foe. A htiwser was bent to the sheet anchor, and the anchor cut from the bows to bring the shiji's head around. This succeeded, and the broadside of the Mssex was again brought to bear. As the enemy was much crippled and unable to hold his own, it was hoped that he might drift out of gun-shot, before he discovered that the Es- sex had anchored : but alas ! this last expedient failed ; the hawser parted, and with it went the last lingering hope of the Kssex. At this moment her situation was awful beyond de- scription. She was on lire both before and aft ; the flames were bursting up each hatchway; a quantity of powder had exploded below ; and word was given that the fire was near her magazine. Thus surrounded by horrors, with noprobability of maintaining his ship, the commodore directed his attention to saving as many of his gallant companions as he could > and as the distance to the shore did not exceed three quarters of a mile, he hoped that T n^i imM 218 BliACKIOiNUlDGE'S Capture of tho Ebuvx nnd Kshcx Junior. i: ' M m '■ '( mnny of tlicm would make their escape before tl»eship blew up. The boats liad l)cen tlcstroyed by the enemy's shot: he then;. fore ordered sucli an could swim to jump overboard and en- deavour to gain the land. Soine reached it, some were taken by the enemy, and some perished in the attempt ; but the greater part of his generous crew resolved to stay by the ship, and share the fate of their commander. They now laboured to extinguish the flames, and succeeded. After this, they again repaired to their guns, but their strength had become so much exluiusted, that an etlbrt at further resis- tance was vain. Connnodore Porter then summoned a consulta- tion of the olficcrs ; but was surprised to fmd only one acting lieutenant, Stephen Decatur M'Knight, remaining. The ac- counts from every part of the ship were deplorable indeed : she was in imminent danger of sinking, and so crowded with the wounded, that the cockpit, the steerage, the wardroom and the birth deck could hold no more. In the meantime the enemy, at a secure distance, continued his fire ; and the water having become smooth, he struck the hull of the Essex at every shot. At last, despairing of saving his ship, the commodore was compelled, at twenty minutes past six P. M., to give the painful'orders to strike the colours. The enemy, not seeing probably that this had taken place, continued to fire for ten minutes after ; and Porter, under a belief that they intended to give no quarter, was about to direct the colours to be again hoisted, when the firing ceased. The loss on board the Essex was fifty-eight killed, thirty-nine wounded severely, twenty-seven slightly, and thirty-one missing. The loss of the British was ftve killed, and ten wounded. Their vessels were both much cut up in their hulls and rigging ; and the Phccbe could scarcely be kept afloat until she anchored in the port of Valparaiso next morning. Thus terminated one of the most desperate naval combats on record. Commodore Porter was permitted, on his parol, to return to the United States in the Essex Junior, which was converted into a cartel for the purpose. On arriving off the port of New York, he was brought to and detained by the Saturn ra^'.ee ; and, to the disgrace of the British arms, compelled to give up his paroJ, and delared a prisoner of war. The Essex Junior was ordered to remain under the lee of the Saturn. Commodore Porter now determined to attempt his escape, though thirty miles from shore. Manning a boat with a sufficient crew, he put off; and notwithstanding that he was pursued from the Saturn, he arrived safely in Nevv' York. His countrymen received him with open arms ; and the most unbounded demonstrations of P' HISTORY OF Till'. WAR. 21U The Peacock capturoa tlie Britiflh Brig Epcrvier. p blow up. Im there- •d and on- D taken hy le greater sliip, and succeeded, r strength iher resis- i consulta- Dnc acting The ac- ideed ; she ;d with the room and mtime the [ the water 2X at every jommodore o give the not seeing ire for ten intended to o be again board tlie severely, he loss of leir vessels the Phoebe the port of »f the most o return to converted Drt of New a-".ee ; and, rive up his Junior was ommodore ugh thirty [•ew, he put he Saturn, ceived him trations of () joy prevailed wherever he appeared. Certainly his services to his country justly claimed its gratitude and esteem. Perhaps a more dreadful example of determined, unconquer- able courage than the unsuccessful defence of the Essex was never exhibited : to an American, no victory could afford more grateful and proud recollections. It was pleasing to see the spontaneous expression of human feeling in favour of the weak, when contending against superior force. Thousands of the inhabitants of Valparaiso covered the neighbouring heights, as spectators of the conflict. Touched with the forlorn situation the Essex, and filled with admiration at the unflagging spirit and persevering bravery of her commander and crew, a gene- rous anxiety animated the multitude for their fate. Bursts of delight arose when, by any vicissitude of battle or prompt ex- pedient, a change seemed to be taking place in their favour; and the eager spectators were seen to wring their hands and to utter groans of sympathy, when the transient hope was de- feated. During the third year of the war, every naval combat, without a single exception, where there was any thing like equality of force, terminated in favour of the Americans. The sloop of war Peacock, captain Warrington, launched in October 1813, performed a cruise during the winter, and on her return, was chased into St. Mary's. She soon after put to sea again, and on the 29th of April discovered the British brig of war Epervier, captain Wales, with several vessels under convoy which im- mediately made sail on her approach. An engagement between the two vessels of war followed soon afterwards. At the first broadside, the foreyard of the Peacock was totally disabled by two round shot in the starboard quarter. By this, she was deprived of the use of her fore and foretop sails, and was obliged to keep aloof during the remainder of the action, which lasted forty-two minutes. In this time, she received considerable damage in her rigging, but her hull was not at all injured. The Epervier struck with five feet water in her hold, her top- tnast over the side, her main boom shot away, her foremast cut nearly in two, her fore rigging and stays shct away, and her hull pierced by forty-five shot, twenty of which were within a foot of her water line. Of her crew eleven were killed, and her first lieutenant and fourteen men wounded. She was im- mediately taken possession of by Lieutenant Nicholson, first officer of the Peacock, who, with lieutenant Voorhees of the same ship, had been already distinguished in another naval action. The sum of one hundred and eighteen thousand dollars, in specie, was found in her, and transferred to the Peacock. m k M 220 BUACKKNUIlXiK'S The WaupcnptiiroB tlio U».'iii(lour HiiikH tliu Aviin. :i^'i n^V I;- i m ^: Cnptain Warrington inuncdi.'ifcly set sail, with his pri/o, for one of tlic south(U*n jiorts. Tlio day following, the captain dis- covohmI two iVii^atrs in chaso. At the suggestion of lieutenant Nicholson, ho took all the prisoners on hoard the I'eacock ; ami leaving only sixteen men on hoard the I'^pervier, directed her to S(>ek the ncvirest port. IJy skilful seamanship the ciiptuju succeeded in escaj)ing from the enemy's ships, and reaeliiiij; Savannah. Here he found his prize;; li(!Ulenant Nicholson having hrought her in, ader beating olf a launch wtdl maujud and armed, which had been despatched from the frigates to overtake liim. Capt.'dn l^lakely, of the new sloop of war tl;e Wasp, sailco from Portsmouth on the 1st of May. Aller seizing seven lucr chantmen, on the Oth of July, while in chaseof two other vessels he fell in with the l^ritish hrig of war Reindeer, captain Manners, and immediately altercMl his course, and hauled hy the wind, in chase of her. At iilleen minutes past one P. M., he prepared for action ; hut it was two hours later, in conse(pience of their manoMivring and fh(> endeavours of the Ueindcer to escape, ere lie approached suHiciently near to engage. Sev(>ral guns were fired from the Wasp before her antagonist could bring her guns to bear; and the lielm of the latter was therefore; put a-Iec. At half past three, captain IMakely commenced the action with his aOer carronades on the starboard side. Shortly allerwards, the larboard bow of the Rein(lcd in cutting out of the sejuaJ- ron a brig laden with brass and iron cannon, and military stores, from Gibraltar. After taking out the prisoners and setting h(?r on fire, he endeavoured to cut out another, but was jhascd off by iiisTdiiv oi' 'riii-: \VAi{. 221 [H'i/.c, (or ipliiin (lis- liriitomiDt :ocAi ; ajid •(jctcd her 10 (-51 plain R'achiii^f Nicliolsdii 11 nmimcd IVigak's t(i ;is|), siiilcn jcvcn nicr KM* V(.'SSi;ls I ManiUMs, the wind, (J prepared ;'o of tluir jscupe, ere u;uns wcn' ar up and boarding-, I, his own iig of tiic ^oors, and md killin"- President /c men in 3abbit and alter, mid- re himself. Uant coin- 1 a useless rrcndcred. 3 of acting officer of u it for the : was sent there that I, and laid Den dimin- jroes, was le Consti- n, on the d, on the ore up for D join her six P. M. larter and s fire was continued it cleared ;h« head* Ml 111 UATTLli OF THE CONSTITUTION WITH 'J'llE CVANE AND LEVANT. COMMODORE HTFAV/VIIT. BOMBARDMENT OF FORT M'HENRY MAJOR ARMISTEAD. See Page 271, M . 'I ihi. i £^: 333 .,,>iM ihi'Ji ill:; IIISTOUV OF THE VVAK. ^*^r> Thn (^lllNtitlltl(lll i>iik>'ir*;m nnd rn|itiiri-N tlin ('yaiiu anil I^'vniit. most ship, rapt. tin Su.'vvuil nnh'rcd lioth si(I(!.s to he iimiiMcd, hacked to|)sads, Piid (h'oppcd into his lirst jxtsition. Thn ship oil the how hacked sails also, 'i'lie < 'oristitiifioii's hroadsides were Mien lired iVom fh, in which she sulli-red consi(l«!rahly, she struck, with live feet wat(;r in hov hold. Sh(! proved to ho th(! sloop of war Levant, ca|)tain Douglass, of eigjiteen t}iirty-tW(j-pound carron- jides. 'I'he loss on hoard tlu; two ships amounted to ahout eighty in killed and wounded : of the crew ol' the (Constitution there ^\•er<; otdy (<)ur killed nnd eleven woundcid ; and the ship re- ceived hut a very trifling injury. On the lOth of Mandj, captain Stewart (>ntered the harhoiu'oi' i'raya, in tlu; island of Sf. Jago, with his prizes; and on the 11th, a I5rilish srpiadron of two ships, of sixty guns each, and a frigate, appeared of!" the entrance of th(! harhour. ('ajitain Stewait, Ijaving no faith in Ins iocM- rity, althougli in a mnitral port, made sail wilh one of his prizes, tlie Cyane, and though clos(!ly pursued, had the good fortune to escape with it into tlio United States. The Levant was recaptured in the Portuguese harhour, in contempt of the neu- trality of the port and of tlie laws of nations. The Peacock, Hornet, and Tom Bowline; Icfi. New York a few days afler the President, not knowing of her capture. On the 2'fk\ of .January, 1815, the Hornet, captain Biddlc, parted company, and directed her course to Tristan d'Acunha, the place of rendezvous. On the 2'ld of March, she descried the ih'itish hrig Penguin, caprain Dickenson, of eighteen guns and a twelve-pound-carronado, to the southward and eastward of that island. Captain Biddlc hove to, while the Penguin horc down. At forty minutes past one P. M., tlie British vessel com- menced the engagement. The firing was hotly kept up for fifteen minutes, the Penguin gradually nearing the Hornet, with the intention of hoarding, fler captain was killed hy a grape-shot before he saw his orders executed ; and her lieutenant, on whom PijBll hM T' ' liil n ■\ i til m J ■ -^f w '% >'A *fi 220 nRACKKNliFDdirS The rinrnct, Captain lliildln, raptiin-a th« I'nnguin. h I i ^ ,1 I the cominaiid of tlu; Pcn^riiin then di^volvcd, horc her up, and runiiin28 lUlACKKMUDdr/S f rinn of Cniiipnif^n nn the Cnnmln Frontier. grca T' li I'W^M CllAPTKll XVII. Plan of Canip.iipn on tlio Cnnndn Frontier— Ocnrral Urown collcrta an Army nt Ulnck Rock and nulliilo— Capturos Fort Erie— Ilattle of Chippewa- (Jallantry of IMu- jor Jeflup— British rotroat— American Army advances— Deatli of General Bwill— Movement on Fort Ocorjje— General Ikov.n n'treatH to llie Chippewa- Ualtle of \'i- nuara-tJenerai Uiall taken rrisoner— Colonel Jesiip-^ ColojicI Miller -" I will try, Bir"— British Cannon charged upon and takc^n— Desperate Ellorls of the British to regain their Cainmn —Generals Scott and Brown wounded — Britisii recover their Cannon — Both Armies retire from the Field— Brilis^h advance aRain the followiny Morning— Americans retreat to Fort i;rie -Defences of Fort Erie erilarK<'d and ex- tended -Sit ;;(' of Fort l",ri( -rrojected Attack on BiiU'alo re|)iilsed -(General Gaiiicn .•issiimes the Command at Fort Erie— Assault on Fort Erie -Death of (^)|(lnl'l Drum- inond— 'I'remendoiis Explosion — The Besieji(>rs driven hack to their Works— Renewal of the Cannonade— Sortie fr(nn Fort Erie— Destruction of the Enemy's Works— Bri- tish raise the Sie;;e and retreat to Fort {}eori;e--Arrival of (Jeneral Izard at I-ort Erie— Americans advance; alons; the Niagara— En},ai;enient at Lyon's (Jreck- De- struction of Fort Erie hy the Americans— Evacuation of lJ|)per Canada — Close of the Third ttwasion of Canada — Important Results of the Campaign— Affairs of the West— t'nsuccessful Expedition against Michilimackiuac— (?ni>ture of two American Schooners— General M'Arthnr's Expedition into Canada. this I'.'fi **i % From rcviowing tho events of the war on the ocean, wc re- turn to the war on th(^ northern frontier. Not to bo without a jilan ofeampaio;!!, althoiigli (vxiierionce had already shown how small a ))ortion of jdans formed in the cabinot, jind depending upon so many contingencies not susceptible of calculation, could Ix; carried into execution, the following was adopted. Colonel Croghan, with the assistance of commodore Sinclair, was to proceed against the British on the upper lakes, with a view of recovering the American posts of Michilimackinac and St. Joseph. An army, under general Brown, now raised to the rank of major-general, was to cross the Niagara and take posses- sion of Burlington Heights ; and afterwards, in conjunction with Cv^ nimodore Chauncey, to attack the British posts on tht; penin- sula. General Izard, commanding the Northern Army, was to push a number of armed boats into the St. Lawrence, so as to command the Rapids, and cut off the connnnnication between Montreal and Kingston. Batteries were also to be thrown up for the purpose of protecting the American fleet on Lake Cham- V'-r !iii Army nt ntry of IMii- nil Hwill— . liittio ol'M- ' I will try, I' Hrilish to ■cover ilipjr K! followiii),' ;(•(! iiiid «'x- cral (laiiicH loiU'l Driiiii. < — lU'iK'wnl Vorks-Itri- ard lit I'ort Creek- Dc I — ('lose (if "ilirs r,f tiK! Aiiitricaii vvc ro- il hont a wii liow lending Illation, idoptod. Sinclair, , with a lac and d lo the posses- on with penin- , was to as to )etween 1 up for Cham- HISTORV Oi'' Till-: WAi;. 229 V* RcnernI lirnwii collerta nn Army Cti|itureii Fort nrio. plain, and to provont that of tin; British from entering it. Tho greater j)art of these arrangement.s were controlled Ly unfore- seen circumstances. Tho s[)ring passed away before general lirown was in a situation to alten)|)t any thing against tho J British posts on tho opposite side of tlu; river; even b'ort Niagara, on this side, still remainiMl in their hands. Ho had, however, been assiduously occupied, with his gallant olficers general Scott and general Jiipl(>y, in collecting and disci|)lining a force in tho neighbour- hood of l]la(dc Ilock and iJuflJilo. JJy the beginning of July, (his consisted of two brigades of regulars, the iirst commanded by brigaditir-general Scott, »nd tho second by brigadier-general lliplcy ; and a brigade of volunteers, with a lew Indians, under generals Porter and Swill. In tho meantim(;, the force of tho enemy, under lieutenant-general Drummond, had been greatly increased, by the addition of a number of veteran regiments, which, since the pacification of Europe, Great Britain had been enabled to send to (^'anada. The first step to be taken, with a view to any future opera- tions against Canada, and to recover the possession of Fort Niagara, was the capture of Fort Eric; for if the Americans were possessed of this post, it was supposed that the enemy would evacuate the American side of the frontier, and besides, that this garrison could be carried with more case than the other, from the circumstance of an attack being less ex[)ected. Fort Erie was at tliat time command(;d by captain Buck, with auout one hundred and seventy men. The two brigades of regulars, in obedience to general Brown's orders, embarked on the morning of the 3d of July. General Scott, with the first, and a detach- ment of artillery under major Hindman, crossed to the Canada shore, about a ruile below Fort Erie, and general Ripley, with the second brigade, at about the same distance above ; while a party of Indians, who had also crossed over, got into the woods in tho rear of the fort. The garrison, being taken by surprise, and surrounded before the movements of the assailants were dis- covered, was compelled to surrender after firing a few shot. Immediate possession was taken of the fort, and the prisoners were marched into the interior of New York. General Brown next resolved to proceed immediately and attack major-general Rial!, who, with a division of British regulars, occupied an intrenched camp at Chippewa ; arrange- ments having first been made for the defence of the fort, and for protecting the rear of the army. On the morning of the 4th, gener;.l Scott advanced with his brigade and captain Towson's artillery ; and was followed in u m '■III m I I i( ■ 1 1' i^- 230 iUlACKI'.NIlIDCl'rS Uatlln of ('liippc<\va. '*•! I 1:^ 1^1 ; ;*4 the ooiirso of tlio (lay l>y m'lu'i'ul Uij5''\v, niul fho field ntid nark arlill(M-y under inajoi- llindman, f(i;'(>llier wilh ueneial i;eMeial lN>rl(M''s volunteers. The army was then drawn \\\\ in regular order o\\ iho riii;ht bank of Street's or<tl iho advance corps oi' tlu> en(>n>y, which retreated, aller jk^stroyinui; the hridk«M*, '.vho had hec^n dir(>ct(^l d him ; but \\v defended liimsi^lt' in so gallant a maimer, that he was tMiabled to keep Ihem oir, nntil captains Hull and I larrisoii, and lieutenant Kan- dolph, with a small party ol' men who had lu^en hastily thrown across the stream, came to his relict'. The army remained in this position until the next day, when, (\arly in tlu^ morning, the Hritish connnenced attacks upon tlu^ picket guards surrounding it. (>n(> of th(\se, coui' mand(Ml by I'aptain Tnvit, was suddcMily liriHl nj)on by a party concealed in somi^ high grass; one man fell, and th«.^ rear bioke and retreatinl. The exertions ol' the captain to rally them were mistaken lor cowardic(% and he was stripped of iiis command. luMng resolved to do away tlu^ imi)ntation, he requ(»sted to (Mi- g:\ge in the approaching battli^ as a voUmtccM', and was accord- ingly directed to lead a j>latoon o( the same company which he had just comnKUuled in action, lie was allerwards tri(^d and honourably acquitted. Thest^ assaults continued through- out the greati'r part of the day. General Uiall, pcMveiving that an engagement was unavoidable, now resolved to strik«' th(^ first blow; he therefore issued from his encampment with his whole force, and, crossing the Chippewa creek, soon nppi^areil with the main body on the le(\ bank of Street's creek. He had previously sent a considerable body of troops into a wood on the lef\ o( the American camp, for the purpose of turning th(>ir flank. The moveiuent in the wood was discovered early enough to frustrate it ; and general Porter, witli the volunteers and Indians, afler a sharp conflict, compelled the enemy's right to retire. While in pursuit of it on the Ciiippewa road, he came suddenly in contact witli the main body of the Britisli. Tiio volunteers were now severely pressed by troops greatly supe- rior in numbers and discipline. General Brown, perceiving this, ordered Scott's brigade and Towson's artillery to advance, and draw tho enemy into action on the plains of Chippewa This was etTected immediately on crossing the bridge. T on t ( 7mii SUC( «)fVM'( on t flank line. pell( conu batta mov( e(|ua plishc in fn lie ha until, enem Ki^tc i('l(t (111(1 I r('L!;iil;ii- miles (if lirsf Itri- V, wWwU ('nptiiiii (lisl;iiUM) »liilr flio k. Til.. (Idt'iKlcd lo kt'cp lint \{n\\- ,' thrown oxt «lay, nllMcks S(\ ('(Mil- a jiarty ar hrokt. cm wrro, mmaiui. (1 lo (Ml- accortl- y wliirli (Is tried linniiili- in.'i, that ik^-; the with liis pjieareil Ho iKul ooH on ng their early untccrs 's right ic came . Tiio y supe- •cciving dvancc, ippewa tl UrSTOKV OF TIIH WAR. 2.11 nattin of ('lii|tp(<\vii Onlliintry iif Mnjor Jfiinp. Thf" first hatfalioii, under major li«'avenworth, look a position th( mcl on IIK^ ri;^lu ; and llie second wan led fo its slarion hy e(j|or (^(r(i|)hell, who, on hejng vvoimded .shortly aOerwards, was sncceeded hy major M'Neill. Major Jesup, a gallant young oMicrer, who roijnnanded the third hallalion, which was fornHjcl on the lefl, resting in a wood, was ordere .steadily advancing upon th<^ Amoriean line.. Whilst warmly (Migaged in this service, h»; w/is com- pelled to (l(^tach captain Ketchum, to attack some troops coming up lo tho assistance of the ho«ly witii whi(;h the third hattalion was ong:.god. 'I'he major, having <'leared his front, moved to the relief of his captain, who had maintained nn un- e(pial contest against superior numhcrs. I h; hr.d not acconi- j)lishcd this until afler ;i severe Htidggh;: l)eing closely pressed in front and flank, and his m(>n falliiigin numhers around liim, lie had del i he rately given ord(!rs to ad vance,und<',r.'i dreadful lire; until, gaining a position of mon; .s(^curity, l»e compelled tho (Munny to rctir(^, and annv up in time to c().o[)erate with captain Ketchum's d;>fachment. The admirahle cooliu^ss and intrepi- dity of his corps wen; worthy of vet(!rans and provcMl the great progn.ois tht; Americans had made in discipline;. Th(3 batt.dion on th(> AtiKM'ican right, under major L(;av(!nworth, was not oidy engaged with the Hritish inlantry, but ofbai exposed to th(! fire of their batteries. One of its ofUccjrs, captain flarrison, liad his leg shot off by a cannon ball ; but so doubtful did lie con- sider th(. contest, that he would not suffer a man to be taken from his duty to bear him from the field, and supported the torture of his wound until the uc;tion ceased. Af\cr the laji.sc of an hour from the; tiuK; the; action became general, captain Towsun having compl(;tely silenced the enemy's most power- ful battery, now turned upon their infantry at that moment ad- vancing to a charge. The fire from Tow.son's ariillery, whicli poured upon them ; the oblique discharges of a partof M'Neill's battalion, which was so posted as to assail both in front and Hank ; the steadiness of the two battalions; and the apparent issue of the contest on his rigbt flank with majcr Jesup, com- pelled general Riall to retire, until he reached the sic )ing ground which led to Chippewa. From this point tiie IJritish fled in confusion to their intrencbments, which were too strong to be assailed. In this engagement general Ripley's brigade was not con- cerned. He had proposed to the commander-in-chief, at the commencement of the action, to take a position to the lc(\ of the first brigade, and passing it, to turn the enemy's right, and prevent his retreat to Chippewa. At that time general Brown •!*>i!l *! 1 >r I J if O'lO nUACKi'.NUIDCI'AS niltisli rclrrnt to Ton Milo Creek American Army ntlvuncen. \i\h »^' ■■ ■'! ' t: , i i-m (looliiif'tl his proposal; but all«M'\v.'inls, wIkmi the IJrilisli Ix'^an lo nMirc, he (iirccltMl l.im (o j)ut his plan in cxt-culion. TIk; j)rc('ipitation oflhrii' nioviMiiciils liowcvcr iViisfralcii it. The ivsiih «)f lliis iirst reuii;nu'nt and ooolnt^ss on both siilcs, and its r(\sult, considcriiij^ iho nunihors oni;ai;(>d, was ('X(Vodinij;ly sani^uinary- 'I'hc loss of tlio AnKM'ioaMs in killed, wounded and niissinuj, anionntcd to three hundred and thirty-oigljt. Anionic tlie wounded W((l to „'(1 wvw, d, I^'iul, ■Mlenanls eleventh, olal loss nninuiid, siiij]!;, and wounded Hand aid k\eoddalo locunvn- 11 to the >robat ion icd : the I majors captains L^rS W(M'0 0, major 3ns, and •redit. nttenant lim, and General nincd to letaehcd ce miles dppcwa of the cy, thai ?red by idvanco ks ; i)ut i retire. general pied by Dentil iifniMinrnl Hwifl Ociimil llrown n'tniilM tit ihr ('hi|i|i()wn, ll Itl that (1 IMI hark Cii •nstown. On the I'olluwinij; day lie retired to Ten Mile creek. pI The American nrnij, movini^ forward, encamped at (iiieenH- town. (icntiral Swil't, at his own retjutisf, was now dt'tached with one hiuidred and twenty men, to recomioilni thf; enemy's works at l''ort (Jeorge. ( )n hisarrival in the ncinjhboiirhooti, he ^^ surprised an outpost, and took prisoners a <'orporal and his ^uard. PI OjK' of these, aOer having asked and received tpiurter, suddenly raised his piece, and woundtMl Swill mortally. 'VUo general instantly killed U\r. assassin; and on tlu; approach of a pnrty of the, enemy brought up by tht^ firing fif the soldier, he continued, regardless of his wound, to fight at tlu; liead of his (letachn)ent until the entMuy was n>pulsed. 'J'his gallant officer died soon albu* ho was brought to camp, and whs interrtid with all the honours the army could lu^stow. He had been a distinguished soldier of the revolution ; and his loss was sineerely regrtitted. 'J'ho (piestion as to tin; step next to be tak(;n — whether t(» follow up the eiKMny rapidly and annihilate his force, or first to attack Forts Niagara and (Jeorgc; — was submitt(;d by general lirown to a council of war. Tlic latter was n>solved upon. Preparatory to this, gtMitn'al Uipley and genr^ral Porter wer(5 ordered to recoimoitre the forts — the one alonj; flu; Niatiara, the other by the way of 8t. David's, for the purpose; of ascer- taining their respective situations and obtaining other informa- tion n(V(\ssary for tlu^ attack. This service they successfully l)erformed, although much exposet' to the fire of tht^ garrison of Fort George^ and assaiknl by skirmishing parties sent out from thence. The plan, however, was abandoned, in consequence, as was alleged by general Brown, of the failure of the fleet to co-operate with him, commodore Chauncfiy being at this time extremely ill. The general therefore, withdrawing from the ad- vanced position to which he had moved on the Niagara and Lake Ontario, prepared to pursue the l^ritish army to Burlington Heights ; and, with a vievv to this, on the 24th he fell back to the junction of the Chippewa with the Niagara. Lieutenant-general IJrummond, mortified that his veteran troops should have been beaten by what he considered raw Americans, was anxious for an opportunity of retri(!ving his credit. He bad collected every regiment from Burlington and York, and the lake being free, had been able to transport troops from Fort George, Kingston and even Prescott. General iiiall took post at Quecnstown, immediately after it was abandoned by the Americans in their retreat to Chippewa; thence he threw a strong detachment across the Niagara to Lewistown, to threaten the town of Schlosser, which contained the supplies of u * W 234 niJACKi'.Nuinci'/s lliillli' III N'i.-iuiirn J r :'sw ;Vr^. JJiMlrV >in vow n, Miul n Is,. 1 MM Sir IIWI WoiilK I.mI niK Inltl ic SMMlc \\\\)o (IrspMli'htMl ;\ jKnly in inlvM.x'c ol" him ,im llii> NiM^jnra ro.-id. N\ ith tlic view iiT (lr.i\Mi>ir oil' llu* mnny iVoin Imh ntlcini)! mi tho villain {U'n>.-5s lh(» river, ^(M\«M!i1 llroun, having nn ini'misof transporling troops lo its «l(>liMU'0, tlircrtc'd general Sei»ll lo move towards QnetMislown uill» Ins brigade, seven hundred strong, touiMher with 'Tow son's artillery Mnd aOernoon oi" inr i^r)th, general Si'ott led his brigade tVom ihiM-anip, and aller pro- 0(HMling along the Niagara ixUnxi twt) miles and a imll' iVoni the Chipp(>wa, and within a slu.rl distaiUM^ of the eataraets, diseover- i\\ general liial! on an eminenee near liimdy's LaiU', a p«>siti(tii orgr«\-»t strcMiglh, wluM'e he had planliMl a hatfery ol" nine pieit ,s ot" artill(M*v, two of whieh were hrass twenty-four |)oun(Iers. On reaehing a narrow strip of vvt>ods which intervened helwt>en the American and the Urilish line, captains Harris and INMilland, vxhose oonijvinies fornud a j>art yA' the advance, and wow lust iir'MJ on, gallantiv «'ngag(>d the eniMuy. The laller now relriNited for tlu^ purpos(> o( drawing the American eohnnn lo the post i\\ .l<\mily\s Lane. CJeneral iScett. r»\^ohilely pressc^l forward, i\\\c\' (U^spatching major .Ionics to the ciMumandin-in-chief with inlelliircncN^ that lie liad come up with the enemv. Wv had no sooner cleared the wood, and Ibrmed in line d on th(>ir riglil, which was nMurned by captain 'l\)Wson, whose artillery wimc postotl oj^posite, and on the lell of tiic Amcn'ican line, hut wilh- out Iving ahl(^ \o bring his jHtvi^s to In^ar t»n the eminence. The action was conlimunl for an hour, against a force three time.>^ tliat of the AmiM'ican I''igail(\ 'I'he b'levcMilh and Twenty-second regiments having c.xih .,dcd their annnunition, colonel Hrady and lieutenant-colonel ^I'Xeill Iniiig both severely wounded, and nearly all the otlun* olVicers either UiIKmI ov wounded, they vvero withdrawn iVom action. Lieutenant Crawl'ord, lieutenant Saw- yer, and a I'tnv oilier oIVuvm-s of those n^ginuMits, attached th(M>i- selves to the Ninth, in such stations as were assigned tiiem. This rogimont, under its gallant leader, lieutenant-colonel Leaven- worth, was now obliged to maintain the wiiolo brunt of the a,'- lion. Orders had been given him to advance and charge on the height, and with tlie Eleventh and Twenty-second regiments to break the enemy's line ; but, tin inl'ormation being eomnui- nic^itea to general Scott of the shattered conditit.n of tlic latter, tlio ^rder was countermnmlod. Colonel .Tesup, nt the com- iiicncoment of the action, had been detached, with the Twenty lillh regiment, to attack the left of the enemy's line. 'I' with vvhel one lines ger I era! men nige iiisToiiv oi- 'riir; wak. lliiMlc ()(' Niiiunrn Ooiicriil Kmll tnlon I'riiiiincr. uurt lIlC Mfllllf ira run* I. (r- whclinin^ nniid»( ih. Mrin^ ifMJiicrd af i('n;.',lh to not more than one hair, and ln-in^ compi'Ilrd at every niotnr'iit (o rfsisf fresh linrM (d'thc Kriiish, eoloiirl Leavcnw(»rth drspafr lird a rtH-ssen- jrcr to geiKMal Scott, to coniniunicatc its (MMnhlion. 'I"hc K''"- era! lode up in person, roused the fla^f^iu<^ spirits of the hrave men with liie picJisin^ iulcMitfcncc that reinforcements wf'reex- pectod every nionn'nt, and hcsouid't theui to hold th(>ir yrotrnd. Lieutenant Widdle, /dready well known as a reeoiuioiterin;; ollicer, was the lirst to come to their fissistance, haviiiLT heen drawn t(» the place hy the sound of th(! cannon, while on a scour- ing expedition in the neinhhourini^ country. 'I'lie same eireinn- slance .advised |a'neral Mrown of the c(»mmencement, of the ac- tion, and induced him t(» pro<'eed rapidly to the scene, aOer ^ivin^ orders to^rciirral Kipley to liillow with the second l)ri;/ade. lie was already on his way when h(« met major Joiujs, and, inMu- enced hy his conununication, he (h-spfili lied him to hring iij) ji;eneral Porter's voiunteiirs, to^elJKir with the arlillery. 'I'Ik! situation of Scott's hrin;!«d(! was every moment hecominfj more critical. Misled hy the ohsliuacy of their resistance, general lliall overrated their force; and des|)at<'hed a nnissen- j;er to general l)rummr's volunte(;rs, and at tho same time of lieutenant-gene- ral Drnnimond with nmiforcnments to the British. The artil- \vvy wvrci united to Towson's d(!tachment, and soon came into action ; Porter'.s brigade was displayed on the left, and llipl(;y'H foruK'd on the skirts of the wood, to the right of Scott's brigade, (ieneral Druinmond took the command in person of the front line* of tlie enemy with his fresh troo[)s. In the meantime, colonel J(!sup, who, as before mentioned, had been ordcM'ed, at the comrnenc(!inent of ihc notion, to take post on (he right, had succced(!{I during theengagemc^nt, altera gallant contest, in turning the left, flank of the enemy. Taking advantage of the darkness of the night, and the carelessness of the enemy in oniitti.ig to place a proper guard across a road on his left, he ;Lf 'Hi 236 liRA(.'KKNlUI)(-F/S Ballle of Niagara UoI'»iiul Ji'siip .... Colonel Miller—" I will try, sir.' S- li" ' ':! !M j •■ 1 throw his roj^imcnt in tlio roar of tiicir rcscrvn ; and surprising one dctaclnnent al\or another, niad(; pri-soners of so mfiny of their oflicers and inen, that his progress was greatly impeded hy it. Th(! laws of war would have justified him in putting them to death ; " hut the laurel, in his opinion, was most glo- rious when entwined hy tlie linnd of mercy," and lie generously spared them. One of iiis ollicers, captain Ketchum, who had already distinguished himself at the hattle of Chippewa, had the good fortune to make prisoner of general Riall, who, on the arrival of gcjiierai Drummond, had heen assigned to the com- mand of the reserve, and also of captain Loring, the aid of general Drummond. The latter was a most fortunate circum- stance, as it prevented the concentration of the British forces contemplated by that officer, before the Americans were pre- pared for his reception. Afler hastily disposing of his prisoners, colonel Jesup felt his way through the darkness to the place where the hottest lire was kept up on the brigade to which he belonged ; and drawing up his regiment beliind a fence, on one side of the Queenstovvn road, but in the rear of a party o^^ Bri- tish infantry, posted on the opposite side of the same road, he surprised them by a fire so destructive, that they instantly broke and fled. *' The major," said general Brown, " showed him- self to his own army in a blaze of fire." He received the ap- plause of the general, and was ordered to form on the right of the second l)rigade. General Ripley, seeing the impracticability of operating upon the enemy from the place at which he had been ordered to post his brigade, or of advancing from it in line through a thick wood, in the impenetrable darkness of the night, determined, with that rapid decision which characterizes the real commander, to adopt the only measure by which he saw a hope of saving the first brigade from destruction, or of ultimately achieving the victory ; and which, when made known to the commander-in- chief, was instantly sanctioned. The eminence occupied by the enemy's artillery was the key to their position. Addressing himself to colonel Miller, the same who had distinguished him- self at Magagua, he inquired whether he could storm the battery at the head of the Twenty-first regiment, while he would himself support him with the younger regiment, the Twenty-third. To this the wary, but intrepid veteran replied, in rn U:.;,ted phrase, r WILL TRY, SIR ; words, which were afterwarc worn on the buttons of his regiment ; and immediately prepared for the arduous effort, by placing himself directly in front of the hill. The Twenty-third was formed in close column, by its com- mander, major M'Farland ; and the First regiment, under co- i lonel fatigu him- IIISTORY OF Till-: WAR. 237 Battlu of Niagara UritiHli Cannon cliargc-d upon ami taken. lonol Nicholas, which had that day arrived from a long and fat iguing marcl icll •heck. The was Icll to keep the inlantry in ci two regiments moved on to one of the most perilous charges ever attempted ; the whole of the artillery, supported hy the fire of a powerful line of infantry, pouring upon them as they advanced. The Twenty-first moved on steadily to its purpose: the Twenty-third faltered on receiving the deadly fire of the enemy, but was soon rallied by the personal exertions of gen- eral Ripley. When within a hundred yards of the summit, they received another dreadful discharge, by which major M'Farland was killed, and the command of his regiment de- volved on major Brooks. To the amazement of the British, the intrepid Miller firmly advanced, until within a few paces of their cannon, when he impetuously charged upon the artille- rists, and after a short but desperate resistance, carried the whole battery, and formed hi.s line in its rear, upon the ground pre- viously occupied by the British infantry. In carrying the largest pieces, the Twenty-first suffered severely : lieutenant Cilley, after an unexampled effort, fell wounded by the side of the piece which he took ; and there were few of the oflicers of this regiment who were not either killed or wounded. By the united efforts of these two regiments, and the bringing into line of the First, the fate of this bold assault was determined: the British infantry were in a short time driven down the emi- nence,out of the reach of musquetry, and their own cannon turned upon them. This admirable effort completely changed the nature of the battle : every subsequent movement was directed to this point, as upon the ability to maintain it the result of the con- flict entirely depended. Major Hindman was now ordered to bring up his corps, including captain Towson's detachment, and post himself, with his own and the captured cannon, to the right of Ripley's brigade, and between it and the Twenty- fifth, Jesup's, regiment, while the volunteers of general Porter retained their position on the left of Scott's brigade. Stung with rage and mortification at this most extraordinary and successful exploit of the Americans, general Drummond, the British commander, now considered it absolutely essential to the credit of the British army, and to avoid insupportable disgrace, that the cannon and the eminence on which thoy were captured should be retaken. Having been greatly reinforced, h? advanced upon Ripley, with a heavy and extended line, outflanking him on both extremes. The Americans stood silently awaiting his approach, which could only be discovered by the sound attend- ing it, reserving their fire, in obedience to orders, until it could be effective and deadly. The whole division of the British now ISI! •■ t II m 238 HRACKENIUDGC'S 4 s ) ■I- "■ Battle of NiaKarn Desperate Eirirtfl of the Britiuh to regain their Cannon. marchodata l)ri.sk stop, until within twenty paces ofthcsinninit of the lit'ij^ht, whon it poured in a nij)id fire, and prepared to rush forwarti with the bayonet. The Ameriean line being (Hrectcd by tlie lire of the enemy, returned it with deadly ellect. The enemy were thereby tlirown into momentary confusion ; but l)eing ralht d returned furiously to the attack. A most tremendous eonflie ensued ; which for twenty minutes continued with violence inde. scribable. The Hritish line was at last compelled to yield, and to retire down the hill. In this struggle general Porter's vo. luntcers emulated the conduct of liie regulars. The gallant major Wood, of tho Pennsylvania corps, and colonel JJobbin, of the New York, gave examples of unshaken intrepidity. It was not supposed, however, that this would be the Inst effort of the British general ; general Ripley therefore^ had the wounded transported to the rear, and instantly restored his line to ord(M\ General Scott's shattered brigade liaving been cr)n- solidated into one battalion, had during this period been held in reserve behind the second brigade, under colonel Leaven- worth ; colonel Brady having been compelled, by the severity of his wound, to resign the command. It was now ordered to move to Lundy's Lane, and to form with its right towards tlie Niagara road, and its lefb in the rear of the artillery. Ailer the lapse of half an hour, general Drummond was heard again advancing to the assault with renovated vigour. The direction at first given by general Ripley was again observed. The fire of the Americans was dreadful ; and the artillery of major Hindman, which were served with great skill and coolness, would have taken away all heart from the British for this perilous enterprise, had not an example of bravery been set them by the Americans. After the first discharge, the British general thre^v himself with his entire weight upon the centre of the American line. He was firmly leceived by the gallant Twenty-first regiment ; a few platoons only faltering, which were soon restored by general Ripley. Finding that no impression could be made, the whole British line again re- coiled, and fell back to the bottom of the hill. During this second contest, two gallant charges were led by general Scott in person, the first upon the enemy's lefl, and the second on his right flank, with his consolidated battalion ,* but having to oppose double lines of infantry, his fittempts, which would have been decisive had they proved successful, were unavail- ing. Altb'^ugh he had most fortunately escaped unhurt thus far, subsequently, in passing to the right, he received two severe wounds : regardless of himself, however, he did not quit the field, until he had directed colonel Leavenworth to unite his b; inand Dis the p reinfo and strugg HISTORY OF THE WAR. 239 Cannon. iinmif of d to rush rcctcd by le enemy j^nilli( (I s conflu; nro indf. icld, and rter's \o. 3 gullaiit JJobbiii, dify. tbo last ' had till) ] liis hue )ecn coil- )0(^n li(>ld Lcavcn- I severity rdered to vards tlie end was vigour. again and tlic rcat skill British )ravery scharge, it upon ved by Itering, ing that gain rc- ing this al Scott cond on ving to would navail- rt thus severe ]uit the o unite I Itattle of Niagara • .• • Deii>«rato EfTorls of thn Dritiah to regain their Cannon. his battalion with the Twenty-fifth rcginncnt, under the com- mand of coloiud Jesup. Disheart(;iK'd by these repeated defeats, the British were ou the point of yielding the contest, when they received fresh ruinlbrcenients from Fort George, which revived their spirits, and induced thetn to make another and still more desperate struggle. AAer taking an iiour to refresh themselves and reco- ver from their fatigue, they advanced with a still more extended line, and with confident hopes of being able to overpower tho Americans. Our countrymen, who had stood to tlieir arms during all this time, were worn down with fatigue, and almost fainting with thirst, which there was no water at hand to quench. From tlio long interval which had elapsed since the second repulse, they had begun to cherish hopes that the enemy had abandoned a further attempt ; but in this they were disap- pointed. On the approach of the British for tho third time, their courageous spirit returned, and they resolved never to yield the glorious trophies of their victory, until they could contend no longer. The Brttish delivered their fire at the same distance as on the preceding onsets. But althougji it was re- turned with the same deadly eflect, they did not fall back with the same j)rccipitation as before ; they steadily advanced, and repeated their discharge. A conflict, obstinate and dreadful beyond description, ensued. The Twenty-first, under its brave leader, firmly withstood the shock ; and although the right and lell rept^atedly fell back, they were as oflen rallied by the personal <■ vertions of the general, and colonels Miller, Nicholas, and Jesup. At length the two contending lines were on the very summit of the hill, where the contest was waged with terrific violence at the point of the bayonet. Such was the obstinacy of the conflict, that many battalions, on both sides, were forced back, and the opposing parties became mingled with each other. Nothing could exceed the despera- tion of the battle at the point where the cannon were stationed. The enemy having forced themselves into the very midst of major Hindman's artillery, he was compelled to engage them across the carriages and guns, and at last to spike two of his pieces. General Ripley, having brought back the broken sec- tions to their positions and restored the line, now pressed upon the enemy's flanks and compelled them to give way. The centre soon following the example, and the attack upon the artillery being at this moment repulsed, the whole British line fled a third time ; and no exertions of their officers could re- strain them, until they had placed themselves out of reach of the musquetry and artillery. The British now consented to relin- ■ 4 I I "I, f Ik' Mi " ■■: t] 240 nUACKKNIMDGE'S i: If ' ■ ii 1- )■' I I ti Dritlih recover thfir Cannon Doth Armlos rotlrn ttam tlio Field. quish thoir cannon, arid retired l>eyon(l tlie borders of the field, Icaviiiu tluir dead and wonndcd. (icncral IJrown had rec(;ived two severe wounds nt the corn- inenccnient of the hist charge, and was coni|H'lU;d to retint to the camp at tlie Cljippewa, leaving tlic command to gcncrul Kipley. Tlu; latter ollicer had made repeated ellurts to obtain tlie means of removing the captured artillery ; but tlu; horses having l)e(!n killed, and no drag-ropes being at hand, they were still on the place where they had been captured, when orders were received from general IJrown, to collect the wounded and return to camp immcMliately. The Hritish cannon were there- Ibro lefl behind, the sinaller pieces iiaving first been rolled down tlvc hill. The whole of the troops reached the camp in good order about midnight, allcr an unmolested march. it is much to be regretted that these trophies of victory could not have been secured ; as the circumstance of their recovery by the British gave them occasion, surprising as it may seem, to claim the victory. To high praise they certainly were en- titled ; but to the merit of " a complete defeat of the Americans," they had no claim, and the assertion was an outrage to trutli. A compliment for such a victory ought to infuse the blush of shame into the cheek of any honourable soldier who had a share in the contest so named. The British force engaged, of whom twelve hundred were militia and five hundred Indians, was little short of five thou- sand men ; being near'y a third greater than that of the Ameri- cans. Tlie loss on either side was proportioned to the nature of lliis dreadful and sanguinary battle : its aggregate, in both armies, amounted to one thousand seven hundred and twenty-ninc ; and the killed and wounded alone to near one thousand four liundrcd. In the records of the most bloody battles we seldom meet with so great a number of officers killed and wounded. On the side of the British, one assistant adjutant-general, one captain, three subalterns, and seventy-nine non-commissioned officers and privates, were killed ; lieutenant-general Drum- mond, three lieutenant-colonels, two majors, eight captains, twenty-two subalterns, and five hundred and twenty-two non- commissioned officers and privates were wounded : one major general (Riall, who was also wounded), one aid-de-camp — cap- tain Loring, five other captains, nine subalterns, and two hun- dred and twenty non-commissioned officers and privates, were prisoners or missing : making in all eight hundred and seventy- eight men. The American loss was, one major, five captains, five subalterns, and one hundred and fifty-nine non-commis- sioned officers and privates, killed; major-general Brown, or mi.i Thus rcsjX!* Thi the ti HISTORY OF Tin: WAU. Field. the field, the corn- retire to ' gonoral to obtJiiii i(! Iiorses tjcy were n orders idcd and I'G there- 'll rolled ho camp rch. >ry could recovery ly seem, »vcre en- iricans," to truth, blush of 3 had a cd were ve thou- ! Amcri- ature of armies, nine ; nd four seldom ounded. ral, one ssioncd Drum- aptains, o non- major ) — cap- o hun- , were Dventy- ptains, ■Dmmis- rown, 241 British advance again tho fullowing Morning. . . . American! r«lreat to Fort Erie. brigadicr-gcneralsi Scott ami Porter, two uids-dc-cunip, one brigade major, one colonel, four lieutenant-colonels, one major, seven cajUain.s, thirty-seven subalterns, and five hundred and liftcen non-commissioned oflicers and privates, wounded ; and one brigade major, one cajjtain, six subalterns, and one hun- dred and two non-commissioned olliccrs and privates, prisoners or missing : making a grand total of eight liundred and lirty-one. Thus there was a diflerence of twenty-seven only, between tlie resjxjctive losses of the contending parties. Tho command(!r-in-chief ordered general Ripley to refresh the troops on their arrival at the camp, and in the morning to proceed to tho battle ground, and engage the enemy if circum- stances permitted. On reconnoitering the enemy, he found Ihem drawn up in advance of their position of tho preceding day on the eminence, and presenting a formidable appearanae. It would have been madness to renew the combat with a force which, on examination, amounted to only fifteen hundred men fit for duty ; and he therefore properly declined it. His con- duct was hastily censured by general Brown, in his despatches to the government. General Ripley, in consequence, had for a long period to contend with the obloquy of public opinion ; and it was not until some time subsequently, that the full extent of his merit was known. It is no\. generally admitted, that much of the praise of this brilliant victory is due to the skill and valour of this officer. General Ripley, finding himself unable to make a stand against the superior force of the British, retreated to Fort Eric, and anticipating their approach, immediately set about extend- ing its defences. The enemy, notwithstanding their pretended victory, did not think proper to follow up the Americans, until they had been reinforced by general Do Walteville, with one thousand men. Their whole force, now amounting to upwards of five thousand men, appeared, on the 3d of August, before a fortification which a few days previously had been considered untenable, and commenced the erection of regular intrench- ments. The besieged, at the same time, laboured incessantly to complete their ari\*ngements for defence. The position which the American army had taken, for the purpose of main- taining itself against so great a superiority, possessed few natural advantages ; and the work called Fort Erie was little more than a small unfinished redoubt. Situated about one hundred yards from the lake shore at its nearest angle, and on a plain of abc ; fifi;een feet elevation, this fort could be con- sidered as noti 'ng more than the strongest point of a fortified camp. A line ot works was yet to be constructed in front, and ■:.i "U .'1 i ' \ i f ■ \ 1 ■■ Y ^- I, : 11 242 BRACKENRIDGE'S :i i mi Siege of Fort Erie Projected Attack on Buffalo repulsed. on the right and loft to the lake ; the rear on the shore being left open. The fort itself probably did not occupy more than a sixth of the space occupied by the line or defences; and the remainder could not be otherwise than hastily constructed. Indeed, notwithstanding the slow and cautious approaches of the British, much remained unfinished at the last moment. On the same day that the enemy appeared before Fort Erie, a detachment, under colonel Tucker, crossed the Niagara, for the purpose of attacking Buffalo and recapturing general Riall. This party, although subsequently ncreased by reinforcements to twelve hundred men, was repulsed by major Morgan with but two hundred and forty men. In this affair captain Hamil- ton and lieutenants Wadsworth and M'Intosh were killed. The defences of Fort Erie were sufficiently completed, by the 7th, to keep at bay an enemy who had learned to respect our arms. From this day, until the 14th, there was an almost incessant cannonade between the batteries of the besiegers and the besieged. In the A-equent skirmishes which took place, the Americans were generally victorious ; in one of them, how- ever, they lost major Morgan, a brave officer, who had dis- tinguished himself as above mentioned, and whose death was sincerely lamented. General Gaines had arrived shortly after the commencement of the siege, anrl before any regular firing had been entered upon. Being the senior officer, he assumed the chief direction, and general Ripley returned to the com- mand of his brigade. On the night of the 14th, general Ripley perceived a bustle in the British camp ; and conceiving that an assault was about to be made, he despatched a messenger to apprize general Gaines of his convictions, who, however, had already formed a similar opinion. Dispositions, in which the troops enthusi- astically participated, were now rapidly made to receive the expected assailants. General Drummond had mad'i arrangements to assail the American fortifications on the right, centre and left at the same instant ; and general Gaines, not knowing where the enemy would make his attack, was prepared to meet him at all points. The fort and bastions were placed under the command of cap- tain Williams, of the artillery ; and a battery on the margin of the lake was assigned to captain Douglass, of the engineers. A blockhouse, near the salient bastion of the fort, was occupied by major Trimble with a detachment of infantry. Captains Biddle and Fanning, supported by general Porter's volunteers and the riflemen, commanded the batteries in front. The whole of the artillery throughout the garrison were directed by major | geners posted! suppoi the w( before I shells which shout amid his he£ At ive, th( three \ tinctly and th them, the ba with th to the ' and the ing his second HISTORY OF THE WAR. 243 Assault on Fort Erie. >re being ore than and the strucled. aches of lent. ort Erie, ffara, for ral Riall. rcements gan witli 1 Hamil- led. letcd, by ► respect n almost gers and k place, 3m, how- had dis- jath was •tly after ar firing assumed he com- a bustle as about general ■ formed enthusi- eive the sail the le same enemy points, of cap- irgin of ineers. ccupied aptains untecrs The cted by major Hindman. The first brigade, lately commanded by general Scott, now under lieutenant-colonel Aspinwall, was posted on the right ; and general Ripley's, the second, brigade, supported Towson's battery at the southwestern extremity of the works, and the line of the works on the left. A few hours before the commencement of the assault, one of the enemy's shells exploded a small magazine within the American works, which was succeeded by a loud shout from the besiegers. The shout was returned by the Americans ; and captain Williams, amid the smoke of the explosion, immediately discharged all his heavy guns. At half past two in the morning, the darkness being excess- ive, the approach of the enemy's right column, one thousand three hundred strong, under lieutenant-colonel Fischer, was dis- tinctly heard on the left of the garrison. The second brigade, and the artillery of Towson's battery were ready to receive them. Advancing steadily and quickly, the British assailed the battery with scaling ladders, and the line towards the lake with the bayonet. They were permitted to approach close up to the works, when a tremendous fire was opened upon them, and their column fell back in confusion. Colonel Fischer, rally- ing his men, again advanced furiously to the attack ; but was a second time compelled to retire, with still greater loss. The possession of Towson's battery being considered essential to the general plan of assault, he next essayed to pass round the abattis by wadinw breast deep in the lake ; but in this attempt he was un- successfu', and nearly two hundred of his men were either killed or drowned. Without seeking to learn the result of the attack on other points, he now ordered a retreat to the British encamp- ment. The enemy's central and left columns having waited until colonel Fischer was completely engaged, colonel Scott, who commanded the left column- approached on the right along the lake ; while lieutenant-colonel Druinmond, with the central column, at the same moment advanced to the assault of the fort proper. Colonel Scott was checked by captain Douglass's battery, captains Boughton and Harding's New York and Pennsylvania volunteers on its right, the Ninth infantry under captain Foster on its left, and a six-pounder stationed there under the direction of colonel M'Ree. Their fire was so well directed, that the approaching column made a momentary pause at the distance of fifty yards, and then recoiled. Not- withstanding the rapid and heavy fire from captain Williams's a'-tillery, the column of colonel Drummond, composed of eight hundred select troops, firmly advanced to the attack of the fort. iil! ii.f »(t ^11 ) M. r n 'J44 BRACKENRIDGE'S -m ii/y! Assault on ;t Erie Death of Colonel Drummond. Suddenly applying his scaling ladders, he mounted the parapet, his ofBcers calling out to the line extending to he lake on their left to cease firing. This artifice succeeded so well, that Douglass's battery and the infantry, supposing the order to have been given within the garrison, suspended their fire, and suffered colonel Scot*j who had rallied his men, to approach their line. When the deception was discovered, it availed nothing ; for the column, on its second charge, was resisted with so much effect, as to be compelled again to retreat, with the loss of its co.nmander and a third of its numbers. The central column was, in the meanwhile, with great difficulty thrown back, although the troops within the fort were quickly reinforced from general Ripley's brigade, and general Porter's volunteers. Repeated assaults; were made by colonel Drum- mond. Each time they were repulsed by colonel Hindman's artillery, and the infantry under major Trimble ; and now that colonel Scott's column had withdrawn from the action, lieu- tenant Douglass was engaged in giving such a direction to the guns of the battery, as to cut off the communication bei» 'een colonel Drummond, and the reserve which was to be o.o'^ght up to his support under lieutenant-colonel Tucker. Colonel Drummond, although three times repulsed, was un- willing to renounce his undertaking. Availing himself of the darkness of the morning, which was increased by the smoke, he stole silently along the ditch, and suddenly applying his ladders, once more rapidly gained the parapet, crying out to his men to charge vigorously, and give the Yankees no quar- ter / This order was faithfully executed ; and the most furious strife now ensued that had been witnessed during the assault. All the efforts of major Hindman and the corps supporting him could not dislodge the enemy from the bastion, though they prevented him from approaching further. Captain Wil- liams was mortally wounded ; lieutenants Watmough and M'Donough, severely. The latter, no longer able to fight, called for quarter. This was refused by colonel Drummond, who re- peated his instructions to his troops to deny it in every instance. The declining and almost exhausted strength and spirits of the lieutenant being restored and roused by the barbarity of this order, he seized a handspike, and, with the desperation of madness, defended himself against thf' assailants, until he was shot by colonel Drummond himself. The latter survived this act only a few minutes : he received a ball in his breast, which terminated his existence. Brutal courage merits nothing but abhorrence ; it is only when tempered with mercy, that valour is a virtue. The enemy still maintained their position, notwith- Assa standi to dis suffen defenc forcen and bastio of the and great was s( the nu less al HISTORY OF THE WAR. 245 Assault on Fort Erie Tretncudoua Explosion British driven back. o.-yr:ght out to 11 standing the death of their leader, and repulsed every attempt to dislodge them until daylight : they had, in the meantime, suffered excessively. The contest along the whole line of defences, with this exception, having ceased, considerable rein- forcements were ordered up. The enemy now began to recoil ; and in a few moments many of them were thrown over the bastion. The reserve coming up to their support, the cannon of the Douglass battery enfiladed the column as it approached, and the artillery of lieutenant Fanning played upon it with great effect ; while a gun under the charge of captain Biddle was served with uncommon vivacity. A part of the reserve, to the number of from three to four hundred men, was neverthe- less about to rush on the parapet to the assistance of the recoil- ing soldiers, when a tremendous explosion took place under the platform of the bastion, which carried away the bastion and all who were on it. The reserve now fell back ; and the contest, in a short time, terminated in the entire defeat of the enemy, and their return to their encampment. The British left on the field two hundred and twenty- two killed, among them fourteen officers of distinction ; one hun- dred and seyenty-four wounded ; and one hundred and e'ghty- six prisoners : making a total of five hundred and eighty-two. The official statement of general Drummond makes it in all nine hundred and five, of which fifly-seven were killed. The American loss amounted to seventeen killed, fifly-six wounded, and one lieutenant (Fontain, thrown out while defending the bastion) and ten privates prisoners : in all, eighty-four men. It was not until all hopes of carrying the fort were at an end, that the British deigned to make prisoners of a few wounded men who fell into their power. The explosion of the bastion furnished the British with an excuse for their defeat ; and they represented its consequences as much more serious than they really were. It is certain, however, that the assault had already failed at every other point ; and the small body of men in possession of the outer bastion could not by possibility have subdued the whole garrison. Nor was the number killed by the explosion so great as they stated : the slaughter of the enemy took place during the as- sault, which, at the time when the occurrence took place, had lasted upwards of an hour. The enemy now remained quiet in his intrenchments until he received a reinfo* ement of two regiments. When th^y ar- rived, he renewed his assault on the fort from enlarged batteries, continuing it, with little intermission, to the latter end of Au- gust. On the 28th, general Gaines being severely wounded by % t ,1 ' 1 1 ^46 BRACKENRIDGE'S %■'■' m i Siege of Fort Erie ■ Renewal of the Cannonade Sortie from the Fort. he bursting of a shell, and compelled to retire to Buffalo, the command again devolved on general Ripley. The situation of the army in Fort Erie had begun to excite considerable uneasiness ; but the operations of sir George Pre- vost, about this time, in the vicinity of Champlain and Platts- burg, rendered it for a period very uncertain whether any relief could be sent by general Izard. It afterwards appeared, that orders to that effect had been given to this officer by the secretary of war ; but he was prevented, by a variety of causes, from moving as rapidly as could have been desired. The garrison, however, was strengthened by the daily arrival of militia and volunteers ; and general Brown, having sufficiently recovered from his wounds, had returned to the command on the 2d of September. The siege was still maintained with vigour by the British, who had abandoned the idea of carrying the place otherwise than by regular approaches, although their force had been considerably augmented since their last defeat. The Americans laboured with unrelaxing assiduity, to complete their fortifications. Frequent skirmishes occurred, and a can- nonade on either side was kept up ; but nothing of importance took place imtil the 17th of September. General Brown, ob- serving that the enemy had just completed a battery, which would open a most destructive fire the next day, planned a sortie, which has been considered a military chef-d'oeuvre, and which was carried into execution on the day just mentioned. The British force consisted of three brigades, of one thousand five hundred men each : one of them was stationed at the works in front of Fort Erie ; the other two occu^ 'ed a camp two miles in the rear. The design of general Brown was to " storm the batteries, destroy the cannon, and roughly handle the brigade on duty, before those in reserve could be brought up." A road had previously been opened by lieutenants Riddle and Frazer, in a circuitous course, through the woods, within pistol shot of the right flank of the line of hostile batteries, and with such secrecy as to have escaped the notice of the enemy. At two o'clock P. M. the troops were drawn up in readiness to make the sortie. The left: division, commanded by general Porter, was composed of riflemen and Indians under colonel Gibson, and two columns, the right commanded by colonel Wood, the left by general Davis of the New York militia ; and was to proceed through the woods by the road which hid been opened. The right division, under general Miller, was sta- tioned in a ravine between the fort and the enemy's works, with orders not to advance until general Porter rhould have engaged their right flank. •o"o^ the Fort. lalo, the to excite rge Pre- d Piatts. iicr any ppeared, r by the r causes, d. The rival of Eliciently nand on »ed with carrying igh their it defeat. complete d a can- portanco 3wn, ob- ', which anncd a vre, and ntioned. housand at the a camp was to handle brought Riddle within les, and enemy. iness to general colonel colonel la ; and id been as sta- works, d have HISTORY OF THE WAR. 247 Sortie from Fort Erio Destruction of the Enemy's Works. The troops of general Porter advanced with so much celerity and caution, that their attack upon the enemy's flank gave the first intimation of their approach. A severe conflict ensued, ixi which those gallant officers, colonel Gibson and colonel Wood, fell at the head of their columns. Their respective commands now devolved on lieutenant-colonel M'Donald and major Brooks. In thirty minutes, possession was taken of the two batteries in this quarter, and also of a blockhouse in the rear, and its garrison. Three twenty-four-pounders were rendered useless, and their magazine blown up by lieutenant Riddle, who narrowly escaped the eflTects of the explosion. At this moment the troops under general Miller came up. Aided by colonel Gibson's column, they pierced the British intrench- ments, and, after a sharp conflict, carried a battery and a block- house. In this assault brigadier-general Davis fell at the head of his volunteers. These batteries and the two blockhouses being in the possession of the Americans, general Miller's division directed its course toward the battery erected at the extremity of the enemy's left flank. At this moment they were joined by the reserve under general Ripley. The resist- ance here was much bolder and more obstinate. The works being exceedingly intricate, from the studied complexity of the successive lines of iitrenchments, a constant use of the bayonet was the only mode of assailing them. The enemy had also, by this time, received considerable reinforcements from their encampment in the rear. General Miller continued to advance, notwithstanding the absence of those valuable officers, colonel Aspinwall and major Trimble, the former severely, the latter dangerously wounded. The Twenty-first regiment, under lieu- tenant-colonel Upham, belonging to the reserve, and part of the Seventeenth, uniting with the corps of general Miller, charged rapidly upon the battery, which was instantly abandoned by the British infantry and artillery. General Ripley, being the senior officer, now ordered a line to be formed for the protec- tion of the detachments engaged in destroying the batteries, and was engaged in making arrangements for following up, on the rear of general Drummond, a success which had so far tran- scended expectation, when he received a wound in the neck, and falling by the side of major Brooks, was immediately trans- ported to the fort. The objects of the sortie having been com- pletely effected, general Miller called in his detachments, and retired in good order, with the prisoners and many trophies of this signal exploit. Thus, in a few hours, the labour of the enemy for forty-seven days, was destroyed ; and, in addition to the loss of their cannon, upwards of a thousand of their M ■'j'-i iff; I'll ■It:; ; III c I*' 5. w i': li i I 248 BRACKENRIDGE'S British raise the Siege of Fort Eric, and rctrcut to Fort George. men were placed hors de combat, of whom three hundred and eighty. five were taken prisoners. The American loss amounted to eighty-three killed, two hundred and sixteen wounded, and a like number missing. Besides those already mentioned, several other officers of great merit were killed in this affair : captains Armistead of the rifle corps, Hall of the Eleventh infantry, Bradford of the Twenty-first, and Buel of the volun- teers ; ensign O'Fling, ot the Twenty-third infantry, a gal- lant officer ; and lieutenants Brown, Belknap, and Blakesley, of the volunteers. On the third day aHer the British had achieved this splendid victory I for as such it was claimed by them, they broke up their encampment, and marched to Fort George. Soon after this affair, general Izard arrived with reinforce- ments from Plattsburg, and being the senior officer, succeeded to the command ; while general Brown was ordered to Sackett's Harbour. By this accession of force, and the completion of the defences, all apprehensions of any further attempt against Fort Erie were removed. About the latter end of July, the secretary at war, hearing that the British were sending strong reinforcements from Montreal to Kingston, had intimated to general Izard, the propriety of proceeding from Plattsburg to Sackett's Harbour with the principal part of his forces, for the purpose of threatening Prescott and Kingston, and at the same time of aiding general Brown in the prosecution of his part of the campaign. In pursuance of this intimation, the general moved to Sackett's Harbour, with nearly all his effective force, amounting to four thousand men, arriving there on the 17th of September. The events which had in the meantime occurred, and which have been aire .dy detailed, had given a new face to the cam- paign. Shortly before the arrival of the general at Sackett's Harbour, he had received a letter from general Brown, giving information of his critical position, and calling for speedy relief. It was not before the 20th, that general Izard was enabled to embark his troops on lake Ontario, and the 12th of October had arrived before he actually reached Fort Erie. It will be seen, in a subsequent chapter, that the post which he left was, soon after his departure, placed in a situation as critical as that which he had come to relieve. These were the unavoidable results of prciecuting the war with a handful of men, along a frontier of such immense extent, in the expectation that small corps, at distances of four or five hundred miles apart, could march to the relief of each other, or act on concerted plans, subject to innumerable contingencies. Fortunately, be- fore the arrival of general Izard, the success of the sortie plan- siege. (^ . HISTORY OF THE WAR. 249 Americans advanco Fort Erie destroyed, and Upper Canada evacuated. tied by general Brown, had compelled the enemy to raise the siege. The approach of general Izard, in all probability, had furnished some inducement to the adoption of this step by the enemy. A sufficient garriron, under lieutenant-colonel Hindman, be- ing left for the protection of Fort Erie, the army moved towards the Chippewa, to operate offensively against the enemy ; but nothing of moment occurred for some time, in consequence of the shyness of the latter. Before the close of the campaign, a gallant affair was achiev- ed by general Bissel, of the second brigade of the first division. On the 18th of October, he was detached with nine hundred I men, to the neighbourhopd of Cook's mills, at Lyon's creek, I a branch of the Chippewa, for the purpose of destroying the enemy's stores in that quarter. After driving in a picket guard and capturing its officers, he threw across the creek two 11" ht companies under captain Dorman and lieutenant Horrel, ai. ! ;i rifle company under captain Irvine, and then encamped. '1 iio next morning the detachment was assailed by the marquis of Tweeddale with twelve hundred men. The companies on the other side of the creek received the enemy's first fire, end sustained the attack until fijeneral Bissel had formed his men and brought them to their support. Colonel Pinkney, with the i Fifth regiment, was ordered to turn the enemy's right flank and cut oif a piece of artillery which they had brought into ac- tion, while major Barnard advanced in front with instructions to make a free use of the bayonet. These orders were rapidly carried into execution. The whole line of the enemy began to recoil ; and the American reserve, composed of the Fifteenth regiment under major Grindage, and the Sixteenth under co- lonel Pearce, was no sooner discovered advancing, than the marquis fell back in disorder to his intrenchments at the mouth of the river, leaving his killed and wounded behind. After pursuing him for a small distance, general Bissel, in compli- ance with his orders, proceeded to destroy the stores at the Mills ; and then retreated, with a loss of sixty-seven killed, wounded, and missing. Immediately after the repulse of the marquis of Tweeddale, i7ie weather growing cold and the season for military opera- tions drawing to a close, it was determined to destroy Fort Erie, and evacuate Upper Canada. This was accordingly effected ; and the troops were transported to the American side, and distributed in winter quarters at Buffalo, Black Rock and Batavia. Thus terminated the third in\ asion of Canada, if it could pro. .i? *■:,■ 11 f i .it 1 \ -if 1 '' 1 250 BRACKENRIDGE'S m .ft 51"! Close of the Third Invanion of Canada .... Important Re^ulta of the Campaign. perly be so called ; for it was not generally expected that any thing further would be accomplished, than keeping in check the forces of the enemy and regaining what we had lost on our own side. At the opening of the canpaign, general Brown indulged a hope of being able, in conjunction with commodore Chauncey, to subdue the British forces in the neighbourhood of Lake Ontario and to possess himself of Kingston ; but towards the beginning of autumn, so material a change had occurred in our situation, in consequence of the great augmen- tation of the British force on the Canada frontier, and the inva- sions of our4erritory on the sea coast, that all idea of making an impression on Canada, with the means then on foot, was abandoned. It was asserted by the friends of the administra- ion, that the best mode of protecting the AJantic coast, was , ) tl: aten Canada, and thus compel Great Britain to concen- trat(; the greater part of her force in that quarter. While the British regulars, it has since been ascertained, exceeded twenty thousand, nearly all veterans ; those of the Americans scarcely readied ten thousand — the whole of which force, distributed in the dilFcrent Atlantic cities, could not have aflbrded much de- pendence for defence from the troops which would have been .sent against them, had Great Britain been relieved from the de- fence of Canada. It is very questionable whether the perma- nent acquisition of that province would materially have bene- fited us. Many of its inhabitants were persons who fled from this country during our contest for independence; and it was not likely that they would willingly consent that it should be incorporated with our republic. The most important results, however, followed the campaign on the Niagara. The character of American troops when under proper discipline, was thereby developed ; and was pro- ductive of as much honour to the United States, as of surprise to the enemy. The experience gained in the two first years of the war was scarcely sufficient to form good officers ; but during the residue of the period, the army was composed of better materials, the aversion for enlistment was gradually subsiding, and commissions were sought by young men of education and talents. Another year would have produced an army, which Great Britain might have regarded with some uneasiness. That spirit, which bestows superiority to man in every station, was beginning to discover its resistless power; and the closing scenes of this campaign placed the army on a level with the navy. What is that spirit ? It is the spirit of freedom ; it is that which gives conscious dignity and worth to the soldier and the citizen. It is that which gave victories HISTORY OF THE WAR. 261 Aflhira of tbo West CroKhan'i— M* Arthur*! Expeditions. on ng ipaign when !' to Greece, and gained triumphs for Rome, and which has car- ried the power of Britain round the globe. It was already proved to the world, that we could conquer on land as well as at sea. The battles of Niagara and Chippewa, both, were won by a com- bination of military skill and personal courage ; and the defence of Fort Eric, and the sortie from thence, had they been achieved by the arms of Great Britain, would have ranked among the most distinguished acts of valour. In the course of the summer, several expeditions were under- taken to the westward. An attempt was made by major Cro- ghan, with the co-operation of the fleet of Lake Erie under com- modore Sinclair, to regain possession of the fort and island of Michilimackinac. On the 4th of August, the gallant young officer effected a landing on the island, but soon found that the enemy was in such strength as to render the capture of the place hopeless : he therefore, after a severe conflict, returned to the shipping, with the loss of about sixty in killed and wounded ; among the former, major Holmes, a valuable officer, and of the latter captain Desha of Kentucky. The expedition was not altogether useless : Fort St. Joseph's, and the British establishment at Sault St. Mary's were destroyed. On leaving the island, commodore Sinclair stationed two of his schooners, the Scorpion and Tigress, near St. Joseph's, to cut off the sup- plies of the British garrison at Michilimackinac. These were unfortunately surprised by a very superior force of the enemy, and carried by boarding, after great slaughter. On the 22d of October, general M'Arthur, with about seven hundred men, marched from Detroit into the enemy's country, and, after dispersing all their detachments in the neighbourhood of the river Thames, destroying their stores, and taking one hun- dred and fifty prisoners, arrived, without loss, at Detroit on the 17th of the following month. A severe injury was thus inflict- ed upon the British, and their project of attacking Detroit ren- dered impracticable. n lower ; on a irit of worth :tories '&. '\ 252 nRACKENRIDGE'S War on tlio Bes Coast Commodore JarneyV Flotilla. CHAPTER XVIII. War on the Soa Coast— Engagements between tlio Enemy and Commodore Bar. uv; J \. liin ill Chesapeake Bay— Plunderingsof tlie Dritivh— Washington and Bal- timore threatened— Preparations for Defence— General Winder appointed to com- mand the troops to be aBsemblcd— Impracticability of collcctiiig a sufficient Force— The Enemy are reinforced— Landiii<; of the British Army under General Ross— Ad- vane? of the British Army or Washington— American Army takes post at Bladcns- burg— Battle of Bladensbiirg- Defeat of the Americana— Washington abandoned to the Knemy— Biitish burn the Public Buildings— Retreat of the British to iheir Ship- ping—Plunder of Alexandria— Repulse of the British at Moors Fields, and death of Sir Peter Parker— Rcbignalion of the Secretary of War— Trial and Acquittal of Gen. eral Winder. The shiflijiif; scenes of this war, carried on over a surface so eytensive, and with objects so various, once more bring us back to the Atlantic sea coast. With the return of spring, the British renev.cd tneir practice of petty plundering and barbarous devosLation on the waters of Chesapeake Bay, and to an extent still greater than they had carried it the year before. A flotilla, for the defence of the inlets and smaller rivers of the bay, con- sisting of a cutter, two gun-boats, and nine barges, was placed under the command of that gallant veteran, commodore Barney. On the 1st of June, 1814, he gave chase to two of the enemy's schooners, one of which carried eighteen guns, but on the ap- pearance of a large ship, which despatched a number of barges to cut him off, the commodore ordered his flotilla, by signal, to sail up the Patuxent. Here he engaged the enemy's schooners and barges, and succeeded in beating them off* and inflicting considerable injury on them. In a few days, the enemy, having been reinforced, followed the flotilla into St. Leonard's creek, and made another attempt on itj but were agair coiinpelled to retire, and pursued to their ships. On the 1 0th, the enemy made a still more formidable attack upon the fl.ttilla, with the two schooners and with twenty barges. After a smart action, the barges were driven for shelter to the eighteen- gun schooner, which was then so roughly handled at long shot, that her crew ran her aground and abandoned her. These attempts were frequently repeated until the 26th, when the HISTORY OF TIIL: WAR. 253 Plunderingj of the DritiMi WaahinRton and Unltimorc tlirur\tenod. commodore, having received a reinforcement of artilK^rists and marines, moved against ti»e enemy's squadron, two of the ves- sels of which were frigates, and, after an action of two hours, drove them from their ancliorage. Tlie commodore, fmding the blockade rf the JSt. Leonard's raised, sailed out, and ascend- ed the Patuxent. After this, the enemy were constantly engaged in making inroads on the defenceless and unprotected settlements and vil- lages along the bay and its various inlets. The towns of Bene- dict and Lower Marlborough, on the Patuxcnt, were plundered of considerable quantities of tobacco, merchandize, and cattle. In the detail of these operations given by themselves, it appears to have been their uniform practice, to destroy the shipping, carry away the tobacco and other articles which they found in quantities, and induce the negroes to join them. A great number of individuals in easy, and even alllucnt circumstances were reduced to poverty. Several gallant attempts were made by general Taylor, and general Ilungerford, in one of which the former was wounded and unhorsed and narrowly ecr'^ped capture, to repress their incursions into Virginia ; but, generally, the militia, being hastily assembled, were found inefficient. At Kinsale, St. Mary's, and various other places, admiral Cock- burn obtained considerable booty in tobacco, negroes and house- hold furniture. Towards the close of June, apprehensions began to be en- tertained, that the enemy had in view some more serious object of attack — either Baltimore, or Washington. Much alarm had been felt in these places the previous year ; but after it had subsided, an opinion, probably well founded, was mdulged, that a land force, greatly more considerable than was then at the command of the British, would be required to make any serious impression upon either of these places, or even upon Annapolis or Norfolk. This was particularly proved in the attack upon the latter ; and it was justly thought, that the enemy then received a lesson which would render him cautious of attacking the larger towns. But sudden and unforeseen oc- currences in Europe had entirely changed the face of things ; Great Britain was now able to supply what she was not pos- sessed of the year before, a powerful land force. Our govern- ment received certain intelligence from Messrs. Gallatin and Bayard, that our enemy was about to send powerful reinforce- ments to America. From the English prints it appeared that England was extravagantly elated by the great events which had transpired on the continent of Europe, took tc herself the whole merit of being the conqueror of Napoleon, and in reality w » If J •■Hi ■4 **:■■ ''' 1 i\ t •.; W f 254 nRACKLCNKlDGE'S Wwhington nnd Itnltimorn thrcalnnnd Proparntioni for I)nrvnc«> I'' ■ bclinvctl herself tho mistress of the world. She was well nc- qiminfed with our situation: she knew that our rej^ular troops on the Canada frontic^r could not he withdrawn from tlicnce, at a moment ^Yhen she was preparinj^ a powerful army to penetrate our northern slates ; and that it was impossible for us, in thcj short space of time whicii had ela[)sed since the overthrow of Honaparte and the consequent release of her land troops from occupation, to embody a considerable and efllcicnt force. The American cities, although tolerably well fortified against any approacii by water, were all exposed to attack by land. A lew thousand regulars scattered along a coast of iirteen hundred miles, and inexperienced militia drawn together on the spur of the occasion, were all the force we had to oppose to the Vf>to ran soldiers of our enemy. There is no doubt that militia constitute the best materials for armies, because, individually, each man is influenced by higher motives than those which generally actuate the enlisted soldier ; but, ' ' order to be elli- cient, to use the words of a great friend of this species of force, " they must be on a right foot ;" they must be encamprd, disciplined, harmonised, accustomed to sec danger, and taught to obey and confide in their officers. This is not the work of a day. In the open field, where active and practised evolutions arc necessary, the novelty of the duty, as well as the want of mutual reliance, renders it impossible for this description of force to encounter, with efTect, an army of veterans, used to dangers, and so regularly compacted by discipline as to act as it were with one mind. The attention of the president of the United States bein^; seriously awakened to the approaching danger, by the news that reinforcements were to be sent to the British fleet then iu Chesapeake Bay, he called a council of the heads of the depart- ments, and suggested the propriety of collecting all the rcgu- lars within reach, of forming a camp of at least three thou- sand men at some point between the Patuxent and the Eastern Branch of the Potomac, and of embodying ten thousand militia at Washington. These ideas appeared to meet the approbation of all ; and there is little doubt, that could tlioy have been car- ried into execution, both the cities of Baltimore and Washing- ton might safely have bid defiance to the British arms. Steps were immediately taken in furtherance of these views. Requisi- tions were made on the District of Columbia, for her whole quota of militia, amounting to two thousand men ; on Mary- land for the same, six thousand men ; on Pennsylvania for five thousand men ; and on Virginia for two thousand men : mak' t \ the whole fifteen thousand men ; of which ten thousand, it '•I fence- well nc- ir trooj)s H'nco, jit )cnctrnto ^, in tho hrovv of Dps from c. Tho inst nny . A few hundred 1 spur of he veto it militiii vidunlly, sc which :> 1)C cHi- (ccics of icampc'd, id tauirht work of v^olutions want of ption of used to ■s to act es bcincf he news then in depart- ic rcgu- ec thou- Eastern d inilitia robation 3en car- ^ashing- Steps iequisi- whole Mary- for five maki T sand, it HISTORY OF TIIK WAR. 255 Uenf ral Winiior Impracticability of collMling ■ ■uffleient fDroo. was thought, would not fail to take the field. It was ascer- tained, timt about a thousand regulars could Iw depended on ; iKisides a s(puidron of horse then in Pennsylvania, some addi- tional regulars which were ordered from North Carolina, and coiiunodore Barney's lUfU, in case it should be foun■* 204 BRACKENRIDGK'S General Wiiidnr trWid nnd acqiiitliMi .... EfTect of the Capture of WaHhington. joct. It was, notwillistaiiding, nn act of unparallelod raslino.ss, and from whicli no commensurate advantage was to ho j^aiiu'd. So great wa.s the improbability of such an attempt, that tli(« secretary at war, it is said, could not be persuaded, until tlio last moment, that it was seriously intended. General Winder demanded an examination of his conduct, and a court, of which general Scott was president, acquitted him honourably. Ca^? f^ER XIX. Sensations produced by the Capture of Washington in Europe and In England- Effect of this Event in the United States— Preparations for the Defence of Baltimore — Admiral Cochrane appears at the mouth of the Patapsco — Debarkation of the Brit- ish Troops at North Point— General Strieker marches from Baltimore to meet them— Battle of North Point— Death of General Ross— Retreat of the American Army- British Army appears before Baltimore — Bombardment of Fort M'Henry— Attack on Baltimore abandoned — British Fleet retires to the West Indies — Affairs on the North- ern Frontier— Invasion of the State of New York by the British under Sir George Prevost— Progress of the British impeded by General Maconb— British Army occu- pies Plattsburg opposite the American Works— Gallant Affair of Captain M'Glassin — British and American Fleets on Lake Champlain— Battle of Lake Cha.nplain — Battle of Plattsburg— Defeat of the British Squadron and Capture of its principal Vessc'iS — Retreat of the British Army from the American Territory. The capture of Washington was, at first, exulted in by the British ministry, as a most signal exploit ; but it was viewed in a very different light on the continent of Europe, and by the British nation at large. To say nothing of the prosecution of hostilities with augmented rigour during the negotiation of a treaty for peace, the acts of wanton barbarity which accompa- nied them aroused general indignation. In the British parlia- ment, so great a seii iation was excited, that the perpretrators were fain to shelter themselves from odium by the basest falsehoods, and the ministry stated that instructions had been sent to the coast of America to desist from further inflictions of vengeance. But if the effect was powerful abroad, it was overwhelming throughout the United States. Party spirit instantly vanished, and with it the dissensions which had almost paralyzed our efforts. But one voice was heard; a glorious union was i ] 1118TOUV OF THE WAR. 265 PreparatioiM for the dcfuncc ol° lialiiinore. brought about ; nnd a nation of freemen was seen to rise in its strength. Those wlio had at first opjwsed the war on the ground of its impolicy, or who had condemned the invasion of Canada, now viewed Great Britain only as a powerful nation about to precipitate her armies on the country, with the avowed intention of d<3solatin^ its fairest portions. The dissensions of political parties had terminated with the |)olitical death of Naf)oleon ; and who could now say, tiiat Britain was actuated by other tiian the mere thirst for revenge, or the less honour- able thirst for plunder? The war now came home to the interests and feelings of every man. The scenes of prepara- tion were the most animated that could be conceived. The whole country was in motion ; every town was a camp ; and the peaceful avocations of the c.tizcns, which the war until now had scarcely interrupted, were laid aside. All the principal cities instituted their committees of defence ; and the whole of the population, to th(3 sound of martial music, moved in bands to the daily occupation of labouring at the erection of intrcnch- ments and fortifications. The New jLi^ngland states, at first so averse to the war, no- exhibited their characteristic activity and energy, and guvc satisfactory proof that nothing was further from their intentions, than secession from tiie confederation. The governor of ^ • mont, who the year Ijefore had made an attempt to recall »ne militia of the state from the service of the United States, and on which occasion the militia nobly refused to ol)cy him, now made ample atonement by promptly calling them forth. The American ladies, always conspicuous for patriotic conduct in times of dilHculty and danger, never appeared so lovely in their zeal for their country. The next object of attack, it was rightly conjectured, would be Baltimore ; and the cities of Philadelphia and New York awaited the result with as much anxiety as if their fate depended upon its successful issue. After the first moments of despond- ency occasioned by the capture of Washington had subsided in Bahimore, and it was discovered that the |)lacc would not be assailed immediately, the inhabitants set about making pre- parations for defence. A ditch was opened, and a breastwork thrown up by tlie inhabitants, on the high ground to the north- east of the city (to construct which all classes of the people united), so as completely to protect the town in the only quarter in which it was accessible by land forces. In the course of a few days, a considerable number of militia arrived from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the interior of Maryland ; and the spirits of the inhabitants were greatly animated by the presence il I. i 'H Lll 2«0 imALKlCMUlMil'/rf Adiitlril Cochrane ■ppean at the moutli of tho PutapKO. of the naval veteran commodore Rodgcrs, who, with his mn fines, took possession of tho heavy batteries on the hill above mentioned. A brigade of Virginia volunteers, and the regular troops, were assigned to general Winder ; and the City brigade was Ciimmandcd by genera! Strieker ; tho whole under the chief direction of major-general {Smith. Of these, the two latter were distinguished revolutionary ollicera. Tho approach to the city by water was defended by Fort M'Menry, and garrisoned by about one thousand men, volunteers and regulars, under major Armistead. Two batteries upon the I*atapsco, to tho right of Fort M'llenry, to prevent the enemy from landing during the night in the rear of tho town, were manned, the one by lieu- tenant Newcombe of the Ciuerriere, with a detachment of sailors ; the other, by lieutenant Webster, with men from Barney's flotilla. The former was called Fort Covington; the latter, the City Battery. To the defence of Fort M'llenry, and to the repulse of tho British from the lines, the inhabitants looked for safety. Independently of the pretexts which had already led to the scenes at Washington and Alexandria, tho city of Baltimore was a selected object of the vengeance of the enemy, in conse- quence of her active and patriotic exertions during the war. No one could imagine to himself a just picture of the state of anxious feeling in which fifty thousand people awaited the issue of the event which should determine the safety or destruction of their city. Even in case of successful resistance, the most painful incertitude would, for a time, hang over the fate of those who had risked their lives in its defence. These latter were not strangers or mercenaries, but friends, brothers, sons, parents, and husbands ; for every one who could wield a musket, even old men and boys, was found in tho ranks. The committee of safety, composed of those advanced in life and of the most influential citizens, (among whom was colonel Howard, a hero of the revolution) took a large share in the preparations to meet the approaching danger. The British army having re-embarked on board the fleet in the Patuxent, admiral Cochrane moved down the river and proceeded up the Chesapeake ; and, on the morning of the 11th of September, appeared at the mouth of the Patapsco, about fourteen miles from the city of Baltimore, with a fleet of ships of war and transports amounting to fifty sail. On the next day, the land forces, to the number of at least six thousand men, debarked at North Point, and, under the command of general Ros9) took up their march for the city. General Strieker, who had claimed for the City brigade under bis command the ho- gene I troop to N eflxjct ant«< and five Lon{ ant-c lieiifc cnpta colon and inS'l\)RY OF TJIH WAH. yflT DulKirkatlon of tho British Troopn at North Pniiit. nour of being the first to meet the invader, wns detached by general Smith, in anticipation of the landing of the British troops. On tho 11th, general Strieker procr "ed on the road to North Point, at the head of three thousa.id two hundred effective men : consisting of the Fiflh regiment, under lieuten- nnt-colonel Stcrrett, five hundred and filly strong ; six hundred nnd twenty of the Sixth, under lieutenant-colonel M'Donald ; five hundred of the Twenty-seventh, under lieutenant-colonel Long ; five hundred and fifty of the Thirty-ninth, under lieuten- ant-colonel Fowler ; seven hundred of the Filly-first, under lieutenant colonel Amey ; one Inmdred and fifty riflemen, under captain Dyer ; one hundred and fifty cavalry, under lieutenant- colonel liiays ; and the Union Artillery, of seventy. five men and six four-pounders, under captain Montgomery, attorney- general of the state. A corps of light riflemen and musketry, taken from general Stansbury'a brigade, and the Pennsylvania volunteers, were detached, under major Randall, to the mouth of Bear Creek, with orders to co-operate with general Strieker, and to check any landing which the enemy might effect in that quarter. At six o'clock P. M., general Strieker reached a meeting- house, near the head of Bear Creek, seven miles from the city. Merc the brigade halted, with the exception of the cavalry, who moved forward to Gorsuch's farm three miles, and the riflemen, who took post near a blacksmith's shop, two miles in advance of the encampment. The following morning, the 12th, at seven o'clock, information was received from the videttes, that the enemy were debarking troops under cover of their gun-vessels, which lay off the bluff of North Point, within the mouth of the Patapsco river. The baggage was immedi- ately sent back under a strong guard ; and general Strieker ordered forward the Fifth and Twenty-seventh regiments, and the artillery, to the head of Long Log Lane, posting the Fifth with its right on the head of a branch of Bear Creek and its left on the main road, the Twenty-seventh on the opposite side of the road in a line with and to the left of the Fifth, and the artillery at the head of the lane, in the interval between the two regiments. The Thirty-ninth regiment was drawn up three liundred yards in the rear of the Twenty-seventh, and the Fifty- first at the same interval in the rear of the Fifth. The Sixth regiment was kept as a reserve witliin sight, at the distance of half a mile in the rear of the second line. Thus judiciously posted, the general determined to wait an attack, having first given orders, that the two regiments com^^osing the front line, if compelled to fall back, should retire through the Fifty-first S\ 208 iui.\c:kkniui)(;i:'s naitl«> nf North Point I)«*oth of Clniif ral Rom. nnd Tliirty-niiith, and forni on the right of the Sixth, posted, as already stafed, in reserve. (Jeneral Strieker now learned, iVonj the cavalry, who ac- cordinj^ t«» <»rd(;rs had re(reat«Ml, that the Uritish >vere moving rapidly up the road; hut at the moment wliiui he expected their approach to he announced and impcnied hy the ritlemen stationed in the low thick pine and tlrs in advance, greatly to his chagrin, he discovered that they were falling hack upon the niain |)osi- tion, under a groundl(>ss apprehension that the enemy had land- ed on Mack river to cut thenj olK This part ot' the general's plan having heen frustrated, he j>!aced the riflemen on the right of -his front line, and hy this means In^ttei secured that (lank. The videttes soon aller i>ringing information that a party of the enemy were carousing in a careless manner at Gorsuch's farm, several of the (ilHcers olfered their services to dislodge; them, ('aptains Levering and Howard's companies, from the Fiilh regiment, ahout one hundred and filly in uundK^r, under major ilealh; captain Aisquith's and a fewother rillemen, in all ahout seventy ; and a small piece of artillery and some cavalry, under lieutenant Stiles, were sent forward to chastise the inso- lence of the enemy's advance, and to evince a wish on the part of the American army to engage. The detachment had scarcc^ly j)roceedeil half a mile, when it suddenly came in contact with the nuiin body of the enemy. In the skirmish which ensued, niajor Heath's horse was shot under him, and several of the Americans were killed and wounded; while the enemy lost their commander-in-chief, major general Ross. This olficcr, who liJid imprudently advanced too far, for the j)urposc of recou- nt)itering, was killed hy one of the company of captain Howard. Atler the death of general Ross, the command devolved on colonel IJrooke, who continued to advance notwithstanding this oc;cur- roncc. The Amcriciin detachment now fell back ; and general Strieker, perceiving the companies of Howard and Levering to be too much fatigued to share in the approaching conllict, ordered them to attach themselves to tlic reserve. At half past two o'clock, the enemy commenced throwing rocket^ which did no injury ; and immediately captain Montgomery's artillery opened a fire upon them, which they returned hy a six-pounder and a howitzer directed upon the left and centre. The tire was brisk for some minutes, when general Strieker, with a view of briniiinjjj the enemv within canister distance, ordered it to cease on the American side. Perceiving that the efforts of the British were chiellv directed against the lell Hank, he now ordered up the Thirty-ninth regiment into line with and on the left of the Twenty-seventh. Two pieces of artil- HisroiiY or tiil: uai:. 8M9 » liattln of North Pninl ■ •••••ft**i Itftrt-nt III (lip Ain«-ritnrhn(l to tho IrO of tho Thirfyninth ; and in ordor moro completely to protect this flunk, colonel Ainey wnn ordered to form his regiment, the Fifly-firHt, nt ri;»ht nn^les with the line, with his right resting on the \rl\ of the Thirty- ninth. This movement was hndly executed, nnd caused somo confusion in that quarter, which however was immediately rec- tified. The enemy's right column now odvanced upon the Twenty- seventh and Thirty-ninth regiments. IJnfortiniately, nt this juncture, the Filly-first regiment, in a sudden panic, afler deli- vering one volley at random, broke and refrcifed in confusio,), occasioning the same disorder in the K**cond haffalion of tho Thirty. ninth. The fire on the enemy l>y thiv time hecanie ge- neral from right to left; and the artillery poured nn incessant and destructive stream upon tho enemy's left column. The latter endeavoured to shelter itself l)ehin(l a loghouse, which soon i.iier burst into a blaze; captain Sadtler of the Fifth regiment, who had previously occupied it, having taken the precaution to fire it, before he and his yagers abandoned it. About ten minutes past three, the British line came on with a rapid dis- charge of musketry, which was well returned by the Fifth and the Twenty-seventh regiments, and the first battalion of tho Thirty-ninth regiment. The fire was incessant from this time until about twenty-five minutes before four o'clock, during whioh period general Strieker gallantly contended against four times his numbers. Finding, however, that the unequal con- test could be maintained no longer, and that the enemy were about to outflank him, he was compelled to retire upon his re- serve, a movement which he efl'ected in good order. At tho point occupied by this regiment he formed his brigade, and falling back, took post half a mile in advance of the intrcnchmenfs for the defence of the city. Here he was joined by general Winder, who had been stationed on ihe west side of the city, but was now ordered, with general Douglass's Virginia brigade and captain Bird's United States dragoons, to take post on the left of general Strieker. The enemy encamped for the night on the ground where the attle had been fought, without attempt- ing a pursuit. The conduct of the BaMmore brigade, with the exception of the Fifty-first regiment and the second battalion of the Thirty- ninth, who were seized with the panic to which raw troops are so much subject, deserved the highest praise : veterans could not have done more. Their loss in killed and wounded, amount ed to one hundred and sixty-three, among whom were some of the most respectable citizens of Baltimore. Adjutant James !l 1 270 RRACKENRTDGR'S British Army appears brforo Raltimore. Lowry Donaldson, of llic Twenty-seventh regiment, an enr)i- nent lawyer, was killed in the hottest of the fight; majors Heath and Moore, and a number of other officers, were "vornded. The loss of the British was nearly double that of the Americans, according to their own acknowledgment, and probably was much greater in reality. In their olUcial statr- ments they computed the American force at six thousand, a great proportion regulars, and the loss at one thousand ; data from which we may infer their opinion of the manner in which they were received. Among those who distinguished themselves in the battle of North Point, lieuter ant-colonel Sterrett ; majors Heath and Barry of the Fillh regiment ; captain Spangler of the York (Pennsylvania) volunte(!rs; adjutant Cheston, who was slightly wounded ; lieutenant-colonel Long of the Twenty-scventh regi- ment, which " was unsurpassed in bravery, resolution and en- thuKiasm;" lieutenant-colonel Fowler and major Steriger of the Thirty-ninth regiment, and the volunteer companies attached to it; cfij.min Quantril from Hagerstown, and captain Metzgai: from Hanover, iVimsylvania, the former of whom was wounded ; captain Montgomery ; brigade-majors Calhoun and Fraily ; and major George P. Stevenson, aid to general Strieker, were highly and most deservedly complimented in general orders. Majors Moore and Robinson, of the Twenty- seventh regiment, were also conspicous for their activity and gallantry throughout the engagement. The result of this aflair, together with the death of the British general, served to cheer the spirits of the militia, and inspire confidence. The brigades of general Stansbury and Foreman ; the seamen and marines under commodore Rodgers ; the Penn- sylvania volunteers, under colonels Cobean and Findlay ; the Baltip'.ore artillery under colonel Harris ; and the marine artillery under captain Stiles, manned the trenches and battery, and in this situation spent the night under arms. The enemy made his appearance early the next day to tho east of the intrenchments, at the distance of two miles, whence he had a full view of the position of the Americans. During the morn- ing, by his mancRUvres to Mie right, he seemed to show an in- tention of coining down by the Harford and York roads ; to baflle which design generals Winder and Strieker adapted their move- ments. At noon the British concentrated their fbrco in front of the American line, approached within a n)ile of tho intrench- ments, and made arrangements for an attack that evening. General Smith, therefore, immediately drew generals Winder and Strieker nearer to the right of the enemvt and ordered them I i: - HISTORY OF THE WAR. 271 Bombardment of Fort M'llenry. to fall upon his flank or rear, in case he should make tho attempt. In the meantime, tho naval attack had already commenced. The fleet, after landing the troops, as before mentioned, pro- ceeded to bombard Fort M'Henry, which commands the entrance of the harbour. On the 13th, about sunrise, the British had broiijrht sixteen ships within two miles and a half of the fort. Major Armistead arranged his force in the following manner: tho r(>«^ular artillerists under captain Evans, and the volunteer artil- lerists under cnptain Nicholson, manned the bastions in the star fort ; caj)tains Bunbury, Addison, Rodman, Berry and lieuten- ant-commandant Pennington's commands, were stationed on the lower works; and the infantry under lieutenant-colonel Stewart and major Lane were in the outer ditch, to meet tho enemy, should he make an attempt to land. The assault com- menced from five bomb-vessels, which had anchored at tho distance of two miles. Thence, finding themselves within striking distance, and at the same time out of the reach of tho guns of the fort, they maintained an incessant bombardment. The situation of 'he garrison was painfully inactive and highly perilous ; and yet every man stood to his post without shrink- ing. One of tho twenty-four pounders, on tho south-west bastion, under captain Nicholson, was dismounted, killing his second lieutenant and M'ounding several of his men. The enemy now approaching somewhat nearer, a tremendous firo was instantly opened from the fort, which compelled him pre- cipitately to return to his former position. The bombardment was kept up during the whole day and night. The city, as- sailed on both sides, awaited the result with wakeful silence : when suddenly, about midnight, a tremendous cannonade was heard in the direction of liie besieged fort ; and the affrighted population believed that all was over. Their fears, however, were happily soon quieted. Some barges of the enemy, having passed Fort M'llenry unobserved, had made an unsuccessful attempt to land a body of troops ; and after sutTering immense loss from tho guns of the City Battery and Fort Covington, had hastily retired. At seven o'clock next morning, the 14th, the bombardment of the fort terminated, after upwards of fifteen hundred shells had been thrown, a large portion of which b'lrst over the fort, scattering their fragments amongst its defenders and materially injuring several of the buildings. The personal damage sustained was, nevertheless, inconsiderable. Only four were killed, and twenty-four wounded : among the former, lieutenant Clagget and sergeant Clemm, of captain Nicholson's volunteers, greatly lamented by their fellow-citizens for their I I 1 272 BHACKENRIDCK'S Attack on Baltimore abandoned British Fleet retires to the West Indira. persOi^al bravery and high private standing ; and of the latter, lieutenant Russcl, a gentleman of the Baltimore bar, of Pen- nington's company, who nobly persisted in continuing at his post during the whole attack. See Engrating^ V^f^^ ^23 ante. In the course of the night of the 13th, admiral Cochrane had held a conference with colonel Brooke, the commaftder of the land forces, at which it was mutually agreed to relinquish the enterprise as impracticable. The retreat of the army com- incnced immediately, and was highly favoured by the extreme darkness and the continued rain ; while the uninterrupted continuance of the bombardment of Fort M'Henry served to divert the attention of the Americans. In the meantime, along the American lines ten thousand men waited the approach of day with much anxiety ; and there is every reason to believe, that they would have repelled the enemy with great loss, had he made an attack. When day dawned, however, it was dis- covered that he had disappeared. General Winder, with the Virginia brigade, captain Bird's dragoons, major Randal's light corps and all the cavalry, was immediately detached in pur- suit of him : but so exhausted were the troops with conti- nued watching, having been under arms during three days and nights, exposed the greater part of the time to very inclement weather, that it was found impossible to do any thing more than pick Uj> a few stragglers. Besides, the time which had elapsed since the commencement of tlie retreat of the enemy, had given them an opportunity of protecting their embarkation in such a manner as effectually to secure their rear. The troops were taken on board in the evening of the same day ; and on the morning of the following day, the 15th, the British fleet descended the bay. The intelligence of this happy event was received in the neighbouring cities with demonstrations of rapturous joy. But a monjont before, the j)opular dismay appeared to have reached its acme, and the most ;^.loomy anticipations were indulged ; for all the larger towns, equally with Baltimore, were threat- ened with devastation. The feelings of the inhabitants of the city itself, can with difficulty be conceived. Measures were taken to celebrate the occurrence, and to reward those who held distinguished commands. To such as fell in the sacred cause of the defence of their families and homes, a monument, to be erected in the centre of the city, was decreed. Admi- ral Cochrane, after the failure of this attempt on Baltimore, retired with all his fleet and the land forces to the West Indies, with the view of awaiting the arrival o^ reinforcements from England ; and not omy abandoned the idea for the prosent o^ HISTORY OF THE WAR. 273 Aflaira on the Northern Frontier Britinh invade thu Statu of Now York. attacking any other of our cities or larger towns, but also withdrew ail the parties which had been engaged in marauding expeditions into the country along the coast. Meanwhile events, resulting in successes of the most brilliani character, had transpired on the northern frontier. While admiral Cochrane was threatening the sea-coast with devasta- tion, at the request, as he stated, of sir George Prevost ; this oflicer, who was invading the United States in another quar- ter, licld very different language. While he could direct the IJrifish forces to the south to lay waste and destroy (if ho really ever gave such directions), he was a great stickler for generous and honourable warfare on the borders of Canada, and was careful to issue orders of the most conciliatory kind. On entering the state of New York, in honeyed language " ho makers known to its peaceable and unoflending inhabitants, that they have no cause of alarm, from this invasion of their coun- try, for the safety of themselves and families, or for the secu- rity of their property. Ho explicitly assures them, that as long as they continue to demean themselves peaceably, they shall be protected in the quiet possession of their homes, and permitted fnxly to pursue their various occupations. It is against the government of the TInited States, by whom this unjust and unprovoked war has been declared, and against thoso who supj)ort it, either openly or secretly, that tiie arms of his majesty are directed. The (juiet and unoffending inliahitants, not found in arms, or otherwise aiding in hostilities, bhall meet with kind usage and generous treatment ; and all just complaints against any of his majesty's subjects, offering vio- lence to them, to their families or to their possessions, shall be immediately redressed." There is nolhing said of retalia- tion, nor the sli^jhtest hint that hostilities had not been con- ducted, on the part of the Americans, according to the usages of war. With these fair words, sir George led his army on Plattsburg, in the state of New York, about the beginning of September, while the British fleet, under captain Downie, j)ro- ceeded up Lake Champlain on his \oA\. Preparations of the most extensive description had been made Cor this invasion. Transports with troops Ijad been continually arriving at Quebec from England, during the months of July and August; so that, at the time v»hen sir George Prevost ent(!r€.'d the American territory, his army was lourteen thousand strong, among whom were large bodies of veterans who had distin- guished themselves under Wellington. The force consisted of three brigades and a cor|)s of reserve, each commanded by u major-general of experience; a squadron of light dragoons; 274 BRArKl'NUlDCK'S ProgreM of tho British impedtid by General Macomb. and an immense train of artillery. The expedition had in view an object more important than that of a mere inroad. The defeat and destruction of the American army, then lying in the neighbourhcod of Plattsburg; the subjugation of the country as iar a;-' Crown Point and Ticonderoga, for the purpose of securing n strofi}.; position in which to winter; and ultimately, inco-opera- tion with an army which was to invade New York or Con- necticut frcMn the sea, the separation of the New England states from the union by the line of the river Hudson, were the results at which sir George Prevost, under the express direc- tions of the British Prince Regent, was ordered to aim. After general Izard had marched for the Niagara, the force left at I*lattsburg under general Macomb did not exceed fifteen hundred regulars, and consisted chiefly of invalids and new re- cruits ; and of these there was but one battalion properly organ- ized. The fortifications were slight, and the stores and ord- nance in great disorder. The British took possession of the village of Champlain on the 3d of September; and, from the pi'oclnmatitMis and the impressments of wagons and teams in this viiinity, it was soon discovered that the immediate object if attack was Plattsburg. Not a minute .vas lost in placing tho works in a state of delence. In order to create emulation and zeal among the ofriccrs and men, they were divided inJo dc- tafhm<>i!ts, and stationed in the several forts; and the general d' rlared, in orders, that eacl: detachment was the garrison oi its own work, and bound to defend it to the last extremity At the same 'line, he called on general Mooers, of the New Y«.»rk militia, and with him adopted measr:res for calling them out en masse. With the exception of a ibw rrr.'i\ and some boys, who formed themselves into a compary, re.i-^ -^ed rifles and were exceedingly useful, the iniiabitar/ ^ ^ *" ! uttsburg, with their families and effects, fled from the town. General Mooers, having collected about seven hundred militia, advanced, on the 4th of tho mor'h, seven miles on the Beekmantown road, to watch the motions of the enemy and skirmish with them as they approached, and at the same time to obstruct tile road by breaking down the bridges and felling trees. Captain Sprowl, with two hundred men of the Thir- teenth ngimcnt, who was posted at Dead Creek bridge, on the fake, or more eastern, road, also with similar objects, was ordered t:» orlify himself with two field pieces sent with him for the j irpose, .md to receive further instructions from lieute- nant-;ol';nel Appling. In ad\ance of this position, the latter o'iicer, ivsth one hmidref' r;flemen, was nrconnoitering tho movcnjv u(3 of tho cuemy. At daylight on the 0th, the enemy I HISTORY OF THE WAR. 275 Dritish Army occupica Plaltsburg nppovile the Amvrican Worka. ie, on waa h him lieuto- latter the Inemy were seen advancing, by these roads, in tv/o columns ; the column on the Bcekmantown road approaching more rapidly than the other. General Moocrs's mililia skirmished a little with its advance parties, but, with the exception of a few bravo men, soon broke, and fled in the greatest disorder. A detach- ment of two hundred and fifty regulars, under major Wool, which had marched to their support, could not succeed in re- storing them to confidence. General Mucomb, finding that the enemy's object, in making so much more rapid a march on the western than the lake road, was to cut off the detachments of captain b'prowl and colonel Appling, despatched orders to the latter olHcer to withdraw the troops, make a junction with major Wool, and then attack tho enemy's right flank. While in compliance with this order, colonel Appling fell in with the head of a column of the enemy sent to cut him off; and had they made this movement an instant earlier, ho must inevitably have been taken prisorer. As he retreated, he poured a destructive fiie on them from his riflemen, and continued to annoy them until he formed a junction with major Wool. The column of the enemy on the lake road, notwithstanding that considerable execution had been done by captain Sprowl's two field pieces, and although impeded in its advance by the fallen trees and the destruction of the bridge over Dead Creek, as well as harassed by a gall- ing fire from some gun-boats and galleys anchored in the creek, still continued to press forward. The village of Plattsburg stands on the north side of the small river Saranac, near its entrance into LakeChamplain ; and the American works were situated on the southern side, directly opposite. The town being no longer tenable, owing to its occupation by the enemy, the parties of Appling, Wool and Sprowl, which had contested the advance of tlieir opponent- step by step, retreated within the American works in goo order, keeping up a brisk fire until they got under cover. Ge; (•ral Macomb now directed the passage over the bridge on the Saranac to be destroyed. This order was not executed with* 'Ut some difficulty, as the enemy had thrown their light troops ito the houses near the bridge, and annoyed the Americans nh their small shot from the windows and balconies. They were at length dislodged by a discharge of hot shot which set the buildings on fire. Throughout the day attempts were made by the British to obtain poosession of the several bridges over the river ; but they were uniuccessful in every instance. As soon as the whole of the American troops had gained the sout'. ern banks of the river, the planks of the bridges had been taken 2V0 BUACKLxNUlDGlVS Captain M'Glassin Britiiih nnd American Fleets on Lako Clianiplain. up, and placed in t}ic form of breastworks ; and behind these the nncn charj^ed with the defence of the passages fiimly resisted the advances of tlie enemy. The enemy, now masters of the village, instead of attempt- ing to storm the American works on the opposite side of the river, which their vast superiority of force might have enabled them to do, contented themselves with erecting batteries and throwing up breastworks, and with frequent attempts to carry the bridges and cross at the fords. In the meanwhile, the main body of the British army arrived ; and general Macomb was reinforced by a considerable body of New York militia, and of volunteers from the mountains of Vermont. There was now scarcely any intermission to the skirmishes which took place between detachments of the enemy, and the American militia and volunteers ; while the former were getting up a train of battering cannon, and the American regulars were labouring incessantly in strengthening and extending their works. During this time a handsome affair was achieved by captain M'Glassin, who, crossing the river in the night, assailed a >niard of British regulars of more than three times his num- bers, stationed at a masked battery which had been for somo days preparing, and which, when completed, wr-ild huve given incalculable anr.oyance, drove them from their post, and de- njolishcd the battery. He returned to the American camp with the loss of on4y three men missing. For i'i<\s gallant action he received the pubH' thanks of his general, and the brevet rank of major from the president of the United States. On the morning of the 11th of September, the fiflh day of the siege, the motives which irnluced the British general to deluy his assault upon the American works became apparent. Kelying on his ability to carry Ihom, however they might he strengthened and fortified, he hod awaited the arrival of the British fleet, in the belief that, with its co-operation, he could make an easy conquest not only of the American army, but also of their fleet on Lake Champlain, then lying at anchor in Cumberland Bay, in front of tlic town of Plattsburg. On that day the British fleet, consisting of the frigate Confiance, car- rying thirty-nine guns, twenty-seven of which were twenty- four pounders ,* the brig Linnet, of sixteen guns ; the sloops Chub and Finch, each carrying eleven guns ; and thirteen galleys, five of which carried two guns, and the remainder one gun, each, was seen coming round Cumberland Head. The American fleet, under commodore M'Donough, comprised the Saratoga, carrying iwcnty-six guns, eight of which were long twenty- four |>ounders ; the Eagle, of twenty guns ; the Ticonderoga, HISTORY OF Tin: WAR. 277 Battle of Lake Cliainplain lintde of PInttflburg. of seventeen ; the Preble, seven ; and ten galleys, six two guns, and the remainder one gun carrying Besides the advantage which the enemy possessed in being able to choose their posi- tion, their force was much superior. The number of guns in the Britis'i fleet amounted to ninety-five, and of men, to upwards of a thousand ; while the Americans had only eighty -six guns, and eight hundred and twenty men. One of the American ves- sels had been built with almost incredible despatch : eighteen days before, the trees of which it was constructed were actually growing on the shores of the lake. The American vessels were moored in line, with five gun- boats or galleys on each flank. At nine o'clock, A. M., imme- diately on getting round Curil)erland Head, captain Downie, the British commander, anchored in line abreast of the Ameri- can squadron, and at about three hundred yards distance. The Confiance, captain Downie's own vessel, was opposed to the Saratoga, M'Donough's vessel ; the Linnet to the Eagle ; the British goMeys and one of their sloops, to the Ticonderoga, the Preble and the left division of the American galleys ; tlieir other sloop was opposed to the galleys on the right. In this situation the whole force on both sides became en- gaged ; and at the same moment, as if the firing of the first gun from the Confiance had been the signal, the contest c k iien- ced between general Marii-an Turritnrjr. t : i nil his forces, Icavin*; iM'hiiul liiiu llif sick and woun. vd. At duybruiik of the l*Jth, whrij lliis inovriiumt was