•^^^ 
 
 y^ v^ 
 
 .-^^ .V 
 
 \ 
 

 ^■^ "^*, 
 
 8 I A 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE LATE WAR, 
 
 BETWEEN THE 
 
 UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 COMTAIITIWO 
 
 AJ^ ACCURATE ACCOUJ^'T 
 
 OP THE 
 
 MOST IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT'S 
 
 BY 
 
 SEA AND LAND. 
 
 Interspersed with interesting' 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 OF THOSE PAETS OP THE COTTSTTRT 
 
 WHERE TliE PRINCIPAL BATTLES WERE FOUGH'l . 
 
 s 
 
 SECOND EDITION- 
 
 By J. C. GILLELAND. 
 
 BALTIMORE- 
 
 Printed and published by Schaefer & Manned: 
 18X7. . 
 
COPT-BIGHT. 
 
 District of Maryland, to wit : 
 
 BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the eig-hteenth day of January, 
 »**«*«* i" the fort.v-first year of the Independence of the United 
 *SEAL.* States of America, FREDERICK G. SHAEFFER and 
 ******* ^ THOMAS MAUND, of the said District, hath deposit- 
 ed in this office, the title of a Book, tjie rig-ht whereof they ciaim 
 as Proprietors, in the words following-, to wit : 
 
 *' History of the late War bettoeen the United States and Greai 
 Britain, contahdng an accurate account of ihe most ijiiporiaiit en' 
 ^'(igements by sea and land — interspersed xinth interesting Geogra-^ 
 phi<al sketches of those parts of the country ivhefe the principal bat- 
 tles y.vere fought. By J. C. Gilleland.'* 
 
 In confoiTTiity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, 
 entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of learning", by secur- 
 ing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and 
 proprietors of such Copies diuung- the times therein mentioned;" 
 and also to the Act, entitled, " An Act, supplementary to the 
 Act eiifiLled, " An Act, for the encourag-ement of leju-ning-, by 
 securing tlie Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors 
 and proprietors of such Copies, during the -rimes tlierein men- 
 tioned, and extending the benefits ther^eof to the Arts of de- 
 signing, engraving and etching historical and other Prints." 
 
 PHIUP MOORE, Clerk of the District of Maryland. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 i - 
 
 The events of the late war, have al- 
 ready exercised the pens of numerous 
 writers, and certainly there could not 
 he a iliore fruitful subject. Tlie autlior 
 has attempted a concise narrative of the ^ 
 principal occurrences, freed from volu- 
 minous and unnecessary naval and mili- 
 tary details. The greater part of tlie 
 works already published, are in too ex- 
 pensive a shape and bulk for general cir- 
 culation, or for the use of schools. It is 
 not every petty skirmish, or tlie unintel- 
 ligible details of naval affairs, which is 
 suited to the youthful mind: it is only 
 from those important actions which 
 shed honor on our country, that instruc- 
 tion can be derived. 
 
What volume so favorable to the for- 
 mation of the youthful mind, as that 
 which asserts the dignity of bur coun- 
 try, which records the glorious actions 
 of our countrymen, and whicli proves, 
 that our national character has risen 
 under the influence of our political in- 
 stitutions ? The author has, therefore, 
 thrown in the hack ground, the minor 
 events of the late glorious war, in order 
 to placing in a more conspicuous point 
 of vieWj those of a more important cha- 
 racter. Our soldiers and sailors have 
 done their duty, it remains for the chil- 
 dren of the muses to do theirs, | 
 
CHAPTER L 
 
 Causes of the war with England — Orders in Coun- 
 cil — Impressment — Indian hostilities. 
 
 The United States assumed a rank among the 
 nations of the world, in one of the most stormy pec 
 riods of its history. All Europe was convulsed by 
 the . direful effects of the French revolution. The 
 combined efforts of Austria, of Germany, of Eng- 
 land, to curb the power of France, produced a con- 
 vulsive struggle on her part, which had Avell nigh 
 crumbled their thrones in the dust. The mighty 
 warrior called into political life by this elemental 
 war, seemed to move as the genius of the tempest. 
 One of his ruling maxims was, never to tolerate a 
 neutral ; all, therefore, within the reach of his arm, 
 were either allies, vassals, or foes. England, whose 
 erroneous policy had in the first instance given rise 
 to this distempered energy, chose to adopt the same 
 maxim. She moreover, appealed to the world as 
 the defender of the liberties and rights of nations, 
 1* 
 
O HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 and plainly denounced as traitors, those who de- 
 clined a participation in her quarrels. 
 
 Fortunately for this country, the waves of the At- 
 lantic rolled hetween it and the fury of the Euro- 
 pean belligerents. However desirous tUey might 
 be of engaging us in their mad contest, it could only 
 be done through insidious arts, by which the inexpe- 
 rienced are entrapped, or by repeated provocations, 
 calculated to produce a state of mind favorable to 
 their designs. For twenty-live years, these designs 
 were resisted with unshaken firmness. The advice 
 of Washington, to keep aloof from the dangerous 
 contest, was strictly observed. The nation was re- 
 peatedly exasperated beyond endurance, but the go- 
 vernment opposed itself to the imprudent effects of 
 "wounded feeling. It appeared to be a contest be- 
 tween France and England, which could injure us 
 most, and on, our part, how long we could forbear. 
 But there is a point at which this forbearance must 
 become not only imprudent, but unjust. As in com- 
 mon life, where a tame submission to injuries invites 
 a repetition of them ; so a youthful nation, like a 
 young man, will find some ruflian desii'ous of put- 
 ting its courage to the test, and if found wanting, it 
 is then with impunity insulted by the most arrant 
 coward. The pains we had taken to keep aloof 
 from the European wars, at last came to be taken 
 for pusillanimity, or at least for a want of energy 
 
CAUSES OF THE WAR WITH ENGLANto, kc, 7 
 
 in the structure of tlie government. It became fash- 
 ionable to represent us as a mean and sordid race, 
 incapable of any generous feeling, and exclusively 
 devoted to self-interest, whom no insult, no injuiy, 
 could provoke to stiike ; in short, that we could not 
 be " kicked into a war." llie practices at first re- 
 sorted to for the purpose of engaging us to share 
 their battles, were now converted into the ordinary 
 means of supplying their coffers or recruiting their 
 strength. France confiscated and plundered our 
 ships ; Spain and some of the petty states followed 
 the example, as though our pacific policy had ren- 
 dered us lawful prey to all nations. Enghmd seem- 
 ed to think that she had a right to transfer our sea- 
 men to her service at her pleasure. Thus situated^ 
 it became no longer a matter of choice witli this 
 country, whether to remain at peace or not; war 
 sooner or later was inevitable ; the difficulty was in 
 the choice of the enemy, or whether to contend with 
 both. 
 
 From Britain we had experienced great provoca- 
 tion. This haughty power seemed to harbor a dis- 
 like to us, for having so bravely declared and main- 
 tained our independence. Her conduct towards us 
 was uniformly disrespectful and contemptuous. She 
 had called us rebels, she still considerefl us but as 
 successful rebels, whose destitution of principle 
 must, ill the end, cause to fall together by the ears. 
 
o HISTaUT OF THE WAR. 
 
 and thus make room for the restoration of their ex- 
 pelled sovereign. Little did she know of the real 
 spirit of American liberty. Her first transactions 
 with us, were marked by faithlessness. The set- 
 tling down of this mighty republic, into that sober 
 order and beautiful symctry which at present it pos- 
 sesses, appeared to her a state of anarchy. The 
 conditions of the treaty of 1783, were shamefully 
 slighted ; nay, more, although at peace, she smote 
 us with a coiiCealed hand ; she instigated a dreadful 
 Indian war, in which thousands of American citi- 
 zens were barbarously murdered. It will be long 
 before the people of tiie western country can forget 
 the defeats of Harniar and Sinclair, or the massa- 
 cres of the frontier'settlers. If there existed any 
 particular desire for war on the part of the Union, 
 this is surely enough to account for it. When the 
 Indian hostilities were at last happily terminated by 
 the bravery and prudence of general Wayne, and a 
 treaty of peace in 1794, concluded with England, it 
 was thougiit that we might at last indulge the iirst 
 wish of our hearts, and live at peace : but we were 
 greatly mistaken. Our growing prosperity could 
 not be seen by her without envy ; as she was at war 
 with France, the carrying trade fell into our hands, 
 and greatly enriched our merchants. Britain re- 
 solved to put a stop to this, by renewing what is 
 called the riile of ^56^ established by her at that pe- 
 
CAUSES OF THE WAR WITH ENGLAND, &C. 9 
 
 riod, in order to embarrass the French commere(i. 
 It was founded ostensibly upon the idea, that neu- 
 trals ought not to alleviate the sufferings of war to 
 a belligerent, by keeping up an intercourse between 
 its different ports or colonies ; but it was, in reality, 
 the result of a flagrant usurpation of the sovereignty 
 of the seas. It was followed u]) by orders of coun- 
 cil, which restricted the American commerce, and 
 exposed many of our ships to capture and condem- 
 nation. Britain, not satisfied with these violations 
 of the sacred laws of nations, established a new rule 
 of blockade, but which she affected to consider as 
 merely retaliatory: this v/as, placing her enemy's 
 ports in a state of blockade by mere proclamation, 
 and without stationing any efficient force. Undei 
 these, and many other pretexts, the American flag 
 could only be said to float on the ocean at her will 
 and pleasure. 
 
 There was another grievance which she practisei 
 upon us, even more insupportable than those cnu 
 merated. Yery soon after our commercial enter 
 prize began to spread its wings, it was found tha 
 our seamen were exposed to be taken on tlie higl 
 seas, from underneath the flag of their coujitry, ant 
 dragged on board the British men of war, wher< 
 they were compelled to serve foi* years. No Alge 
 rine sen itude could be worse than tliis. The abus^ 
 was very soon so severely felt, as to become a caus' 
 
10 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 of indignant remonstrance on the part of President 
 Washington, and afterwards of ^every successive 
 statesman, to \vlioni was entrusted the safety of the 
 commonwealth. The British alleged in excuse, (for 
 it was nothing more,) the difficulty of distinguishing 
 between her subjects, and the citizens of this coun- 
 try. It appeared, however, that very little care was 
 taken on her part to avoid the abuses whicli must 
 necessarily result ; for this investigation was usually 
 entrusted to a petty oflicer, who was either not dis- 
 posed, or incapable of proceeding fairly to work; 
 and peojle of every color, and of ^vury nation, 
 ^vere erpaally liable to be impressed, or more pro- 
 perly speaking, kidnapped. This distressing out- 
 I'age, v» as tlie constant theme of complaint on the 
 part of the American government; but instead of 
 redress, we had the mortification of seeing it aug- 
 mented. x\merican ships on the high seas, were 
 sometimes left witliout a sufficient number of men to 
 navigate them, exposing the lives of the remainder, 
 and ruining the voyage. Indignities not to be borne, 
 ivere heaped upon ous* unfortunate countrymen ; the 
 certificates of their nativity, with which they had 
 )rovided themselves, (a kind of humiliation to which 
 10 other people had ever been exposed,) was taken 
 rom them, torn in pieces, and scattered to the 
 vinds. To so great an extent had this violation of 
 ill human rights been carried, that it was estimated, 
 
CAUSES OF THE WAR WITH ENGLAND, &C. 11 
 
 that in the year 1810, there were not less than seven 
 thousand American seamen, who had been, dragged 
 on board the British ships of war, serving against 
 their will, and consequently in a barbarous state of 
 slavery. All this was heightened by the unparal- 
 leled Insolence of tlie British naval commanders in 
 our waters. The patience of the people of this coun- 
 try was almost exhausted, when the climax of insult 
 was offered in the attack on the Cliesapeake, where 
 five American citizens were taken from on board a 
 national vessel, after attacking the vessel in tl\e most 
 unexpected manner. Finding at last, that war 
 would be the inevitable consequence of this wanton 
 act, they humbled themselves so far as to offer a re- 
 pai'ation, which was made in an ample manner, in 
 the return of the seamen to the deck of their sliip ; 
 but this was not done promptly and magnanimously, 
 but came late, and was ungracious in its circumstan- 
 ces. TJie officer, moreover, who perpetrated the 
 tleed, was honoured and rew arded, instead of being 
 hanged. 
 
 This storm only blew over that anotiier might be 
 fomented. The United States were, at this epoch, 
 the only neutral in the christian world ; all other 
 nations were involved in war. France, mistress of 
 the land, and England of the sea. The former, 
 like an imprisoned robber, threw out idle threats 
 from his gratings, that unless neutrals, (meaning the 
 
1« HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 United States) would cease their commerce with 
 England, he would come forth, (where he could 
 not even stir out to gasp a mouthful of fresh air) 
 and deprive them of their goods. England, in want 
 of a pretence, cries out, "sir, if you offer to roh this 
 poor honest man, I must retaliate, and rob him my- 
 self." Without waiting to see whether the prisoner 
 could get out to execute his threats, she begins the 
 work of pillaging at once. It is very evident, that 
 things had come to such a pitch, that both of these 
 iiatijns were in the habit of exercising all the pri- 
 vileges of war towards us, as far as lay in their 
 power, while we were pursuing our policy of peace. 
 What could we now do ? The first and most sim- 
 ple idea which suggested itself, was to stay at home, 
 where we could be more safe than in stirring abroad, 
 exposed to be assailed by a tyger or a lion, watch- 
 ing for his prey. An embargo was laid ; but the ex- 
 periment of some months, proved, that from the 
 great extent of our sea coasts, and the small extent 
 of our patriotism, it could not be enforced. It was, 
 therefore, taken off; and in place of it, a law was 
 passed, forbidding all intercourse with France and 
 England. By this means, we were Still enabled to 
 carry on some trade with Spain, the West-Indies, 
 and the nations round the Baltic. But we were not 
 long in discovering, that an escape from war was in- 
 evitable. Our national character had sunk abroad. 
 
CArSES 0¥ THE WAR WITH ENGlAKD, 6cC. 13 
 
 and appeared to be sinking at home : and what man, 
 or society of men, ever prospered, with infamy at- 
 taclied to tlieir reputations ? The American was 
 ashamed to own his country wliile abroad. TJiroug- 
 out the whole nation, the opinion was fast gaining 
 ground, that we must have war. But against wliich 
 of the belligerents should it be waged ? This was 
 the question. We had abundant cause for com- 
 plaint against both. The vast fleet of Plngland 
 would sweep our little navy from the ocea* , and 
 would lay our flourishiiig cities in ashes. With re- 
 spect to France, a war would be a mei-e flourisii, for 
 we could neither meet their forces by land or sea, 
 unless we chose to thrust ourselves into tlie tyger's 
 den. The course adopted by the administiation, 
 was perhaps, upon the whole, the wisest : that v. as, 
 to leave it to the choice of tlie beliigerenls th^^m- 
 selves. The ports of tlie United States were there- 
 fore closed against both, but would be opened to that 
 one, wliich would first rescind liis obnoxious de- 
 crees or orders in council, and then would come the 
 question of peace or war. 1*o these fair and equit- 
 able terms England acceded ; tiie French miiuster 
 formally and solemnly declared to our government, 
 that the Berlin and Milan decrees wei e repealed : 
 on this being made known to the Priiice Regent and 
 tlie English cabinet, they shutlied and quibbled, and 
 affected to regard the evidence of the repeal on the 
 
14 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 part of the French, insufficient. It was in vain, to( 
 say that vvc, the only persons really affected or ex- 
 posed to injury by their existence, were satisfied : 
 they could not he repealed. 
 
 It now became as clear as the light, that nothing 
 fair, candid or honorable, was to be looked for by 
 us from England. She basely persisted in the most 
 iniquitous scheme of plunder and oppression, and de- 
 clined, under every species of subterfuge, the nume- 
 rous proffers of the American government, to remedy 
 the evils of impressment. 
 
 These were not the only causes of irritation 
 against Great Britain. Besides coming in contact 
 with her on the sea, where she harrassed our com- 
 merce, and kidnapped our fellow citizens, we also 
 came in collision on the land. Our situation with 
 France was materially different, we might shun her 
 if we chose ; but not so with England, for if we 
 withdrew from the ocean, she could still harrass us 
 in consequence of our vicinity. From the influence 
 of the fur companies of the north west, all the In- 
 dian nations in that quarter were at their disposal, 
 not excepting the nations which resided within the 
 territorial limits of the United States. Tliis influ- 
 ence was liable to abuse, and in fact was continually 
 abused 5 the poor deluded creatures, were wrought 
 upon by presents, and artful tales, to befome inimi- 
 caJ to the Americans. An Indian chief, of uncom- 
 
CAUSES OF THE WAR WITH ENGLAlfD, kc. 15 
 
 mon ability, had at this time acquired the ascen- 
 dancy over all the scattered tribes along the lakes, 
 and in the waters of the Ohio. He had been a fierce 
 enemy of the whites, since the first settlement of the 
 country, and was one of the most noted warriors 
 that had appeared. The name of this savage was 
 Tecumseh, who was aided by an artful Indian, a 
 kind of high priest, or juggler, called the Prophet, 
 his brotlier. The one appealing to superstitious 
 fears, the other commanding respect, and exciting 
 awe, were soon found to be useful tools in the hands 
 of the British. 
 
 There is no nation on earth, which possesses less 
 ©f the thirst for conquest or dominion, than this con- 
 federacy of states. Possessing already, by the pur- 
 chase of Louisiana, a vast accession of territory, 
 which will require ages to fill, to what end would be 
 the mere desire of conquest ? Such an ambition, un- 
 connected witii some lawful object, can scarcely find 
 its way into the American government. But was it 
 not natural, that there should prevail a wish to se- 
 cure ourselves from the continual recurrence of In- 
 dian warfare ? And how do it but by assailing the 
 very root of the evil. Hence, the prevailing wish 
 through the United States of conquering Canada; 
 not from any benefit or advantage which the people 
 or the government might derive ; perchance that be- 
 nefit or advantage, might be to the human race. But 
 
16 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 could we possess Canada, war would be only known 
 on the ocean and the coast. Nations, if possible, 
 ought not to have too near neighbors, if they wish 
 to J'einain at peace. 
 
 In the autumn of eighteen hundred and eleven, 
 serious dift'erenccs arose between us and tlie Indians 
 on tlie Wabash ; the ostensible cause of which, was 
 a purchase made by governor Harrison, of a large 
 tract of land in the Indiana territory, from the In- 
 dians. At a treaty near Vincennes, Tecumseh be- 
 haved in the most insolent manner, and openly 
 threatened to dig up the tomahawk from under the 
 tree of peace. The hostile deportment of the In- 
 dians, aoon after induced the governor to call to his 
 aid the 4th regiment of United States* infantry, un- 
 der colonel Boyd, and a body of volunteer militia 
 from Kentucky, besides a small body of militia of 
 Indiana. With these, he proceeded up the W^ abash, 
 witli the intention of building a Fort near the Pro- 
 pliet's town, near a branch of the W^abash, called 
 Tippecanoe, since become famous. On his arrival, 
 he was met by the Prophet, Wlnimac, and some 
 other chiefs, v^ ho professed to be peaceably dispos- 
 ed, requested him to encamp for tlie day, and pro- 
 mised to come the next morning and hold a council 
 of peace. With this request, the governor complied, 
 unsuspicious of their treachery. Towards morning, 
 the In(Jians, led on by Winimac, suddenly assailed 
 
CAUSES OF THE WAR WITH ENGLAND, &C. 17 
 
 the camp, having killed the sentinels with arrows. 
 TJiey were received with great resolution, but were 
 not repulsed until after a bloody conflict of two 
 hours, in which tlie Americans lost upwards of one 
 hundred and eighty in killed and wounded, among 
 whom were many valuable officers. Colonel Davies, 
 one of the first men in Kentucky, or perhaps in this 
 country, was among the slain. Colonel Boyd, and 
 the 4th, acquired much honor. The loss of the In- 
 dians was estimated at one hundred and fifty. 
 These misguided people soon after sued for peace, 
 which was granted. But thi^pugh the instigation of 
 the British, tlie Prophet and Tecumseh soon after 
 renewed hostilities, by murdering families on the 
 frontiers. The war which was about to break forth 
 in tliis quarter, soon after merged into more impor- 
 tant events, and which it is the business of this pre*- 
 sented narrative to detaile 
 
 5* 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Declaration of War — State of the Countrij, 
 
 The twelfth congress continued in session long 
 beyond the usual time of adjournment, in conse- 
 quence of the crisis which Avas thought to be ap- 
 proaching. On tiie fifth of June, president Madi- 
 son laid before congress, the correspondence of our 
 charge d'affair in London, with the British govern- 
 ment, which put an end to all hope of the repeal of 
 the orders in council. Every attempt to arrange 
 the matter of impressment had also failed. In tlie 
 opinion of the president, there appeared to be no 
 possible measure left for us to pursue, but a declara- 
 tion of war. 
 
 This being referred to the committee of foreign 
 relations, they drew up an ahle report, in which a 
 full view was taken of all our causes of complaint 
 against Great Britain, and they concurred fully in 
 the opinion of the president, that notliing was left to 
 us but an appeal to arms. 
 
DECXARATION OF WAR, 6tC. 19^ 
 
 They said, that the British cniizers were in the 
 continual habit of violating tlie American Hag, and 
 seizing and carrying away, without distinction, all 
 persons sailing under it. 
 
 That they had been in the practice of liarrassing 
 tlie entering and departing connnerce on our coast, 
 and violating the sanctuary of our hai'bors. 
 
 That tliey were aiming to lay waste our neiTtral 
 trade, and entirely destroy our commerce, that they 
 might supplant us. 
 
 That they plundered our vessels on the high seas, 
 under a pretence of blockades, and that by the 
 sweeping system of orders in council, our commerce, 
 unless through the special license of Great iJritain, 
 was at an end. 
 
 That a secret agent liad been employed to sow 
 dissention between the states, and if possible, bring 
 about a separation. 
 
 Tliat the war renewed on the frontiers with the 
 savages, was without a doubt instigated by the Bri- 
 tish. 
 
 That in line, on the side of Great Britain, there 
 was a state of war towards the United States, and 
 on the side of tlie United States, a state of peace to- 
 wards Great Britain. 
 
 After sitting several days with closed doors, the 
 important appeal was announced on tlie eigliteenth 
 
20 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 of Juno, and the next day war was formally pro- 
 claimed. 
 
 For thirty years our favored and happy country, 
 had smiled beneath the blessings of peace and pros- 
 perity. With the exception, indeed, of the distant 
 Algerine war, and the occasional hostilities on the 
 I'cmotc frontier. It was our first national war since 
 the declaration of independence, and with the na- 
 tion from wiiom our independence had been won. 
 AYe considered the appeal to arms inevitable ; we 
 confided to the justice of our cause, and trusted to 
 heaven for the issue. 
 
 The means provided for carrying' on a contest 
 with one of the most powerful nations on tlie globe, 
 were extremely slender. Our army did not exceed 
 five thousand men, and these distributed over a sur- 
 face of several thousand miles. A law had been 
 passed for the purpose of enlarging it to twenty-five 
 thousand men ; but little or no progress had been 
 made in enlistment. Our navy consisted of a few 
 frigates, and smaller vessels of war. not more than 
 thirty in number; while that of the enemy, exceeded 
 a thousand ships. Our great commercial towns 
 "were not yet completely fortified, although for some 
 years, considerable pains had been taken to fortify 
 tliem. We had no overflowing treasury, to furnish 
 the abundant means of creating the necessary force 
 
DECLARATION OF WAB, &C. 31 
 
 and supplies ; the American people had been hur- 
 thened with no taxes. 
 
 Great Britain had laughed at the idea of our go- 
 ing to war ; our confederation, which she called a 
 rope of sand, in her opinion, would crumble at the 
 sound of the war trumpet. Our navy was tlie 
 standing butt of her ridicule, and our " Ua' built fri- 
 gates," the subjects of her continued jests ; " the 
 bits of striped bunting," as she called our glorious 
 flag, now resplendent with the stars of freedom, 
 would soon disappear from the ocean. But Provi- 
 dence has decreed, that the keenest disappointments 
 shall ever attend the boastful and vain glorious. 
 
 The Americans looked to Canada as the vulnera- 
 ble part of Great Britain. Whatever intrinsic value 
 this province might be to her, pride at least, would 
 render it an object worth contending for. To us, it 
 could be only of advantage as the means of compel- 
 ling her to a speedy peace, and securing our fron- 
 tiers against the murderous Indian. Far from be- 
 ing actuated by tlie mere ambition of conquest, had 
 Canada been emancipated by England, all wish on 
 our part of possessing it, would at once have been at 
 an end. 
 
 We were already at war with the north western 
 Indians, such troops as we could spare had been or- 
 dered to the frontier, with the double view of putting 
 aneud to those hostilities, and to be in the bestsitii^ 
 
52 HISTORY OP THE WAR. 
 
 ation for striking a blow at Canada. It was well 
 knovvn, that there were no great preparations on the 
 part ()f the British ; and it was natural to suppose, 
 that by a prompt and vigorous attack on the ur.pro- 
 tccted provinces, we sliould be master of the whole 
 country, from Niagara upwards. This would effec- 
 tually cut off all hope of aid to the British, from the 
 Indians, and would enable us to concentrate our for- 
 ces on Lake Ontario, by whicli means, with the aid 
 of tlie regular troops in that quarter, and the militia 
 of Now- York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, Upper 
 Canada would fall in the course of a few months, 
 and in tlie spring we might successftiily advance 
 against Quebec, 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Invasion of Canada by gen. Hull — Battles of Browns- 
 town and Maguaga — RuU evacuates Canada^-- 
 British invasion and surrender of IIulL 
 
 Hull, the governor of the Michigan territory, 
 who had been a distinguished officer during tlic I'c* 
 volutionary war, having been appointed a brigadier 
 in the service of tlie United States, was on his inarch 
 to Detroit, the capital of the territory, at the mo- 
 ment of the declarati(»n of war. liis force ( onsist- 
 ed of about two thousand nirn, nearly one half regu- 
 lars, the remaindei', volunteers from the state of 
 Ohio, and well supplied with the necessai*y muni- 
 tions of war. On reaching the rapids of the Mii»mi, 
 lie freighted a schooner, witii the principal part of 
 his baggage, that his march might be liglitened : but 
 to his astonishment, the capture of the vessel which 
 soon after followed, gave him the first intimation of 
 the existing state of hostilities, and it was nut until 
 shortly before he reached Detroit, that he received 
 
24 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 the official intelligence of the formal declaration. 
 The British, in consequence of their settlements 
 along the lake, and the employment of swift cou- 
 riers? had heen ahlc to convey the information seve- 
 ral days hefore it reached the American posts. 
 From the nature of our government, there is no pos- 
 sibility of knowing, with certainty, the exact time 
 of our making war, until its actual declaration : the 
 British had, therefore, almost as early intelligence 
 of it us our executive. It is also said, that the Ame- 
 rican messenger, was somewhat detained by an un- 
 foreseen accident. 
 
 The arrival of Hull, was little more than in time to 
 save Detroit, which the British were on the point 
 of attacking. A few well directed shot, compelled 
 them to abandon the works which they had erected 
 on the oppojiitc side of the river. Hull, who had re- 
 ceived discretionary power to act offensively, re- 
 solved to possess himself of the British post on the 
 opposite side of the river, by which means, he would 
 at once end the Indian war, and cut off the commu- 
 nication \^ ith the north-west establishments, and the 
 lower provinces. The A.merican garrisons and 
 forts on the Wabash, Mississippi, lakes, &c. would, 
 in SL^h event, be compietely protected. By obtain- 
 ing a firm footing in this country, another object 
 would be also secured ; the inhabitants, chiefly emi- 
 grants from the United States, would be induced to 
 
INVASION or CANADA, &C. 25 
 
 join the American standard, and facilitate the active 
 conquest of the country. 
 
 On the twelfth of July, Hull, with the principal 
 part of his forces, crossed the river, and after a fee- 
 ble opposition, took possession of Sandwich. Here 
 he issued a proclamation, in which he stated his 
 force to be sufficient to " look down all opposition,'- 
 threatening destruction, without mercy, to all ho 
 should be fighting by the side of an Indian, and of- 
 fering protection to the inhabitants wlio would join 
 his standard. But this proclamation was followed 
 up by no prompt aiul vigorous measures against the 
 British garrison, which at this time was in condi- 
 tion to resist a vigorous assault. He contented him- 
 self with detaching colonels Cass and M'Aithur, to 
 take possession of the country along the river 
 Thames, and loitered away his time in useless skir- 
 mishings. A sharp skii'mish took place a few days 
 after the landing, at the river Aux Canards, with a 
 party of the enemy stationed to guard the bridge, 
 which crossed the river on the road to Maiden. 
 The enemy was compelled to retire, with the loss of 
 eleven killed and wounded ; but the passage appear- 
 ed to be gained, with no other view than being im- 
 mediately abandoned. 
 
 Hull now concluded, that Maiden could not be ta- 
 ken without heavy artillery, and a regular s?cge, 
 and in consequence, sat about making preparations. 
 
 3 
 
26 HISTORY OH TKJa WAR. 
 
 which ought to have preceded the invasion. Wliile 
 Lis proclamation was figurin,^ away in the United 
 States, and every day was expected to bring the 
 news of the tailing of Maiden, and the Aast advan- 
 tages which would necessarily follow ; this general 
 was fast losing the confidence of his own troops, by 
 his want of decision, and incapacity for command. 
 It appeared that he had either become superanuatcd, 
 or that his merit in a subordinate station, during 
 the revolution, was no just criterion of his talents 
 as a leader. The British officer, general Brock, 
 who was a man of talents, was not long in disco- 
 vering the kind of adversary he had to deal with, 
 and from being at first apprehensive that he could 
 not withstand the great superiority of the American 
 force, began to conceive hope of being able to take 
 advantage of the incapacity of the American. He 
 tlirew light parties of regulars and Indians, under 
 the celebrated chief Tecumseh, on the road between 
 the state of Ohio and Detroit, so as to intercept the 
 American supplies. Hull was compelled to turn his 
 attention to keeping open the communication, while 
 the preparations for the siege of Maiden advanced 
 at a snail's pace. It was not until the first of Au- 
 gust, that two twenty -four pounders and three how- 
 itzers were mounted, and even then, he appeared at 
 a loss what to do with them. Dangers and difficul- 
 ties appeared every moment to thicken around him* 
 
INVASION or CANADA, &C. " -^ 
 
 On the twenty-third of July, he received iiitelligeiice 
 that Michilimackinac had surrendered to the Bri- 
 tish. Lieutenant Hanks, who commanded this im- 
 portant fortress, was suddenly encompassed by a 
 body of the enemy, and a great number of Indians, 
 which to him was the first intimation of liostilities. 
 As it was in vain to contend against so great a supe- 
 riority of force, he was compelled to capitulate. 
 There being nothing now to keep the Indians in 
 check, and the men in the service of the north wes- 
 tern fur company being collected, a considerable re- 
 inforcement might be expected by the British gene- 
 ral, Hull, alarmed at this danger of his situation, 
 which was greatly augmented by ids fears, dis- 
 patched a messenger for assistance to the governor 
 of Ohio, and to general Hull, commanding at Nia- 
 gara. The astonishment excited by this ne\As was 
 universal; the morning which jiad been so fair 
 in hope, was thus suddenly obscured with lowering 
 darkness. 
 
 To a man of mental resource, the situation was 
 not yet desperate. The force of Hull w as vastly su- 
 perior to that of the British ; his heavy cannon was 
 at last prepared, and mounted on floating batteries; 
 and the American olFicers and soldiers, indulged the 
 expectation of soon attempting something, to merit 
 the applause of their country. The day was actu- 
 ally fixed for the meditated attack, but to the inex- 
 
28 HISTORY OF THE WAR, 
 
 pressible astonishment and universal indignation of 
 the Americans, orders were given by this wretched 
 commander, to abandon tlie British side and retreat 
 to Detroit. At once every hope of renown was 
 dashed from them, and they had before their eyes, 
 the hateful prospect of becoming the scorn of their 
 country, and the ridicule of its enemies. The Bri- 
 tish general w^as, at the same time^ fully confirmed 
 in the opinion, which he had of the American com- 
 mander. Hul], in his disgraceful retreat, abandon- 
 ed to tlie mercy of the British, the deluded inhabi- 
 tants W'ho had confided in his pompous offers of pro- 
 tection, and effectually prevented any future co-ope- 
 ration on the part of the Canadians, who otherwise 
 might have been induced to join the United States, 
 and assert their independence. 
 
 Shortly before this, a party had reached the ri- 
 ver Raisin, witii additional sup])liee for the Ameri- 
 can camp, under captain Bush ; but in consecpience 
 of the road being infested by Indians, w^erc obliged 
 to halt, and wait until escorted by a sufficient force. 
 A detachment of one hundred and fifty men, was dis- 
 patched under major Yanhorn, who was attacked 
 near Brownstown, by a superior force of the enemy, 
 and after a severe contest was compelled to retreat, 
 with the loss of nineteen killed and wounded ; of the 
 former, captain Giicrease, M'Culloch and jBostler; 
 of the latter, captain Xllry. 
 
Invasion of Canada, &c. 29 
 
 On the return of this party, it was deemed an ob- 
 ject of serious consequence to make an effort to clear 
 the road. While the enemy, well knowing that an- 
 other attempt would soon be made, posted a much 
 larger force of regulars and Indians, at^a place call- 
 led Maguaga, in advance of the former scene of ac- 
 tion. For tliis service, which had now become of 
 the first importance, the American general selected 
 the veteran colonel Miller, with three hundred regu- 
 lars of the 4th regiment, and about two hundred mi~ 
 litia. On the ninth of August, the day after Hull 
 had evacuated the British territory, the gallant I^Iil- 
 ler, although advancing with great caution, was at- 
 tacked by the enemy from an ambuscade. His ad- 
 vance guard, under captain Snelling, was suddenly 
 encompassed on all sides by Indians and British ; 
 but he kept them off, until succoured by the main 
 body. An animated action took place ; after keep- 
 ing up a warm fire for some time, colonel Miller or- 
 dered a charge upon the British regulars, who 
 fought under cover of a breast-work of logs and 
 trees. They were immediately routed ; but the In- 
 dians under Tecumseb, in the woods on each side, 
 naaintained the contest for some time longer. The 
 •enemy was finally compelled to retire, and were dri- 
 ven to their boats, in which they precipitately em- 
 barked. The American loss in this affair, was fif- 
 teen killed and fifty wounded ; that of the British 
 5* 
 
so HISTORY OF THE WAR, 
 
 was about the same. The American force was so 
 much fatigued by this action, which lasted three 
 hours, that they halted on the ground, and the next 
 day received orders from Hull to return to Detroit. 
 It had been resolved to open a communication with 
 captain Bush, through the woods, and for this pur- 
 pose colonels Cass and Miller were detached, with 
 a sti'ong detachment of four hundred men. 
 
 By this time, the British general had resolved 
 upon the bold attempt of invading the American side, 
 and attacking Hull. He took a position opposite 
 Detroit, and on the fifteenth, sent over a flag, de- 
 manding in form, the surrender of the American 
 garrison; in which he magnified his force, in regu- 
 lars and Indians, in the most frightful manner. 
 Hull, however, returned for answer, that the place 
 would be defended to the last extremity. 
 
 The next day, the enemy was discovered crossing 
 the river for the purpose of attacking the fort. Hull, 
 the evening before, had sent to recall, by forced 
 marches, the detachment under Miller and Cass. 
 No preparations were made by him, to oppose the 
 landing- of the British troops ,• but the Americans 
 were so disposed behind the picketing and fences of 
 the village, and in the fort, as to annoy his advance. 
 On an eminence, two twenty -four pounders, charg- 
 ed with graj)e, were posted in a situation to sweep 
 the advancing columns of the invader ; add to this. 
 
INVASION OF CANADA, &C. 31 
 
 the (letacliment out on duty, mii^iit he expected to 
 arrive in time to partakf^ in the action, and assail 
 the enemy in the rear. At ten o'clock, the -British 
 force, ahout seven hundred strong, and some skulk- 
 ing Indians, were seen to advance in the direction 
 in which they would meet certain destruction ; when 
 suddenly, and without the slightest cause, the Ame- 
 rican commander gave orders for the troops to aban- 
 don their positions, and betake themselves to the 
 fort, wliile tlie officers commanding the heavy artil- 
 lery, were enjoined not to fire. In the midst of this 
 strange suspence, the British still continued slowly 
 and cautiously to advance. The American general 
 seemed to have lost all presence of mind, and to 
 have been under tlie influence of the most unac- 
 countable panic. He filled his mouth with tobacco 
 until it could hold no more, and then daubed his face 
 with the saliva, until he might almost have been 
 mistaken for an Indian. In this state of mind, he 
 ordered a white flag to be suspended from the fort, 
 in token of submission. A British oflicer who rode 
 np to ascertain the cause, could hardly believe it, 
 until the capitulation was made. The astonishment 
 and mortification of the Americans, at being thus 
 surrendered, can only be imagined, and was only 
 equalled by the grief wliich ovt rsprcad their coun- 
 try when it came to be made known. 
 
32 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 The British were put in possession of the whole of 
 the province, with all the puhlic stores and arms, 
 among which were several trophies of the revolu- 
 tion. The American troops remained prisoners of 
 war, and were conveyed to Montreal and fort 
 George. The American general was afterwards 
 tried, and condemned to suffer death; hut in conse- 
 quence of his advanced years, and his revolutionary 
 services, he was pardoned. 
 
 The consequences of tliis affair were of the most 
 serious kind. Nearly twenty millions of dollars 
 were expended, hefore we were enabled to regain 
 our lost possessions ; and it frustrated all our ulte- 
 rior plans. The bloody contest, in which so many 
 of our brave countrymen afterwards perished, from 
 Niagara upwards, was entirely the result of this one 
 man's cowardice. One false step in the beginning, 
 often requires twenty to retrieve the misfortunes 
 which follow. 
 
CILiPTER IV. 
 
 J^Taval Jffairs — Capture of the Guerriere — Mival 
 Victories, 
 
 Ko sooner was the war declared, than our little 
 navy, in gallant trim, issued in separate ships, or 
 small squadrons, from the different ports ; and a 
 hundred privateers soon after darted upon the foe. 
 The national chagrin had scarcely worn off, when 
 the general attention was directed towards the ocean. 
 It was not long before the trident was torn from tlie 
 grasp of Britain, and the red cross laid at the feet 
 of victorious America. 
 
 Commodore Rodgers put to sea in June, and 
 steered in pursuit of the West-India convoy. While 
 thus engaged, he gave chase to the Belvidera, a Bri- 
 tish frigate, leaving his squadron in the rear. But 
 the enemy being a faster sailor, and having other 
 advantages, effected her escape, though not without 
 loss. The commodore received a severe wound, 
 and had nineteen of his men killed by the bursting 
 
34 HISTORY OF THE WAR- 
 
 of a gun. The squadi-o)i then crossed the Atlaiilk% 
 and after a cruize of three months, by which the re- 
 turn of the American commerce was much facilitat- 
 ed, arrived at Boston with several prizes. 
 
 The Essex and other national vessels sailed about 
 the same time. The Constitution, captain Hull, 
 was chased for two days, but through consummate 
 seamansliip of this commander, she escaped. 
 
 These events prepared the public for something 
 of a splendid cliaracter, but the occurrence which 
 soon after took place, far transcended our most san- 
 guine liopes. In the skill and gallantry of our na- 
 val commanders, the nation reposed the highest con- 
 fidence ; but thty had not yet been matched v/itli 
 the boasted lords of the seas. The British look to 
 victory with the confidence of a peojile habituated 
 to conquer. They seemed to have no other wish 
 than to prevail on the Americaiis to meet them. 
 Better fol* them that meeting had never taken place. 
 The Guerriero, one of the finest frigates that ever 
 descended upon llie ocean, vauntingly displayed her 
 pendant with a variety of insuKing mottos before 
 the American harbors. Her commodore began to 
 fear that no foe could be found sufficiently bold to 
 encounter him. On the memorable nineteenth of 
 September, the Constitution hove in sight; with 
 satisfaction the Briton beheld her bearing down, 
 and backed his topsails to wait her approach. For 
 
JS^AVAL AFFAIRS, &.C. (^ 
 
 some time they tried each other's skill in naval ma- 
 ii(»uvring; but the Guerriere, finding that nothin,!^ 
 was to be gained in this way, poured out Tier broad- 
 sides. Great was her wonder to find them not re- 
 turned. Perhaps the Yankies were panic struck, or 
 were not acquainted with the use of tlieir guns. Se- 
 veral of Hull's brave fellows had fallen, still tlic 
 enemy's fire was not returned. The souls of the 
 American crew^ were fire ; still they patici>tly waited 
 the orders of their commandci*. That moment, 
 pi'egnant with so much glory to themselves and to 
 their country, came at last. Sailing-master Aylwin 
 had admirably seconded the views of the comman- 
 der, and orders were given to fire, broadside after 
 broadside, in quick succession. The work was 
 done as if by the thunderbolts of Jove. In fifteen 
 minutes, the proud frigate was a wreck ; iji fifteen 
 more, her flag came down, and the vessel was on 
 tlie point of sinking. " Free trade and sciilofs 
 righiSf''' triumphed over the tyrants of the seas. 
 
 Great was the dispropoi-tion between the killed • 
 and the wounded of the adverse frigates. The i\ 
 Guerriere had fifteen killed and sixty wounded : a 
 the Constitution, seven killed and seven w^ounded.i. 
 One hour after, the American would have beenr- 
 ready to try tlie fortune of arms with another Ei^.g- 
 lishman. The deportment of the Americans to their 
 prisoners, was the most generous and humane. 
 
36 niSTOKY OF THE WAK. 
 
 The prize was burnt and blown up, it being utterly 
 impossible to bring her in. After making a few 
 captures, the Constitution returned on the twenty- 
 second of September. 
 
 1 he news of this glorious affair, #pread on the 
 wings of the wind, over the surface of our country. 
 Full, indeed, was our recompense for past misfor- 
 tunes. All the circunf^stances of this unparalleled 
 combat were of the most pleasing kind. As some 
 reward for this signal service to his country, Hull 
 was presented with the freedom of all the cities 
 through which he passed on his way to the seat of 
 goTernment, and on the meeting of Congress, a li- 
 beral allowance was made to himself and his crew, 
 in consequence of his inability to bring the enemy's 
 ship into port. 
 
 From this time to the close of the war, the Ame- 
 rican newspapers* were filled with accounts of naval 
 exploits, pertormed both in private and public armed 
 vessels. Captain Porter, in the Essex, in a daring 
 manner cut out a brig from a convoy, and found on 
 board fourteen thousand dollars in specie, and one 
 hundred and fifty soldiers. He afterwards captur- 
 ed the Alert, ( a iiich was in search of the Hornet,) 
 and was on the point of engaging a frigate, w])en he 
 was sepai'ated hy the approach Of night, but in the 
 morning she had disappeared. 
 
KAVAL AFFAIRS, &C, 67 
 
 The President sailed again in October, and cap- 
 tured the British packet Swallow, with two hundred 
 thousand dollars on board. The Argus, which 
 parted from the squadron, was also fortunate. She 
 captured several valuable prizes, and after various 
 narrow escapes, arrived at last in safety at New- 
 York. 
 
 The gallant commodore Decatur, in the frigate 
 United States, added another laurel to those wiiich 
 already graced his brow. On the twenty-fiftli of 
 October, he fell in with the Macedonian, captain 
 Garden, a British frigate of the largest class. The 
 engagement lasted two hours, in consequence of the 
 roughness of the seas. The lire Of the American 
 was so remarkable, that the enemy at one moment, 
 thought her on fire. Lieutenants Funk and Allen, 
 were highly distinguished in this affair ; the former 
 unhappily received a mortal wound. The commo- 
 dore safely reached New- York with his prize, and 
 was received with the applause of his country. 
 
 The national illuminations had scarcely been ex- 
 tinguislied, and the sound of rejoicing ceased, when 
 another naval victory was announced, won after a 
 shortj but to the enemy a most sanguinary conflict, 
 which served to place the American naval superior- 
 ity beyond all doubt. Captain Jones, of the Wasp, 
 a sloop of war, fell in with the Frolic, twenty-two 
 captain Whinyates. The superiority was somewhat 
 
58 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 
 
 on the side of the Briton. At first tlie chances ap- 
 peared in his favor ; the rigging of the Wasp had 
 suffered in a gale the day hefore, and the roughness 
 of the water prevented the Americans from bring- 
 ing their guns to bear with their usual effect. The 
 engagement lasted nearly an hour ; tlie vessels gra- 
 dually nearing each other, until the rammers touch- 
 ed their sides. The Frolic was at length taken by 
 boarding. In forty minutes after they came to close 
 quarters, the Americans were in possession of the 
 Frolic. Her decks exlxibited a most shocking spec- 
 tacle; her rigging had been completely cut up, and 
 both decks were strewed with the dead and wound- 
 ed. The Americans, on this occasion, displayed 
 their characteristic humanity. The loss on board 
 the Frolic, was thirty killed and fifty wounded; 
 that of the Wasp was only five killed and five 
 wounded. Both these vessels were some days after- 
 wards captured by the Poictiers, seventy-four, cap- 
 tain Beresford. 
 
 Never was any war so w^onderfuUy successful, as 
 that waged against the Goliah's of the ocean. The 
 first year of the war was a continued series of naval 
 victories. In a few months, the enemy lost upwards 
 of two hundred and fifty merchant vessels, two of 
 her frigates, and several smaller public vessels, 
 while they had nothing to place in the opposite scale. 
 In Great Britain, these marvellous deeds, at first 
 
NAVAL ArFAIRS, &€. §9 
 
 disbelieved, soon produced a deep cliagrin, and even 
 dismay. The main pillar of Iier strength was torn 
 ,away. Unwilling to acknowledge the superiority 
 of the new enemy, she souglit to deceive herself by 
 idle estimates of the comparative force, and by the 
 invention of fancied mishaps ; had we lived in an 
 age of superstition, it would all have been attributed 
 to magic. Her evasions reminded us of the gri-;- 
 mace and ingenious paradox of the knight of the 
 rueful countenance. 
 
 On the Lakes, those vast interior seas, whose 
 borders are destined to become the joyful residence 
 of millions of our fellow creatures, there appeared 
 to be an approaching naval struggle. The first na- 
 val occurrence of any importance, terminated most 
 happy for this country. The Caledonia, and the 
 brig Adams, loaded with furs, had come down the 
 lake early in October, and anchored under the guns 
 of the British fort. Lieutenant Elliot, of the navy, 
 who had some short time before arrived with a num- 
 ber of our brave tars, in order to provide a naval 
 force, early in the morning slipped down with some 
 of his gallant fellows, boarded and carried the two 
 vessels. In ten minutes afterwards, he was under 
 \vay, but the Adams unfortunately ran aground be- 
 fore he could secure her ; the other, however, was 
 safely brought off, and w as found to have on board, 
 two hundred thousand dollars worth of furs. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 Baiile of ^neensiown — General Smyth assumes the, 
 command — Colonel Fike''s incursion. 
 
 During tlie summer and autumn, a considerable 
 force was collected along the Niagara, consisting of 
 regulars and militia, occupyiiig the best position for 
 following up the blow to be struck by Hull, The 
 spirit of the nation had recovered from the mortify- 
 ing occurrence already detailed, while the success 
 of our navy had awakened in the breast of every 
 American, an ardent wish to restore the honor of 
 the country. An incident which occurred in this 
 quarter, kindled this ardor to its utmost height; this 
 was, the capture of the British vessels on the lake, 
 which we have related in the last chapter. The 
 American forces now commanded by general Van 
 Rensselaer, besought him to lead tliem against the 
 enemy. Unwilling to damj) their ardor, and at the 
 same time fiattering liimselt' with the hope of being 
 able to seize the opposite shore, and by that means 
 
BATTLE OF Q,UEENSTOWN, &C. 41 
 
 intercept the communication of the enemy above, as 
 well as with the lower provinces, materially assist 
 the forces of the west about to rally and expel the 
 invaders of our territory. 
 
 Accordingly, on the twelfth of October, the corps 
 composins; the van of the invading army, consisting 
 of three iiundred men, under colonel Van Rensse- 
 laer and colonel Christie, with about the same num- 
 ber of regulars, a detachment of infantry under ma- 
 jor Mulany, and the artillery of col. Fenwick, made 
 good their landing in the face of the enemy's batte- 
 ries, and rapidly storming the heights, possessed 
 themselves completely of the Canada shore. The 
 troops of Buffalo and Lewistown, had been marched 
 for the purpose of crossing over, when tiiis could be 
 effected, in order to secure what should be gained. 
 Colonel Van Rensselaer was severely wounded, al- 
 most as soon as he had landed ; but with undaunted 
 firmness, he still continued to give orders. About 
 the time of crossing, they were joined by colonel 
 Scott, who had made a rapid march with his artil- 
 lery, in order to share the honors of the day. The 
 British were driven in all directions, but soon after 
 returned, with large reinforcements of regulars and 
 Indians, led by general Brock in person, nearly 
 three times the numbers of the Americans. This 
 additional force was fiercely withstood, and coni- 
 
 pelled to retire with disgrace* The British gene- 
 
 4* 
 
4£ HISTOBY OF THE WAR. 
 
 ral, mortified at the conduct of his troops, led them 
 a second time to the charge ; but while in the act 
 of urging them on, he fell, mortally wounded ; and 
 they once more gave way. It was now four o'clock, 
 three times had the foe been routed; all that was 
 requisite to complete the business of the day, was 
 for the volunteers on the opposite shore^to cross 
 over, and reap the laurels which had been won. 
 The general crossed over for this purpose, but what 
 pen can describe the vexation which filled his heart, 
 when he found tliat they had constitutmial objections 
 to crossing the straight ! no persuasions could pre- 
 vail on them. Alas ! alas ! how unaccountable are 
 the actions of men. On one page of this affair, 
 Americans will dwell with delight, from the next 
 they will turn with disgust. The regulars and vo- 
 lunteers on the Canada side, waited in vain for the 
 aid of their comrades. The clouds of war were 
 once more gathering around them. The enemy re^ 
 turned to the combat, goaded by shame, by rage, 
 and by the hope of subduing numbers so inferior. 
 For an hour, the fight raged with unexampled fury | 
 a few of the Americans attempted a retreat to their 
 own shore, but the greater part were at last compel- 
 ed to yield to overflowing numbei»s. 
 
 A number of American officers were highly dis- 
 tinguished. General Wadsworth, of the volunteers, 
 colonels Yan Rensselaer, Christie a»d Scott, were 
 
BATTLE OP qUEENSTOWN, &C. 43 
 
 much applauded ; as also captains Wool, Gibson, 
 Ogilvie, Armstrong, and many others. About sixty 
 were killed, one hundred wounded, and about a 
 thousand taken prisoners. The British forty-ninth, 
 called the " Invincibles," formed a part of their 
 force. The loss of the enemy was very considera- 
 ble in killed and wounded. 
 
 On the fall of general Brock, general Sheaffe suc- 
 ceeded to the command. In many things he was 
 wanting, in the regard to tlie duties of humanity, 
 which might have been expected from a generous 
 enemy. He imposed no restraint upon the savages, 
 who were permitted to practice their horrid treat- 
 ment to the dead and wounded. During the funeral 
 of general Brock, minute guns were iir^d from the 
 American fort, as a testimony of respect for the 
 character of a brave enemy. 
 
 It was a most unfortunate circumstance, that the 
 Americans failed in their attempt on the Canada 
 shore. It became afterwards the glorious theatre 
 of American valor; but had we obtained possession, 
 the troops would have been well housed for the win- 
 ter, and the spring campaign would have opened 
 with results very different from those which fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 In the course of this party coloured day, a can- 
 nonade was kept up from the forts and batteries on 
 the opposite sides of the water. Considerable exc- 
 
44 HisTo:aY ojf the v>ae. 
 
 .cution was done by tlie x\mericans, with compara- 
 tively trifling injury by the enemy. 
 
 The command of tliis force was soon after re- 
 si,s:ned to general Smyth, of the United States' ar- 
 my, an officer who stood Iiigh as a tactitian, but who 
 had not shown himself in the field. Desirous of con- 
 trasting his talents with those of his predecessor, he 
 set about making preparations for a more success- 
 ful invasion of the Canada shore, before the close of 
 the season, although it was now far advanced. On 
 examining the ground, he fancied that the failure of 
 the former attempt was to be attributed to the inju- 
 dicious selection of the place of landing. He first 
 issued a proclamation, calling on volunteers from all 
 quarters ; and on the seventeenth of November, aii- 
 Rounced to the army of the centre, his intention of 
 crossing into Canada. It was not, howevei', until 
 the twenty-eighth of November, that all things were 
 prepared for the intended enterprize. Two detach- 
 xnents, one under colonel Winder, and the other un- 
 der colonel Boestler, were to cross before day, to 
 seize the batteries, and keep them until the main 
 body should pass the river. At three o'clock they 
 got under weigh, in ten boats, but on approaching 
 the shore, they found the enemy apprised, and ac- 
 tually opened a fire the whole length of their batte- 
 ries. The greater part of the invading force was 
 compelled to put back, having been carried down by 
 
BATTLE OF qrEENSTOWN, &C. 45 
 
 the current, which is here exceedingly rapidi Two 
 small detachments alone effected a landing, one un- 
 der colonel Boestler, the other nnder captain King, 
 at distant points from each other ; but making a 
 bold assault, and at- the same time raising a shout, 
 the British were induced to believe that the inter- 
 mediate space was occupied by the whole American 
 army, and fled precipitately from their posts, leav- 
 ing all the batteries undefended. The boats which 
 returned to the American side, by their report pro- 
 duced a suspense in the mind of the general, in con- 
 sequence of his ignorance of tlie fate of the handful 
 of men who had effected their landing. Two thou- 
 sand men, who were embarked, waited impatiently 
 for orders to move, but the commander still hesitat- 
 ed what to do. An equal number paraded on the 
 shore, in readiness to proceed as a reserve. In the 
 mean time day began to dawn, and the enemy hav- 
 ing rallied his force, was greatly astonished to find 
 the invading force scarcely exceeded thirty men, 
 who were made prisoners of war. The British 
 fwrce thus collected, were less than five hundred 
 men, but concealing themselves in the woods, and 
 winding their bugles lustily, induced a belief that 
 their . numbers were very great. General Smyth 
 concluded, that any further prosecution of this inva- 
 sion would be useless, therefore announced its aban- 
 donment, greatly to the dissatisfaction of his troops. 
 
46 HISTORY or THE WAR. 
 
 who were, on this occasion, earnestly desirous of 
 wiping away the stain of the former disgrace. It 
 was with difficulty that he could calm their minds 
 by declaring his intention of making a more effec- 
 tual attempt. 
 
 On the Tuesday following, the troops were actu- 
 ally embarked, and general Porter, who was to lead 
 tlie van, anxiously waited the orders to proceed. 
 Every thing promised success, as far as depended 
 on the good conduct of the troops. Suddenly, to the 
 astonishment of the whole army, orders were issued 
 by the general, announcing his intention of renounc- 
 ing the invasion for the season, and to retire into 
 winter quarters. The discontent of the American 
 volunteers, thus disappointed, was not confined to 
 murmurs ; many threatened the life of the general, 
 \vho Vvas compelled to place a guard near his per- 
 son for his safety. 
 
 The general, after endeavouring to establish his 
 courage and prudence, by challenging general Por- 
 ter, of the New-York volunteers, thought proper to 
 letire from the command. He withdrew to his seat 
 in Virginia, where he was permitted to remain 
 quietly during the war. 
 
 The forces collected on the St. Lawrence, with the 
 exception of some slight skirmishes, did little worthy 
 of being recorded. On the nineteenth of October, 
 colonel Pike, a promising and rising ofiicer, already 
 
MATTIE or qUEENSTOWN, &C. 47 
 
 highly esteemed as an enterprising and chivalrous 
 soldier, made an incul'Sion into Canada, defeated a 
 body of British and Indians, destroyed ^a block- 
 house, and returned with only five men wounded. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Affairs of the West — Movements of Gen. Harrison. 
 
 We return to the affairs of the west, after *tne 
 melancholy surrender of Hull. Nearer the scene of 
 action, the western states were more deeply cha- 
 grined, than other parts of the union. Many of 
 their citizens had heen compelled to share in the 
 hurthen of the heavy disgrace. In the re-action of 
 the public feelings, an enthusiastic spirit was en- 
 kindled, and the desire of regaining the conquered 
 territory, and of avenging the insult, universally 
 prevailed. At Louisville, and Newport, large bo- 
 dies of volunteers were continually collecting ; in j 
 the state of Ohio, at several points, a similar alac- ; 
 rity had collected large bodies of private citizens, v 
 who had suddenly taken up arms. Indeed, the 1 
 numbers flocking to the places of rendezvous, ren- 
 dered it necessary that orders should be issued to 
 prevent the assemblage of troops, so far exceeding 
 
AFFAIRS 05" THE WEST, ^C. 49 
 
 the necessities of the occasion ; whole companies 
 were dismissed as supernumerary. 
 
 General Hai-rison, tiie most popular military man 
 to tlie westward, was called to the command of the 
 volunteers, and such of I'egulars as had heen col- 
 lected. This took place in September. His first step 
 after organizing his force, and distributing it to the 
 most impoi-tant points, was to relieve the frontier 
 posts, now in great danger, and to send detachments 
 in various directions into the Indian country.' One 
 of these, fort Harrison, situated on the Wabash, bad 
 fceen in the mean time attacked by a large body of 
 Indians in the night ; tlic situation of the besieged 
 w^as at one moment desperate, in consequence of the 
 wooden barracks within the picketing having been 
 set on fire^ nothing but tlie admirable coolness of 
 the commanding officer, captain Taylor, preserved 
 the lives of the unfortunate soldiers from Indian 
 massacre. For his good conduct, captain Taylor 
 was promoted to a majority. 
 
 Several expeditions, on a respectable scale, were 
 conducted by general Hopkins and Tupper, and by 
 colonels Canipbell and Russell. By these, all tlie 
 forts were relieved, and the Indian villages laid in 
 ashes, by which these relentless enemiee were driven 
 to the distant British trading establishments for 
 subsistence, and gave security to tlie frontier set- 
 tlers. 
 
50 HISTORY or THE WAR. 
 
 Having completed these military operations, ge- 
 neral Harrison left fort Winchester, at which the 
 principal force was stationed, in order to superin- 
 tend the equipment and march of the volunteers, 
 destined to replace those whose services had ex- 
 pired, and for the purpose of bringing up the forces 
 destined in the spring to operate against the enemy 
 at Detroit. General Winchester was left in com- 
 mand of about a thousand, chiefly volunteers from 
 Kentucky, and consisting of young men of aidenl 
 and generous feeling. It was not long after the de- 
 parture of general Harrison, before tlie arrival of a 
 deputation from the village of Frcnchtown, situated 
 on the river Raisin, between the Miami aijd Detroit, 
 soliciting the protection of their countrymen, from 
 the Indians who had threatened to destroy them, 
 and to prevent, if possibl*^., the occupation of their 
 village by the combined forces of the enemy, as w as 
 contemplated. The general, at the earnest solicita- 
 tions of the volunteers, was prevailed upon to con- 
 sent to their marching to the relief of the unfortu- 
 nate people. Colonel Lewis, at tlie head of a^out 
 five hundred men, the greater part Kentucky ^ olan- 
 tcers, with two companies of regulars, reached the 
 Kai^"« nn the eighteenth of January, eighteen liuu- 
 dred and thirteen, and finding the enemy str auj^ly 
 picketed, boldly crossed the river on the icc, and 
 after a warm action, drove them in every direction. 
 
AFFAIRS OF THE AYE ST, &C. 5 I 
 
 Being master of the ground, he encamped within a 
 line of pickets, which would contribute to render 
 his position defencible, in case of an attack by a 
 larger body. 
 
 General Harrison, about this time arriving at 
 fort Winchester with some reinforcements, was 
 much chagrined to find this deviation from his plan 
 of operations. To remedy this false step as far as 
 lay in his power, lie dispatched general Winchester 
 to take the command, at the head of an additional 
 force of two hundred men. This increased the main 
 body to seven hundred and fifty. The additional 
 force encamped on the outside of the pickets before 
 mentioned. At day -light on the twenty-second, this 
 force was suddenly attacked by two thousand Bri- 
 tish and Indians; those on the outside of the 
 pickets, were soon overpow^ered by numbers, and 
 Avcrc all either killed, or fell into the hands of the 
 ruthless savages. General Wiiu hester and colonel 
 Lewis, who happened to be with this body, were 
 made jirisoners about the same time. Those within 
 the pickets, about five hundred in number, continued 
 the resistance until near ekven o'clock, having re- 
 peatedly repelled the assailaiits in their attempt 
 upon tlie stockade. Finding tliat their arms could 
 make no impression on this band of heroes, the ene- 
 my resorted to tlic aits of persuasion ; a flag was 
 sent, promises of protection were held forth; they 
 
52 HISTi)RY QT THE WAK. ' 
 
 expressly agreed to ^preserve to the officers their 
 side arms ; tc*' all this were added the entreaties of 
 general Winchester, who feared that these brave 
 men would all be sucrificed to the fury of the savage 
 enemy. They were at last prevailed upon to lay 
 down their arms. 
 
 The historian would gladly cast the veil of obli- 
 vion over the scenes which now ensued. The sava- 
 ges soon commenc-id their deeds of horror; the 
 dead were deprived of their r'vi) lr;i : o iiy of tit 
 w^oimded toinahaw ked :in ' robbed ; the living were 
 exposed to every species of contumely and torture. 
 The conduct of the British commander, general 
 Proctor, has stamped his i?ame with iiil'amy that 
 will last to remotest ages. Many of tlie prisoners 
 were carried aw^ay by the Indians, -some of them 
 were burnt with horrible torments, and others re- 
 tained in slavery, to be afterwards carried about 
 like beasts, and sold in the streets of Detroit. The 
 most tragical part of this shocking affair, was the 
 burning upwards of sixty of the unhappy wounded, 
 who had been left in the houses of the inhabitants ; 
 these houses w'crc left without any guard of British 
 regulars, and the day after the battle, a paily of In- 
 dians returned and sat fire to them. The fate of 
 captain Hart, an aecomplislied young gentleman of 
 Kentucky, was peculiarly distressing; col. Elliot, 
 of the British army, who had been his classmate ?t 
 
AirAIKS 01" THE WEST, &C. 53 
 
 Princeton, voluntarily tendered him his protection, 
 and promised to return with the means of convey- 
 ance to a place of safety, where his wound might be 
 attended to. This he never did. Captain Hart 
 prevailed on two Indians for a sum of money to take 
 him to Detroit; they had proceeded with him hut 
 a short distance, when with the cruelty and fickle- 
 ness of savages, they pulled him from his horse, and 
 wreaked their vengeance upon the defenceless pri- 
 soner. Oh ! Britain, what heart couldst thou have 
 possessed, to have permitted a fellowship in thy 
 wars with such bloody fiends ! Two hundred of the 
 dead were suffered to lie on the ground ; no funeral 
 rights were permitted to be paid them. Humanity 
 must ever weep over this melancholy picture. 
 
 A.mong the slain, or barbarously murdered, were 
 col. Allen, captains Hickman, Simpson, (a member 
 of Congress,) Mead, Edwards, Price, M'Cracken, 
 and many others of the choicest sons of Kentucky. 
 
 .^# 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ^Meeting of Congress — Proposed Armistice — Capture 
 oj the Java — Operations on the Lakes — Siege of 
 Fort Meigs. 
 
 Shortly after the commencement of the war, a 
 proposition for a cessation of hostilities, was made 
 by the governor of Canada, information having 
 reached him of the repeal of the orders in council. 
 This proposition being vague and informal, was at 
 once rejected. It was followed by one more specific, 
 on the part of admiral Warren, who came to take 
 command of the station ; he demanded as a preli- 
 minary to every other step, that the United States 
 should throw down their arms, as having been the 
 aggressors. This insolent demand was instantly 
 refused. In fact, we had no confidence in the mo- 
 mentary repeal of the orders in council ; nothing 
 but a repeal of the wicked temper of the enemy 
 could give us security. To prove, however, to the 
 world, that we were notbeliind our cneDiy in a wish 
 
MEETING OF CONGHESS, &C. 55 
 
 to put an end to the horroi-s of war, the American 
 charge d'afFairs in London, was instructed to make 
 formal proposals for settling all disputes on fair 
 terms, and in the mean time, to agree to an armis- 
 tice pending the negociation. They were not re- 
 ceived. 
 
 On the meeting of Congress, the aspect of affairs 
 Avas such as to call for the most active and vigorous 
 preparations for carrying on tlie war. A loan was 
 authorized; an additional numher of tro»)ps were to 
 he enlisted ; and all the necessary provisions for a 
 serious conflict were made. The President called 
 upon the national legislature, to meet the coming 
 storm with firmness hecoming the representatives 
 of a free and magnanimous people. 
 
 Captain Chauncey, of the navy, was sent to lake 
 Ontario, to organize a naval force. So rapid were 
 his operations, that before winter set in, he had 
 gained the ascendancy on the lake ; had captured a 
 Britisli vessel, and driven their fleet to take shelter 
 in the harbor of Kingston. 
 
 While Congress was engaged in these affairs^ 
 news arrived of a third victory obtained over a Bri- 
 tish frigate. On the twenty-ninth of December, at 
 two o'clock, p. M. the Constitution, captain Bain- 
 bridge, fell in with and captured the British frigate 
 Java, of fifty guns, and upwards of four hundred 
 nien, commanded by captain Lambert, a distin- 
 
00 HISTOKT or THE WAE. 
 
 giiislicd ofiicer. The action lasted about one hour 
 and an half, during which time the enemy was com- 
 pletely dismasted, and their commander mortally 
 w ounded. On board were general Hislop, destined 
 to the command of Bombay, together with several 
 other officers of distinction. Tlie prize could not 
 be brought in, having been reduced to a perfect 
 wreck. The victor reached Boston in February^ 
 and received the same honors as were uniformly 
 paid to our naval commanders. 
 
 The rejoicings for this happy occurrence were 
 not a little damped by intelligence of the critical 
 situation of general Harrison. This officer finding 
 his force much weakened by the loss of numbers as 
 well as of the aid and council of so many able offi- 
 cers and intelligent men, deemed it prudent to en- 
 trench himself near the Miami. He constructed 
 hastily a stockade, which he called fort Meigs, in 
 honor of the active and patriotic governor of Ohio, 
 who had exerted himself in the most laudable man- 
 ner to further the preparations on foot. His rude 
 fortifications were still incomplete, when the enemy 
 consisting of a combined force of British and In- 
 dians under general Proctor, made its appearance. 
 The fort was manned with about a thousand men^ 
 chiefly volunteers, was closely invested by more 
 than double the number. A fire was mutually kept 
 up each day for some time, when a messenger in- 
 
MEETING or CONGRESS, kc, 57 
 
 formed tlie American commander of the approach of 
 twelve hundred men, inider general Clay. A well 
 planned sortie, in oonjuiicticn willj the reinforce- 
 ment, was resjoivcd upon. Colonel Dudley, de- 
 scending the Miami at the head of a detachment in 
 pursuance of the preconcerted plan, suddenly landed 
 on the left bank of the river, assailed the British 
 batteries, and completely drove them the field ; un- 
 fortunately, however, the impetuosity of his troops 
 could not be checked; they persisted in pursuing 
 the enemy, until they reached a wood, where they 
 were suddenly surrounded, and the greater part cut 
 to pieces or made prisoners. The colonel, Who had 
 endeavoured to. make good his retreat to the boats, 
 was slain in the. struggle. On the opposite side, the 
 sortie on the British works w^as completely success- 
 ful. Colonel Miller, of the gallant fourth, ^vho was 
 chosen for this purpose, drove the besiegers from all 
 their works. On that side also, the ungovernable, 
 headlong daring of the Kentuckians, was near being 
 ruinous to them ; they were only saved by a vigo- 
 rous charge of the horse, which covered their re- 
 treat. Among the distinguished officers of tlse day, 
 we find the names of major Alexander, captains 
 Croghan, Bradford, Nearing, Sabrie, and lieu- 
 tenants Campbell and Gwynn. 
 
 This put an end to the siege of fort Meigs. Du~ 
 ring the siege, which lasted thirteen days, the Ame : 
 
58 HISTORY or THE WAK. 
 
 ricaiis lost eighty killed and one binuh-ed and fifty 
 wounded, besides those who fell a sacrifice to tlie 
 fury of the savages under Dudley. Had the enemy 
 been successful, the most disastrous coiisi-qiicnces 
 would have followed. The wliole frontier was tluis 
 placed in a state of security, from the murderous 
 incursions of the savages. 
 
CHAPTER Vin. 
 
 Capture of the Peacock — Other JYaval affairs. 
 
 The naval incidents of the second year of the 
 war, with one oi* two exceptions, were of the same 
 brilliant character as the first. Tlie opening of the 
 year, was sii^nalizsd by the capture of the Teacock^ 
 by the Hornet, captain Lawreiice. This vessel had 
 been left by conin^.odore Bainbridge, shortly before 
 his captiirc of the Java, to blockade the Bonne Ci- 
 toyenne, a British vessel then in the port of Salva- 
 dor. The British vessel thought proper to decline 
 the challenge. On the twenty-foitrth of January, 
 the Montague, seventy-four, hove in sight, on which 
 the Hornet was compelled to raise the siege. 
 
 The Hornet, by this occurrence, was compelled 
 to strike out a new course. On the twenty -thiid of 
 February, she discovered the English brig lying at 
 anchor near the Carabona banks; captain Law- 
 rence stood for her, but while in the act of beating 
 round, for the purpose of coming up, anotlier vessel 
 
60 HISTORY or THE WAR. 
 
 of war was esyiied making towards tlje Hornet. 
 Tliis proved to be a large man of war brig, the 
 Peacock, captain Peake, It was not long before 
 they were both engaged. In fifteen minutes, the 
 Peacock could with difficulty be kept from sinking; 
 she hung out signals of distress at the same moment 
 that she hauled down lier flag. The generous Law- 
 rence immediately dispatched his boats to assist in 
 saving the vanquished crew : every possible effort 
 was made, but in spite of all they could do, slie w ent 
 to the bottom, carrying down three American sea- 
 men, and five of her ow n. The officers and crew 
 having been deprived of their clothing, were sup- 
 plied by the Americans, who shared with them like 
 brothers. The injury of the Hornet was very 
 slight. '' 
 
 The British, morticed beyond measure at the re- 
 peated defeats which tliey had experienced, found it 
 necessary seriously to devise some mode of retriv- 
 ing their credit. Several frigates were fitted out 
 in the best possible manner, with picked crews. 
 Marksmen, in imitation, as they pretended, of the 
 Americans, were stationed in the tops, and the ar- 
 tillerists were trained with peculiar attention. The 
 numbers of the crew s were increased for the pur- 
 pose of boarding ; in fine, nothing was left undone 
 tliat might enable them to cope with the formidable 
 Americans. 
 
CAPTUHE or THE PEACOCK, &C. 61 
 
 Captain Lawrence returned in April, and after 
 experiencing every mark of honor, which his 
 country could bestow, was appointed to the com- 
 mand of the Chesapeake, at Boston ; the unfortu- 
 nate vessel which had before the war received so 
 great an insult from the British. The Shannon 
 and Tenedos, were atthis time cruizing off the har- 
 bour, and sending challenges to the American com- 
 manders of frigates. Lawrence unfortunately ne» 
 \:€r received any of them, and was not aware that 
 he had to contend with an enemy specially pre- 
 pared : hut perceiving a British Vessel casting defi- 
 ance as it were in his teeth, by parading in full 
 view of him, he burned to sally foith and try the 
 fortune of his arms. The Chesapeake was under- 
 going some repairs, the greater part of her cre^\f 
 had been discharged, new hands were to be enlisted, 
 and many of the most important equipments to bei 
 made. His impatience hurried every tiling for- ' 
 ward ; no moment was to be lost. On the first of 
 June he moved out, and the Shannon, capt. Broke, 
 espying him, manifested no wish to avoid the con-». 
 test. Lawrence harangued his crew, when to his, 
 inexpressible mortification, he found them sullen, 
 and mutinous ; he endeavoured to conciliate them, 
 and arouse within their breasts, a spirit worthy of 
 the occasion. But in vain, as became too soon evi- 
 dent. After some maneeuvring they came to ciose 
 
62 HISTOHY OF THE WAR. 
 
 quarters, and at first the advantage was evidently in 
 favor of the Chesapeake; the fortune of the day- 
 soon hegan to turn, in consequence of the great de- 
 struction among the American ofiicers. Sailing 
 master White, was killed; lieiiten ant Ballard, mor- 
 tally wounded ; lieutenant Brown, of the marines, 
 severely, as also the first lieutenant, Ludlow. Cap- 
 tain Lawrence, although severely wounded, still re- 
 mained on deck, giving his orders with coolness, as 
 he leaned upon the companion way. He was giving 
 orders for the boarders to come np, when he receiv- 
 ed a ball in his body, on which he was carried be- 
 low, exclaiming to his companions, as they carried 
 him off, " DonH give up the ship,'' which words have 
 become the motto of American seamen. Captain 
 Broke, finding that his vessel had received great in- 
 jury, and was then almost in a sinking condition, 
 determined to board. The Chesapeake having 
 been disabled in her rigging, she had fallen, to use 
 the seamen's phrase, on board the Shannon. The 
 British commander leaped on deck at the liead of 
 about twenty men, and was soon followed by a suffi- 
 cient number of his crew, to accomplish the object 
 in view. A short but desperate struggle ensued. 
 The loss of officers on the part of the Americans, 
 and the dastardly conduct of the boatswain, who 
 had skulked, instead of calling up the boarders, 
 gave the decided advantage to the enemy. The ac- 
 
CAPTTJItE OF THE PEACOCK, &C. 63 
 
 ■^on in a short time terminated in the capture of the 
 Chesapeake. Nearly all the officers on hoard this 
 ill-fated ship, were either killed or wounded, hesides 
 seventy of her crew killed, and eighty wounded. 
 On the part of the enemy there were twenty -three 
 killed and fifty-six wounded. The conduct of the 
 British was not so conspicuous for magnanimity to 
 the vanquished,^ as would have been wislied, with 
 the exception of the honorable interment of the 
 naval heroes Lawrence and Ludlow, on their arri- 
 val at Halifax. 
 
 The rcvjoicings in England for this victory, were 
 scarcely more extravagant than those of Nelson^, 
 and of their most distinguished admirals. The cap- 
 ture of one American frigate appeared io them a 
 greater exploit, than the capture of a French or 
 Spanish fleet. For a time, the tide of fortune seem- 
 ed to be in favor of Britain. The Argus, early in 
 June, after having carried out the American mi- 
 nister to France, went to cruize in the British chan- 
 nel, where she committed so mucli havoc, that tM 
 British government found it necessary to fit out 
 ships on purpose to encounter this dangerous enemy. 
 .By one of these, (the Pelican,) she was discovered 
 at night by a ship on fire. Captain Allen fell at 
 the first fire, and Ids lieutenant soon after. The 
 wheel being unfortunately shot away, she was ex- 
 pos?d to raking. In tliis situation she withstood the 
 
64 HISTORY OE THE WAR. 
 
 enemy's fire some time, but was at last compelletl t© 
 surrender, after forty-seven minutes close fighting. 
 Tliis was tlie last victory fairly obtained by Britain. 
 
 Early in July, letters were received from commo- 
 dore Porter, who, it seems, had sailed round Cape 
 Horn, fw the purpose of cutting up the English 
 trade, and destroying the English trade in the south 
 seas. In this, he met with astonishing success ; he 
 captured nine of the enemy's ships, the greater part 
 of which were armed ; and distributing some of his 
 men on board these ships, he made out to form a 
 respectable fleet, with which he soon became master 
 of the Pacific ocean. 
 
 In the Atlantic, victory once more returned to the 
 side of justice. On the first of September, the brig 
 Enterprize, capt. Burrows, fell in with the Boxer, 
 captain Blythe. The action lasted but little more 
 than thirty minutes. When the Englishman was so 
 loughly handled, that he cried for quarters, as they 
 were unable to haul down the colors, having used 
 the precaution to make sure of their courage, by 
 nailing it to the mast. Both the commanders were 
 killed. Captain Burrows refused to be carried be- 
 low, and when the sword of his adversary was pre- 
 sented to him, he pressed it to his breast and ex- 
 claimed, " / die contented,^^ 
 
 Commodore Rodgers, on the twenty-sixth of Sep- 
 tember, arrived after a cruize of great length, hav- 
 
CAPTURE OF THE PEACOCK, &C. Go 
 
 ing looked at every country on the Atlantic, and cir- 
 cumnavigated the British islands, without molesta- 
 tion from the thousand ships of Great Britain. Off 
 the American coast, he captured a small vessel, the 
 Highflyer, with admiral Warren's private signals, 
 by which he was enabled to escape the British crui- 
 zers. 
 
 The privateers throughout this year, continued to 
 emulate the public vessels, in the boldness and suc- 
 cess of their exploits, and in the correctness of their 
 deportment. The Comet, tlie General Armstrong, 
 and the Decatur, performed a number of acts of the 
 most signal character. The Decatur actually cap- 
 tured the Dominica, a British public vessel of nearly 
 equal force, after a severe engagement. 
 
 6*' 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Russian Mediation — Brilliant events of the War, 
 
 War erttails upon every nation many evils and 
 liiany sufferings ; although it ivS one of tlie conditions 
 of life, there is none who do not prefer tlie smiles of 
 peace, to the flickering brand of discord. It was, 
 therefore, not \\ithv;Tit gladness, that we hailed the 
 first rays of peace, which broke through the clouds, 
 and promised once more, a day of sunshine. The 
 overtures for an armistice, reciprocally made, had 
 entirely failed, when the emperor of Russia inter- 
 posed his good offices as a mediator, desirous of 
 bringing about an amicable adji'.stment of differen- 
 ces. President Madison immediately accepted the 
 proposition, and appointed Messrs. Gallatin, Bay- 
 ard, together with Mr. Adams, the commissioners 
 for the occasion. The two former, as soon as pos- 
 sible embarked for Europe. 
 
 The campaign of 1813, the second year of the 
 war, opened with several biilliaot affairs, which 
 
RUSSIAN MEDIATION, &C* 67 
 
 served to raise the character of our soldiery. Com- 
 modore Chaiiiicey was master of lake Ontario, and 
 sir James Yeo was careful not to shew himself out 
 of Kingston, until the vessels then building would 
 give him the superiority. The commander in chief, 
 general Dearborne, was therefore at liberty to cross 
 to the Canada side witli his troops, in the pursuit of 
 any plan of operations he might adopt. Pike, who 
 had been raised to the rank of a brigadier, full of 
 the most ardent desire of distinction, panted for an 
 opportunity of taking the field. An attack oii 
 York was resolved upon ; the plan and execution 
 WTre resigned to Pike. This place, the capital of 
 Upper Canada, contained vast quantities of military 
 and naval stores, and moreover, a large vessel al- 
 most ready to be launched, which would give the 
 command of the lake to the British. 
 
 On the twenty-fifth of April, two thousand men 
 were embarked on board the American squadron^ 
 and the next day appeared bf^fore York. No time 
 wa,s lost in effecting a landing, at the ruins of the 
 old fort of Toronto, about two miles above the towDo 
 This .was effected under a severe fire from the ene- 
 my, who had been fipprised, and wei*e drawn up at 
 water's edge. Forsythe, with his riflemen, led the 
 van ; but receiA ing a galling fire as he neared the 
 shore, he ordered his boatmen to rest on their oars^ 
 in order to give his marksmen an opportunity of re- 
 
68 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 turning the compliment. This being observed by 
 Pike, w ho was anxiously watching every movement, 
 he leaped into the boat prepared for himself and 
 staff, and ordered the detachment of major King to 
 follow him. He made good his landing, and plac- 
 ing himself at the head of the troops first formed, 
 gallantly charged upon the enemy, and drove them 
 before him. A few moments after, reinforcements 
 arriving, he moved rapidly forward, drove the ene- 
 my from a battery which they had constructed, and 
 then pushed on to another, when the sound of For- 
 sythe's bugles announced victory on his part. As 
 he approached the last battery, it was precipitately 
 abandoned by the enemy. Here his column halted 
 within three hundred yards of the enemy's barracks. 
 "While calmly engaged in conversation with a Bri- 
 tish sei'jeant, a dreadful explosion took place. It 
 was the magazine in which there had been an im- 
 mense quantity of gun-powder. Masses of stone 
 and timber, fell in the midst of the Americans, pro- 
 ducing a dreadful havoc ^ upwards of two hundred 
 were at once killed and wounded. Unsubdued by 
 the horrors of this infernal contrivance, and of this 
 scene of desolation, their ranks were instantly 
 closed, and they rent the air with three loud huzzas^ 
 while the animating tune of Yankee-doodle, cheered 
 even the dying, and caused the wounded to forget 
 their pain } The chivalrous leader, however, was 
 
BUS5IAN MEDIATION, ^C. 69 
 
 here doomed to terminate his short but glorious ca- 
 reer : he received a mortal contusion, but still re- 
 taining enough of life to give words to his gallant 
 spirit, he thus addressed his troops, " Move on, my 
 brave fellows, and revenge tjour generaV He was 
 then carried on board one of the vessels ; the scenes 
 of life were rapidly receding from his view, and 
 his sight growing every moment more dim, when 
 he was somewhat roused by the victorious shout of 
 his men. A moment afterwards, the British fiag 
 was brought to him ; this for an instant kindled up 
 his fading eye, and requesting that the trophy might 
 be placed under his head, he expired in the midst of 
 his glory. 
 
 The American troops, hetided by colonel Pcarce, 
 took possession of all the British works, and were 
 on full march to York, when they were met by a de- 
 putation who offered to surrender. It was agreed 
 that the place, with all tlie public property, and the 
 troops should he surrendered to the Americans. 
 >Yhile the articles of capitulation v/ere under dis- 
 cussion, the British were actually engaged in de- 
 stroying all the public property, while an opportu- 
 nity was given to general Sheaffe to escape, with a 
 considerable portion of his regulars. About three 
 o'clock, possession was taken of the town. The 
 order was strictly obeyed, although there existed 
 cause of much exasperation. In the state-house, a 
 
70 HISTORY OF THE WAH. 
 
 Singular trophy was found over the- speaker's mace; 
 it was no other tlian a human scalp ! On such a fact 
 no commentary is necessary. After this, how could 
 any regard to the laws of honorahle war, be expect- 
 ed from Great Britain ? After this insult to all ci- 
 vilization and humanity ! 
 
 General Dearborne did not assume the command, 
 imtil after possession was taken of the place. Hav- 
 ing taken measures, for securing the captured stores, 
 and the prisoners, who amounted to about eight hun- 
 dred, he ordered tlie place to be evacuated, and soon 
 after re-embarked his troops. Essential service 
 was rendered by commodore Chauncey in covering 
 the landing, and in annoying the enemy's batteries. 
 The American loss in killed and wounded, amount- 
 ed to two hundred and sixty-nine, that of the Bri- 
 tish, to nine hundred and thirty men, including pri- 
 soners,. 
 
 On the return to Sackett's Harbor, preparations 
 were made for the attack on fort George, and the 
 British strong holds on the Niagara, which had been 
 vainly attenipted the year before. AH tilings being 
 made ready, the army embarked on board the fleet, 
 and on the twenty-second of May, sailed on the con- 
 templated enterprize. The landing took place on 
 the twenty-seventh of the same month. Commo- 
 dore Chauncey placed his vessels in the best posi- 
 tion for annoying the batteries and forts of the ene- 
 
RUSSIAN MEDIATION, kc, Ti 
 
 Hciy, while the transports for crpssing the invadiiig 
 army, passed the river. General Dearhorne, at this 
 time in very ill health, issued his orders from liis 
 bed; and the immediate direction of the attack^ 
 was entrusted to general Lewis, the next in com- 
 mand. Generals Chandler, Winder and Boyd, 
 with their respective brigades, advanced to the shore 
 with unshaken firmness, under a heavy fire. The 
 advance under colonels Scott and Forsythe, having 
 effected a landing, and being assisted by the fire 
 from the ships, soon cleared the batteries, )But the 
 British, throwing themselves into a ravine, corn- 
 pletely arrested for a time, tlie progress of the Ame- 
 ricans, After a warm engagement, they were at 
 last compelled to retire, and the whole line of forti- 
 fications was abandoned. As soqn as a sufficient 
 force was formed, they advanced to the assault of, 
 fort George, which they found hastily abandoned, 
 with the flag still flying, which was torn down by 
 colonel Scott and major Hindman, The retreating 
 enemy was pursued some distance, by captajn Rid- 
 dle, a:nd some other active officers. Upwards of 
 five hundred Canadian militia surrendered their 
 arms, and were permitted to depart on parole ; one 
 hundred and eight of the regulars were killed, and 
 two hundred and, seventy-six wounded and taken pri- 
 soners. The loss on our side was thirty-nine killed, 
 €ijid one hundred an^l eleven wounded. The next 
 
- 7-2 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 day, fort Erie and all the remaining British jbrtifi- 
 cations were blown up. 
 
 The British, collecting all their forces, amounting 
 to about thirteen hundred men, retreated towards 
 the head of the lake, at the upper eml of Burlington 
 bay. If closely pursued, they must inevitably fall 
 into the hands of the Americans, and thus would be 
 terminated the contest along the noi'th-western fron- 
 tier. On the first of June, generals Chandler and 
 Winder, were dispatched with nearly double the 
 force, to effect this all-important object. This force 
 advanced to Stoney Greek, where they encamped, 
 m expectation of being able to overtake the enemy 
 the next day. These, finding no hope of escaping 
 but through a night attack, about one o'clock the 
 same night, rushed suddenly upon the main guard, 
 and raising a dreadful shout, ran towards the main 
 body of the Americans, who were lying on their 
 arms, and being roused by this, the twenty-fifth re- 
 giment was instantly formed and gave the enemy the 
 first fire. But the darkness of the night, and the 
 clouds of smoke, rendering it impossible to distin- 
 guish objects, some confusion ensued. A number 
 of tlie British became intermixed with the American 
 artillerists, and the two American generals, \Ahile 
 endeavouring to ascertain the cause, were taken pri- 
 soners. At day-break, the American army was 
 found entire, but the enemy had retreated in great 
 
SrSSIAR- MEBIATICX, &C. 7 3 
 
 disorder^ their s])irits completely broken by this U13- 
 cxpectcd reception, and now giving uj) all for lost. 
 UnfbrtuiiatGiy for ns, no oil: ccr was left in com- 
 mand, whose station was such as to warrant tlic rc- 
 sponsil)ility of pursuing tlic vanquished enemy. 
 Colonel Brown, on a consultation with }iis officers, 
 resolved on a retreat, which was effected ; and the 
 British, under general Vincent, soon after receiving 
 reinforcements, v/ere enabled to maintain their 
 SjTound, 
 
 The absence of commodore Chauncey, ar.d the 
 American forces from Sackett's Harbor, had well 
 nigh given an oppoi'tunity to the British of retaliate 
 ing the captui'c of York. Towards the latter qyA 
 of May, the British squadron, v.ith about twelve 
 hundred men, suddenly appeared before the IlarUor. 
 The alarm was instantly given, and tlie regulars 
 and militia posted in the neighbourhood, liastencd 
 to the aid of those \ii(t to defend the place, which did 
 not amount to one half the number of the assailants. 
 The command was assumed by general Brown, of 
 the militia. The militia under colonel Mills, posted 
 to oppose their landing, after one lire, fled in the 
 most shameful manner, in spite of the efforts of their 
 commander. A more efficient resistance was made 
 by the regulars under colonel Baccus, and major 
 Lavallc and Aspinwali, btit who were comjielled to 
 retreat. In the mean time, general Brown having 
 
'« HISTOIIY OF THE WAR. 
 
 rallied the militia, fellon the enemy's rear, and 
 compelled them to fly with great precipitation^ and 
 utterly discomfited. The American loss was about 
 one hundred and fifty, in killed and wounded ; that 
 of the British, at least double that number. Sir 
 George Pfevost, the goverqor of Canada, retired, 
 leaving his laurels behind him. Had this attack 
 proved successful, the loss to the United States 
 would liave been immense, as this place was the 
 store-house of all tlieir military supplies, both for 
 the naval and land service. A considerable quantity 
 of public stores were unfortunately destroyed by our 
 own officers, under a belief that the enemy had ob- 
 tained possession of the place. 
 
 In the midst of tliese occurrences, which in gene- 
 ral wore so brilliant an appearance, we experienced 
 a severe reverse. General Lewis, who assumed the 
 command after the resignation of general Dear- 
 borne, finding himself infested by several large de- 
 tachments of the enemy, in the neighborhood of 
 fort Geoi'ge, where he had fixed his liead quarters, 
 orders colonel Bosrstler to march with about five 
 hundred men, and disperse one of these, at a place 
 called La Lou\Te house. The colonel had not pro- 
 ceeded half way, when lie was assailed in front and 
 rear by the British and Indians, and was compelled 
 for some time to contend against very superior num- 
 bers. He was at last induced to surrender his whole 
 
EUSSIAJT MEDIATION, &C. ,'5 
 
 force, greatly to tlie cliagTin of the Americans, at 
 bein.!^ thus thrown away to no purpose. But f )r 
 this affair, the opening of the campaign in tliis quar- 
 ter would have been regarded as far transcending 
 our warmest expectations of success. 
 
 About tliis time, tlic Six Nations declared war 
 against tl»e Brltisli, v. ilh a formal proclamation, and 
 entered into an alliance with the United States, sti- 
 pulating, how^ever, to denounce their barbarous usa- 
 ges in battle, which they faithfully kept. 
 
 We now turn our attention for a moment to the 
 westward, and the operations along the fiontier of 
 tlie Ohio. In that quarter a most glorious victory 
 crowned our arms early in the moulh of August. 
 Until that time, fort Meigs had remained unmo- 
 lested, while the Americans waited for the result of 
 the naval war on lake Erie, before the adoption of 
 any ulterior movement. Proctor, desirous of em- 
 barrassing the ])reparationS of Harrison, and of 
 op^'ning the frontier to the inroads of liis allies, the 
 savages, giving them an op])ortunity of murdering 
 the .sleeping babe and helpless female, determined 
 to destroy the difiVnent forts wLich covered the set- 
 tleinc!its. Fort Stephenson, on the Sandusky, was 
 the first selected. To cc>ver liis real intention, he 
 sent Teciiniseh to make a push on fort Meig«^;, while 
 he ap|K^ared oefore fV^i't Si^ilienson, 'uVa] dciiiainied 
 its surrender. The otlicer commanding, was a 
 
r6 IIISTOHY OF THE WAE. 
 
 youth of hventy-onc yeai^ of age, major Crogliaji^ 
 v/iio h'di] alicju^y distinguished bimself at tlic siege 
 of fort Meigs, tic had received orders to abandon 
 this place, on the approach of tlic enemy, but taking 
 all responsibility upon himself, he boldly set the 
 threats of the luigeiierous enciiiy at doHaiice. TIic 
 fort v/as surrounded with pickets, and a ditch about 
 six feet wide. The assailants, consisting of regu- 
 lars and Indians, to the number of eight hundred, 
 commenced the attack with several pieces of artil- 
 lery, v;ita which they attempted to rtiake a breach. 
 But those V. ithiHs secured the point at which the ar- 
 tillery was directed, by placing bags of sand, and 
 even of ilour. They row rerjolved to attempt the 
 place 'hy storai. Color.el Short, vvith a column of 
 three hundred and fii'ty men, taking advantage of 
 the snioke, preser.ted himself at the point before 
 mentioned, and cryii'g out to his men to follow hlmy 
 and to give the d — d Yankies no quarters, landed 
 in the ditch v/ith nearly hali of his men. His pro- 
 gress was sooner arrested than lie coidd have ex- 
 pected, T;ie Americans, who were chiefly young 
 volunteers, had carefully concealed a six pounder, 
 the only one which they possessed, in the bastion 
 which protected that part of the ditch : the match 
 was put to it, and being loaded with slugs and mus- 
 ket balls, instantly cut the savage assailants to 
 pieces 5 not one escaped from the fatal place / a just 
 
KtrSSIAN MEDIATION, &C. 77 
 
 dispensation of Providence, for their wicked inten- 
 tions. The rolling musketry, at the same time, pro- 
 duced great havoc among those who were still on 
 the outside. The assailants lied, pursued hy inde- 
 scribable terror, while the Indians followed, without 
 daring to cast a glance behind. During the night, 
 irregular firing was kept up, while the humane and 
 generous Americans did every thing in their power 
 to relieve the wounded in the ditch. The next 
 morning, the enemy disappeared in haste, leaving 
 behind a considerable quantity of public stores.' The 
 loss of the British, exceeded two hundred : while the 
 Americans was only a few wounded, and that while 
 engaged in offering relief to the sufferers. 
 
 Croghan and hia brave comrades, captain Hunter, 
 lieutenants Johnson, Baylor, Meeks and Anthony^ 
 were hailed with the loudest plaudits of their conn- 
 try. The first received the brevet rank of lieute- 
 nant-colonel in the regular service. The, Indians, 
 after this defeat, were so disgusted with their aljiies, 
 that they were about to abandon them. Tlic fron- 
 tier was completely protected from further molesta- 
 tion. 
 
 7# 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 Capture of the British squadron on Lake Erie — Be- 
 feat of Proctor, 
 
 Commodore* Perry, whose name now adorns 
 the page of our history, was entrusted, at the com- 
 niencement of the spring, with the important task of 
 creating a force to oppose tije British, who, since 
 the surrender of Hull, had rode triumphant on Lake 
 Erie. The trees that grew on its shores, were com- 
 manded to descend upon the waves, and hear our 
 sailors to meet the hauglity foe. By the last of Au- 
 gust, a fleet was provided, consisting of the follow- 
 ing vessels : the Lawrence, of twenty-one ; the 
 Niagara, of twenty ; the Caledonia, of three ; the 
 Scorpion and Somers, each of two ; Ariel, of four ; 
 Tigress, Trippe, and Porcupine, each of one ; in all 
 amounting to fifty -nine guns. 
 
 The British fleet, uncjer commodore Barclay, 
 consisted of the Detroit, nineteen guns ; Queen 
 Charlotte, seventeen ; Lady Prevost, thirteen ; 
 
CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH sqUABROK, &C. T9 
 
 Hunter, ten; Little Belt, three; Chippewa, one; 
 in all 69 guns. This fleet was consequently supe- 
 rior in force to that of the Ainericans, altliough on 
 their side there was a difference in the numher of 
 ships. 
 
 No sooner was the American commodore on the 
 lake, than he went in pursuit of his antagonist, who 
 felt no wish to decline tlie meeting. This, however, 
 did not take place until the twelfth of September, 
 near Put-in-bay. Tlie American squadron at an- 
 chor, perceiving the British bearing down upon 
 them, got under way. Tlie American flag sliip, tiie 
 LawTence, outsailed the rest of the squadron, and 
 came to close quarters with tlie Queen Charlotte and 
 the Detroit. Against tliese two vessels, tlie contest 
 was heroically maintained for two hours, until every 
 gun was rendered useless, and nearl}^ all on beard 
 eith^ir killed or^wounded. At this critical moment, 
 the other American vessels which had been kept 
 back were coming up, and the commodore, with ad- 
 mirable coolness, embarked in his boat, with the in- 
 tention of shifting his fiag to the Niagara. This 
 was executed in tlie midst of a heavy fire. Captain 
 Elliot immediately seconded his views, and while 
 Perry led up this vessel in a handsome style, vo- 
 lunteered to bring the othrr vessels into action. The 
 commodore, breaking th!ni!gh tlie enemy's line, 
 poured out such tremendous broadsides, as soon 
 
60 niSTOEY or THE WAB. 
 
 compelled the two largest vessels to strike., aiul the 
 flag of the Lawrence, which had been hauled down, 
 was again hoisted. The remainder of the Ame'rican 
 fleet coming up, the action in a few minutes termi- 
 nated in the capture of the whole British squadron, 
 a thing almost unexampled in naval warfare. 
 
 " TVe have, met the enemy ^"^ said commodore Perry. 
 ''and they are oursj two ships, two brigs, one 
 schooner, and one sloop." 
 
 The number of prlsoiiers exceeded that of the 
 captoi's. Twenty-six Americans were killed, and 
 ninety-six wounded. Lieutenant Brooks, of the 
 marines, was killed, as also sevei'al valuable Ame- 
 rican ofilcers. The captain and first lieutenant of 
 the Queen Chai'lotte, were killed; commodore Bar- 
 clay was severely wounded. The conduct of the 
 victors to the unfortunate, v.as on this occasion 
 marked by its usuai humanity and generosity. 
 
 By this event the field of glory was laid open to 
 general Harrison, and the brave volunteers of Ken- 
 tucky and Ohio. The choicest troops of the west, 
 were already collected for the purpose of following 
 up the success of Perry, if it should please Provi- 
 dence to award it. The venerable governor of 
 Kentucky, Samuel Shelby, was at the head of the 
 volunteers of that state, accompanied by the first 
 men of the commonwealth. The troops being taken 
 ©n board the fleet, were transported to the Cafiiada 
 
CAPTURE OF TKE BRITISH SQ,UADRON, &C. SI 
 
 side, wlierc tlicy foiiiul tlic villages and forts eya- 
 cuated, Proctor having* lied in disn^ay up the 
 Thames. After lcavi!«g general M'Ai-tlujr, to take 
 command at Detroit, general Ilamson, at the head 
 of abcut three thousand men, commenced a I'apid 
 march in pursuit of the fugitive army. In a few 
 days, he gained upon tliem so rapidly, as to cap- 
 ture considerable quantities of their stores. 
 
 On the fifth of October, it was discovered that 
 near the Moravian to vrns, within a few lioiirs march, 
 tliey were drawn up in battle array. Having form- 
 ed his troops into tv/o lifies, consisting of Deslia's, 
 and Trotter's brigades, under general Henry, with 
 the mounted men of colonel Johnson in front, lie ad- 
 vanced p.gainst the enemy, who were found drav/n 
 up between a river and a marsh, with tliC Indians 
 under Tecumsch, in the thick brushwood of the 
 swamp. It suddenly suggested itself to general 
 IlarYison, to make a cliarge with liis mounted men 
 through the Britisli infantry, drawn up amt>ng the 
 open beacli wood. Fortune awarded the most com^ 
 plete success to this suggestion, Jolmson suddenly 
 dashed through tlieir ranks, formed in their rear, 
 and was prepaiing to give them a fire with the 
 deadly rifle, when they s«rrendered. With the In- 
 dians, the contest was more obstina.te ; they at first 
 made some impression upon the American infantry, 
 v.hen governoit^Shelby brought up a regiment to 
 
82 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 their support. The Indians fought desperately, as 
 long as the loud and terrible shout of Tecumseli, en- 
 couraging them to persist, couhl he lieard ; but al- 
 ready his days were numhcred. Goloncl Johnson 
 led a cli^rge on the Indians, at the spot where it 
 was supposed the most obstinate resistance was 
 made. A hundred rifles were aimed at him ; he 
 was covered with blood and wounds ; his hoi-sr w'as 
 about to drop under him, when Tecumseh, with sa-/ 
 \age ferocity, sprung towards him, and was ah* utto 
 level his rifle, when the colonel lodged a pistol ball 
 in his breast. The daring American was in an in- 
 stant brouglit off by his counti7men, and the In- 
 dians fled. 
 
 General Proctor had, in tlie menntime, made his 
 escape by means of swift horses. 
 
 The conduct of the Kentuckians, who had been 
 vilely slf.ndered by Proctor, was magnanimous in 
 tltc highest degree. Tlsey returned not evil for evil, 
 but to tlie prisoners in their })ossession, many of 
 wiiom liad participated in the horrid murders of tlie 
 river Raisin, they were humane and attentive. The 
 immediate consequence of the defeat of the allies, 
 arid t]K> deatl! of Tec uiiiHclu was n cessation of hos- 
 tilities on the part of the savages; they came in and 
 agreed to take i'.y. the hatchet on tlie side of tlie 
 United estates. The whole of tlic Korth Vfeslcru 
 Temtory \s as once more in possession of tlic Ame- 
 
CAPTURE OF THE BP^ITISH S^UADllON^ &C. 83 
 
 ricans, with the exception of Michilimackinac, 
 which was not given up until the close of the war. 
 The volunteers and militia returned to their homes, 
 and general Harrison was at liberty with the re- 
 mainder of the troops to co-operate with the forces 
 on the Niagara. 
 
 Commodore Cliauncey, at this time, was master 
 of Lake Ontario. He had repeatedly attempted to 
 bring his antagonist to acti<)n, but in vain. Seve- 
 ral running fights, however, took place, in which 
 the British knight displayed great naval skill in 
 making his escape. Tliis shyness was not a little 
 increased by the victory obtained by commodore 
 Perry; in fact, after this occurrence, he studiously 
 avoided coming to action with but a superiority .so 
 decided as to leave no doubt of the result. 
 
 The nation was in the highest degree deliglited 
 with tlie glorious termiiiation of the western war. 
 Fortune appeared to smile upon their arnis at last. 
 Canada must now be ours. The administration, 
 anxious to gratify the public expectations, lost no 
 time in making the attempt. The general in com- 
 mand, was an old and experienced officer, of ac- 
 knowledged abilities ; general Wilkinson had been 
 ordered from the south, and in the course of the 
 summer, had assumed the directions of the military 
 operations on the Niagara ; while general Hampton, 
 another officer of experience, took command of the 
 
84 HISTORY or THE WAli. 
 
 forces at T'lattsburgh. The Secretary, general 
 Armstmng, possessed the confidence of the nation 
 for his capacity, and the vigorous measures whicli 
 lie seemed to adopt. Tliis officer, in order to be 
 near the field of action, and direct the movements 
 of the army, established liis office near the frontier. 
 
 The army of general Wilkinson, iji the month of 
 October, was transferred to Sackct's-H arbor, leav- 
 ing but a small number of troops on the Niagara, 
 where general Harrison did not arrive until some 
 time after his departure. The destination of the 
 army was studiously concealed. Such dispositions 
 were made, however, as induced the enemy to be- 
 lieve, that the design was to attack Kingston, while 
 the intention was in reality, to descend the river St. 
 Lawrence, and forniing a junction with general 
 Hampton, proceed directly ro Montreal, thus com- 
 pletely girdling the tree, and mastering all Upper 
 Canada. The season, however, was almost so far 
 advanced, and this although practicable the first 
 year, had become much moi'e diflicult, from the time 
 which had been allowed the enemy to discipline their 
 militia, augment their forces, and fortify the river. 
 
 It was not before the third of November, that ge- 
 neral Wilkinson could get fairly under way, wliile 
 he began already to ex})erience the severity of the 
 season. The British were anxiously watching his 
 movements. Choosing a,dark night, he passed tlie 
 
CAPTTJRB or THE BRITISH SC^UADRON, &C. 85 
 
 fortified post called Prescot, but not undiscovered : 
 in liis descent, he was a good deal annoyed by their 
 musketry, and the next morning they were found 
 hanging on his rear with all the force that could be 
 collected. Having to pass the rapids of the river, 
 of about eight miles in length, general Brown was 
 detached with a considerable force to clear the way 
 for the passage of the flotilla. This was not effected 
 without considerable difficulty ; general Brown, af- 
 a smart skirmish, dispersed the enemy, but it being 
 too late to proceed, the flotilla lay by for the night. 
 In the morning, when about to proceed, a conside- 
 rable force was discovered in the rear on the Ca- 
 nada side ; a halt was therefore commanded, while 
 general Boyd was ordered to face about with his 
 brigade, and beat off the enemy. The Americans 
 wei»e drawn up in three columns, commanded by ge- 
 nerals Covington, Swartwout and Coles. After a 
 warm action, which lasted an hour, in which the 
 enemy was obliged to give way before the bayonet, 
 they were at length compelled to retreat. The Ame- 
 ricans having expended their ammunition, were 
 obliged to make a retrogade movement. A violent 
 storm arose about the same time, wliich together 
 witli the approach of night, contributed to clear the 
 iield of battle. From the place in which it was 
 fo«iglit, this has been called the battle of Chry&tler's 
 field j on the Ameiican side, there were about six- 
 - 8 ' , ^ 
 
8G HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 teen hundred ; the force of the British was about 
 the same. The American hjss was three hundred 
 and thirty-nine in killed and wounded ; among the 
 foiiner, general Covington^, a brave and gallant 
 officer. Tbe enemy's loss is supj)osed to have been 
 still greater. There is no doubt of their defeat, as 
 they were thenceforth compelled to suffer tbe Ame- 
 ricans to continue their course unmolested. G«'ne- 
 ral Wilkinson, on reaching Ogdensburg, had sent 
 orders to general Hampton to meet hini at St. Regis, 
 at which place he had now arrived, but without hnd- 
 ing him. This officer, from the disclosure made to 
 him, of the state of general Wilkinson's supplies, 
 and from the distance he would be place(< from his 
 magazines, together with the great difficulties of 
 transportation, on account of the badness of tlie 
 roads, had concluded to take upon himself the re- 
 sponsibility of consulting these circumstances. He 
 had, therefore, attempted to penetrate to the St. 
 Lawrence in another direction, but without success, 
 and after falling back, .was then at a place called 
 the Four Coi ners, where he waited the orders of 
 the commander in chief, professing still a willing- 
 ness to co-operate in any plan he might adopt. 
 Thus terminated the mighty invasion of Canada, 
 from which so much was expected. The command- 
 ing (i'encral, in order to excuse himself, threw the 
 Waiue on Hampton, and the secretary at war, on 
 
CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH 8(^X1 ADRON, &C. 87 
 
 both. But the tfutli is, tlie season had been too far 
 advanced, and the force was not sufficient for the 
 contemplated cnterprize. The disajipointment to 
 the nation, however, tended to bring into discredit 
 the leaders in this campaign, which turned out so 
 barren of glory. The army retired into winter- 
 quarters. 
 
 This military movement was calculated only on 
 success ; no allowance was made for the possibility 
 of a failure. Tlie bad effects of this were soon ex- 
 perienced. General Harrison had received orders 
 to move down the St. Lawrence, and join the army, 
 the whole Niagara frontier was therefore left un- 
 protected. General M'Clure, who was left in com- 
 mand at fort George, finding that the enemy was 
 approaching in considerable numbers, blew up the 
 fort and evacuated the Canada side ; at the same 
 time, burning the village of Newark, situate near 
 the fort; an act, at the time, universally censurec^ 
 and lamented in the United States, and which the 
 government took the earliest opportunity to disa- 
 vow. It seems the general had received ordeis to 
 burn the village, in case it should be found neces- 
 sary for defence; misconceiving these orders, he 
 sat fire to tiie place on his departure. His conduct 
 was submitted to a court of inquiry, which passed a 
 severe censure on it. The British, not content with 
 this, crossed the river in considerable force, took 
 
88 HISTORY or THE WAR. 
 
 fort Niagara by surprise, put the garrison to death, 
 and then laid waste, with lire and sword, tlie whole 
 frontier, for ten or fifteen n>iles. The flourishing 
 village of Bnffaloe was laid in ashes, togetlier with 
 several others. It was afterwards declared, by sir 
 George Prevost, that he vvas satisfied with this am* 
 fU measure of retaliation. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 War on the Mantic sea-coast — Disgraceful conduct 
 of the British, 
 
 The first year of the war, found England too 
 busily cngajsjed in the great events of Europe, to 
 think of bending her mind to the contest with Ame- 
 rica. Excepting a general proclamation of block- 
 ade, our Atlantic coast was not molested. In the 
 year 1813, she sat about carrying on hostilities in a 
 more serious manner. She had threatened much of 
 burning all the American sea-port towns, and lay- 
 ing waste the country. She thought to intimidate 
 us by these barbai'ous threats. 
 
 In the month of March, the Poictiers made her 
 ^pearance in the Delaware, and sending out shal- 
 lops commenced a pitiful species of marauding war- 
 fare. The property of private citizens was tlie ob- 
 ject of their ambition. By the rules of war, the 
 persons and property of non-combatants are ex- 
 empted from the devastations of war. Without be • 
 
90 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 nefiting the cause for wliicli they fought, the British 
 niineel many of the inhabitants of the country. Ad- 
 miral Beresford, the commander of the squadron, 
 made a demand on the inhabitants of Lewistown 
 for water and provisions, and on being refused, he 
 made an ineffectual attempt to obtain them on com- 
 pulsion, by bombarding the place. The militia un- 
 d^f* colonel Davis and major Hunter, manfully re^ 
 sisted every attack. 
 
 From the Delaware, they proceeded to the Chesa- 
 peake, where their course was marked by the most 
 lawless depredations and conflagrations. The 
 genius of history blushes as she records them. 
 There is not one solitary act of benevolence or mag* 
 iianimity, to rescue the character of the British offi- 
 cers and seamen from tlie dark disgrace. Indis- 
 criminate havoc was every where committed. On& 
 of their first exploits, was plundering and destroy- 
 ing the small village of Frenchtown, a plac§ of mer- 
 cantile deposit and transit, on Elk river. From 
 Frenchtown, they proceeded to Havre-de- Grace, 
 where they perpetrated the grossest outrages on de- 
 cency and humanity, without the slightest pretext* 
 Every house of this little village was consigned to 
 the flames, and a scene of the most disgraceful plun- 
 der was acted, in which officers and men mingled 
 alike ; the plunder consisted of household furniture, 
 bed clothes, pans, and spoons 1— They burnt and 
 
WAR ON THE ATLANTIC SEA COAST, &C. 91 
 
 destroyed several valuable manufactories, after 
 Avhich they went to the neat village church, not to 
 ask forgiveness of their sins, but in order to Avreak 
 their vengeance on this peaceful dwelling, by defac- 
 ing it in the most sliameful manner. After this, 
 they perpetrated the same acts to the two villages of 
 Fredericktown and Georgetown. This unworthy 
 warfare continued until the latter part of June, when 
 their movements indicated an attack upon the town 
 of Norfolk. On the lower part of the bay, the mili- 
 tia, on several occasions, bravely put the marauders 
 to jflight. The Virginians, and Marylandei's, were 
 frequently called out from their houses, and much 
 harrassed through the whole season, from the con- 
 tinually shifting scene of the war. The coast is so 
 much intersected with creeks and rivers, that it was 
 impossible for any force to move rapidly from one 
 point to another, to repel this desultoi'y warfare. 
 The great object being the defence of Norfolk, the 
 troops were kept in the neighborhood of that place, 
 and there was no considerable naval force to protect 
 the waters. 
 
 This place was committed to the charge of gene- 
 ral Taylor, of the militia of Virginia. No one 
 could be more capable of providing the numerous 
 minute precautions for executing the plans requisite 
 to be adopted. The town of Norfolk was happily 
 saved, by the valour of the marines and militia^ and 
 
9-2 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 the state of Virginia relieved from a most dangerous 
 enemy; for had possession been taken of this place, 
 the enemy could have done them incalculable mis- 
 cliief. Wherever the enemy met a steady resis- 
 tance from the regular troops or militia, after this 
 they retreated precipitately to their boats, or re- 
 turned to their tieet. The chief leader in this war- 
 fare, so dishonorable to the Bi'itish nation, was ad- 
 miral Cockburn, whose conduct was, on every occa- 
 sion, that of a ferocious, unfeeling bucanier. 
 
 On the twenty-first of Jnno^ the movements indi- 
 cated an attack on Cianey Island, and on the next 
 day, they landed upwards of two thousand men, for 
 the purpose of assailing the batteries on tlie west 
 end of the island. Sliortly after the debarkation of 
 these troops, forty -five or fifty boats, filled with sai- 
 lors and marines, left the sliipping and approached 
 the north side of the island. The naval force of 
 the United States, united in defence of the post;; 
 the enemy was completely beaten off. His loss was 
 not less than two hundred, besides deserters. Four 
 or five barges were sunk. The Centipede, fifty 
 feet long, admiral Warren's boat, with twenty -four 
 oars, was captured, with twenty -two prisoners, a 
 brass three pounder, and a number of muskets, pis- 
 tols and cutlasses. Forty British deserters were 
 brought in, aiid many others were dispersed through 
 
^VAU ON THU ATLANTIC SEA COAST, 6cC. 93 
 
 the country. There was not one man lost on the 
 American side during the day. 
 
 The enemy, exasperated at this ingloriou.s attempt, 
 in order to give a loose to his thirst for revenge, re- 
 solved to attack the village of Hampton, lower down 
 the bay. On the twenty-fifth of June, lie landed 
 two thousand five iiundred men, and after a gallant 
 resistance on the part of the militia, and a few regu- 
 lars who Avere there, the town was taken. The 
 scene which ensued, far surpassed ai.y thing ever 
 before acted by the ferocious enemy, with whom we 
 had to contend ; such conduct should be held up to 
 universal execration, in order that the condemna- 
 tion of public opinion may prevent the recurrence 
 of the like among civilized people. The utmost li- 
 centiousness was permitted, in the treatment of the 
 unfortunate females, who fell into the power of the 
 enemy ; without regard to their respectability in so- 
 ciety, they were seized by ruffians, and several of 
 them actually died in consequence of the shocking 
 treatment they received. A poor old man, sick 
 abed, vvas set up by them, and sliot, in the arms of 
 his aged wife, who was also wounded ; and their 
 faithful dog was put to death. The sick in the lios^ 
 pitals were not spared, and every act of savage vio- 
 lence was committed, apparently without any at- 
 tempt to restrain tlie perpetratois. A letter on the 
 subject of this infamous conduct, which so deeply 
 
94 HlSTCmV OP THE WAR. 
 
 implicated the character of tiie Britisli nation, was 
 addressed by i^eneral Taylor to sir Sidney Beck- 
 witli, who at first stated, that it was in retaliation 
 for the shooting a man at Craney Island, while he 
 hung to a barge that had overset. A corj^t of in- 
 quiry was immediately instituted, which completely 
 disproved the charge; on this being communicated 
 to sir Sidney, he sent a verbal reply, that he w as 
 sorry for the excesses committed by his troops, but 
 that he would, in future, prevent their falling into 
 such conduct. A savage chieftain could haAC al- 
 leged the same kind of excuse, for the ungovernable 
 warriors whom he led. The subject underwent an 
 examination before a committee of Congress, who 
 reported upon it in terms as strong as language 
 could express them. It is most sincerely to be la- 
 mented, that greater regard was not paid to the feel- 
 ings of America by the British government; for 
 these affairs must una^'oidably render it difficult for 
 the restoration of tliat harmony and good under- 
 standing, wiiich it is undoubtedly the interest of both 
 nations ia clierisli. For tlie rcmai'ider of the sea- 
 son, the enemy contented himself with his petty war 
 of plunder, and occasisnally threatening the towns 
 south of t]ic Delaware. 
 
 Havi;ig thus gi^ en an account of wliat happened 
 on tije coast, a war which i-edounded so little to the 
 lionor of P-^ngland, we sliall pass in review the im- 
 
WAR ON THE iTXANTIC SEA COAST, SiC, 95 
 
 portaiit war of the south, with the Creek IiK^<ians, 
 whicli was closely connected with the iiostilities with 
 Eiij^laiid. Very soon after the commencement of 
 the war, the Seiiiinole Indians, on the horders of 
 Georgia, with a number of runaway negroes, began 
 to make inroads, and to infest the frontiers. On 
 the eleventli of September, 1812, captain Williams, 
 of the marines, convoying some waggons, loaded 
 witii military supplies, was attacked by a party of 
 these people, and was" compelled to retreat with the 
 loss of several men, himself receiving a wound, of 
 which he afterwards died. Towards the close of 
 the same month, colonel Norman, with about one 
 hundred Georgian volunteers, proceeded towards 
 the Latchway towns, with a view of chastising the 
 savages. He was attacked by a large body oi In- 
 dians, and alter a sliarp conflict, com|K^lled them to 
 fly, leaving their king Paine, on the ground ; after 
 repeated efforts to gain the dead body, they at leng h 
 succeeded by bringi^ig up additional numbers, after 
 which they moved off. They soon after returned, 
 however, with a still moi'e powerful party ; the 
 Georgians, apprehending this, had liastily thrown 
 np a breast work, in which they were soon closely 
 besieged. The siege was kept up for some days, 
 until tiiey found it impossible to do any thing, on 
 which they retired, but returned in a little while, 
 under the belief, from the stillness which reigned in 
 
9d HISTORY o:F the WAK. 
 
 the camp, that the Americans had abandoned it. 
 On crowding up to it, they were saluted with a vol- 
 ley or two, which sent tiiem Iiowling to the woods. 
 After this the Georgians decamped, and reached 
 the place from whence they set out, after encoun- 
 tering no small degree of fatigue. This affair had 
 a most favorahlc operation on the minds of the sa- 
 vages, who were thenceforth exceedingly shy of the 
 settlements. 
 
 A more serious war broke out in the course of 
 t\ic year 1813, with the Creek nation. The Ame- 
 rican government had taken great pains to civilize 
 these people, and had spared no expense to effect 
 this humane object. But its endeavours had met 
 with no more than a partial success, for many of 
 the natives obstinately adhered to their Indian man- 
 ners, and violently opposed the introduction of the 
 acts of civilization. The celebrated Tecumseh had 
 paid them a visit, in which he ^ threw among them 
 additional causes of discord. A civil war took 
 place, and the savage part of the nation proved the 
 strongest, the rest were either compelled to fly, or 
 to join those who were for war with the United 
 States. A wonderful degree of superstition and fa- 
 naticism were broa^^iit into play on the occasion; 
 they were led to believe, by their priests or magi- 
 cians, that they would certainly defeat us by the as- 
 sistance of their potent charms. The credulous 
 
WAH 03? TUB ATLANTIG SEA COAST, &eG 9T 
 
 creatwres were persuaded, by these conjurors, to 
 destroy ail their cattle, so that there should be no- 
 thing among them that might wear the appearance 
 of civilization. They were further stimulated by 
 the British agents, who also gave them -some supply 
 of arms, and made them promises of assistance. It 
 was not, however, until towards the close of August, 
 that hostilities openly commenced on their part; 
 but this was a commencement of a most shocking 
 kind. 
 
 Foreseeing the approaching storm, the settlers on 
 the Mobile and Alabama, hail collected in small 
 forts, or stations, erected for their security. At on© 
 of these called fort Mims, about three hundred per- 
 sons, men, w^omen and children, liad taken refuge, 
 it was defended by major Beasley, of the Missis- 
 sippi territory, with about one hundred and thirty 
 volunteers. A party of five hundred Creeks, sud- 
 denly appeared before this place, and attacked it at 
 noon day. Unfortunately, the gate happened to be 
 standing open, as the Indians rushed towards it witli 
 a 'hideous shout.* Tlie major attempted to close tho 
 gate, and fought with bravery while life remained, 
 for he soon fell mortally wounded. The Indians 
 were at length repelled, with the exception of a few 
 who had taken the block-house, from whi( h they 
 were after some time dislodged. A second assault 
 was made, which unhappily proved more successful^ 
 
yS HISTORY OF TUE WAR, 
 
 A breach was made in the picket's, and the savages 
 gained possession of the area of the fort, but not 
 without great loss. From the houses or barracks in 
 which the troops had taken shelter, a fight was still 
 kept up for some time, but they succeeded at last in 
 setting fire to the roofs. Dreadful were the ago- 
 nizing shrieks of the wretched victims of this infer- 
 nal tragedy. With the exception of a few privates, 
 who made tbcir escape over tlie pickets, the whole 
 of these unhappy people perished by savage violence, 
 or were consumed by the flames. 
 
 This atrocious outrage, demanded a prompt reta- 
 liation. The Indians, having thus wantonly viola- 
 ted the peace, whicli had been for so many years es- 
 tablished between them and the whites, the govern- 
 ments of tlie nearest states, of Georgia and Tennes- 
 see, and also of the Mississippi territory, without 
 (lelay concerted measures for carrying war into the 
 country of the Creeks. To do this at once, and ef- 
 fectively, was the only way to ensure safety to the 
 exposed frontiers, and at the same time to prevent 
 the rising of tlie Southern Indians. There is but 
 little doubt, that all this might have been prevented, 
 if the United States had condescended to employ the 
 Indians in the prevailing war. The infernal policy 
 t)f the British government, in employing and in ex- 
 citing these short sighted people, was the cause of 
 the unhappy fate, which as a just retribution over- 
 
WAR ON THE ATJLANTIC SliA COAST, «^C. i^^) 
 
 took the Creeks. A scries of brilliant victories o\Qr 
 this desperate and deluded foe, gained by generals 
 Floyd, of Georgia, CoHee, Vvliitc, and Jackson, ol* 
 Tennessee, in the course of, one season, humbled 
 them in the dust. 
 
 On the sliortcst notice, general Jackson brought 
 together a brigade of mounted riflemen and cavalry^ 
 and immediately penetrated the Creek country. On 
 the second of Novembei*, he detached general Coffee 
 with about 900 men, to destroy the TuUushatches 
 town, Avhere a considerable body of warriors had 
 assembled. A pai-ty was sent to draw them out, 
 which completely succeeded, and the Creeks found 
 themselves suddenly opposed to the whole American 
 force. They notwithstanding, fought with asto- 
 nishing desperation, but were at last compelled to 
 retreat to their village, where they continued their 
 resistance, obstinately refusing quarters, until every 
 one perished. The women and children of the vil- 
 lage, to the number of eighty, were taken prisoners. 
 Coffee had five men killed, and forty-one slightly 
 wounded. 
 
 On the morning of the seventh, a friendly Indian 
 brought intelligence to general Jackson, that about 
 thirty miles below his camp, there were a number of 
 Creeks collected, at a place called Talladega, en- 
 gaged in besieging some friendf)' Indians, who must 
 inevitably perish, unlass speedily relieved. He 
 
^00 lilsTOKt' OF THE WAE. 
 
 miircJicd at twelve o'clock the same niglit, at the 
 head of VwelvQ. hundred men, and arrived within six 
 Riilcs of the place next evening. At midnight, he 
 again adv;\uced, and by seven o'clock, was within a 
 mile of tlie enemy. Having approached almost un- 
 perceived^ within eighty yards of the Indians, the 
 battle commenced on their part with great fury, but 
 being repulsed on all sides, they attempted to make 
 their escape, but soon found themselves inclosed ; 
 hut two companies having at first given way, a space, 
 w^as left, through wiiich a considerable number of 
 the enemy escaped, and were pursued to the moun- 
 tains with great slaughter. In this action, the xime- 
 rican loss was fifteen killed and eighty wounded. 
 That of the Creeks was little sliort of three hun- 
 dred; their whole force exceeded a thousand. 
 
 General Cocke, who commanded the other divi- 
 sion of the Tennessee militia, on the eleventh, de- 
 taclied general White, from fort Armstrong, wliero 
 he was encamped, against the hostile towns on the 
 Tallapoosc river. After marcliing the wiiole night 
 of the seventeenth, he surprised a town at day-light, 
 coiitaining upwards of three hundred warriors, sixty 
 of V, liom were killed, and tlic rest taken prisoners. 
 Having burnt several of their villages, which had 
 been deserted, he returned on the twenty-third, 
 without losing a single man. 
 
 The Georgia militia, under general Floyd, ad- 
 
WAR 0^ THE ^ATLANTIC SEA COAST, &C. 101 
 
 vaiiced into the Creek country, about the last of the 
 month. K,emving mformation tliat agreat number 
 of Indians were collected at the Autossc towns, on 
 the Tallapoose river, a place which they called their 
 beloved ground, and where, according to their pro- 
 jphcts, no white man could molest them; general 
 Floyd, placing himself at the head of nine hundred 
 militia, and four hundred friendly Creeks, marched 
 from his encampment on the Catahouchie. On the 
 evening of the twenty-eighth, he encamped v/ithin 
 ten miles of the place, and resuming his march at 
 «nc o'clock, he reached the towns about six, and 
 commenced an attack upon both at the same mo- 
 ment. His troops were met by the Indians, with 
 uncommon bravery; and it was not until after a se- 
 vere battle, that they were forced, by his musketry 
 and bayonets, to fly to the thickets and copses, in 
 the rear of the towns. In the course of three hours, 
 the enemy w as completely defeated, and the villages 
 in flames. Eleven Americans were killed, and fifty 
 wounded, among the latter, the general himself: 
 of the enemy, it is supposed, that besides the Autcs- 
 see and Tallassee kings, upv/ards of two hundred 
 were killed. 
 
 This just retribution, it was hoped, would bring 
 these w retched creatures to a proper sense of their 
 situation ; but unfortunately, it had not this effect, 
 they still persisted in their hostilities against us. la 
 
102 HISTOKY OF THE WAR. 
 
 the month of Decernber, general Claiborne marched' 
 a detacliment against the towns of Eccanachaca, on 
 the Alabama river. On the twenty-second, he came 
 suddenly upon them, killed thirty of their warriors, 
 and after destroying their villages, returned witli a 
 trifling loss. 
 
 After the battle of Talladega, general Jackson 
 was left with but a handful of men, in consequence 
 of the term of the militia having expired. On the 
 fourteenth of January, he was fortunately reinforced 
 by eight hundred volunteers from Tennessee, and 
 soon after, by several hundred friendly Indians. 
 He was shortly after joined by general Coffee, with 
 a number of officers, his militia having also return- 
 ed home. On the seventeenth, with a view of mak- 
 ing a diversion in favour of general Floyd, and at 
 the same time to relieve fort Armstrong, which was 
 said to be threatened, he penetrated the Indian 
 country. On the evening of the twenty-first, be- 
 lieving himself, from appearances, in the vicinity of 
 a large body of Indians, he encamped, with great 
 precaution, and placed himself in the best attitude 
 of defence. About day -light, he was furiously at- 
 tacked, and after a severe contest, the Creeks were 
 compelled once more to yield. They fled in every 
 Jirection. 
 
 General Jackson, being apprehensive of another 
 attack, fortified his camp for the night; the next; 
 
VfXn Oir TEE ATLANTIC SEA COAST, &C. 
 
 lOS 
 
 day, fearing a want of provisions, lie found it neces- 
 sary to retreat, and before night, reached Enota- 
 chopco, having passed a dangerous iieiiiG without 
 interruption. In the morniiig, he liad to cross a de- 
 file still more dangerous, wheie he might expect an 
 attack ; he therefore determined to pass at some 
 other point. The most judicious arrangements hav- 
 ing been made, for the disposition of his force, in 
 case of an attack, he moved forwards, towards the 
 pass which he had selected. The front guard, with 
 part of the flank columns, togetiier with the wounded, 
 had scarcely crossed the creek, when the alarm was 
 given in the rear. Jackson immediately gave or- 
 ders for his right and left columns to wheel on their 
 pivot, and crossing the stream above and below, 
 assail the flanks and rear of the enemy, and thus 
 completely enclose them. But to his astonishment 
 and mortification, when the word was given for 
 these columns to form, and a few gum were fjred, 
 they precipitately gave way. This unaccountable 
 fiiglit had well nigh proved fatal : it drew along 
 with it the greater part of the centre column, leav- 
 ing not more than twenty -five men, wiio being form- 
 ed by colonel Carrol, maintained their ground for a 
 time against overwhelming numbers. AH that 
 could now be opposed to the enemy, were the few 
 who remained of the rear guard, the artillery com- 
 pany, and captain Rupel's company of spies, Thcis' 
 
104 HlStOnY OP Tllli WAll. 
 
 conduct, however, was adndrable, Lieut. Arm- 
 strong, with the utmost coolness and intrepidity, 
 dragj^ed, with the assistance of a few more, the six 
 pounder up the hill, although exposed to a heavy 
 fire ; and having gained his position, loaded the 
 j)icce with grape, and fired it with such effect, that 
 after a few discharges, the enemy was repulsed, 
 Tiie Indians Were pursued for several miles, by co- 
 lonel Carrol, colonel Higgins, and captains Elliot 
 and Pipkins. Captain Gordon, of the spies, had 
 partly succeeded in turning their flank, and by this 
 impetuous charge, contributed greatly to restore the 
 day. The Americans now continued their march 
 without further molestation. In these different en- 
 gagements, about twenty Americans were killed, 
 and seventy-five wounded ; in the last, about one 
 hundred and eighty of the Creeks were slain. 
 
 General Floyd, who was advancing from the Cha- 
 tahouchie, was attacked in his camp by a large body 
 of Indians, an hour before day. They stole upon 
 the sentinels, fired upon them, and then rushed with 
 great impetuosity towards the line. The actiorn 
 soon became general ; the front of both flanks was 
 closely pressed, but the firmness of the officers an4 
 men, repelled their assaults at every point. As soon 
 as it became sufficiently light, gen. Floyd strength- 
 ened his right wing, and formed his cavalry in the 
 rear, then directed a charge; the enemy were dri- 
 
WAR 0]V THE ATlAJfTIC SEA COAST, &C. 105 
 
 \cn before the bayonet, and being pursued by the 
 cavalry, many of them were killed. The loss of 
 general Floyd, was seventeen killed, and one hun- 
 dred and thirty-two wounded. Tliat of^tlie Indians 
 could not be ascertained ; thirty-seven of tlieir war^ 
 I'iors were left dead ^n the field, but it is thought 
 their loss was very considerable. 
 
 It might be supposed that these repeated defeats, 
 might tend to destroy the influence of tliese fana- 
 tical prophets, among the unhappy Creeks; but 
 they still persisted, in the most unaccountable man- 
 ner, in completing their ov/n ruin. General Jack- 
 son, having received considerable reinforcements 
 from Tennessee, and being joined by a number of 
 friendly Indians, set out on an expedition to Taila- 
 poose river. He proceeded from tlie Coose on the 
 twenty-fourth of March, reached the southern ex- 
 tremity of the New Youca on the twenty -seventh, at 
 a place called the Horse- shoe bend of the Coohie, 
 where the Creeks had selected a strong natural po- 
 sition, and having fortified it, awaited the attack of 
 their enemies. A breast v*^ork had been thi'own up 
 across the neck, of considerable strength and com- 
 pactness. The warriors from Oakfuskee, Oak- 
 shaya, Hillebces, the Fish Fonds, and Eupauta 
 towns, had collected their force at this place, in 
 number exceeding a thousand. 
 
rho 
 
 HISTOKY CF THE WAR. 
 
 On the morning of the twenty -seventh, general 
 Jackson detached general Coffee with the mounted 
 men and Indians, to surround the hend, wliile he ad- 
 vanced with the main hody of the troops, to assail 
 the breast works. At half past ten, he planted his 
 artlllei'y witliin two hundred yards of tlieir works. 
 A bi'isk cannonade was opened upon the centre, and 
 a severe fire was kept up with musketry and rifles^ 
 when the Indians ventured to show tliemselves be- 
 hind their defences. General Coffee having exe- 
 cuted his order, l^is Indians no sooner heard the 
 firing in front, than a number dashing into the 
 stream, swam across, and bringing back the canoes 
 of the Creeks, enabled their comrades to pass over, 
 which they did, and attacking the Creeks, drove 
 them from the shelter of tlieir cabins up to the breast 
 works. 
 
 General Jackson, finding tliat his arrangements 
 were now complete, at length yielded to the earnest 
 solicitations of his men to be led to the charge. The 
 regular troops, led by colonel Williams and major 
 Mo»]tgomery, were in a moment, in possession of 
 the nearest part of the breast works : the militia ac- 
 companied tliem with equal firmness and intrepidity. 
 Having maintained, for a few minutes, a very obsti- 
 nate contest, muzzle to muzzle, through the port 
 holes, thi'y succeeded in gaining tlie opposite side of 
 the works. The event could no longer be doubtful ; 
 
SVkn o:r THE ATtkT^ric se\ coast, &c, 107 
 
 the enemy, altliough many of tliem fought witli that 
 kind of bravery which desperation inspires, were cut 
 in pieces. The whole mai'gin of the river, which 
 suirounded tlic peninsula, was strewed with the 
 slain. Five hundred and fifty-seven vi^ere found, 
 besides those thrown into the river by their friends, 
 or drowned in attempting to escape. Not more 
 than fifty could have escaped. Among the slain, 
 was their great prophet Manahoe, and two others of 
 less note. About three hundred women and cliil- 
 dren were taken prisoners. Jackson's loss, was 
 twenty-six white men killed, and one hundred and 
 seven wounded; eighteen Cherokecs killed, and 
 thirty-six wounded ; and five friendly Creeks killed 
 and eleven wounded. 
 
 This most decisive victory, put an end to the 
 Creek w ar. The spirit and power of these mis- 
 guided men were completely broken ; Jackson soon 
 after scoured the coant»'ies on the Coose and Talla- 
 j poose ; a party of the enemy, on the hitter river, on 
 his approach, fled to Pensacola. The greater part 
 of the Creeks now came forward, and threw 
 themselves at the mercy of the victors. A detach-' 
 ment of militia from Noi-th and South Carolina, un- 
 der th.e command of colonel Pearson, scoured the 
 country on the Alabama, and recei\ed the submis- 
 sion of a great number of Creek w arriors anci their 
 prophets. 
 
108 mSTORY OF THE WAH. 
 
 Ill tlic course of the summer, a treaty of peace 
 was dictated to them by Jackson, on severe but just 
 terms. Tlicy agrecdT to yield a portion of their 
 country as an indemnity for t!ic expenses of the war ; 
 they conceded tlie privilege of opening roads through 
 their country, and navigating their rivers; they sti- 
 pulated to hold no intercoui'se witli any British or 
 Spanish post, or garrison, and to deliver up the pro- 
 perty they had taken from the whites and friendly 
 Indians. The general, on the part o the United 
 States, undertook to guarantee their territory, to 
 restore all their prisoners, and in consideration of 
 tlieir destitute situation, to furnish them gratuitously 
 with the necessaries of life, until they could provide 
 for tliemselves. They also engaged to establish 
 trading houses, and endeavouring to bring back the 
 jiation to their former state. 
 
 It is truly lamentable to contemplate the ruin of 
 these tribes, who were making such rapid advances 
 to civilization. Their villages were entirely destroy- 
 ed, and their herds, which had become numerous, 
 were killed by themselves at an early part of the 
 contest. It is to be hoped, they will be restored to 
 their former prosperity, though their expei'ience 
 has been dearly bought. 
 
CHAPTER Xri. 
 
 The meetings of Congress — General state of affairs. 
 
 In the course of the year 1813, the Congress of 
 the United States was twice convened, in conse- 
 quence of the interesting state of affairs. It was 
 supposed, that in the course of this year, sometliing 
 would occur to demand the attention of the national 
 councils, of a very important nature ; perhaps the 
 conquest of Canada, or a treaty of peace, brought 
 about by the Russian mediation. Both had failed. 
 With respect to the latter, the British excused them- 
 selves from entering into it, on the ground of un- 
 willingness to submit their maritime rights to the 
 adjudication of anotlier power, although nothing of 
 this kind was offered. It was at the same time, pro- 
 posed to enter into direct negotiation, at some place 
 to be appointed by the American commissioners. 
 A mere subterfuge, which was used, on being ac- 
 cepted by the American commissioners, as the 
 means of keeping them in suspense. Whatever wil- 
 
 10 
 
no HISTORY OF THE WAE. 
 
 lingness the American government had, at first, a 
 right calculated upon, on the part of Britain, was 
 most unexpectedly taken away by the sudden and 
 unexpected change of scene in Europe. 
 
 The ambitious Napoleon, whom nothing short of 
 universal dominion could satisfy, was now compel- 
 led to taste the bitter fruits of his unwise and san- 
 guinary cause. He had been weakened by the most 
 direful overthrow, that history any where records ; 
 but not humbled or subdued, he followed still the 
 phantom which beckoned him to utter ruin ; he at- 
 tempted once more, notwithstanding his mighty re- 
 verses, to withstand all Europe in arms; and from 
 the deep into which he had fallen, he was precipi- 
 tated into one still lower. He became the mock 
 sovereign of Elba; the burlesque of his former 
 greatness. Britain, elated beyond measure at this 
 act of prowess, which she believed her own, was lit- 
 tle inclined to hearken to proposals from this coun- 
 try. Her swelling pride could ask no less than a 
 signal chastisement of the American freemen, who 
 dared to seize a favorable opportunity to extort from 
 her, that which was so justly due them. 
 
 On the meeting of Congress, the debates were ex- 
 ceedingly animated. Party violence was carried to 
 a lamentable extreme. Much time was taken up in 
 the most bitter and idle recrimination of British and 
 French influence. Every measure proposed for 
 
TUB MEETINGS OV CONGRESS, &C. Ill 
 
 carrying on the war, was opposed by the minority, 
 with the stawding argument of the wickedness and 
 impolicy of the war. Notwithstanding the time thus 
 unnecessarily consumed, many important measures 
 were taken for carrying on the war with spirit and 
 effect. Additional troops were ordered to be raised, 
 and as enlistments proceeded slowly, a considerable 
 bounty, in money and in lands, were offered to re- 
 cruits. The revenue, which had arisen chiefly from 
 imports, and the proceeds of the sales of public 
 lands, being found inadequate to meet the present 
 war expences, resort was at first had to loans ; it 
 "was now discovered, that difficulties would occur in 
 tliis mode of raising money, without some security 
 ■which would place the lenders beyond risk j taxe^ 
 were therefore decreed. 
 
 An impartial question was at the same time sub- 
 mitted by the President, to the consideration of Con- 
 gress, which took up much time in the House of 
 Representatives. At the battle of Queenstown, forty 
 of the prisoners taken by the British, proved to have 
 been native subjects of tlie British dominions. 
 They were immediately ordered into close custody, 
 and it was given out that they would be prosecuted 
 for high treason. This was no sooner made known 
 to the American government, than twice tlie number 
 were ordered into custody by the President; which 
 was followed by the confinement of all prisoners of 
 
112 iilSl^ORY OF TftE M'Ak. 
 
 war on both sides. It was not known where this 
 retaliation would terminate ; but it was, after a most 
 animated debate in Congress, resolved to proceed, 
 step by step, with the enemy. The conduct of G. 
 Britain, was in direct contradiction to lier usual 
 practice, and contrary to the principles of all other 
 civilized nations. He that owes perpetual allegi- 
 ance to any man, or society, is in fact a slave. 
 
 An embai'go had been laid, in consequence of the 
 illicit trade constantly kept with the enemy, from 
 the northern ports ; this was taken off, on account 
 of the gi^eat change in the affairs of Europe, and 
 the neutral nations once more called into life. About 
 this time also, the northern states, which had thu3 
 far been treated with go much indulgence by the 
 enemy, were placed under a strict blockade. 
 
 Notwithstanding the unpopularity of the war in 
 many parts of the Union, at the outset, and the in- 
 jurious means resorted to, for the purpose of em- 
 barrassing the government, it was gradually en- 
 listing the feelings of all Americans. The victories 
 gained by our gallant seamen, could not fail of touch- 
 ing the pvide of the most inveterate opposcrs of the 
 war. Tlierc is, besides, in military renown, some- 
 thing wl»ich strongly seizes the feelings : certain it 
 is, that the longer the war continued, the greater 
 the number who entered into it with their wishes 
 and feelings. 
 
CHAPTER Xlir. 
 
 JS*aral affairs — War carried on against the Eastern 
 States, 
 
 In the course of the year 1815, an American 
 squadron, consisting of t}ie United States, commo- 
 dore Decatur, the Macedonian, captain Jones, anil 
 the sloop of war Hornet, captain Biddle, was block- 
 aded in the harbor of New- York, by a strong 
 squadron of the enemy. After making several at- 
 tempts to escape, and proceed on a cruise, they ran 
 out through the sound, but were immediately pur- 
 sued, and so closely as to be compelled to run into 
 the harbor of New-London. Here the frigates 
 were towed up the river, as far as practicable, and a 
 military force called out to pilot them. The frigates 
 w ere detained in this place during almost the whole 
 of the war. 
 
 On the twenty-ninth of April, 1814, captain War- 
 rington, in the United States sloop of war Peacock, 
 
 fell in with^ and captured, the British sloop of war 
 
 1 1\^ 
 
114 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 Epcrvier, rating and mounting eighteen thirty-two 
 pound carronades, with a crew of one hundred and 
 twenty-eight men. In the action, the Epervier had 
 eleven killed, and fifteen wounded, among the latter 
 her first lieutenant, severely. On hoard the Pea- 
 cock, not a man was killed, and hut two were wound- 
 ed. The Epervier was almost cut to pieces, while 
 the American vessel, in fifteen minutes after, was fit 
 for action. On hoard the prize, was found upwards 
 of one hundred thousand dollars in specie, which 
 were taken out, after which she went to Savannah, 
 under lieutenant colonel Nicholson, where she ar- 
 rived safely. 
 
 Another victory, not less brilliant, followed close 
 after. The sloop of war Wasp, captain Blakely, 
 engaged, and after an action of nineteen minutes, 
 captured the British sloop Reindeer, of superior 
 force. The Reindeer was desperately fought, and 
 the execution on both ships was very great. Two 
 attempts made by the enemy to board, but with no 
 success. The prize was so much injured, that it 
 was found impracticable to bring her in | she was 
 accordingly set on fire, and blown up. The Wasp 
 had five killed ; the other twenty -three killed, and 
 forty -two wounded. 
 
 The Wasp, after putting into L'Orient to repair, 
 and to dispose of her prisoners, again sailed out on 
 the twenty-seventh of August. She had not been 
 
NAVAL A1PFAIRS, &C. 115 
 
 long out, miti) a second opportunity occurred, cf put- 
 ting iier prowess to the test. On the first of Sep- 
 tember, she fell in with the Avon, and after a short, 
 but warm engagement, this vessel was compelled to 
 strike ; but when possession was about to be taken 
 of the prize, the Chastilian, a brig of eighteen guns, 
 was descried; preparation was immediately made 
 for action, but the appearance of two other vessels, 
 and the Avon at tlie same time making signals of 
 distress, the Wasp bore away. The Wasp after- 
 wards captured the Atalanta, a brig of eight guns. 
 Alter these numerous exploits, sinking two ships of 
 wai*, and capturing enemies property to the amount 
 of at least a million of dollars, the Wasp was for a 
 long time fondly expected home: but alas ! her fate 
 is now but too certain ; our gallant seamen are co- 
 vered by the mountain waves of the ocean. 
 
 The daring commander, captain Porter, was mas- 
 ter of the Pacific, with his singularly created fleet. 
 The enemies flag was expelled from those waters, 
 and the British whale fishery entirely destroyed. 
 The admiralty was obliged to fit out several vessels, 
 for the express purpose of encountering this formi- 
 dable enemy. Captain Porter, having been a long 
 time at sea, was under the necessity of selecting a 
 landing place, where he could refi-esh his men, by 
 some relaxation from their long and an uous service, 
 and where he could repair his vessels. He landed 
 
116 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 at nn unfrequented island called Nooaheva, inhabi- 
 ted by numerous tribes of the natives. They at first 
 granted him pei-mission, but afterwards became hos- 
 tile, and compelled him either to quit the island, or 
 to give them a signal chastisement. He preferred 
 the latter, and they afterwards treated him with re- 
 spect; it was also a means of bringing about a gene- 
 ral peace among all the tribes. After having com- 
 pletely refitted, he sailed for Valparaiso, in com- 
 pany with the Essex Junior. Soon after his arri- 
 val, the British frigate Phoebe, captain Hillyar, 
 carrying fifty -three guns, in company with the sloop 
 of war Cherub, captain Tucker,- mounting twenty- 
 eight guns, made their appearance. On entering 
 the harbor, the Phcebe fell foul of the Essex in such 
 at manner as to be completely in her power. The 
 British commander affected to be grateful for this 
 forbearance on the part of captain Porter, and pro- 
 mised to pay the same regard to the neutrality of 
 the port; a promise which he could easily disregard, 
 ^hen it no longer suited him to observe. Repeated 
 attempts were made by the American commander 
 to provoke the British frigate to a single combat, 
 >vitlioiit success. At length, finding that they could 
 outsail the British vessel, he determisied to seize a 
 favorable opportunity of running out to sea. On 
 the twenty-eighth of March, he made the experi- 
 meiit, but on sounding the point, a squall can-ied 
 
!vAVAL AFFAIRS, &C. 117 
 
 away his main-top-mast, in consequence of which, 
 finding it impossible to escape, he attempted to re- 
 gain the port ; failing in this, he put into a small 
 bay, under the guns of a Spanish battery, and let go 
 hi.'i anchor. Regardless of tlie neutrality of the 
 place, the enemy bore down, and the two vessel s^ 
 choosing each a raking position, opened a tremen- 
 dous fire upon the unfortunate American frigate. 
 Captain Porter long defended himself with unexam- 
 pled courage. With three long twelve pounders, 
 run out of his stern ports, he twice compelled the 
 enemy to haul oflf and repair. They afterwards 
 chose a more secure distance. Captain Porter cut 
 Jiis cable and attempted to board; failing !?i this, he 
 tried to i-un his vessel ashore; after trying every 
 expedient, which the most consummate nautical skill 
 could suggest, and sujiported by an unshaken firm- 
 ness without a parallel, he was at Jast compelled to 
 surrender his ship. Out of a crew of two hundred 
 and twenty-five, fifty-eight were killed, and sixty- 
 five wounded, and thirty-one drowned. Thus, after 
 a contest of two hours, a victory was won by the 
 arms of Britain, wliich covered them with disgrace. 
 -- Captain Porter was allowed to return in the Es- 
 sex Junior, but was shamefully treated by th.e Sa- 
 turn razee, off Sandy-Hook. He was obliged to 
 give up his parole, and afterwards eiTocted his es- 
 cape in an open boat, at the distance of thirty miles 
 
118 HISTORY OF THE AVAR. 
 
 In order to wind up our naval history, it will be 
 proper to notice several important affairs, which, in 
 order of time, may appear somewhat out of place ; 
 this will, however, be counterbalanced by the advan- 
 tage of a more connected narrative of the remain- 
 ing' events of the war. In January, 1815, a squa- 
 dron in the harbor of New-York, consisting of seve- 
 ral frigates and ships of war, under the command of 
 commodore Decatur, was destined, by the War De- 
 partment, to make a cruize in the Indian ocean^ 
 The harbor being closely blockaded, the squadron 
 agreed upon a place of rendezvous, and then attempt- 
 ed to sail out singl}, and endeavor to elude the 
 enemy. Taking advantage of a dark night, tlie 
 commodore's ship (the President) stood out, but 
 unfortunately struck on passing the bar, and was 
 detained for two hours, by which means the i*eturn 
 ©f day bi'ought her in sight of the British squadron ; 
 the Endymion was, in a short time, so near as to 
 come to action, Decatur at fii*st resolved to board 
 this vessel, and if successful, to abandon his own 
 ship, which had entirely lost her sailing trim, by the 
 unfortunate accident first mentioned. He was dis- 
 appointed in this by the manoeuvres of the enemy; 
 he therefore opened his guns upon her, and it was 
 not long befoi-e she lay a complete log in the water. 
 By this time, the other ships of ihc. squadron }»ad 
 come up, and the Presideat was compelled to sur^ 
 
NAVAI AFFAIRS, &C. IID 
 
 render. The President lost twenty-five killed, and 
 sixty wounded. Nothing in point of naval renown, 
 was lost by America in this affair. 
 
 The Hornet, capt. Biddle, near the island of Fris- 
 ian d'Acunha, fell in with, and after an action of 
 twenty-two minutes, on the twenty-third of March, 
 1815, captured his Britannic majesty's brig Pen- 
 guin, captain Dickenson. The captureu vessel had 
 fourteen killed, and twenty-eight vvounded. Cap- 
 tain Biddle was wounded in the neck, after tlie Pen- 
 guin had surrendered ; an act which so irritated 
 the crew, that it was with great difficulty it could 
 be restrained from refusing quarters to the enemy, 
 Lieut. Connor, a brave officer, was severely w ound- 
 ed. This vessel still continues to grace the list of tlie 
 navy. The seamanship of the accomplished comiiMin- 
 der, was displayed on his return home to as much ad- 
 vantage as his valor in the combat. For three 
 days, he was chased hy a ship of tiie line, bearing an 
 admiral's flag, and was compelled to tlirow his guns 
 overboard, before he could finally effect his escape. 
 
 The frigate Constitution, returned to the United 
 States, after a long cruize, after tlie cessation of hos- 
 tilities. On the twentieth of February, 1815, cap- 
 tain Stew^ai^t was attacked by two heavy sloops of 
 war. Notwithstanding the advantage whi( h they 
 possessed, of being able to take raking positions, 
 linless baffled by the utmost exertion of skill. Both 
 
120 IIISTCRY or THE WAB. 
 
 were captured, and proved to be the ship Cyanc^ 
 captain Gordon Falcon, oi' thirty-four 32 pound car- 
 ronades, and the brig Levant, captf n Douglass, of 
 eighteen 32 pound carronades, aiKl two long twid* es. 
 On board the enemy, the }oss was one hundred in 
 killed and wounded. The Constitution had four 
 men killed, and eleven wounded. Captain Stewart 
 carried his prizes into Port Pray a, in Ma-rch j here 
 the British ships Leander, and the Newcastle, ap^ 
 pearing, and the captain apprehending that no re- 
 gard would be paid to the neutrality of the place, 
 endeavored to make his escape with his prizes. Af- 
 ter a long chase, he succeeded in getting off the 
 Cyane, but the Levant was compelled to iHiturn to 
 port, where she was captured in violation of the 
 lavrs of nations. This concludes tlie naval history 
 of the late war; wc now turn back on our steps, ia 
 order to resume the regular plan of our narrative. 
 
 During the last yoar of the w^ar, the leniency at 
 first practised towards the Eastern states was suc- 
 ceeded by acts of liostility, although not of so law- 
 less a character, yet sufficiently rigorous to make 
 them feci the war. 
 
 An opportunity was afforded the inhabitants, of 
 convincing the common enemy, that disaffection to 
 the ^Th'-.m, was th" last thing tho'ight of by the great 
 mass of the people, whatever sentiments might be 
 
NAVAL Ar?xiIIlS, &C. 121 
 
 privately entertained by a Tlw. Commotlore Hardy 
 was gallantly resisted at Stoiilngtuii, a small village, 
 at which a few militia had been hastily collected. 
 A heavy bombardmciit v»as kept up for forty-eight 
 liours, and the British barges which attempted to 
 land, v.ei'e several times compelled to retire. Great 
 praise was bestowed in every part of the United 
 States, on these brave citizens, in the defence of their 
 town. 
 
 In the conrsc of the summer, several important 
 expeditions were iindertakcii by the enemy, against 
 the extreme north-eastern frontier of tlie U. Sttites, 
 where the American forces could make but a feeble 
 resistance. 
 
 Eastport, Castine, Machias, and otlier villages 
 between the Penobscot and the bay of Passama- 
 quoddy, were successively visited, without any re- 
 sistance of consequence. The Bi'itish commander, 
 affected to take formal possession of all the country 
 east of Penobscot, and fortifying Eastport, esta- 
 blished a garrison of twelve hundred men. The 
 exact boundary in this quarter, had never been per- 
 fectly ascertained ; it had been doubtful to v. liom 
 several of the islands properly belonged ; this, at the 
 conclusion of the war, gave rise to an article of the 
 treaty. 
 
 In consequence of the taking of Castine, the fri- 
 gate John Adams was unfortunately lost. Captain 
 
122 iflSTORY OF TH^B WAR. 
 
 Morris had put into the Penobscot a few days be* 
 fore. Having no means of defending his ship against 
 a powerful force, he was compelled to set her ou 
 fire, and blow her up. 
 
CHAPTER XIV, 
 
 JFar on tke Js%rthern Frontitr— Battles of Chippewa 
 and JViagara, 
 
 After the failure of the last attempt to invade 
 Canada^ which had proved so unfortunate to the in- 
 habitants along the Niagara frontier, and which 
 enabled the British to take possession of the Ameri- 
 can fort, the forces on both sides retired into winter 
 quarters. Nothing of impoii;ance took place, until 
 the opening of the campaign, towards the latter end 
 of March. General Wilkinson, finding tliat a large 
 body of tiie enemy had been collected at La Cole, 
 marched a considerable portion of his army, for the 
 purpose of attacking their position. They had for- 
 tified a large stone mill, and erected other defences. 
 An eighteen pounder was attempte(l to be brought 
 up by the general, but not succeeding in this, a 
 twelve pounder was substituted. After a fair expe- 
 riment of the strength of this fortress^ and repulsing 
 
^24 HISTORY 03? THE WAS. 
 
 a sortie by the enemy, h\ Aviiich captains Larable 
 and M'Pherson Avere wounded, a retreat took place. 
 The general tiien took position at Odeltown, on the 
 dividing line. This iiiauspicious opening of the 
 campaign, together with the failure of the last, 
 caused this officer, together with Hampton, to be laid 
 on the shelf 5 and general Izard assumed tlie com- 
 mand of the one,-and general M'Corab of the other. 
 Early in the spring, general Brown, who had 
 been detached from the main body, with about two 
 thousand men, arri\ed on the Niagara. The gal- 
 lant conduct of this officer, on several occasions,, had 
 won for him a liigh character, and it was confidently 
 expected, that he would soon regain the territory in 
 the possession of the enemy. There does not seem 
 to have been any prospects at the commencement of 
 tiie campaign, of being able to tear any part of Ca- 
 nada from the British ; the utmost tliat could be ex- 
 pected, was to cut off all commimication between the 
 Upper and Lower Pi^ovinces. The British had 
 availed themselves of the repose of the winter, to 
 construct, at an enormous expense, several large 
 vessels for lakes Champlain and Ontario. Although 
 The United States had not neglected the augmenta- 
 tion of the naval force, they found themselves, at 
 the commencement of the season, unable to cope 
 with the enemy. Commodore Chauncey , was there- 
 fore compelled to lay by, mitil the beginning of suia- 
 
WAR ON THE NORTHERN TRONTIER, &C. 125 
 
 mer, before he could be in a situation to co-operate 
 with the land forces. 
 
 Several smaller affairs, however, occurred, to en- 
 liven the scene. On the fifth of May, sir James L. 
 Yeo, with four ships, and otlier vessels of considera- 
 ble force, appeared before Oswego, with a view^ of 
 intercepting the stores and necessary equipments for 
 the Superior, then building at Sacket's Harbor. 
 The place was commanded by lieut colonel Mitchel, 
 with about three hundred men, assisted by captain 
 Boyle, with a party of sailors, and the Growler's 
 crew, under lieut. Pearce. They were so warmly 
 received by the Yankees, that their boats were com- 
 pelled to fall back with all possible precipitation. 
 Not content Avitli this, they approached the next day 
 witli three thousand men, and covered their land- 
 ing with their ships. These were handsomely pep- 
 pered as they drew near, and after taking posses- 
 sion of the place, with the loss of more than two hun- 
 dred men, they found to their inexpressible mortifi- 
 cation, that the stores had already been removed, 
 except one barrel of whiskey, which they indig- 
 r^antly stove, and suffered to be swallowed by the 
 earth. 
 
 Some time after this, captain Woolsey having 
 brought to, at the mouth of Oswego creek, with the 
 military stores for Sacket's Harbor, received intel- 
 ligence from his look-out boats, that a Sotilia of Bri- 
 
126 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 
 
 tish gun vessels had chased them. In concert with 
 colonel Appling, a plan of decoying the enemy, who, 
 it appeared, was commanded by captain Popliam, 
 was formed. The look-out boat shewing itself, was 
 closely pursued into the creek. Colonel Appling's 
 riflemen having been concealed in the edge of the^ 
 bank, suddenly shewed themselves, and discharged 
 a volley upon the British, who immediately suiren- 
 dered. Tlie whole amounting to at least two hun- 
 dred, were taken prisoners. 
 
 It was not until the third of July, that general 
 Brown found himself in a situation to carry his 
 plans into execution. On the evening of tliat day, 
 orders were issued for the embarkation of the army, 
 which consisted of two brigades, besides the New- 
 York and Pennsylvania volunteers, under general 
 Porter. They were suffered to cross the river and 
 land without molestation : the first brigade under 
 {general Scott, the artillery commanded by major 
 Hindman, landed before Fort Erie, while general 
 Hipley with the second, landed some distance above 
 Ihc fort. The garrison was invested, and being 
 almost taken by surprise, surrendered with very 
 little resistance. One hundred and thirty-seven 
 prisoners were taken. Placing a small gai-rison in 
 the fort, general Brown moved the follo\vfng day to 
 Chippewa plains. In approaching this place, genG- 
 iid Porter^s advance met some light bodies of the 
 
WAR OTH THE KORTHERX FRONTIER, kc, 127 
 
 enemy, and encountered them in a wood; after 
 beating them, the vohmteers pursued, until they 
 found themselves, on a sudden, in contact with tlie 
 main body of the British army. They were about 
 to give way, when general Brown ordered Scott's 
 brigade to advance with Tov.son's artillery, and 
 draw the enemy into tlie plain. The engagement 
 became general. The leR flank of Scott's brigade, 
 /Was exposed, in consequcncie of the volunteers hav- 
 ing fallen back, but major Jessup, who commanded 
 here, ordered his battalion to carry arms and ad- 
 vance, until choosing a favorable position, he poured 
 a deadly fire upon the enemy, wliich compelled them 
 to retreat. General Ripley was ordered to move 
 lip with his brigade, and turn the right wing ; be- 
 fore this could be executed, the British had given 
 ground, and on approaching the declivity of the hill, 
 they broke and fled in disorder, behind their works. 
 Tliis action was close and severe; it was fought 
 with great courage and skill on both sides. The 
 Americans had sixty killed and two hundred and 
 forty-eight wounded; on the side of the British, 
 their killed amounted to one hundred and tiiirty- 
 three, and three liundred and tv^^enty wounded. 
 
 This victory difTused a vei-y general joy over the 
 United States. Maiiy of tlie Wellingtonian vete- 
 ran regiments liad already reached America, and 
 jpailakcn the disgrace, while every account isom 
 
I^S IIISTOKY or THE WAR. 
 
 England announced the hostile ten^per of that coun- 
 try, Tliis complete victory on the part of general 
 Brown, liad an excellent effect. 
 
 After this sore driibbinj?, the invincihles retired to 
 fort George, abandoning all the intermediate posts, 
 but not witJiout being closely pressed in their re- 
 treat. General Brown returned to Queenstown 
 heights, where lie soon after learned that large re- 
 inforcements had reached the enemy from Kingston 
 to Prcscot. On this, he receded to Chippewa and 
 encamped. On the twenty-iifth of July, a strong 
 detachment was discovered on its march towards 
 Schlosser, on the opposite side, which seemed to 
 threaten the American deposit there. In order to 
 counteract this, Scotfs brigade and Towson's artil- 
 lery, marched in the direction of Queenstown. 
 
 On approaching the fails of Niagara, tlse British 
 army was discovered directly in front, occupying a 
 position which had been carefully selected* Gene- 
 ral Scott immediately dispatched a messenger with 
 liiis information, to general Brown ; but before the 
 arrival of the messenger, the report of cannon tokl 
 that the battle was a]ready begun, and the general 
 hastened to the field with his main force. General 
 Scott, and the artillery nndx^rTowson, were warmly 
 engaged. The twenty-fifth, nnder its gallant com- 
 mander, maj. Jessup, moved to the riglit of the main 
 body, with discretionary orders to be governed by 
 
WAS, Q^ THE XORTHER^ mONTIEB, &:C. 129 
 
 ciixiimstanccs. Desperate was this contest, for se- 
 veral hours } tiie' American ranks were thinned, and 
 at every moment diminishing', before the vast dispa- 
 rity of numbers opposed to them. They still main- 
 tained their ground with undaunted firmness, in ex- 
 pectation of being reinforced by general Brown. 
 Meanwhile, colonel Jcssup, taking advantage of ihQ 
 neglect of the enemy, in leaving his left unguarded, 
 gained their rear, and as the clouds of night were 
 fast descending, he penetrated the British line, and 
 cut off its left wing, making prisoners of general 
 Riall and suit, while general Drummond narrowly 
 escaped the same fate : one of his aids was however 
 taken, and by this, the execution of a manoeuvre, 
 wliicli would have at once overpowered the strength 
 of tJie Americans, was prevented. 
 
 Ripley's brigade at length arrived, and in order to 
 relieve the troops of general Scott, now almost ex- 
 hausted, they displayed in front. The enemy occu- 
 pied a commanding height, on which was planted 
 his artillery, a formidable battery. Ripley con- 
 ceived the bold design of making an attempt to carry 
 the height, as the only movement. that appeared 
 likely to bring the battle to an issue, and on this be- 
 ing communicated to the commander, it was ap- 
 proved. Accordingly, assigning to colonel Miller, 
 tlie arduous duty of leading tlie charge, at tlie liead 
 of the twenty-fiftbj he resolved to follow with the. 
 
130 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 twenty -third, the younger regiment. They advanced 
 in coiumn to the perilous charge, but faultered on 
 receiving the first fire ; they were again formed, 
 and advancing with a steady and firm step, seized 
 the whole battery. The enemy fled in astonish- 
 ment and dismay, while the Americans turned their 
 own artillery upon them, and together with their 
 own pieces, posted themselves with great strength. 
 The enemy, stung with sliame, and receiving rein- 
 forcements, wliich enabled them to outflank the Ame- 
 ricans in botli extremes, came on witli a furious 
 charge, but were driven back with great loss; they 
 woi'e driven back a second, and a thii'd time, hav- 
 ing each time received reinforcements. The Ame- 
 ricans w ere left in quiet possession of the field ; it 
 was now midnight, and having been so long engag- 
 ed in this dreadful combat, tliey vrere ordered to re- 
 treat ; but unfortunately, the trophies of this splen- 
 did victory, could not be secured, from the want of 
 the means of conveying the ai'tillery, the carriages 
 having been shattered,^ and tlie horses killed. The 
 total loss of the British, amounted to eight hundred 
 and sixty ; tlie loss of the Americans, very little 
 sijort of the same number. When we consider that 
 the forces engaged, did not exceed four thousand 
 five hundred on the British side, and three thousand 
 on the American, this may rank amongst tlie most 
 bloody battles any where recorded. The dispro- 
 
WAR ON- THE NORTHERN FRONTIER, &C. 131 
 
 portionate loss of the Americans, is to be ascribed 
 to the advantages of tlie enemy, in the commence- 
 ment of the action, over the brigade ol general 
 Scott; this brigade suffered so much, that several 
 regiments were so thinned, that when united, they 
 scarcely formed more than one. Generals Brown 
 and Scott, were both severely wounded, and the 
 command devolving on general Ripley, lie retired to 
 foii; Erie. General Porter, of the volunteers, gain- 
 ed great honors for himself and his brave volun- 
 teers. Colonel Leavenworth, major Jessup, and a 
 number of other officers, were higldy complimented 
 in the orders of the day. 
 
 On the fifteenth of August, after tlie fort liad been, 
 for some time infested by general Drummond, with 
 a large force, and after having made his regular ap- 
 proaches, he resolved to attempt to carry it by 
 storm. The assault and defence, were of the same 
 desperate character as the pitched battles before de- 
 scribed, and terminated alike tO the glory of the 
 American officers and soldiers. By this time, the 
 bravery of the American troops, had made no light 
 impression on these haughty foes. Tiie loss of the 
 British was immense; and general Gaines, who 
 commanded, general Ripley, and other officei's, ac- 
 quired imperishable renown. 
 
 Gen. Brown, having recovered from his wounds, 
 On the second of September, resumed the command* 
 
132 HISTORY OF THE W XIU 
 
 From the time of the unsuccessful assault, both sides 
 were actively engaged; the enemy in erecting bat- 
 teries, the Americans in completing their defences.- 
 The enemy's batteries were becoming every day 
 more formidable to the fort, two of whicli were 
 within five liundred yards, and a third v»as rapidly 
 constructing, for the purpose of infilading the Ame- 
 lican works. A spirited measure was tliJught of by 
 general Browii, to avert tlie impending danger. On 
 the seventeenth, a sortie was executed in a gallant 
 vstyle, which could only be equalled by the admirable 
 skill displayed, in the formation of tlie plan. The 
 British were completely surprised ; the American 
 troops taking a circuitous route through the woods, 
 came suddenly upon the enemy's liank, and charg- 
 ing in column, took possession of all the enemy's 
 batteries, though not without a severe conflict, and 
 great carnage. The batteries, in two hours, were de- 
 stroyed. The Americans had to deplore the loss of 
 some gallant officers, among whom were brigadier- 
 general Davis, of the volunteers, colonels Gibson, 
 :and Wood, two valuable officers. The loss of the 
 enemy was upwards of eight hundred men. About 
 three hundred Americans wej'e killed and wounded, 
 among the latter general Ripley. 
 
 The Weilingtonian ^' Invincible s^^^ after this, 
 thought proper to retire ; and accordingly, generals 
 Drummond and De Watteville, broke up tlicir camp 
 
WAR ON THE NORTHERN FRONTIER, &C. iSS 
 
 mi the night of the twenty-first, and sought fafety in 
 the works of Chippewa. Ahout this time, general 
 Izard arrived from Plattsburg witli a reiiifarccment 
 of four hundred men, and placed the security of the 
 post beyond doubt. Considering that notliing could 
 be gained by maintaining his present position, this 
 general, who now assumed the command as the 
 senior officer, removed to the American side, iifter 
 destroying fort Erie, and ordered his troops into 
 winter-quarters at Buffalo. Thiis terminated the 
 campaign of 1814, on the Niagara, in which the 
 enemy was four times beaten in fair and equal com- 
 bat. The American soldiers had at last retrieved 
 the character of the military, and^ip the estimation 
 of the country, were placed on a level with thp 
 heroes of the navy. The names of Brown^^ Scott, 
 Ripley, Miller, Porter, Davis, Jessup, Roe, Gibson^ 
 "Wood, Hindman, Towson, Trimble, will be written 
 ^n letters of gold, on the arch of American glory. 
 
 In the course of the campaign, a considerable part 
 of the English army had arrived from the Gari'one ; 
 several regiments marched to the upper provinces, 
 to afford the American soldiers an opportui.ity of 
 plucking from their brov/s, the laurels won^in Spain 
 and France, under their renowned leader. THq 
 greater part of the British troops were retained, 
 however, in the lower province, by sir George Pre- 
 
 vost, in order to accomplish a subsequent plan of 
 
 12 
 
134 HISTORY 0¥ THE WAE. 
 
 Operations, which will he detailed in its proper place. 
 The circumstance of general Izard having with- 
 drawn from Plattsburg, with the main body of the 
 troops, left that quarter, much exposed; sir George 
 having concentrated a large body of troaps in this 
 neighborhood, with the intention, as it afterwards 
 appeared, of penetrating tlie state of New- York. 
 
 After the army of Niagara had retired into win* 
 ter quarters, all was quiet witli the exception of a 
 liandsome affair, in which the Americans were victo- 
 rious. General Bissell was detached with about 
 nine hundred men, to destroy some military stores, 
 and was met by the marquis of Twedale, with about 
 the same number. After a fair pitched battle, the 
 marquiji was soundly drubbed, and precipitately re- 
 treated, leaving the American general to execute his 
 orders without further molestation. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Capture of Washington — Dcjence of Baltimore. 
 
 We return once more to the events of the war on 
 the seaboard. The occurrences of 1814, in this 
 ^juarter, wore a more serious face than during any 
 of the preceding years. Our powerful enemy ma- 
 nifested a fixed determination, of carrying on the 
 war for the pur])osc of revenge ; and being freed 
 from the continental war, her numerous ships, and 
 her armies, were now at her disposal for any other 
 purpose. Advices from the American commission- 
 ers, served not % little to depress the hopes of peace. 
 
 In the beginning of summer, the enemy arrived 
 off our coast, with several ships of the line and fri- 
 gates, with a great number of transports. They 
 soon after entered the Chesapeake, and maintained 
 a threatening attitude against the principal cities on 
 the bay. Consider ble time, Iiowever, elapsed, be^ 
 forp any important entcrprize was undertaken ; but 
 admiral Cockburn was actively engaged, as usual, 
 
iSO mSTORT 6V THE WAR. 
 
 in piimdcring and pilfering the planters. To oppose 
 some check to this atrocious reparee, a flotilla of 
 gun vessels was fitted out by our government, and 
 the command given to commodore Barney. This 
 intrepid veteran, soon made himself so formidable 
 from his rapid movements tlirough creeks and in- 
 lets, that the enemy found it necessary to destroy 
 his liotiila. A number of vessels suited to the pur- 
 pose, \ycre accordingly provided. The commodore, 
 about the first of June, was chftsed into the Patuxent ; 
 here their larger vessels not being able to pursue 
 him, they sent their barges, but which were com- 
 pelled to sneak off faster than they caiue. A more 
 formidable squadron of boats, a few days after- 
 wards, compelled the commodore to take refuge on 
 Leonard's creek, wher^ he was closely blockaded, 
 by two frigates. Commodore Barney having re- 
 ceived some additional force from Washington, fell 
 down to the mouth of the creek, and choosing his 
 position, began a well directed fire on the British 
 vessels : in two hours, the frigates finding their si- 
 tuation rather uncomfortable, prudently weighed an- 
 chor and stood down the Patuxent. Barney em- 
 bracing this opportunity, ran out of the creek, and 
 ascended the Patuxent. 
 
 Daring the time that the commodore was thus 
 blockaded, a party of the enemy proceeded up the 
 Patuxent, and landing a body of men, took posses- 
 
CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON, &C. 13/ 
 
 sion of Benedict and Marlborough, and then coura- 
 geously attacked the tobacco warehouses and hen- 
 roosts, which were robbed with Cockburnian rapa- 
 city. The visit to these villages, first shewed them 
 the practicability of attacking Washington in this 
 quarter, as they would be enabled to approach it 
 within thirty or forty miles, before any suspicions 
 should be entertained of their designs. The year 
 before, considerable alarm had prevailed, lest the 
 enemy would ascend the Potomac in his sliips, and 
 attack the city of Washington ,• but no suspicion of 
 any probable attack in this direction, was entertain- 
 ed. Indeed, it appeared to be the opinion of many, 
 that the American capitol, could scarcely hold out 
 any inducement to them to incur the risk, when but 
 little could be gained. Of this opinion, was the se- 
 cretary at war, who, it will appear, did not use 
 those precautions necessary to secure the American 
 iiapitol from the disgrace of being spurned by Iios- 
 tile steps. President Madiscii, in a council of the 
 heads of department, had determined that at least 
 ten thousand men, should bo collected at some point 
 which might be nearly equi-distaut from Annapolis, 
 Washington and Baltimore, and could cover all 
 these places. The execution of the plan, was of 
 course left to the Secretary. A new military dis- 
 trict being formed, general Winder, in tlic montli of 
 
 July, was invested with tlie command, and autho 
 
 12* 
 
138 MISTOKY OF THE WAK. 
 
 rized by the Secretary, to call out the necessary 
 force. It was soon found that the quota of Penn- 
 sylvania militia, and for the greater part, that of 
 Maryland, had failed. No measure was taken by 
 tlie Secretary, to ensure, at all events, the requisite 
 number in the field. The general busily occupied 
 liimself in visiting all the different parts of liis dis- 
 trict, and in making the necessary arrangements, 
 to meet the enemy at all points. No camp was 
 formed as had been contemplated : all the force to 
 1)6 depended upon, was Stansbury's brigade, then 
 near Baltimore, a body of militia at Annapolis, 
 about one thousand regulars, and the militia of the 
 district of Columbia. 
 
 AdmiralCockburn, about the sixteenth of August, 
 ascended the bay with twenty-two sail, besides 
 transports, and was joined by admiral Malcom* 
 About this time, it appears he formed a resolution of 
 attacking Washington. The circumstance of Bar- 
 3ney's flotilla having taken shelter in the Patuxent, 
 favored the design of attacking the city by way of 
 Benedict. Accordingly, dividing his force, and 
 sending one detachment up the bay, as if to threaten 
 Baltimore, under sir Peter Parker, and one up the 
 Potomac, under captain Gordon, as if to force fort 
 Washington, he took the road. himself first named. 
 
 The British land forces debarred at Benedict, on 
 the twenty -first of August, and on the twenty -second 
 
CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON, &C . 139 
 
 reached Upper Marlborougli ; and the American 
 flotilla which had ascended as high as this place, 
 was now destroyed, while connnodore Barney, ac- 
 cording to his orders, joined general Winder with 
 Lis marines. At this tiuie, tiie American general 
 had not more than two thousand men, just collected 
 into camp, at a place called the Woodyard. On the 
 twenty-second, he fell hack to the Old Fields, where 
 he encamped for the night. 
 
 The general might expect to be reinforced in the 
 course of a day or two, by the militia of Baltimore 
 and Annapolis, which, with the volunteers of 
 Georgetown, and its neighborhood, and the regu- 
 lars, would give him a force of about five thousand 
 men. As the ground was extremely faA orable for 
 skirmishing, and irregular fighting, he might har- 
 rass the enemy on his advance; for his force was 
 by no means sufficient to meet the enemy in open 
 field. On the 23d, the general detached a party, un- 
 der colonel Scott, for the purpose of watching the 
 movements of the enemy, and harrassing him in his 
 advance. Within six miles of the American camp, 
 the enemy was descried marching in column ; after 
 firing a few rounds, the detachment retreated, and 
 the enemy advancing three miles further, encamped 
 for the night. Apprehensive of a night attack, the 
 general marched about sun-set into Washington, 
 and encamped near the navy-yard. Early the ne.tt 
 
140 HISTORY or THB WAR. 
 
 morning, the British were discovered to have taken 
 the road to Bladensburg, having general Winder's 
 force on his left flank, and leaving liis communica- 
 tion with the shipping entirely unguarded. 
 
 General Stansbury's brigade, about thirteen hun- 
 dred strong, arrived at this place on the twcnty-se- 
 Cond, and was joined tlie next day by the Baltimo- 
 reans, under colonel Sterret, about five hundred in 
 number, but much fatigued by a forced march : the 
 colonel was accompanied by the artillery companies 
 of Myers and Magruder, and the light battalion of 
 riflemen under Pinkney, the attorney general, who 
 could fight as well as speak. On the twenty-fqurtJi, 
 about noon, the enemy made his appearance near 
 Bladcnsburg. The Americans had already posted 
 themselves in the following manner: Stansbm^y's 
 brigade, w^as drawn up on the west side of the Wes- 
 tern Branch, the artillery posted so as to command 
 the bridge, the riflemen so as to support the artil- 
 lery ; Sterret's regiment, in an orchard, in the rear 
 of these, and the other troops in the best positions 
 the nature of the ground would admit. General 
 Winder having surveyed this disposition of the 
 troops, which had been made with the assistance of 
 colonel Monroe, approved of them. The general 
 had already posted the marines and seamen on the 
 rising ground, in a position to command the road, 
 in two separate batteries,, one under commodore 
 
CAPTtrSE OF WASHINGTON, kc, 141 
 
 Barney, the other under captain Miller. In the 
 rear of these, tliere was a second line of regulars, 
 volunteers, and militia, under general Smith ; there 
 was just time to post these about half a mile in the 
 rear of the first line, when the battle commenced. 
 A sti'ong regiment of Maryland militia, commanded 
 by colonels Beal and Hood, at the same time^ 
 took posts on the lengths south of the great road, 
 a^nong the woods, whence they could annoy the ap* 
 proaching enemy. Until this moment the heads of 
 department, witli the President, were on the ground, 
 countenancing the arrangements ; but as the growl- 
 ing stoi'Jii seemed to be drawing hearer and more 
 near, they deemed it proper to retire, as men of the 
 quill merely, should ha'v* AOthlng to do with either 
 hot lead or cold iron. 
 
 The reader will nov/ expect an account of a 
 bloody battle, worthy to have dec ided the fate of the 
 capitol of a great empire : he will expect to hear of 
 horrid carnage, of tlie dreadful sliock of arms, con- 
 tinued from the rising until the setting sun, night 
 closing on the ensanguined plain, and a thousand 
 ghosts shrieking in the hollow wind. Alas ! but 
 few widows or orphans were made this day ; yet 
 many an eye was wet, and many a heart was filled 
 W'ith rage, that so many of our gallant countrymen 
 escaped unhurt. Let us lay no flattei-ing unction to 
 our souls, this day was disgracefnl to Columbia. 
 
14 £ HISTORY OF THE WAIl. 
 
 The enemy, coming in view of the American line, 
 moved in a column to the bridge. The advance un- 
 der colonel Thornton, received a momentary check 
 from the well served artillery of Myers and Ma- 
 gruder, and from the fire of the riflemen. But ral- 
 lying his men, the colonel passed tlie bridge, and 
 then moved forward, and was soon followed by the 
 main body, under general Ross. The American 
 artillery and riflemen were soon after obliged to re- 
 treat, while the enemy continued to advance, not a 
 little annoyed by the artillery of major Peters. 
 Wli^^n th^ enemy's right approached within musket 
 range of Stansbiiry's brigade, this brigade broke ; 
 all the efforts of the commander, general Winder, 
 and the other officers, could not rally them. They 
 fled in confusion, carrying terror wherever they 
 went. The British now proceeded in column along 
 the road, until they came suddenly and unexpect- 
 edly, in view of commodore Barney, who gave them 
 so warm a reception, that they precipitately fell 
 back, leaving the road strewed with dead. They 
 deployed, and pushing out flanking parties, endea- 
 vored to gain the American rear i on approaching 
 the battQry of captain Miller, they, met w ith a recep- 
 tion as little agreeable as that afiorded tliem by com- 
 modore Bar»uy ; they continued, however, to send 
 out flanking parties, until both these gallant corps 
 were in danger of being cut off, when they were or* 
 
CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON, &C. 14S 
 
 dered to retreat. The commodore had been se- 
 verely wounded, and fell into the enemy's hands. 
 Stansbury's brigade, had been ordered to rally on 
 the second line, commanded by general Smith, but 
 on coming to the road which led to Montgomery 
 court-honse, they had nearly all taken that direc- 
 tion, and others were dispersed. General Winder, 
 now apprehensive that this line would be outflanked, 
 ordered it to retreat, intending to make another 
 stand nearer the capitol. General Winder rode to 
 the Capitol, and meeting with the President and 
 heads of departments, who were not military heads, 
 on consultation, agi'eed that a second attempt, since 
 the flight of the great body of the troops was not 
 practicable. General Smith was therefore ordered 
 to march through the city, and take position on the 
 heights of Georgetown. 
 
 Meeting with no further resistance, the British 
 general approached the metropolis with about one 
 thousand men, where he arrived about eight o'clock 
 in the evening, while the remainder of the army en- 
 camped within a mile or two of the place. The 
 haughty invader was now master of the proud seat 
 of the American government ; not a splendid and 
 populous city, but the mere skeleton of a town, con» 
 sisting of detached groups of houses scattered over 
 an umuense plain. The capitol yet unfinished, ex- 
 Jiibited a fine specimen of American architecture. 
 
i44 insTOEY or 'tim wxiu 
 
 AS did the beautii'ul building intended for tlie i*esi- 
 dence of the chief luai^istrate. These buildings, to- 
 gether with a number of private dwellingvS, wex*e 
 fired by the rutlUess barbarians, who weixi now mas- 
 ters ot the city. The libraries were burnt, as were 
 also the different offices, whence fortunately the ar- 
 chives of tlie state had been removed, otherwise 
 they would ha\ e shared the same fate. This dis- 
 graceful act of the British general, will be viewer} 
 with abhorrence by the latest posterity. The se- 
 cretary at war, had already ordered fire to be kin- 
 dled in the navy-yard, which destroyed public pro- 
 perty to an immense amount. The loss oi'the Bri* 
 tish was considerable; it is estimated at one thou- 
 sand : many having deserted, or sunk under the fa- 
 tigue of their forced march. 
 
 It is impossible to describe the deep chagrin and 
 moitiliration of the Americans, in ha. ing tlieir in- 
 fant iiietropolis thus barbarously defaced. The 
 wouiid to tlieir pride was most painful, aiid in its 
 first paroxisms tiireatened all the public ofticers co;i- 
 ceriied in the affair, with tlMi heaviest displeasure of 
 the people, who felt that the honor of their country 
 haJ received a stain. Tlie opprobrium finally set- 
 tled on the secretary at war, general Armstrong, 
 an I general Winder; the fii'vst at the intimation of 
 ihe President, witlidrew from office, the latter was 
 
(LAPTfmK OF WASHING ro]s^, &c. 145 
 
 tried by court-mai^ial, at his own solicitation, and 
 acquitted. 
 
 The enemy retreated to Benedict, on the twenty- 
 fifth, carrying away a considerable booty. In the 
 meanwhile, the naval detachment under captain 
 Gordon, ascended the Potomac, and on the twenty- 
 seventli, approached fort Washington, which was 
 immediately blown up by the officer commanding, 
 without firing a gun. The enemy nov/ meeting with 
 no opposition, passed up safely to Alexandria^ 
 whicli place was put under a heavy contTibution,- 
 
 All the produce, merchandize and shipping, 
 were demfinded, and required to be delivered under 
 the threat of destroying the town. With these hard 
 conditions, tlie citizens were obliged to comply ; and 
 the Britisli descended the bay, Vvith a very respecta- 
 ble amount of plunder. 
 
 The tliird division of t'le invaders, was not so suc- 
 cessful. Sir Peter Parker, with a body of sailors 
 and marines, who ascended the Chesapeake, met 
 with a different fortune. Having landed about two 
 hundred of his men, for the purpose of dispersing a 
 body of Maryland militia, near Georgetown Cross- 
 Roads, he was met with a firmness quite unexpected, 
 and after a sharp action, he received a mortal 
 wound, on which his detachment fell back to their 
 Jhips, losing upwards of thirty in killed and wound- 
 
 15^ 
 
146 iiisTonY o:f the war. 
 
 The capture of Washington, and the plunder of 
 Alexandria, excited the utmost alarm in all the Ame- 
 rican cities, but more especially in Baltimore, the 
 nearest to the dreadful scene of destruction and ra- 
 pacity. The return of it? citizen soldiers from the 
 field of Bladensbiirg, filled the place with consterna- 
 tion and dismay. Some, listening to the apprehen- 
 sions of tlie moment, were for making tlie best 
 terms they could with the enemy at once, in order 
 to save tlie city from destruction, knowing thedeadly 
 antipathy harbored against it by the enemy ; but 
 tliis was manfully rejected. It was resolved to adopt 
 the best measures for defence, the time would ad- 
 mit ; and it being now ascertained, that the first 
 idea suggested by their alarm, of the enemy's inten- 
 tion to march immediately from Washington to 
 Baltimore, was groundless ; all classes of people en- 
 gaged witli ardor, in the preparations for sheltering 
 their town against the coming tempest. The other 
 cities, particularly Pliiladelphia and New-York, ex- 
 hibited the most lively scenes of patriotic exertion 
 in the fortifications and works of defence. The dif- 
 ferent classes of the population, moved in separate 
 bands, to work on the trenches, to the sound of the 
 most animating music; one day it was the mer^j 
 chants, the next the professional men, the next, the 
 different kinds of mechanics, then the various reli- 
 gious congregations or sects, and then the natii-^ 
 
CArTURE OF MASHINGTOX, &.C. 147 
 
 ralized citizens of different nations; all these in 
 processions, producing a most afTecting spectacle of 
 festivity, and joyful exertion, to provide against the 
 impending danger. It was 8ll one mind, one voice, 
 and one interest. These arc the lovely fruits of li- 
 berty, equal rights, and a paternal government, not 
 of capricious men, but of wise and just laws. 
 
 The British forces intlie Chesapeake and its wa- 
 ters, assembled under the commander in chief, ad- 
 miral Cochrane, and now composed a most formi- 
 dable armada of more than fifty sail, having on 
 board more than five thousand land troops, under 
 general Ross. On the tenth of September, the anx- 
 iously expected enemy appeared, at the mouth of the 
 Patapsco, fourteen miles below Baltimore. The de- 
 fence of this flourishing and populous city, was as- 
 signed to major-general Samuel Smith, and briga- 
 dier-general Strieker, both of the Maryland militia, 
 and both revolutionary veterans. The latter, at his 
 request, was detaclied to meet the enemy at his 
 landing, near North Toint. Tlic general accord- 
 ingly marched with a part of his brigade, and seve- 
 rill additional corps of artillery, cavalry and rifie- 
 men; in the whole, about three thousand men. A 
 detachment was ordered to move forward, in order 
 to watcli the enemy. On the evening of the ele- 
 venth, the troops reached their place of destination, 
 seven miles below the city. 
 
148 HISTOKY OF THE WAR. 
 
 Early in the morning, the videttes brought in- 
 formation that the enemy was debarking nnder co- 
 ver of his gun boats; on this, the gencrrd took posi- 
 tion at the junction of the different roads leading 
 from the city, resting his right on Bear creek, his 
 left covered by a swamp, and in this situation await- 
 ed the enemy. Major Heath, who had been sent for- 
 ward to skirmish with the enemy, now retired be- 
 fore the advancing columns of general Ross. This 
 general, while reconnoitring at the head of his 
 troops, received a rifle ball in the breast, which at 
 once put an end to his career. His fall was a se- 
 vere loss to the British army, and for some time 
 cltecked its progress. The command devolving on 
 colonel Brooks, he moved with the whole force, lit- 
 tle sliort of seven thousand men, and commenced the 
 engagement by firing rockets ; a brisk cannonade 
 was opened from the artillery of captain Montgo- 
 mery, which was warmly returned by the enemy, 
 Tind the action soon became general. The Ameri- 
 can commander maintained his ground an hour and 
 an half against the sujierior numbers of the British. 
 Unfortunately, however, the regiment stationed on 
 the left gave way, and his flank became exposed, 
 which compelled him, sooner than if this had not 
 happened, to retire upon his reserve, a regiment 
 posted half a mile in the rear. This being effected, 
 he took up his march and retired to the entrench- 
 
CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON, &C, 149 
 
 ments thrown up on the rising ground, to the east 
 of the city, where he was joined hy generals Win- 
 der and Douglass, with a brigade of Virginia mili- 
 tia, under captain Biird's United States' dragoons. 
 In this w^ell fought battle, there were not more than 
 fourteen hundred men on the American side during 
 the hottest of the fight, having been diminished by 
 the reserve, and by the unfortunate panic which 
 seized the troops that gave way. The loss on the 
 American side was about one hundred and eighty in 
 killed and wounded : the British loss Vv'as at least 
 five hundred. 
 
 The brigades under general Stansbury and For- 
 man, the seamen and marines under commodore 
 Kodger^, the Pennsylvania volunteers, the Balti- 
 more and marine artillery, manned the entrench- 
 ments and heavy batteries. Thus posted, they cou- 
 rageously awaited the approach of the enemy, who 
 had not thought proper to push forward after the 
 battle of North Point. The next morning, the hos- 
 tile army appeared within two miles in front of the 
 American lines, inclined to the York and Harford 
 roads, as if to reach the town in that direction, but 
 observing that generals Strieker and Winder, 
 adapted their movements so as to counteract this de- 
 sign, it approached vrithin a mile, as if to attack in 
 front. 
 
 15* 
 
150 HISTORY OP THE WAR. 
 
 In the midst of these important land operations, 
 a powerful attack was made on fort M'Henry, 
 wliich commands the approach of the city by water. 
 The defence of the place was entrusted to major 
 Armistead, together with several companies of Bal- 
 timore artillerists, supported by a body of infantry 
 and marines. Two batteries to the right, were 
 manned by sailors, the one under lieutenant New- 
 comb, the other under lieut. Webster. The bom- 
 barding vessels, placing themselves out of the reach 
 of the guns of the fort, continued to throw shells 
 during the whole day and night, with very little in« 
 terruption, while those in the fort were compelled to 
 remain entirely inactive. Once, indeed, they ap- 
 proached sufficiently near for the guns of tlic foii; to 
 be brought to bear, which soon compelled them to 
 retire. During the night, several of their barges 
 were discovered approaching the shore, and were 
 Immediately attacked from the batteries to the right, 
 and one of them destroyed. 
 
 By this time, on consultation between the land 
 and naval commanders, it was mutually agreed, 
 that the capture of the city was impracticable ; it 
 was therefore resolved to make all convenient haste 
 out of the way. Tlie retreat of the array was com- 
 menced under cover of a dark and tempestuous 
 night, and the next morning had entirely disap- 
 peared from before the lines, and w ere immediately 
 
CAPTURE OF WASHINGTOIf, kc» 151 
 
 pursued by general Winder, who captured a few 
 stra,2;glers ; colonel BiMjok re-embarked his troops 
 in safety. 
 
 Thus gloriously terminated the short but eventful 
 siege of this noble city, pre-consigned by a fero- 
 cious enemy, to pillage and conflagration. The ci- 
 tizen soldiers who thus gallantly defended their 
 homes and families, obtained the reward of their 
 country's approbation. New life and spirit w^ere 
 awakened in all the cities exposed to the approach of 
 hostile footsteps, and the fortunate defence of Balti- 
 more, in some measure served to wash out the foul 
 pollution of the seat of government. We had, how- 
 ever, to lament the fall of many of our gallant coun- 
 trymcji ; to them a monument has been decreed, and 
 distant ages will continue to read on the sculptured 
 stone, the names .of col. Lowry Donaldson, Clag« 
 get; and of Clcmm, with gratitude and venera.tion. 
 
CHAPTER XVL 
 
 Glorious events of the War — British ^defeated at 
 Flatisburg — Repulsed at J^^exi}- Orleans — Peace, 
 
 The nation was consoled by the noble defence of 
 Baltimore, for its former disgraces, and joy was 
 visible in every countenance, while every village 
 and city was lighted up with such brilliant illumina- 
 tions, as almost rivalled the noon-day sun. The 
 candles of these illuminations had not been burnt 
 out, when a new cause of rejoicing was seen, like 
 the Aurora Borealis, to brighten the northern sky. 
 It was a splendid double victory, achieved at once 
 on the water and on the land. 
 
 "We have already mentioned the departure of ge- 
 neral Izard from Plattsburgh, and that general 
 M'Comb was left in command, with little better 
 than fourteen hundred regulars, many of whom were 
 invalids. Towards the latter end of August, sir 
 George Prevost had collected an army of as many 
 thousands, chiefly veteran troops, with a Ticw, as it 
 
GLOKIOUS EVENTS Or THE WAR, &C. 153 
 
 has been siijce ascertained, of penetrating to the 
 Hudson, •diid cutting olf the Northern from tiie Soii- 
 tlKTn States, and thus bring about a severance of 
 tlie Union. A mighty scheme, but which could onJy 
 originate in an extreme ignorance of th.e genius and 
 character of the American people. Sir George, 
 about tlic first of September, past iivto the American 
 territory, while at the same time, a squadron under 
 captain Downie, entered Lake Ciiamplain. 
 
 General M'Comb, and commodore M'Donough, 
 were not idle in making every prepai'ation, to oppose 
 the most effectual resistance, to this formidable 
 enemy. A body of militia, under general Moers, of 
 New- York, and ako another from Vermont, under 
 general Strong, added to the strength of the place^ 
 while tlie militia called in from all quarters, were 
 daily arriving. The naval commander was equally 
 industrious '^ as an instance of the wonderful exer- 
 tion made on this importajit occasion, he added a 
 brig to his force, before greatly inferior to the ene- 
 my's, in the short period of twenty days, the timber 
 of which was actually growing on the lake, when 
 the work was begun. The females and children^ 
 and every thing valuable that could be removed, 
 were sent out of tlie way, and every person capable 
 of bearing arms, were provided with muskets to aid 
 in repelling the invaders of their altars and fire- 
 sides. Even boys were armed, and forming them- 
 
154 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 selves into a company, were found efficient ou 
 the day of battle. General Moers, col. Appling-, 
 major Wool, and captain Sproal, were sent forward 
 at the head of detachments, to meet the advancing 
 foe. They contributed not a little in retarding* and 
 embarrassing the movements of the enenjy, and gave 
 proof that they would not he found wanting in the 
 hour of severer trial. It was not until the tenth, 
 that sir George readied Plattsbui'g, and took pos- 
 session of the village, wliile the Americans retreated 
 to tlieir defences on tlie opposite side of the river 
 Saranac, having taken up tlie planks of the bridges. 
 Here the British remained almost inactive i\'.y seve- 
 ral days, waiting, no doubti the arrival of their 
 squadron, intended to capture the American ships. 
 Numerous skirmishes, however, occurred daily. 
 
 On the eleventh, early in the morning, the look-" 
 out hoats of commodore M'Donough, at last espied 
 the approach of captain Downie, in order of battle. 
 His line consisted of the frigate Confiauce, thirty- 
 nine guns : tlie brig Linnet, of sixteen guns ; tlie 
 sloops Chub and Finch, eleven guns each, and thir- 
 teen gallies.^ five oi v/hich carrier? two, and the otJicrs 
 one gun each. The American sqi?adron canslstcd 
 of the Saratoga, twcnty-si-\- guns; the Eagle, tv/enty 
 guns; the Ticonderoga, sevei'tcen guns; the Preble, 
 seven gu^'S, ^iud ten gillies, six of wi:ki; iiad tv.o 
 guns, the others one, It lay moored iu line ix^ the 
 
GLORIOUS EVENTS OF THE WAR, ^C. 156 
 
 bay of Plattsburg, having on each flank a division 
 of gun-boats. At ten o'clock, captain Downic rang- 
 ed his sliips directly abreast of the American line, 
 within three hundred yards ; the Confiance opposed 
 to the Saratoga, and the Linnet to the Eagle. 
 Dreadful was the thnndering battle which now en- 
 sued : havoc and death ruled the frightful fray. 
 About ten, the Eagle changed her position, for one 
 conceived by her commander to be more favorable ; 
 but tlie Saratoga maintained her perilous position, 
 opposed to a ship of vastly superior force ; nearly 
 all the guns of this vessel, upon wliose success liung 
 the fate of the battle, being dismounted, an effort 
 was made to swing her round, that her other broad- 
 side might be brought to bear. Providence favored 
 the attempt ; the same experiment was tried by the 
 Confiance, but without success ; on -perceiving tliis, 
 she was compelled to strike. The vessel opposed to 
 the Eagle had already struck, and drifted out of the 
 line. Three of the gallics had gone to the bottom 
 of the Lake, the others effected their escape, al- 
 though hea^y laden with disgrace. Thus after an 
 action of two hours, a second British squadron was 
 compelled to humble itself before the strength of 
 American freedom and justice. 
 
 This sublime naval combat, took place in the 
 view of both armies ; the hearts of all were filled 
 with deep anxiety for the result. On beholding tho 
 
15b HISTORY OF THE WAtl. 
 
 consummation, tlie British were struck with horror 
 and grief, while the Americans were elated beyond 
 the expression of words. Tiie Americans had one 
 hundred and fifty-eight in killed and wounded. Of 
 the enemy, two hundred were killed and wounded, 
 among the former, { aptaiu Downie. The number 
 of men engaged on the American side, was eight 
 hundred and twenty ; on the British, one thousand 
 and fifty ; so that the number of prisoners alone, ex- 
 ceeded the number of the Americans. The Ameri- 
 cans had eighty -four guns, the British ninety-iive. 
 
 At the commencement of the engagement, the Bri- 
 tish bombs on shore, were opened on the American 
 works, and together with rockets, continued ta be 
 thrown until night. In tlie midst of this, an attempt 
 was made by the enemy, in three divisions, to pass 
 the Saranac ; but they were completely defeated by 
 the United States regular troops and militia. One 
 of these, at the ford above the village, was repelled 
 by militia and volunteers, after a very hot engage- 
 ment, and with great loss to the enemy. At dusk, 
 they withdrew their artillery, and at nine in the 
 evening, liaving sent off all theii baggage, they re- 
 tired with the utmost precipitation. Tlie next morn- 
 ing, Plattsburg was found entirely evacuated. The 
 defeat of these haughty invaders was compl^^te ; they 
 left behind them all their sick and wounded, toge- 
 ther with immense quantities of military stores ^nd 
 
GLORIOUS EVENTS OF THE WAR, &C. 157 
 
 camp equipage. They were immediately pursued, 
 but having already had the start by many hours, 
 none but stragglers could be overtaken. Nume- 
 rous deserters, however, came over to the Ame- 
 rican side ; in one body, four hundred men, prece- 
 ded by music, came into head-quarters. The loss 
 of the enemy, in killed, wounded and missing, in this 
 mighty expedition, which was to have shaken the 
 American republic to its centre, was upwards of 
 three thousand, and almost equal to the American 
 force. 
 
 The signal repulse and defeat of tlic Britislt, as 
 might he expected, produced the utmost joy in the 
 United States. All parties united in giving vent to 
 their feelings for tiie glorious occurrence. The 
 Prince Regent, deeply chagrined for the defeat of 
 his squadron on Lake Erie, contrived a curious 
 mode of soothing the mind of his faithful Britons, 
 and of proving to the world the superior prowess of 
 his majesty's ship. On a small piece of water in 
 Hyde Park, called the Serpentine river, half as 
 large as a mill-pond, he ordered two fleets to be 
 constructed, and launched upon their destined ele- 
 ment, one of which bore tlie red cross, the other the 
 stripes of Columbia. Now came on the tug of war ; 
 the big guns roared ; far flashed the red artillery ; 
 one by one, the Americans yield to the invincible 
 Britannia, and some even went down to the bottom 
 14 
 
ioS HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 of tlie pool. Now rose the shouts of the victorious 
 Englishmen, crouding around the pond of their 
 glory, while the frogs returned the sound with re- 
 sponsive croakings. The city illuminations which 
 took place on this astonishing event, were soon fol- 
 lowed by the news of the surrender of the British 
 squadron on Lake Champlain, 
 
CHAPTER XVII, 
 
 Defence of ^ew -Orleans — Brilliant termination of 
 the War, 
 
 On the meeting of Congress, the President laid 
 before them tl>e checquered scenes of the past year. 
 The brilliant victories on the Niagara frontier, 
 where the enemy was repeatedly beaten in pitched 
 battles ; the distressing capture of Washington, and 
 the barbarous circumstances attending ; the signal 
 repulse of the enemy from Baltimore, and the recent 
 victory at Plattsburg. Upon the whole, the cam- 
 paign of this year, was calculated to awaken the 
 finest feelings of national glory. He at the same 
 time communicated the hopelessness of the negotia- 
 tion for a peace, as the enemy, instead of comii-g to 
 an anangement, had been continually procrasti- 
 nating, and had at last, when brought to the point, 
 -given tbeir sine qua non, which was entirely inad- 
 missible. The United States was required to sur- 
 render up a large portion of their territory, and to 
 
i60 HISTORY OF THE WAB. 
 
 retire from those lakes, which had witnessed their 
 victories. 
 
 When this was communicated, a general sentiment 
 of indignation prevailed through the House. Party 
 spirit had already in a great measure suhsided, ow- 
 ing to the late conduct of Great Britain. Her con- 
 duct had been so glaringly and wantonly unjust, 
 that no one could stand up as her advocate. It was 
 therefore unanimously agreed, to unite in the most 
 efficacious manner, for the defence of the country. 
 The question as to the change of the seat of govern- 
 ment was agitated, but determined that it should 
 continue where it then was. 
 
 The thanks of Congress, together with medals 
 and other rewards, were voted to the heroes of the 
 last campaign on Niagara and at Plattsburg; while 
 the corporations of the different cities, and the le- 
 gislatures of the states, w ere not behind in express- 
 ing their gratitude. The conduct of the British ex- 
 cited in Europe universal indignation; the shame- 
 ful destruction of the monuments of the arts and 
 learning, evinced a barbarity which could only be 
 expected from savages. 
 
 Very soon after the meeting of Congress, news 
 from the southward awakened the attention and the 
 anxiety of all Americans. Intelligence from that 
 quarter, left no doubt of an intended invasion of 
 Louisiana. General Jackson, so distinguished for 
 
DEFENCE OIP NEW-OT?XEANS, &C. 161 
 
 his victories over the Creeks, was appointed a ma- 
 jor-general, and the tomniand of the southern dis- 
 trict assigned to him. In the summer of 1814, he 
 fixed his head-quarters at Mohile, where he assem- 
 bled a respectable force of regulars, volunteers and 
 militia, the two last from Tennessee chiefly. 
 
 On the iifteenth of September, a squadron of the 
 enemy, consisting of two frigates and two gun brigs, 
 appear, a before foit Bowyer, at Mobile Point, then 
 gai risoned by major Lawrence, with about one hun- 
 dred and twenty men. A land force, under captain 
 Woodbine, consisting of about one hundred marij^es, 
 and four hundred Indians, under colonel INichols, 
 invested the fort by land. The fort withstood tiiis 
 combined attack, with the utmost firmness; the 
 land troops were compelled to retire, and the fire 
 was so well directed against the British vessels, 
 that they were compelled to cut their cables and 
 hasten out of the way, but not without the loss of 
 their flag ship, which was set on fire and blown up. 
 The loss of the assailants was believed to be very 
 serious ; on the American side it was trifling. 
 
 The conduct of the British in Florida, at this 
 time, was such as could not be passed over unno- 
 ticed. They were in the habit of openly making 
 use of tlie Spanish territory, for the purpose of car- 
 rying on their hostile schemes against the United 
 States, The Spanish autr^rity seemed to have 
 
^65 HISTORY or THE WAR. 
 
 been put down. At Pensacola and St. Augustine, 
 tlie English had complete possession, and from 
 those places distributed presents to the Indians, to 
 stir them up agiainst the Americans. They also, 
 from this foothold, prepared their land and naval 
 expeditions against our territory. This had been 
 insupportable, and would be, if permitted, highly 
 dangerous to our safety. Geneial Jackson having 
 in vain remonstrated with the Spanish governor, 
 resolved, on his own responsibility, to have recourse 
 to^nore effectual means. In the beginning of No- 
 vember, he appeared before Pensacola with about 
 3,000 men; destroyed their forts, chased off the 
 British, and taught the dons a lesson which they 
 would scarcely require to be repeated. He then 
 returned with his force to Mobile. 
 
 It was not long after his arrival at that place, 
 before he was called upon to display his military 
 talents on a more important theatre. The threaten- 
 ing clouds which had been gathering for some time 
 seemed now ready to burst. The British fleet af- 
 tci' leaving the Chesapeake, had gone chiefly to the 
 Bermudas, and every day brought some account of 
 important preparations for some enterprize against 
 the Southern States. The mighty armament at 
 length made its appearance in the Gulf of Mexico, 
 consisting of sixty sail, attended by a vast number 
 of barges and transports. The foe was invited by 
 
DEEB]^rCE OF ]SrE\V-ORLE.lNS, kc. 163 
 
 tlie opulence of New- Orleans, and its defenceless 
 state ; here they anticipated an easy and profitable 
 conquest. There remains but little doubt that the 
 British government intended to hold Louisiana 
 permanently, and by the possession of that impor- 
 tant countiy, render herself n»istress of the conti- 
 nent. Tliis magnificent sclieme, under Divine l*ro- 
 vidence, was frustrated in tije most signal manner. 
 General Jackson liastened to New-Orleans with 
 Iiis brave Tennesseeans, and liis regulars, w here he 
 arrived on the second of December. Not a mo- 
 ment was to be lost ; the enemy was at the door, 
 and no preparation had been made for him. in fact, 
 every arrangement for defence was made at tliis 
 late hour ; the country had thus far been exempted 
 from the visitations of war ; was unarmed, and in 
 every way unprepared. He superintended, in per- 
 son, all the works which tlie time would allow him 
 to construct, and reviewed the different corps of mi- 
 litia and volifnteers of the city and country. The 
 slaves were put in requisition, and the inhabitants 
 were called upon to contribute all the aid in their 
 power. The situation of the country is higldy fa- 
 vorable for defence against an enemy invading by 
 sea, provided sufficient time be allowed to fortify it. 
 It is a low flat tract of land, accessible only by the 
 Mississippi, or tlirough the lake, in shallow water. 
 Excepting on banks of the river, where there is a 
 
164 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 i(iarrow tract of dry land, probalily not more than a 
 mile in width, there is nothing but swamps and mo- 
 rasses, penetrated by deep natural canals, which 
 are navigable for barges from the lakes, or from the 
 sea to tlie ridges of dry land. 
 
 On tlic twelfth of December, the enemy's fleet ap- 
 peared in the bay of St. Louis, and the American 
 flotilla of gun-boats commanded by lieutenant Jones, 
 then lying at Cat's Island, ascended the bay to take 
 a position more favorable for watching the enemy's 
 movements. Two days afterwards, the gun-boats 
 were attacked by foi-ty launches and barges, manned 
 by at least a thousand men, and after a nsost heroic 
 resistance, in which many of the enemy were de- 
 stroyed, the gun-boats surrendered. The danger 
 now was at hand; general Jackson ordered maitial 
 law to be proclaimed, and the whole of the militia 
 was ordered out on duty. The legislature t! en in 
 session, made appropriations, and an embargo was 
 laid on all vessels then in port. No exertion that 
 could be made was omitted. On the twenty-first, 
 General Carrol arrived from Teniiessee, with four 
 thousand men, many of them were however, not 
 armed, and others badly. About this time, the city 
 received a new accession of force, fi-om tlie ari-ival 
 of the Barratarians, to take part in the defence of 
 the country. These people had established tliem- 
 selves on some high land in the lake of JJarrataria, 
 
DEFENCE OF NEW-ORLEANS, &C 165 
 
 and as it is said, practised depredations on the com- 
 merce of all nations ; certain it is, that they openly 
 braved the revenue laws, and had been outlawed as 
 smugglers. To their leader, La Fitte, the most 
 tempting offers were made by the British, to induce 
 him to join in the projected invasion. But instead 
 of acceeding to these offers, he immediately commu- 
 nicated the w hole affair to Governor Claiborne, who 
 was so much delighted with this trait of magna- 
 nimity, that he pledged himself to procure a pardon 
 for him and his band, provided they would join in 
 the defence ,* they accordingly came and were re- 
 ceived. 
 
 The capture of the squadron of gun-boats, left the 
 way open to attack on the side of the lakes. It was 
 therefore necessary to close all the canals or bayous, 
 which would enable the enemy to pass through the 
 swamp, and reach the strip of dry land on the banks 
 of the river. This important duty was intrusted to 
 general Villere, a native of tlie country, and well ac- 
 quainted with the secret passages. Unfoi'tunately 
 the guard stationed at the entrance of the bayou Bi- 
 envenue, were captured, and proceeding secretly, 
 they reached the dry land, and emerging from the 
 forest arrived at the bank of tlie mighty river, about 
 three o'clock, P. M. on the 23d of December. This 
 force consisting of four thousand men, insteiul of 
 moving directly on to the city, halted to prepare 
 
166 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 thcii' meal, and to move towards the city at their 
 leisure, as the city was now in their estimation^ en- 
 tirely in their power. 
 
 Intelligence of this unexpected and alarming 
 march of the British was brought to general Jack- 
 son by major Villere who had been taken a pri- 
 soner, but who seized an opportunity to make his 
 escape. Tiie general, with that promptitude wliicli 
 distinguislies the great commander, hesitated not a 
 moment on the course to be pursued. He immedi- 
 ately issued orders for tlie troops under the com- 
 mand of general Coffee, stationed some miles up 
 the river, to march to the place of rendezv ous, and 
 giving orders for all the other corps to be collected 
 with the utmost speed, he put himself at the head of 
 the regulars, the city militia, and the battalion of 
 coloured troops, and advanced a few miles below 
 the city, where he halted to give time for the re- 
 mainder of his forces to join him. The schooner 
 Caroline was at the same time ordered tu di'op 
 down the river. General Jackson being joined by 
 the other troops, now pursued his march, but it was 
 some time after dark, before he came near the Bri- 
 tish encampment. General Coffee with his rifle- 
 men was placed on the left near the woods, while 
 the other troops, led by Jackson in person, atlrxked 
 in fi-ont. The signal was given by a broadside f»-om 
 the Caroline, whicli did great execution, as the 
 
&c. 16f 
 
 British were gathered around their fires, and en- 
 tirely off their guard* The attack of the Americans 
 in front, and Coffee turning their right, penetrated 
 even into the camp. The enemy were at first struck 
 with consternation, hut after some time, being ral- 
 lied, they formed and returned the fire of the Ame- 
 ricans. A thick fog, which about this time arose, 
 and Jackson considering it imprudent to continue 
 the fight any longer, sounded a retreat : a company 
 of city riflemen, however, missing their way, fell in 
 with a body of the enemy, and were taken prisoners. 
 The general retired to a piece of ground two miles 
 nearer the city, where there formerly had been a 
 mill race ; this position offered considerable advan- 
 tages, in the speedy creation of defences, as it would 
 at once answer all the purposes of a ditch. The 
 loss of the Americans in this bold and well advised 
 attack, was twenty-four killed, one hundred and fif- 
 teen wounded, and seventy-four missing. The Bri- 
 tish loss was estimated at forty-six killed, one hun- 
 dred and sixty -seven wounded, and sixty -four mis- 
 sing. This battle, it is now universally conceded, 
 saved the cit^ of New-Orleans, for had the British 
 marched the next morning, it would have been ut- 
 terly impossible to have withstood them. Fortu- 
 nately, all the prisonei^s who fell into their hands, 
 concurred in magnifying the American force to ten 
 t)r fifteen thousand men. 
 
iCS HISTORY OF THE WAIT. 
 
 In the mean time, a prodigious effort was made tt 
 fortify the American position. Bales of cotton 
 were used to expedite the erection of the breast- 
 work. In a few days the line extended about ai 
 thousand yards to the swamp, which v as there im- 
 passible, A swell in the river, somewhat unusual at 
 this season of the year, enabled them to make an 
 opening in the levee, and to flood the ground in 
 front of the line, and when the water subsided, a 
 sufficient quantity was left in the ditch. On the op- 
 posite bank of the river some works were also con- 
 structed, and batteries erected. On the twenty- 
 sixth, the British directed hot shot at the Caroline,, 
 who from her position, annoyed them exceedingly. 
 They succeeded in blowing her up. Two days af- 
 tei wards, they made a general attack on the Ameri- 
 can lines, with bombs, rockets, and artillery, but af- 
 ter a fair experiment, they retired in the evening 
 with considerable loss. On the first of January, 
 liaving, during the night, erected batteries within a 
 few hundred yards of the American works, they 
 made anotlx^r attack, and were compelled once 
 more to retire, witli the loss of seventy men. The 
 hr\g Louisiana, had taken the place of the Caroline, 
 and g reatly incoaiaioded the British. On the 
 fourth, generals Thomas and Adair, arrived at the^ 
 head of two thousand five hundred militia from Ken- 
 tucky. On the sixth, the British were re-inforced 
 
BEJEXCE OF :7EW-0ELiaNS, &C. ~^ ' 160 
 
 by general Lambert, their wiiole force under gene- 
 ral Tack^uliam was little sltort of ten thousand men, 
 and it was now resolved to fovcQ, the American lines 
 by main strength. These were manned by h^ero- 
 geneous n^aterials ; men of different countries and 
 languages, and not ail armed, particularly tlie mili- 
 tia last arrived. 
 
 In tlie night of the sevcntli, tlie, enemy, with infi- 
 aiite labor succeeded in widening and deepening,* 
 the swamp drain by which they had approached the, 
 river, so as to get a sufficient number of their boats 
 into the xVi ississippi. During the whole nigJit, from 
 the movements of tiie British camp, it w as evident 
 that something unusual was forward, and there was 
 evQry reason to believe that a general attack had 
 been resolved upon. AV'th tlie appearance of light, 
 these conjectures were fully conhrmed; the whole 
 British force was seen to advance in columns, witli 
 a steady and determined appearance, many of them 
 carrying ladders and fascines. Tiie utmost silence 
 pervaded the American lines, while the Britisli were 
 pej-mitted to approach within the range of gi'ape, 
 when the artillery opened upon them a tremendous 
 fire, and as their columns were entirely uncovered, 
 and on a level plain, they were mown down with 
 prodigious slaughter. They still, however," coui-a- 
 gcously moved forward, closing up the broken ranks 
 with fresh troops. But when they came within 
 15 
 
ITO HISTORY OF THE WAR. 
 
 rcacli of the musket and deadly rifle, the whole Amc- ' 
 ricaii line was one sheet of fire. It was in vain 
 that tlie British officers endeavored to urge forward 
 their troops to certain slaughter : the bravest of 
 them fell at the head of their columns. They at 
 last shrunk from the contest, in which they saw no- 
 thing but universal ruin. The columns broke, ami 
 fled in the utmost confusion. A few detachments 
 only could reach tiie ditch, where they were devote^ 
 to sure destruction. A few platoons, led by colonel 
 Kenee, reached the ditch, and clambered up the 
 rampart ; but in an instant not one of them was left 
 alive. The repulse was universal. The astonish- 
 ed Britons stood aghast for a few minutes, when in 
 a fit of phrenzy they made a second effort, but with 
 the same unfortunate result. They were now rolled 
 away from the field, which was left covered with the 
 slain ,* a most shocking and pitiable scene of car- 
 nage. The commander in chief, general Packen- 
 liam, fell almost at the commencement of the action ; 
 soon after him, generals Kean and Gibbs were dan* 
 gerously wounded, and general Lambert retired 
 from the field with the tVagnients of the army, the 
 flower of the British forces, accustomed to conquer 
 in the wars of Europe. Two thousand men fell in 
 this ill-fated assault, which will be remembered 
 while history lasts. 
 
DErENCE or NEW-ORIEANS, &C. 171 
 
 ' On tlie opposite side of the river, things were not 
 so brilliant. The British had crossed over under 
 colonel Thornton, and marched to the attack of the 
 enti'enchments. The reception was very different 
 from that of the opposite side. The militia of the 
 state, with some of the Kentuckians, under general 
 Morgan, after one fire retreated, leaving the batte- 
 ries in the hands of the British. The enemy had 
 been enabled to outflank them, in consequence of 
 the giving way of a battalion of Louisiana militia. 
 The loss of the Americans on both sides of the ri- 
 ver, did not exceed twenty killed and forty wound- 
 ed. 
 
 The British were now only studious of effecting 
 their retreat. On the eighteenth, they were disco- 
 vered to have quietly descended the bayou during 
 the night, leaving a great number of wounded offi- 
 cers and privates. The inhabitants w^ere filled with 
 joy for this providential deliverance, and hailed 
 Jackson as their deliverer. They poured forth 
 their gratitude in public thanksgiving for this sig- 
 nal escape from a foe, who would have doomed their 
 city to pillage and destruction. The utmost tender- 
 ness and humanity were exhibited by all the inhabi- 
 tants, to the unfortunate victims of w^ar, w ho requir- 
 ed the assistance of their fellow creatures. Every 
 house was a hospital for the reception of the w ound- 
 ed; and the benevolent sisters the nuns, were aC; j 
 
172 HISTORY OF Tin WAR. 
 
 tivcly engaged in pouring oil on their wounds, and 
 in discharging all the offices of Christian charity. 
 
 In a few days afterv, ards, it was discovered that 
 the enemy had enlii'oly disappeared, and tlie state 
 of Louisiana, then the latest star of the confedera- 
 tion, shone with bctiateous lustre. 
 
 The British proreededj soon after, to attack fort 
 jBowyer, and being able to bring an overwhelming 
 force against it^ they took possession of the place. 
 Kot however, to retain it long, as the news of 
 peace soon after caused it to be restored to the Ame- 
 ricans. 
 
 This event, so welcome to all, at last arrived. It 
 was concluded between the Britisli and American 
 commissioners, on the twenty-fourth of December, 
 1814, and ratified by the Prince Regent on the 28th, 
 and by the President and Senate, on the eighlecntli 
 of February, 1815. All parties in the U. States 
 heartily rejoiced. America was victorious in the 
 struggle ; the enemy had been signally vanquished 
 both by sea and land ; and although the change 
 wliich had occurred in Europe, had rendered it un- 
 necessary to insist in the treaty on any provisions* 
 against future abuses, the manly resistance of this 
 country had convinced Great Britain and the whole 
 world, tliat America was not to be insulted with im- 
 puriity. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 TREATY OF PEACE. 
 
 JAMES MADISON, 
 
 JRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAj 
 To all and singular to whom these presents shall come, sheeting ; 
 
 WHEREAS, a treaty of peace and amity be- 
 tween the United States of America and his Britan- 
 nic majesty was signed at Ghent, on the twenty- 
 fourth day of December, one thousand eight hun- 
 dred and fourteen, by plenipotentiaries respectively 
 appointed for that purpose ; and the said treaty ha- 
 ving been, by and with the advice and consent of the 
 senate of the United States, duly accepted, ratified, 
 and confirmed^ on the seventeenth day of February, 
 
174 APPENDIX. I 
 
 one thousand eight hundred and fifteen; and rati- 
 fied copies thereof having been exchanged, agreea- 
 bly to tlie tenor of the said treaty, which is in the 
 words following to wit : 
 
 TREATY OF PEACE AND AMITY 
 
 BETWEEN 
 
 His Britannic majesty and the XJ. States of America, 
 
 His Britannic majesty and the United States of 
 America, desirous of terminating the war which 
 has unhappily subsisted between the two countries, 
 and of restoring, upon principles of perfect recipro- 
 city, peace, friendship, and good understanding 
 between them, have, for that purpose, appointed 
 their respective plenipotentiaries, that is to say : 
 his Britannic majesty, on his part, has appointed 
 the right honorable James Lord Gambier, late ad-» 
 miral of the white, now admiral of the red squadron 
 : of his majesty's fleet, Henry Golbourn, Esquire, a 
 ] member of the imperial parliament, and under sec- 
 retary of state, and William Adams, Esquire, doc- 
 1 tor of civil laws ; and the president of the United 
 s States, by and with the advice and consent of the 
 ( senate thereof, has appointed John Quincy Adams, 
 \ James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russe]>, 
 I and Albert Gallatin, citizens of the United States, 
 who, after a reciprocal coijimunication of their re- 
 
APPETSDIX. 175- 
 
 spective full powers, have agreed upon the follow- 
 ing articles : 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 ^ There shall be a firm and universal peace be- 
 tween his Britannic majesty and the United States, 
 and between their respective countries, territories, 
 cities, towns, and people, of every degree, without 
 exception of places or person. All hostilities, both 
 by sea and land, shall cease as soon as this treaty 
 shall have been ratified by both parties, as herein- 
 after mentioned. All territory, places and posses- 
 sions whatsoever, taken by either party from the 
 other, during the war, or whicli may be taken after 
 the signing of this treaty, excepting only the islands 
 hereinafter mentioned, shall be restored without 
 delay, and without causing any destruction, or car- 
 rying away any of the artillery or other public 
 property, originally captured in the said forts or 
 places, and which shall remain therein upon the 
 exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, or any 
 slaves or other private property. And all ar- 
 chives, records, deeds, and papers, either of a pub- 
 lic nature, or belonging to private persons, which, 
 in the course of the war, may have fallen into the 
 hands of the officers of either party, shall be, as far 
 as may be practicable, forthwith restored and deli- 
 
176 APPENDIX. 
 
 vered to the proper authorities and pervSons to whom 
 they respectively belong. Such of the islands in thfe 
 bay jof Passamaquoddy as are claimed by both par- 
 ties, shall remain in the possession of the party in 
 whose occupation they may be, at the time of the 
 exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, until the 
 decision, respecting the title to the said islands, 
 shall have been made in conformity with the fourth 
 article of this treaty. No disposition made by this 
 treaty, as to such possessions of the islands and ter« 
 ritoHes claimed by both parties, shall, in any man- 
 ner whatever, be construed to affect the right of 
 them. 
 
 ARTICLE 11. 
 
 Immediately after the ratification of this treaty, 
 by both parties, as hereinafter mentioned, orders 
 shall be sent to the armies, squadrons, officers, sub- 
 jects and citizens, of the two powers, to cease from 
 all hostilities. And to prevent all causes of com- 
 plaint which might arise on account of the prizes 
 which may be taken at sea, after the said ratitica- 
 tions of this treaty, it is reciprocally agreed, that 
 all vessels and effects which may be taken after the 
 space of twelve days from the said ratifications, 
 upon all parts of the coast of North America, fiom 
 tilie latitude of twenty -three degrees north, to the la- 
 
APPENDIX. 17T 
 
 titiule of fifty degrees north, and as far eastward in 
 the Atlantic ocean, as the thirty -sixth degree of 
 west longitude from the meridian of Greenwifh, 
 sha]l be restored on each side; that the time shall 
 be thirty days in all other parts of the Atlantic 
 ocean, north ©f tiie equinoctial line or equator; and 
 the same time for tlie British and Irish channels, 
 for the gulf of Mexico, and all parts of the West- 
 Indies; forty Jays for the North Seas, for the Bal- 
 tic, and for all parts of tha Mediteri*anean ; sixty 
 days for the Atlantic ocean, south of the equator, as 
 far as the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope ; ninety 
 days for every other pai-t of the world, south of the 
 equator; and one bundled and twenty days, for all 
 other parts of the w orld, w^ithout exception. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 All prisoners of war taken on either side, as well 
 by land as by sea, shall be restored as soon as pi'ac- 
 ticable, after the ratifications of this treaty, as here- 
 inafter mentioned, on their paying their debts which 
 they may have contracted during their captivity. 
 The two contracting parties respectively engage to 
 discharge in specie, the advances which may have 
 been made by the othei- for the sustenance and maitt'- 
 tenance of such prisoners. 
 
X78 APPENDIX. 
 
 ARTICLE lY. 
 
 Whereas, it >vas stipulated by the second article 
 in the treaty of peace, of one thousand seven hun- 
 dred and eighty -three, between his Britannic ma- 
 jesty and the United States of America, that the 
 boundary t)f the United States should comprehend 
 all islands within twenty leagues of any part of the 
 shores of tlie United States, and lying between lines 
 to be drawn due east from the points where the 
 aforesaid boundaries, between Nova Scotia on the 
 one part, and East Florida on the other, shall re- 
 spectively touch the bay of Fundy and the Atlantic 
 ocean, excepting such islands as now are, or here- 
 tofore have been, within the limits of Nova Scotia ; 
 and whereas, the several islands in the bay of Pas- 
 samaquoddy, which is part of the bay of Fundy, and, 
 the isliCnd of Grand Menan in the said bay of Fundy, 
 are claimed by the United States, as being compi'e- 
 hendcd within their aforesaid boundaries, which 
 said islands are claimed as belonging to his Britan- 
 nic majesty, as having been, at the time of, and pre- 
 vious to, the aforesaid treaty of one thousand seven 
 hundred and eighty -three, within the limits of the 
 province of Nova Scotia. In order, therefore^ 
 finally to decide upon these claims, it is agreed that 
 they shall be referred to two commissioners, to be 
 appointed in the following manner, viz ; one com- 
 
APPENDIX. 179 
 
 missioner shall be appointed by his Britannic ma- 
 jesty, and one by the President of the United States, 
 by and with the advice and consent of the Senate 
 thereof, and the said two commissioners so appoint- 
 ed, shall be sworn impartially to examine and de- 
 cide upon the said claims, according to such evidence 
 as shall be laid before them, on the part of his Bri- 
 tannic majesty and of the United States respectively. 
 Tlie said commissioners shall meet at St. Andrews, 
 in the province of New-Brunswick, and shall have 
 power to adjourn to such other place or places as 
 they shall think fit. The said commissioners shall, 
 by a declaration or report under their hands and 
 seals, decide to which of the two contracting parties 
 the several islands aforesaid do respectively belong, 
 in conformity with the true intent of the said treaty 
 of peace, of one tliousand seven hundred and eighty- 
 three. And if the said commissioners shall agree 
 in their decision, both parties sball consider such 
 decision final and conclusive. It is further agreed, 
 that in the event of the two commissioners diffeii((g 
 upon all or any of the matters so referred to them, 
 or in the event of both or either of the said commis- 
 sioners refusing, or declining, or wilfully omitti rg, 
 to act as such, tbey shall make, jointly or separately 
 a report or reports, as well to the^government of his 
 Britannic majesty as to that of the United States, 
 Stating in detail the points on which they differ, and 
 
ii^O ArPRXDIX. 
 
 the grounds upon which their respective opinionj 
 have heen formed, or the grounds upon which tJiey, 
 or either of them, liave so refused, declined, or omit- 
 ted to act. Aiid his Britannic majesty, and the go- 
 vernment of the United States, herehy agree to re- 
 fer the report or reports of the said commissioners, 
 to some friendly sovereign or state, to be then nam- 
 ed for that purpose, and who sliall be requested to 
 decide on the differences which may be stated intlie 
 said report or reports, or upon the report of one 
 commissioner, together witli the grounds upon 
 w^hich the other commissioner shall have refused, 
 declined, or omitted to act, as the case may he. 
 And if the commissioner so refusing, declining, or 
 omitting to act, shall also wilfully omit to state the 
 grounds upon which he has so done, in such man- 
 ner that the said statement may be referred to such 
 friendly sovereign or st^'^e, together w ith the report 
 of such other commissfoner, then such sovereign or 
 state shall decide, ck parte, upon the said report 
 alone. And his Britannic majesty and the govern- 
 mejit of tlie United States, engage to consider the 
 decision of such fiiendly sovereign or state, to be 
 final and conclusive, on all the matteis so referred. 
 
 ARTICLE Y. 
 
 Whereas, neither that point of the higlilands ly- 
 ing due aorth, from the source of the river St. Croix, 
 
f 
 
 APPENDIX. 181 
 
 and designated in the former treaty of peace, be- 
 tween the two powers of the nortli-west angle of 
 jVova Scotia, nor the north westernmost head of 
 Connecticut river, has yet been ascertained ; and 
 whereas, that part of the boundary line between the 
 dominions of the two powers which extends from 
 the source of the river St. Croix, directly north, to 
 the above mentioned north-west angle of Nova Sco- 
 tia, thence along the said highlands, which divide 
 those rivers that empty themselves into the river 
 St Lawrence, from those which fall into the Atlantic 
 ocean, to the north- westernmost head of Connecti- 
 cut river, thence down along the middle of that ri- 
 ver to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude; 
 thence by a line due west on said latitude, isntil it 
 strikes the river Iroquois or Cataraguay, has not 
 yet been surveyed : it is agreed, that, for these seve- 
 ral purposes, two commissioners shall be appointed^ 
 sworn, and autliorised to act exactly in the manner 
 directed, with respect to tho^e mentioned in the next 
 preceding article, unless otherwise specified in the 
 present article. The said commissioners shall have 
 power to adjourn to such other place or pla('cs as 
 they shall think fit. The commissioners sJiall have 
 power to ascertain and determine the points above 
 mentioned, in confonnity with the provisions of the 
 said treaty of peace of one thousand seven hundred 
 
 and eighty-three, and shall cause the boundary 
 
 16 
 
182 APPEin)IX, 
 
 aforesaid, from the source of the river St. Croix to 
 the river Iroquois or Cataraguaj, to be surveyed 
 and marked according to the said provisions. The 
 said commissioners sliall make a map of the said 
 boundary, and annex it to a declaration under their 
 hands and seals, certifying it to be a true map of 
 the said boundary, and particularizing the latitude 
 and longitude of the north-west angle of Nova 
 Scotia, of the north- uesterinost head of Connecticut 
 river, and of such other points of the said boundary 
 as they may deem proper. And both parties agree 
 to consider such map and declaration as finally and 
 conclusively fixing the said boundary. And, in the 
 event of the said two commissioners differing, or 
 both, or either of them refusing, declining, or wil- 
 fully omitting to act, such reports, declarations or 
 statements, shall be made by them, or either o£ 
 them, and such reference to a friendly sovereign or 
 state, shall be made, in all respects, as in the latter 
 part of the fourth article is contained, and in as full 
 a manner as if the same was herein repeated. 
 
 ARTICLE VL 
 
 Whereas, by the former treaty of peace, that por- 
 tion of the boundary of the United States, from the 
 point where the forty-fifth degree of north latitude 
 strikes the river Iroquois or Cataraguay to the lake 
 Superior, was declared to be " along the middle of 
 
V APPENDIX. i^^ 
 
 said river into lake Ontario, through the miildle of 
 said lake until it strikes the commuiiication hy wa- 
 ter, hetween that lake and lake Erie, through the 
 middle of said lake until it arrives at the water 
 communication into lake Huron, thence throiiglj tho 
 middle of said lake to the communication between 
 that lake and lake Superior." And whereas donUts 
 have arisen what was the middle of the said river, 
 lakes and water communications, and whether ( er- 
 tain islands, lying in the same, were within the do- 
 minions of his Britannic majesty, or of the United 
 States: In order, therefore, finally to decide 1! ese 
 doubts, they shall be referred to two commis^h-iurs, 
 to 'se appointed, sworn and authorized, to a< t ex- 
 acjy in the manner directed,^ with respect ^^. t]jose 
 lHv i^>tioned in the next preceding article, imkan oth« 
 er^' ise specified in this present articie. The said 
 commissioners shall meet, in tlie first inruHnce. at 
 Albany, in the state of Nt^w-York, and shall i:ave 
 po\\er to adjourn to such otlier place or places as 
 tht y shall think fit. The said commissioners shall, 
 byarepoitor declaration, under their hands and 
 sen Is, designate the boundary through the said river, 
 lar >;3 and water communications, and decide to 
 "wM':h ;if the two contracting parties the several 
 j islands, i ius within the said rivers, lakes and wa- 
 ter coniiiaiiiications, Uo respectively belong, in con- 
 formity with the true intent of the said treaty of one 
 
'^"i APPENDIX. 
 
 thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. And both 
 parties agree to consider such designation and de- 
 cision as final and conchisive. And in the event of 
 the said two commissioners differing, or both, or 
 either of them refusing, declining, or wilfully omit- 
 ting to act, such reports, declarations or statements, 
 shall be made by them, or either of tliem, and such 
 reference to a friendly sovereign or state shall be 
 made in all respects as in the latter part of the fourth 
 article is contained, ajid in as full a manner as if 
 the same was herein repeated. 
 
 ARTICLE VII. 
 
 It is further agreed, that the said two last men- 
 tioned commissioners, after they shall have executed 
 the duties assigned to them in the preceding article, i 
 shall be, and they are hereby authorized, upon their 
 oaths, impartially to fix and detei-niine, according 
 to the true intent of the said treaty of peace, of one 
 thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, that part 
 of the boundary between the dominions of the two 
 powers, which extends from the water communica- 
 tion between lake Huron and lake Superior, to the 
 most north-western point of the lake of the Woods ; 
 to decide to which of the two parties the several 
 islands lying in the lakes, water communications 
 and nvers, forming the said boundary, do respec- 
 tively belong, in conformity with the true intent of 
 
APPENDIX, 185 || 
 
 the said treaty of peace, of one thousand seven hun- 
 dred and eighty -three ; and to cause such parts of 
 the said boundary as require it, to be surveyed and' 
 marked. The said commissioners shall, by a report 
 or declaration under their hands and seals, desig- 
 nate the boundary aforesaid, state their decision on 
 the points thus referred to them, and particularize 
 the latitude and longitude of the most north-western 
 point of the lake of the "Woods, and of such other 
 parts of the said boundary as they may deem pro- 
 per. And both parties agree to consider such de- 
 signation and decision as final and conclusive. And 
 in the event of the said two commissioners differing, 
 or both, or either of them refusing, declining, or 
 wilfully omitting to act, such reports, declarations, 
 or statements, shall be made by them, or either of 
 them, and such reference to a friendly sovereign or 
 state, shall be made in all respects, as in the latter 
 part of the fourth article is contained, and in as full 
 a manner as if the same was herein repeated. 
 
 ARTICLE VIII. 
 
 The several boards of the two commissioners 
 mentioned in the four .preceding articles, shall re- 
 spectively have po\v**r to appoint a serretary, and to 
 employ sucli surveyors or f)ther persons as they shall 
 judge necessary. Dup]i(Htes oi all their respective 
 reports, declarations, stateiaents and decisions, and 
 16* J 
 
186 APPEJiDIX. 
 
 of tlicir accounts, and of the journal of their proceed- 
 ings, sliall be delivered by them to the agents of 
 his Britannic majesty, and to the agents of the 
 United States, who may be respectively appointed 
 and authorized to manage the business on behalf of 
 theii^ respective governments. The said commis- 
 sioners shall be respectively paid in such manner as 
 siiall be agreed between the two contracting parties, 
 such agreement being to be settled at the time of the 
 exchange of the ratifications of this treaty. And all 
 other expenses attending the said commissions, shall 
 be defrayed equally by the two parties. And in the 
 case of death, sickness, resignation, or necessary 
 absence, the place of every such commissioner, re- 
 spectively, shall be supplied in the same manner as 
 3uch comraissioner was first appointed ; and the new 
 commissioner shall take the same oath or affirma- 
 tion, and do the same duties. It is further agreed 
 between the two contracting parties, that in case any 
 of the islands mentioned in any of the preceding ar- 
 Mes, which were in the possession of one of the 
 parties prior to the commencement of the present 
 war between the two countries, should, by the de- 
 cision of any of the boards of commissioners afore- 
 'said, or of the sovereign or state so referred to, as in 
 Ihe four next preceding articles contained, fall 
 within the dominions of the other party, all grants 
 of land made previous to the coaimencement of the 
 
APPEXDIX. 187 
 
 war, by the party having had such possession, shall 
 be as valid as if such island or islands had, by such 
 decision or decisions, been adjudged to be within 
 the dominions of the party having had such posses- 
 sion. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 The United States of America engage to put an 
 end, immediately after tlie ratification of the present 
 treaty, to hostilities with all the tribes or nations of 
 Indians with whom they may be at war at the time 
 of such ratification ; and forthwith to restore to such 
 tribes or nations, respectively, all the possessions, 
 rights and privileges, which they may have enjoyed 
 or been entitled to in one thousand eight hundred 
 and eleven, previous to such hostilities : Provided 
 always, I'hat such tribes or nations shall agree to 
 desist from all hostilities against the United States 
 of America, their citizens and subjects, upon tlic ra- 
 tiiication of the present treaty, to hostilities with all 
 the tribes or nations, and shall so desist accord- 
 ingly. And his Britannic majesty engages, on his 
 part, to put an end, immediately after the ratifica- 
 tion of the present treaty, to hostilities with all the 
 tribes or nations of Indians with w hom he may be at 
 "war at the time of such ratification, and forthwith 
 to restore to such tribes or nations, respectively, all 
 the possessions, rights and privileges, which they 
 
188 APPENDIX. 
 
 may have enjoy od or been entitled to, in one thou- 
 sand eight liundred and eleven, previous to such 
 hostilities : Provided always, That such tribes or 
 nations shall agree to desist from all hostilities 
 against his Britannic majesty, and his subjects, 
 upon the ratification of the present treaty being no- 
 tified to such tribes or nations, and shall so desist 
 accordingly. 
 
 ARTICLE X. 
 
 "NVhercas, tlie traffic of slaves is irreconcilable 
 with the principles of humanity and justice; and 
 whereas, both his majesty and the United States are 
 desirous of continuing their efforts to promote its 
 entire abolition; it is hereby agreed, that both the 
 contracting parties shall use their best endeavors to 
 accomplish so desirable an object. / 
 
 ARTICLE XT. \ 
 
 This treaty, when the same shall have been rati- 
 fied on botli sides, without alteration by either of 
 the contracting parties, and the ratifications mutu- 
 ally exchanged, shall be bividing on both parties, 
 and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Wash- 
 ington, in the space of four months from this, or 
 sooner if practicable. 
 
In faitli whereof, we, the respective plenipoten- 
 tiaries, have signed this treaty, and have 
 thereunto affixed our seals. 
 
 Done ill triplicate, at Ghent, the twenty-fourth 
 day of December, one thousand eight hundred 
 and fourteen. 
 
 (l. s.) GAMBIER, 
 
 (L. s.) IIENRY GOULBURN, 
 
 (L. s.) WILLIAM ADAMS, 
 
 (i. s.) JOHN QUINCY ADAMS^ 
 
 (X. s.) J. A. BAYARD, 
 
 (l. s.) henry clay, 
 
 (l. s.) JONA niAN RUSSELL, 
 
 (L. s.) ALBERT GALLATIN. 
 
 Now, therefore, to the end, that the said treaty 
 of peace and amity may be observed with good faith, 
 on the part of the United States, I, James Madison, 
 President as aforesaid, hav e caused the premises to 
 be made public ; and I do hereby enjoin all persons 
 bearing office, civil or military, within the United 
 States, and all others, citizens or inhabitants there- 
 of, or being within the same, faithfully to observe 
 and fulfil the said treaty, and every clause and ar- 
 ticle thereof. 
 
190 APPENDIXi 
 
 In testimony whereof, 1 have caused the seal of 
 (l. s.) the United States to be affixed to these pre- 
 sents, and signed the same with my hand. 
 
 Done at the city of Washington, this eighteenth 
 day of February, in the year of our Lord 
 one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, and 
 of the sovereignty and independence of the 
 United States, the thirty-ninth. 
 
 JAMES MADISON. 
 
 By the President, 
 
 JAMKS MONROE, 
 
 Acting Secretary of State. 
 
 1%-^^ 
 
■^^.. s^' 
 
 v-Jv- 
 
 
-^A v^ 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS