\^ .<^' .0^.^ v-^' ^y_ V^ X -^ .-I -r x> ^ %■ ^^ ^c. 'C X "\>^^' %. .^^\^ ,0 0, .^^ '^v^ ;. : i^o,, ^s ,^-^ ^*. ,;^ ^o '' o ■ s'."'^'^ ~ ..,/'-<'^ '^"v. X -f-'^ ■^^ .#■ ^# y>; Jf ^^^ .r<\ "o 0^' \^^ >i'---<- ^' ^^ 'my AiJ3 131889 I EEPUBLIO, By Sea and Land, FROM LEXINGTON TO THE CITY OF MEXICO pv HENKY W. HARRISON. ILLUSTRATED WITH ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ENGRAVINGS PHILADELPHIA: PORTER & COATES, Copyright. H. C. Peck & Theo. Bliss, 1858. PEEFACE. This work is designed to present a coup-d'ceU of American military history by means of lively sketches of the most important battles fought since the commencement of the Revolutionary War, by troops and naval forces, in the service of the United States. It has been by no means an easy task to condense so much history within BO small a space. The writer hopes and trusts, however, that what is contained in this volume will be found sufficient for the information of the general reader, and that it will dwell in the memory more permanently, than if the record of the same ,events had been spread out so as to occupy many volumes. ^9H^ BY TRAK.S,-)-;v. CONTENTS, PAOB Battle of Lexington 8 Capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point ». 12 Battle of Bunker Hill 14 Siege of Boston 20 Expedition against Canada 27 Defence of Fort Moultrie 36 Descent upon Long Island 40 Battle of Trenton 43 Battle of Princeton 50 Battle of Brandywine , 54 Battle of Germantown 58 Battles of Red Bank and Fort Mifflin 61 Battle of Bennington 65 Battle of Behmus's Heights 71 Battle of Stillwater 75 Attack on Forts Clinton and Montgomery 79 Battle of Monmouth 84 Massacre of Wyoming 7 88 Siege of Savannah 95 Storming of Stony Point 98 Capture of the Serapis 102 Capture of Charleston 106 Battle of Waxhaws 109 Battle of Camden Ill Battle of King's Mountain 116 Battle of the Cowpens 121 Battle of Guilford Court-House 126 Battle of Hobkirk's Hill 131 Battle of Eutaw Springs 134 Siege of Yorktown 139 Capture of the General Monk 150 Close of the Re volutio nary War 153 General WayneTTKIory over the Indians 158 Capture of L'Insurgente 161 Burning of the Philadelphia 165 Bombardment of Tripoli 169 Capture of Derne 17o 5 6 CONTENTS. PAOB Battle of Tippecanoe 178 Commencement of the War of 1812 — Defence of Fort Harrison 183 Battles of Ogdensburg, Fort Niagara, and Queenstown 187 Constitution and Guerriere 194 United States and Macedonian — Wasp and Frolic — Constitution and Java 197 Battle of Frenchtown 207 Siege of Fort Meigs 209 Defence of Fort Stephenson 215 Battle of Lake Erie 218 Battle of the Thames 223 Hornet and Peacock 225 Chesapeake and Shannon 229 Enterprise and Boxer 233 Massacre at Fort Mimms.. 237 Battles of Tallushatches and Talladega , 240 Expedition to the Hillibee Towns and the Tallapoosa River 246 Final Treaty of the Creeks 251 Battle of Clnppewa 258 Battles of Bridgewater and Niagara 262 Siege of Fort Erie 267 Battles of Plattsburg and Lake Champlain 275 Battle of Bladensburg and Capture of the Capital 282 Attempt of the British on Baltimore 289 Attack of Fort Bovryer and Capture of Pensacola 291 Battle of New Orleans 296 President and Endymion 306 Constitution, Cyane and Levant 310 Hornet and Penguin 315 Porter's Cruise in the Pacific 320 Seminole War 325 Black Hawk's War 335 Second Seminole War 342 Commencement of the Mexican War, and Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma '. 348 Storming of Montgomery 359 Battle of Buena Vista 363 Siege of Vera Cruz 371 Battle of Cerro Gordo 379 Battles of Contreras and Churubusco 387 Storming of Molino Del Rey 405.. Storming of Chapultepec and Capture of Mexico 418 Siege of Puebla 436 Battles of Huamantla and Atlixco 443 ■ Occupation of California and New Mexico 451 THE fatlle-liel^i? aub gakl f ijibiti The object of most of the wars undertaken by Great Britain has been to force her commercial system upon other nations. This system had been submitted to by her North American colonies with a very ill grace for many years before the Kevo- lution ; and when in addition to it a system of direct taxation was resorted to, the Americans, foreseeing the ultimate result of further submission, resolved upon resistance. Their object at first was what they called redress of grievances; but a single year of hostilities drove them into a declaration of independence, which it cost seven years more of war to maintain and perfect. 7 BATTLE-FIELDS AND THE MINUTE-MAV. BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. The first blow struck for the freedom of the American people was at Lexington. The people, long oppressed by the tyranny of the mother-coun- try, had begun to make preparations for a struggle to free themselves from the taxation and oppression of a despot whose only aim seemed to be the drain- ing of the coffers of Americans. The stores of arms and provisions at Concord first attracted the attention of General Gage, commander-in-chief of the British forces in America. At eleven o'clock at night, on the 18th of April, 1775, in pursuance of his determination to seize the stores at Concord, General Gage embarked 800 grenadiers and light infantry, the flower of his army, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel NAVAL EXPLOITS. 9 Smith and Major Pitcairn, on Charles River, at Boston Neck. Sailing up to Phipp's Farm, they landed there, and advanced towafrds Concord. Some of the friends of liberty got notice of this movement; and, in spite of the secrecy of their movements, the British troops soon found, by the firing of guns and ringing of bells, that the alarm was spreading over the country. Between four and five o'clock on the morning of the 19th of April, the troops reached Lexington, thirteen miles from Boston. About seventy of the American militia were standing near the road; but, on account of the deficiency of their force, they had no idea of attacking the military. Major Pitcairn, who had gone forward with the light infantry, rode towards them, calling out, " Disperse, you rebels ! throw down your arms and disperse !" The order not being obeyed, the troops fired on them. Several Americans dispersed; but, finding that the British still fired, they returned the fire. Eight Americans were left dead on the field. The rest of the detachment, under Lieutenant- Colonel Smith, coming up, the soldiers proceeded to Concord without any further resistance. The small body of militia stationed there retreated across the bridge before the British light infiintry. The main body of the troops entered the town, and destroyed all the stores of ammunition, arms, and provisions which they could lay their hands on. American reinforcements arriving, Major Buttrick, of Concord, assumed the command, and advanced to take the bridge, until then in possession of the British light infantry. The light infantry retired, 10 BATTLE-FIELDS AND and commenced pulling up the bridge. The militia advancing still, the regulars fired on them. The provincials returned the fire, and a sharp contest ensued, the Americans finally forcing the British to commence their retreat to Boston. But the country was now alarmed, and the retreating troops were exposed to an irregular but destructive fire PBOTIKCIALS HjLEASSINa THE BRITISH IN THEIB RETREAT. from the militia, who, sheltering themselves behind trees, fences, and stone walls, and availing them- selves of their superior knowledge of the country, kept up an incessant, galling storm of bullets on the British. The regulars, exhausted with their rapid retreat, at last reached Lexington, where Lord Percy joined them with 900 men and two pieces of cannon. The regulars, now amounting to 1800 men, con- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 11 tinued their retreat after a moment's rest at Concord. Lord Percy, by means of his cannon, kept the militia at their distance ; but the galling fire still continued. In the evening the regulars arrived at Bunker's Hill, where, exhausted by fatigue, they remained until morning, and then went into Boston. In this ex- pedition the British lost 65 men killed, 180 wounded, and 28 made prisoners: — total loss, 273. The American loss was 50 killed, 34 wounded, and four missing : — total loss 88. From the moment the British had arrived in Boston, after this action, that place was in a state of siege, which lasted till March, 1776. 12 BATTLE-FIELDS AND EUINS OF FORT TICONDKROQA. CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT. The fortress of Ticonderoga was thought by the British to command all our passes to Canada. Though in a somewhat dilapidated condition, it was a post of importance. A bold scheme was at once formed by a few men in Connecticut to get possession of this fortress, and also of Crown Point. About forty volunteers, by the authority of Gover- nor Trumbull, marched to Castleton, where they were joined by Colonel Ethan Allen, with his "Green Mountain Boys," which increased the number to two hundred and seventy. Colonel Benedict Ar- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 13 nold, who had meditated the same enterprise, now joined the volunteers, and the command was given to Colonel Allen. On the 9th of May, they arrived on the shore of Lake Champlain, opposite Ticon- deroga. Allen and Arnold crossed with eighty- three men and surprised the garrison, who were yet asleep. Three loud cheers roused them to a sense of their danger, and as light skirmish ensued. De la Place, the commander, was required to surrender the place. "By what authority?" he asked. "I demand it," replied Allen, "in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." The for- tress surrendered immediately. Colonel Setli War- ner, with a small party of men, surprised and cap- tured Crown Point. The pass of Skeensborough was seized at the same time by some Connecticut volun- teers. At this time a sloop-of war was lying at St. John's, a town at the northern extremity of Lake Champlain. Colonel Arnold surprised and seized it. Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and the pass of Skeens- borough, were all seized without any bloodshed; and, the seizure of the vessel being also effected without the loss of a man, two important posts, a very large quantity of military stores, a sloop-of-war, and, above all, the command of Lakes George and Champlain, were acquired by the daring of a few provincial soldiers. 14 BATTLE-FIELDS AND GENERAL WARREN. BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. On the 12th of June, 1775, General Gage issued a proclamation offering pardon to all persons " who shall forthwith lay down their arms and return to the duties of peaceable subjects, excepting only from the benefit of such pardon Samuel Adams and John Hancock, whose offences are of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration than that of condign punishment." This proclamation, so far from intimidating the colonists, only served to strengthen and unite them. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 15 An apprehension having been excited, by the movements of the British army, that General Gage intended invading the interior, movements were made in Congress to take measures for the defence of Dorchester Neck, and to occupy Bunker's Hill. Colonel Prescott was sent with the fragments of three regiments, on the night of the 16th of June, to occupy Bunker's Hill. Finding, however, that Breed's Hill was a much better spdt for a battle- ground, and considering that they would not be disobeying orders by occupying that place, the en- gineers at once commenced a redoubt on the right of Breed's Hill. It was about one hundred and forty feet square, with two passages for ingress and egress. A breastwork of sods was constructed on the left of the redoubt; and a screen, made with two post-and-rail fences, four feet apart, with grass trodden between, extended to Mystic River. General Ward, commander of the American forces, saw that the British would make an attempt to capture the works, and sent reinforcements to Colonel Prescott from his camp in Cambridge. Early in the morning, one of the men was shot from the battery at Copp's Hill, and was buried where he fell. No further damage was done, however, though the cannonade was incessant. General Gage wished to drive the provincials from the hill, and for this purpose sent Major-General Howe and Brigadier-General Pigot, with ten com- panies of grenadiers and ten of light inflintry, with some artillery, to perform this service. These generals waited until three o'clock p.m. for rein- forcements from Boston, aid then the British began 16 BATTLE-FIELDS AND to march slowly up the hill. The Americans were ordered to put four buck-shot to a bullet, and to reserve their fire until the British were within point-blank range. At this moment they poured in upon the British a terrible and destructive fire. The regulars, who only expected an irregular and scattering militia volley, were astounded at the deadly fire which made such havoc among their ranks. They fell back in confusion. The officers had the greatest difficulty in making them form for . the second time; and, indeed, had it not been for the determined bravery of the British commanders and the encouraging daring of the officers of lower rank, the troops would have met a signal defeat. For the second time the British advanced, and a second volley was poured into them, making the confusion worse than before. Clinton saw this from Boston, and hastened over to assist Howe. Both generals addressed the troops, called to mind the victories gained by British soldiers over all European powers, and the everlasting disgrace of being beaten by raw militia. Charlestown had been set fire to, in order to intimidate the Americans; and the whole town, consisting of four hundred houses, was in a blaze. The British commanders, not daring to trust a third time to bravery, tried stratagem. Pigot, taking the command of a con- siderable force, went around to the southwestern angle of the redoubt and scaled the slight works. The Americans were now attacked east and west. Their ammunition was exhausted; and, having no bayonets, they were forced to retreat, after a short fight with the butts of their guns. Those at the breastwork and in the reav. at the rail fence followed, ovei northward. It was during the retreat that th^ suffered the most part of their loss. Captain Knowlton, having a large compan^ Mystic Eiver, moved up in good order and covei the retreat of the provincials. The British acknowledged 1054 killed and wound- ed, with a large proportion of officers; but their loss was undoubtedly greater. The Americans had 1500 to 1600 men engaged in battle, of whom one hundred and thirty-nine were killed and three hundred and fourteen wounded and missing. The officers killed on the American side were — Majors Moore and McCleary, Colonel Gardiner, and Lieutenant-Colonel Parker. Major- General Joseph Warren was also among the killed. This gallant and brave officer was appointed major- general four days previous to the battle, and on his entering the redoubt Colonel Prescott offered him the command, which he refused, saying, ''I came to learn war under an experienced soldier; not to talm any ccmima^idr He was at the time ol his death president of the Provincial Congress and chairman of the Committee of Safety. His death caused the Americans to determine never to give up their cause. His blood cried from the ground for vengeance. The effect of this battle was to inspire the Americans to greater deeds of daring. It showed to those who were in a state of incertitude in regard to which side was the best, that the provincials cuuld and would fight. They had done enough for honor,^ 2 .xND icish that they were deter- given themselves confidence in J, and they seemed more and more .i.Ke the throne of England totter to its ^ he loss was severely felt ; the wound they .dceived was deep; but the British forces — the ide of their nation, — the troops who were thought invincible, — were twice repulsed and nearly defeated by raw militia fighting for their homes and firesides. NATAL EXPLOITS. 19 BIBQS OF BOSTON. SIEGE OF BOSTON. On the 10 th of May, Congress voted an army of 20,000 men, chose George Washington to be com- mander-in-chief of the army of the United Colonies, and emitted three million dollars' worth of bills of credit. Washington accepted his high trust, though with great diffidence. On the request of Congress that he would accept the command, he addressed the president of that august body in the following words : — '" Though I am trulj^ sensible of the high honor done me by this appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience are not equal to the arduous 20 BATTLE-FIELDS AND trust. But, as the Congress desire it, I will enter on the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service and for the support of the glorious cause. I heg they will accept my cordial thanks for this high testimony of their approbation." Every favorable position was fortified and vigi- lantly guarded, so that the British could find no point of egress from Boston. Washington and the other generals exerted themselves to equip and discipline the army. There was no lack of courage and zeal among the officers and men ; but they were generally unaccustomed to the subordination and disci|)line of the camp, and destitute of the requisite arms and ammunition. In the beginning of September the army received a supply of seven thousand pounds of powder from Rhode Island, and powder-mills were erected at various places to supply the demand. Washington boldly grappled with the many difficul- ties of his situation. He perceived* that the expense of maintaining an army far exceeded the estimates of Congress, and that the short term for which the men were enlisted threatened serious consequences. The new enlistments were made to serve until the 1st of December, 1776. The British troops in Boston, amounting to about 10,000 men, were reduced to a very uncomfortable condition. The country-people generally refused to sell them any provisions, and their naval supplies were intercepted by the armed vessels which the Massachusetts Assembly had fitted out for the de- fence of the coast. On the 10th of October, General Gage left Boston for England, and the command devolved on General Howe. Several vessels, con- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 21 taiuing a large quantity of stores for the British army, were captured by the Massachusetts privateers, and afforded a seasonable supply to the Americans. On the loth of December, Congress resolved to fit out thirteen ships-of-war, which formed the germ of the American navy. It had been also resolved to raise a large army, and each of the colonies had agreed to furnish a considerable number of men; but recruiting went on slowly. No bounty was ffered until February; and on the last day of De- cember, when the old army was disbanded, Wash- ington learned that but 9650 men had been enlisted for the campaign of 1776. Compelled to submit to inactivity, his means of acting on the offensive were magnified, and doubts of his ability and integrity rewarded his constant anxiety. Congress desired that the town should be attacked ; but a council of war decided against the measure. It was now deemed expedient to get possession of Dorchester Heights; and the night of the 4th of March was fixed upon for the attempt. A covering party of 800 men led the way. These were followed by the carts, with the entrenching tools, and 1200 of a working party, commanded by General Thomas. In the rear there were more than two hundred carts, loaded with fascines and hay in bundles. While the cannon were playing in other parts, the greatest silence was kept by this working party. The active zeal of the industrious provincials completed lines of defence by morning which astonished the garrison. The difference between Dorchester Heights on the evening of the 4th and the morning of the 5th seemed to realize the tales of romance. The ad- 22 BATTLE-FIELDS AND miral informed General Howe that if the Americans kept possession of these heights he would not b^ able to keep one of his majesty's ships in tb e harbor. It was therefore determined, in a council of war, to attempt to dislodge them. An engagement was hourly expected. It was intended by General Wash- ington, in that case, to force his way into Boston with 4000 men, who were to have embarked at the mouth of Cambridge River. The militia had come forward with great alertness, each bringing thrt^'" days' provision, in expectation of an immediate assault. The men were in high spirits and impa- tiently waiting for the appeal. They were reminded that it was the 5th of March, and were called upon to avenge the death of their countrymen killed on that day. The many emi- nences in and near Boston which overlooked the ground on which it was expected that the contending parties would engage were crowded with numerous spectators; but General Howe did not intend to attack until the next day. In the night a most violent storm, and towards morning a heavy flood of rain, came on. A carnage was thus providentially prevented, that would probably have equalled, if not exceeded, the ftital 17th of June at Bunker's Hill. In this situation it was agreed by the British, in a council of war, to evacuate the town as soon as possible. In a few days after, a flag came out of Boston with a paper signed by four select-men, stating *'tliat they had applied to General Robertson, who, on an application to General Howe, was authorized to assure them that he had no intention of burning NAVAL EXPLOITS. 23 the town, unless the troops under his command were molested during their embarkation, or at their de- parture, by the armed force without." When this paper was presented to General Washington, he replied " that as it was an unauthenticated paper, and without an address, and not obUgatory on General Howe, he could take no notice of it ;" but at the same time intimated his good wishes for the security of the town. A proclamation was issued by General Howe, ordering all woollen and linen goods to be delivered to Crean Brush, Esq. Shops were opened and stripped of their goods. A licentious plundering took place. Much was carried off, and more was wantonly destroyed. These irregularities were for- bidden in orders, and the guilty threatened with death ; but, nevertheless, great mischief was com- mitted. The British, amounting to more than 7000 men, evacuated Boston, March 17th, 1776, leaving their barracks standing, a number of pieces of cannon spiked, four large iron sea-mortars, and stores to the value of £30,000. They demolished the castle and knocked off the trunnions of the cannon. Various incidents caused a delay of nine days after the evacuation, before they left Nantasket Road. This embarkation was attended with many cir- cumstances of distress and embarrassment. On the departure of the royal army from Boston, a great number of the inhabitants, attached to the royal cause, and afraid of public resentment, chose to abandon their country. From the great multitude about to depart, there was no possibility of procur 24 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ing purchasers for their furniture ; neither was there a sufficiency of vessels for its convenient trans- portation. Mutual jealousy subsisted between the army and navy, each charging the other as the cause of their common distress. The army was full of discontent. Reinforcements, though long promised, had not arrived. Both officers and soldiers thought themselves neglected. Five months had elapsed since they had received any advice of their destina- tion. Wants and inconveniences increased their ill- humor. Their intended voyage to Halifax sub- jected them to great dangers. The coast, at all times hazardous, was eminently so at that tempest- uous equinoctial season. They had reason to fear that they would be blown off to the West Indies, and without a sufficient stock of provisions. They were also going to a barren country. To add to their difficulties, this dangerous voyage, when com- pleted, was directly so much out of their way. Their business lay to the southward, and they were going northward. Under all these difficulties, and with all these gloomy prospects, the fleet steered for Halifax. Contrary to appearances, the voyage thither was both short and prosperous. They re- mained there for some time, waiting for reinforce- ments and instructions from England. When the royal fleet and army departed from Boston, several ships were left behind, for the pro- tection of vessels coming from England; but the American privateers were so alert that they never- theless made many prizes. Some of the vessels which they captured were laden with arms and war- like stores. Some transports, with troops on board, NAVAL EXPLOITS. 25 were also taken. These had run into the harbor, not knowing that the place was evacuated. The boats employed in the embarkation of the British troops had scarcely completed their business, when General Washington with his army marched into Boston. He was received with marks of approba- tion more flattering than the pomps of a triumph. The inhabitants, released from the severities of a garrison life, and from the various indignities to which they were subjected, hailed him as their de- liverer. The evacuation of Boston had been pre- viously determined upon by the British ministry, from principles of political expediency. Being re- solved to carry on the war for purposes aflTecting all the colonies, they conceived a central position to be preferable to Boston. 'Policy of this kind had in- duced the adoption of the measure; but the Ameri- can works on Roxbury expedited its execution. For his services in expelling the British from Boston, Congress passed a vote of thanks to General Washington and the army, and presented the general with a gold medal commemorating the event. 26 BATTLE-FIELDS AND IONTQOMERY'S monument, at ST.PAUL'S church, new TOBl EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA. During these transactions in New England, events of some importance took place in other parts of America. Congress had early directed its attention towards Canada, and endeavored either to gain the co-operation or secure the neutrality of the inhabit- ants in its dispute with Britain. Addresses had been repeatedly sent to them in the French as well as the English language, representing the tendency of the new measures of Parliament ; and these had not been without some eflect. The Canadians NAVAL EXPLOITS. 27 generally were willing to remain neutral in the contest. Congress believed them to be partial to their cause, and resolved to anticipate the British by striking a decided blow in that quarter. In this purpose they were encouraged by the success of the expedition against Crown Point and Ticonderoga, as well as by the small number of troops then in Canada. They appointed General Schuyler commander of the ex- pedition, with General Montgomery to act as second in command. Early in September, 1775, these officers, with about 1000 men, made an ineffectual attack on Fort St John, situated on the river Sorel, but found it expedient to retire to Isle-aux-Noix, at the entrance of the lake, about twelve miles above the fortj and wait for an increase of their effective force. Meanwhile, General Schuyler being taken ill and returning to Albany, the command devolved upon General Montgomery, w^ho was instructed to prose- cute the enterprise on receiving reinforcements. These reinforcements soon arrived ; the attack on Fort St. John was renewed; and after a vigorous defence it surrendered, about the middle of Novem- ber. The Americans found in the fort a consider- able number of brass and iron cannon, howitzers, and mortars, a quantity of shot and small shells, about eight hundred stand of small arms, and some naval stores ; but the powder and provisions were nearly exhausted. During the seige of Fort St. John, Fort Cham- blee had been taken, which furnished General Mont- gomery with a plentiful supply of provisions, of 28 B ATTLE-FIELCS AND which his army stood much in need. General Carle- ton, on his way from Montreal, had been defeated and repulsed ; and Colonel Ethan Allen, who had made an unauthorized and rash attack on Montreal, had been overcome, made prisoner, and sent in irons to England. On the fall of Fort St. John, General Montgomery advanced against Montreal, which was not in a con- dition to resist him. Governor Carleton, fully sensi- ble of his inability to defend the town, quitted it. Next day General Montgomery entered Montreal. He treated the inhabitants with great lenity, re- specting their religion, property, and rights, and gained their good-will by the affability of his man- ners and the nobleness 'and generosity of his dis- position. A body of provincials, under Colonel Easton, had been despatched by Montgomery, and took post at the mouth of the Sorel ; and, by means of an armed vessel and floating batteries, commanded the navi- gation of the St. Lawrence. The British force which had retreated down the river from Montreal, con- sisting of 120 soldiers under General Prescott, and accompanied by Governor Carleton, seeing it im- practicable to force a passage, surrendered by capitu- lation. About midnight the day before the capitu- lation Governor Carleton escaped down the river, passing through the American squadron in a boat with muffled oars, and reached Quebec in safety. It was now the 19th of November, and the sea- son was very unfavorable to military operations. General Montgomery, a young officer of superior talent and high spirits, found himself placed in ex- NAYAL EXPLOITS. 29 tremely unpleasant circumstances. He was at the head of a body of armed men by no means de- ficient in courage and patriotism, but totally un- accustomed to military subordination. The term of service for which many of them had enlisted was near an end ; and, heartily weary of the hardships of the campaign, they were loudly demanding their discharge. Nothing but devotion to the cause could have made the general continue the command. Hitherto his career had been marked with success ; and he was ambitious of closing the campaign with some brilliant achievement, which should elevate the spirit of the Americans and humble the pride of the British ministry. With these view^s, not- withstanding the advanced season of the year, he hastened towards Quebec, although he had found it necessary to weaken his army, which had never ex- ceeded 2000 men, by discharging many of them whose terms of service had expired. About the middle of September, a detachment of 1100 men, under Colonel Arnold, had been sent from the vicinity of Boston, with orders to march across the country against Quebec, by a route which had never been explored and was but little known. The party embarked at Newbury, steered for the Kennebec, and ascended that river, in order to reach Canada by penetrating the forests in the in- terior of Maine, — a most difficult and hazardous at- tempt. Their progress was impeded by rapids and by an almost impassable wilderness ; and they suf fered incredible hardships through the severity of the weather and the want of provisions. They separated into several divisions j and the last, undei 30 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Colonel Enos, finding itself unable to proceed, re turned to the camp at Roxbury. But the other divisions, under Arnold, pressed forward, and tri- umphed over every obstacle. For a month they toiled through a rough and barren wilderness, with- out seeing a human habitation, or the face of an individual except of their own party; and their provisions were exhausted ; so that Arnold was obliged to push forward before the rest, with a few followers, and obtain a supply from the nearest Canadian settlement. At length, on the 9th of November, the party, with its force much diminished, arrived at Point Levi, opposite Quebec. His appearance, says an English writer, was not unexpected ; for the lieutenant-governor had been for some time apprised of his march. In the early part of his progress Arnold had met an Indian, to whom, although a stranger, he had imprudently trusted a letter to General Schuyler, under cover, to a friend in Quebec. The Indian, instead of faith- fully delivering the letter according to the direc- tions which he had received, carried it to the lieu- tenant-governor, who, in order to prevent the Americans from passing the river, immediately re- moved all the canoes from Point Levi, and began to put the city in a posture of defence, which, but for this folly and rashness of Arnold, might have been easily surprised. On discovering the arrival of Arnold at Point Levi, the British commander stationed two vessels- of-war in the river, to guard the passage ; and at that interesting crisis Colonel McLean, who had re- treated before Montgomery, arrived from the Sorel, NATAL EXPLOITS. 31 with about one hundred and seventy newly -raised troops to assist in defence of the place. In spite of the vigilance of the British, Arnold succeeded, on the night of the 14th of November, in crossing the river with five hundred men in ca- noes, and landed near the place where the brave and enterprising Wolfe had landed sixteen years before, called, from this circumstance, Wolfe's Cove. Not being able to convey his scaling-ladders over the river with his troops, he could not immediately attack the towm. Instead of concealing himself till his scaling ladders could be brought forward, and then making a sudden and unexpected attack by night, he marched part of his troops in military parade in sight of the garrison, and so put the British fully on their guard. He wished to summon them to surrender. But they fired upon his flag of truce, and refused to hold any communication with him. He therefore, on the 19th of the month, re- tired from Quebec to Point aux Trembles, about twenty miles above the city, where General Mont- gomery, with the force under his command, joined him on the 1st of December. From him the sol- diers of Arnold received a supply of winter clothing which their previous condition rendered particularly acceptable. Soon after Arnold's retreat, Governor Carletoij arrived in Quebec, and exerted himself to put the place in a state of defence. General Montgomery, having brought the scaling- ladders across the river, appeared with his whole force before Quebec on the 6th of December. The garrison was then more numerous than its assailants. i'. BATTLE-FIELDS AND m The Americans amounted to but nine hundred effective men, while Governor Carleton had about fifteen hundred, soldiers, militia, seamen, and volun- teers, under his command. General Montgomery sent a flag of truce to sum- mon the garrison to surrender ; but it was fired upon, as that of Arnold had been ; and, although it was in the depth of a Canadian winter and in the most DEATH OF HONTOOHEBT. intense cold, he proceeded to the difficult task of erecting batteries ; but his artillery was too light to make any impression on the fortifications. He there- fore determined to storm the town ; and the assault w^as made on the morning of the 31st of December. About four o'clock in the morning, in the midst of a violent storm of snow, two feints and two real NAVAL EXPLOITS 33 attacks were simultaneously made. The real attacks were conducted by Montgomery and Arnold. Mont- gomery, advancing at the head of about two hundred men, fell by the first discharge of grape-shot from the works. Several of his best officers being killed, his division retreated. Arnold, at the head of about three hundred men, in a different quarter, maintained a fierce and obstinate conflict for some time, but was at last wounded and repulsed, leaving many of his men in the hands of the enemy. The death of Montgomery was the subject of much regret, as he had been universally loved and esteemed. On as- sembling after the assault, so large a number had been killed or taken prisoners, that the provincials could not muster many more than four hundred effective men, who chose Arnold for their com- mander, and, in the hope of receiving reinforcements, resolved to remain in the vicinity of Quebec. Sir Guy Carleton acquired much honor, not only by his gallant defence of the city, but also by the humanity with which he treated all his prisoners. The sick and wounded he caused to be taken care of, and permitted them, when recovered, to return to their homes unmolested. The Americans were not ignorant of their own inferiority in point of numbers to the garrison, and were not without ap- prehensions of being attacked ; but, although the garrison was three times more numerous than the besieging army, it was of such a mixed and pre- carious character that Carleton did not deem it prudent to march out against his enemy. A small reinforcement from Massachusetts reached the American camp, and all the troops that could a 34 BATTLE- FIELDSAND be spared from Montreal marched to join their countrymen before Quebec; but the month of February was far advanced before the army amounted to 960 men. Arnold, however, resumed the siege ; but his artillery was inadequate to the undertaking, and made no impression on the works. Although unsuccessful against the town, he defeated a body of Canadians who advanced to relieve it, and succeeded so well in cutting off supplies from the country that the garrison was reduced to great distress for want of provisions. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 35 DEFENCE OF FORT MOULTRIE. The triumphant issue of the campaign of 1775, in the neighborhood of Boston, was a source of grati- fication to the colonists. Washington was cordially hailed as the deliverer of Massachusetts, and re- ceived a vote of thanks and a gold medal from Con- gress. But the power of Britain was yet to be felt. During the last session of Parliament, the plan for the reduction of the colonies was fixed. The Ameri- cans were declared out of the royal protection, and, by treaties concluded between Great Britain and three states of Germany, 17,000 mercenaries were hired to aid in effecting their reduction. The intelligence of these measures decided the question of independence. Protection and allegiance being considered reciprocal, the refusal of the one justified the withholding of the other. Reason and the passions were successfully appealed to by the leading patriots ; and a pamphlet, entitled " Common 36 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Sense,'' written by Tliomas Paine, arguing in plain language the advantages and necessity of indepen dence, effected a complete revolution in the feelings and sentiments of the great mass of the people. The plan of the campaign formed by the British generals included three objects: — the relief of Quebec and the recovery of Canada; the possession of New York as the centre of operations ; and the reduction of the Southern colonies. The chief command of the forces was given to Sir William Howe, a prudent rather than an enterprising general. We have seen that Sir Guy Carleton effected the complete recovery of Canada. Before the main expedition could be got ready, it was determined to send an armament tc reduce the Southern colonies. A squadron under command of Sir Peter Parker, conveying 2800 troops, under Sir Henry Clinton, arrived at Cape Fear in May, and it was then deter- mined to attack Charleston, South Carolina, by sea and land. Meanwhile, the inhabitants had received intelligence of the approach of the armament, and made every exertion to put the capital in a state for defence. A fort was erected on Sullivan's Island, which is situated so near the channel leading up to the town as to be a convenient post for annoying vessels approaching it. The garrison, consisting of 375 regulars and a few militia, was placed under the command of Colonel Moultrie. On the 28th of June, 1776, Sir Peter Parker, with his formidable squadron, appeared before the fort, and between ten and eleven o'clock on that day commenced the attack. The garrison made a gal- lant and resolute defence. Their fire was well aimed NAVAL EXPLOITS, 37 and rapid. The ships were very much cut up, and the killed and wounded on board exceeded 200 men. The fort, being built of soft palmetto-wood, was little damaged, and the loss of the garrison only ten men killed and twenty-two wounded. IR PETER PARKER. Some time before the attack on the fort. General Clinton, with a body of troops, landed on Long Island, with the intention of crossing the narrow passage which divides the two islands and attacking the fort in the rear. But General Charles Lee, who had been sent to lake command of the forces at Charleston, stationed Colonel Thompson, with 700 or 800 men, at the east end of Sullivan's Island, to oppose the crossing, and the project was abandoned. The inhabitants were fully prepared to meet the 38 BATTLE-FIELDS AND enemy if they should attempt to land, and dispute every inch of ground with noble resolution. In the evening the firing ceased, the ships slipped their cables, and before morning they had retired about two miles from the island. Within a few days, the whole armament sailed for New York, having sig- nally failed to accomplish its object. Congress passed a vote of thanks to General Lee, and Colonels Moultrie and Thompson, for their gallant conduct during the attack ; and the fort was from that time called Fort Moultrie. The unsuccessful attack upon a slightly-built fort by a powerful British armament could not but give the colonists a higher opinion of their own capability and tend to lower their estima- tion of their adversaries. The event relieved the Southern States from the apprehension of invasion for more than two years, while the Northern States ware suffering the calamities of war. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 39 EETREAT FROM LONG ISLAND. DESCENT UPON LONG ISLAND. In the month of August, 1776, the English made a descent upon Long Tshmd, with forty pieces of can- non, and under cover of their ships. On a peninsula formed by the East River and Gowanus Cove, and constituting a part of the same island, was General Putnam, strongly fortified, and awaiting w4th his detachment the approach of the king's troops. Be- tween the armies was a range of hills, the principal pass through which was near a place called Flatbush. At this place the Hessians, forming the centre of the royalists, took their station. The left wing, under the orders of General Grant, was close upon the shore ; and the right, commanded by General Clin- ton, Earl Percy, and Lord Cornwallis, and compre- 40 BATTLE-FIELDS xi N D hending the chief strength of the British forces, ap. proached the opposite coast of Flat Land. General Putnam had directed that all the passes should be secured by strong detachments of the provincial troops. The orders to this purpose, though not disobeyed, were not complied with to the extent that the general required ; and one road through the hills, of the utmost importance, was entirely neglected, — an oversight which was speedily communicated to the British, and which they were too wise not to im- prove to their advantage. On the evening of the 26th, Generals Hrwe and Clinton drew off the right wing of the English army, in order to gain the heights. Nearly about day- break, he reached the pass undiscovered by the Americans, and immediately took possession of it. The detachment under Lord Percy followed ; and when the day appeared, the royalists advanced into the level country between the hills and Brooklyn, — a village situated on the peninsula where the Americans were encamped. Without loss of time, Howe and Clinton fell upon the rear of the provincials; and, the Hessians attack- ing them in front at the same instant, neither valor nor skill could save them from a defeat. Inspirited, however, by their generals, and by the presence of Washington, they continued the engagement for a while, and fought with the bravery of men whom the love of freedom animates to deeds of heroism ; but, pressed by superior numbers, and thrown into confusion, they gave way on every side and fled precipitately to the woods. Nor was this the only part of the army which NAVAL EXPLOITS. 41 suffered ; the right wing, which opposed General Grant, experienced a similar fate. They fought bravely, and maintained their ground till informed of tL:^ defeat of the left w^ing, when they retreated in confnsion ; and, in order to avoid the enemy, who were flu advanced on their rear, the greater part of them attempted to escape along the dike of a mill- dam, and through a marsh, where many of them perished ; but a remnant regained the camp. Of a regiment consisting of young gentlemen from Mary- land, the greater part was cut in pieces, and not one of those who survived escaped without a wound. The British soldiers behaved with their usual courage, and it was with difficulty that they were restrained from attacking the American camp; but General Howe checked their impetuosity, believing that he could compel the Americans to surrender or to evacuate their camp. On that day the Ameri- cans lost 2000 men in killed, wounded, and priso- ners; among the latter were Generals Sullivan, WoodhuU, and Lord Stirling. They also lost six pieces of artillery. The acknowledged British loss was 21 officers, and 346 privates, killed, wounded, and taken. A retreat from Long Island now become abso- lutely necessary ; and it was effected on the 30th of August, without the loss of a man. After the retreat from Long Island a number of indecisive actions were fought, the most remarkable of which were those of Kingsbridge and White Plains. Washington ultimately withdrew the main force from the colony of New York, and retreated across New Jersey to Philadelphia. 42 BATTLE-FIELDS AND GENERAL HOWE. BATTLE OF TRENTON. When General Washington crossed the Delaware, (1776,) winter was fast setting in; and it was no part of General Howe's plan to carry on military operations during that inclement season of the year. Fearless of a feeble enemy, whom he had easily driven before him, and whom he confidently ex- pected soon to annihilate, he cantoned his troops rather with a view to the convenient resumption of their march than with any regard to security against a fugitive foe. As he entertained not the slightest apprehension of an attack, he paid little attention to the arrangement of his several posts for the purpose of mutual support. He stationed a detachment of about 1500 Hessians at Trenton, under Colonel Rhalle, and about 2000 at Bordentown, farther down the river, under Count Donop; the rest of NAVAL EXPLOITS. 43 his army was quartered over the country, between the Hackensack and the Delaware. General Howe certainly had little apparent cause of apprehension ; for his antagonist had fled beyond the Delaware at the head of only about 2000 men, while he had an army of nearly 30,000 fine troops under his command. The Congress had withdrawn from Philadelphia, and, by their retreat, had thrown that city into much confusion. Their presence had overawed the disaffected and maintained the tran- quillity of the place; but, on their removal, the friends of the British claims, to whom belonged the great body of the Quakers, a timid sect, began to bestir themselves; and General Putnam, who com- manded there, needed a considerable force to pre- serve the peace of the city. The country was de- jected ; the friends of Congress were filled with the most gloomy apprehensions; and many of the in- habitants repaired to the British posts, expressed their allegiance to the British crown, and claimed protection : so that in those circumstances General Howe seemed perfectly secure. But in that alarming state of affairs the Ameri- can leaders still maintained an erect posture, and their brave and persevering commander-in-chief did not despair. Congress actively employed all the means in their power for supporting their indepen- dence, and General Washington applied in every quarter for reinforcements. He perceived the secu- rity of the British commander-in-chief, and the ad- vantages which the scattered cantonment of his troops presented to the American arms. "Now," exclaimed he, on being informed of the widely-dis- 44 15ATTLE-FIELDS AND persed state of the British troops, "is the time to clip their wings, when they are so spread ;" and, ac- cordingly, he resolved to make a bold effort to check the progress of the enemy. For that purpose he planned an attack on the Hessians at Trenton. General Putnam, who was stationed in Philadelphia, might have been useful in creating a diversion on that side ; but in that city the disaffection to Con- gress was so great, and the friends of Britain so strong, that it was deemed inexpedient to withdraw, even for a short time, the troops posted there. But a small party of militia, under Colonel Griffin, passed the Delaware near Philadelphia, and ad- vanced to Mount Holly. Count Donop marched against them, but, on their retreat, he returned to Borden town. General Washington formed his troops into three divisions, which were almost simultaneously to pass the Delaware, at three different places, on the even- ing of the 25th of December, hoping to surprise the enemy after the festivities of Christmas. One divi- sion, under General Cadwallader, was to pass the river in the vicinity of Bristol, but failed through inattention to the state of the tide and of the river, as they could not land on account of the heaps of ice accumulated on the Jersey bank. The second division, under General Irving, was to pass at Tren- ton ferry, but was unable to make its way through the ice. The third and main division, under the com- mand of General Washington in person, assisted by Generals Sullivan and Greene, and Colonel Knox of the artillery, accomplished the passage, with great difficulty, at McKon key's Ferry, about nine miles NAVAL EXPLOITS. 45 above Trenton. The general had expected to have his troops on the Jersey side about midnight, and to reach Trenton about five in the morning. But the difficulties arising from the accumulation of ice in the river were so great, that it was three o'clock in the morning before the troops got across, and nearly four before they began to move forward. They were formed in two divisions, one of which proceeded towards Trenton by the lower or river road, and the other by the upper or Pennington road. Colonel Rhalle had received some intimation that an attack on his post was meditated, and probably would be made on the evening of the twenty-fifth. Captain Washington, afterwards much distinguished as an officer of cavalry, had for some days been on a scouting-party in the Jerseys with about fifty foot- soldiers; and, ignorant of the meditated attack on the evening of the twenty-fifth, had approached Trenton, exchanged a few shots with the advanced sentinels, and then retreated. The Hessians con- cluded that this was the threatened attack, and became quite secure. Captain Washington, in his retreat, met the general advancing against Trenton by the upper road, and joined him. Although some apprehensions were entertained that the alarm ex- cited by Captain Washington's appearance might have put the Hessians on their guard, yet, as there was now no room either for hesitation or delay, the Americans steadily continued their march. The night was severe : it sleeted, snowed, and was in- tensely cold, and the road slippery. But General Washington advanced firmly, and at eight o'clock ill the morning reached the Hessian advanced posts, 46 BATTLE-FIELDS AND which he instantly drove in ; and, so equal had been the progress of the columns, that in three minutes afterwards the firing on the river road announced the arrival of the other division. Colonel Rhalle, who was a courageous officer, soon had his men under arms, and prepared for a brave defence; but early in the engagement he received a mortal wound, and his men being severely galled by the American artillery, about one thousand of them threw down their arms and surrendered them- Belves prisoners of war ; but a considerable body of them, chiefly light horse, retreated towards Borden- town and made their escape. In this attack not many Hessians were killed, and the Americans lost only four or five men, some of whom were frozen to death by the intense cold of the night. Some of General Washington's officers, wished him to follow up his success, and he was much inclined to pursue that course ; but a coun- cil of war was averse to the measure, and he did not think it advisable to act contrary to the pre- vailing opinion. On the evening of the twenty-sixth he repassed the Delaware, carrying his prisoners along with him, and their arms, colors, and ar- tillery. This enterprise, although it failed in several of its parts, was completely successful in so far as it was under the immediate direction of the commander-in- chief; and it had a happy effect on the affairs of America. It was the first wave of the returning tide. It filled the British with astonishment; and the Hessians, whose name had before inspired the people with fear, ceased to be terrible. The pri- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 47 soners were paraded through the streets of Philadel- phia to prove the reality of the victory, which the friends of the British government had denied. The hopes of the Americans were revived, and their spirits elevated; they had a clear proof that their enemies were not invincible, and that union, cou- rage, and perseverance, would insure success. •Aitii-aBovirD or isbhcoIi 4h BATTLE-FIELDS AND •BNBBAL mercer's MONUMENT AT LAUREL HILL CEMETERY, PHILADELPHIAi BATTLE OF PRINCETON. The alarm was now spread throughout the British army. A strong detachment under General Grant marched to Princeton ; and Earl Cornwallis, who was on the point of sailing for England, was ordered to leave New York and resume his command in the Jerseys. On joining General Grant, Lord Cornwallis imme- diately marched against Trenton. On his approach, General Washington crossed a rivulet named the Asumpinck, and took post on some high ground, with the rivulet in his front. On the advance of the British army on the afternoon of the 2d of Janu- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 49 ary, 1777, a smart cannonade ensued, and continued till night, Lord Cornwallis intending to renew the attack next morning ; but soon after midnight Gene- ral Washington silently decamped, leaving his fires burning, his sentinels advanced, and small parties to guard the fords of the rivulet, and, by a circuit- ous route through Allentown, proceeded towards Princeton. It was the most inclement season of the year; but the weather favored his movement. For two days before it had been w^arm, soft, and foggy, and great apprehensions were entertained lest, by the depth of the roads, it should be found impossible to trans- port the baggage and artillery with the requisite celerity; but about the time the troops began to move, one of those sudden changes of weather which are not unfrequent in America happened. The wind shifted to the northwest while the council of war which was to decide on their ulterior operations was sitting. An intense frost set in ; and, instead of being obliged to struggle through a miry road, the army marched as on solid pavement. The American soldiers considered the change of weather as an interposition of heaven in their behalf, and proceeded on their way with alacrity. Earl Cornwallis, in his rapid march towards Tren- ton, had left three regiments, under Lieutenant- Colonel Mawhood, at Princeton, with orders to advance on the third of the month to Maidenhead, a village about half-way between Princeton and Trenton. General Washington approached Prince- ton towards daybreak, and shortly before that time (Colonel Mawhood's detachment had begun to ad- 50 BATTLE-FIELDS AND vance towards Maidenhead, by a road at a Jittk distance from that on which the Americans were marching. The two armies unexpectedly met, and a smart engagement instantly ensued. At first the Americans were thrown into some confusion ; but General Washington, by great personal exertions, restored order, and renewed the battle. Colonel Mawhood, with a part of his force, broke through the American army, and continued his route to Maidenhead ; the remainder of his detachment, be- ing unable to advance, retreated by different roads to Brunswick. In this rencounter a considerable number of men fell on each side. The Americans lost General Mercer, whose death was much lamented by his countrymen. Captain Leslie, son of the Earl of Leven, was among the slain on the side of the British ; and he was buried with military honours by the Americans, in testimony of respect not tc himself merely, but to his family also. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 51 WASHINGTON'S HEAD-QUARTERS AT BRANDTWINK. BATTLE OF THE BKANDYWINE. At the opening of the campaign of 1777, the movements of General Howe greatly perplexed the American commander-in-chief, who dreaded a junc- tion of the forces under Generals Howe and Bur- goyne ; and who could scarcely believe that the former would sail to the southward and abandon the latter, who was advancing from Quebec, by way of the Lakes Champlain and George, towards Albany. He also received contradictory accounts of the course which General Howe had steered ; sometimes it was said that he was returning to the North River, and sometimes that the Delaware was the place of his destination, which last was the true account. But at that season of the year southerly winds prevail on the coast ; and it was the 30th of July before the British commander reached the capes of the Delaware. 52 BATTLE-FIELDS AND His original intention was to sail up the river to Philadelphia; hut, being informed that the Ameri- cans had obstructed the navigation, he altered his plan, and, still steering southward, entered Chesa-) peake Bay. On the appearance of the British arm- ament off the Delaware, General Washington moved towards Philadelphia; but, being told that the fleeti had again put to sea, his perplexity returned, and he held himself in readiness to march with the* utmost rapidity towards the North River, if needful. But, on the 24th of August, he was relieved from his painful suspense by certain information that the British fleet had sailed up the Chesapeake Bay, and that the army was landing at the head of the Elk River. At the place of debarkation the British army was within a few days' march of Philadelphia ; no great rivers were in its way; and there was no very strong position of which the enemy could take pos- session. On landing, General Howe issued a pro- clamation, promising pardon and protection to all who should submit to him; but, as the American army was at hand, the proclamation produced little effect. General Washington distinctly understood the nature of the contest in which he was engaged j and, sensible of the inferiority of his raw and dis- orderly army to the veteran troops under Sir Wil- liam Howe, he wished to avoid a general engage- ment; but, aware of the effect which the fall of Philadelphia would produce on the minds of the people, he determined to make every effort in order^ to retard the progress and defeat the aim of the royal NATAL EXPLOITS. 53 army. Accordingly, he marched to meet General Howe, who, from want of horses, many of which had perished in the voyage, and from other causes, was unable to proceed from the head of the Elk before the 3d of September. On the advance of the royal army. General Washington retreated across the Brandywine, a rivulet or creek which falls into the Delaware at Wilmington. He took post, with his main body, opposite Chad's Ford, where it was ex- pected the British would attempt the passage ; and ordered General Sullivan, with a detachment, to watch the fords above. He sent General Maxwell, with about 1000 light troops, to occupy the high ground on the other side of the Brandywine, to skirmish with the British, and retard them in their progress. On the morning of the 11th of September, the British army advanced in two columns; the right, under General Knyphausen, marched straight to Chad's Ford; the left, under Lord Cornwallis, ac- companied by the commander-in-chief and Generals Grey, Grant, and Agnew, proceeded, by a circuitous route, towards a point named the Forks, where the two branches of the Brandywine unite, with a view to turn the right of the Americans and gain their rear. General Knyphausen's van soon found itself opposed to the light troops under General Maxwell. A smart conflict ensued. General Knyphausen re- inforced his advanced guard and drove the Ameri- cans across the rivulet, to shelter themselves under their batteries on the north bank. General Knyp hausen ordered some artillery to be placed on the most advantageous points, and a cannonade was 54 BATTLE-FIELDS AND carried on with the American batteries on (lie heights beyond the ford. Meanwhile, the left wing of the British crossed i the fords above the Forks. Of this movement General Washington had early notice. After pass-j ing the fords, Lord Cornwallis took the road to Dil- 1 worth, which led him on the American right. General Sullivan occupied the heights above Bir- mingham church, his left extending to the Brandy- wine, his artillery judiciously placed, and his right flank covered by woods. About four in the after^ noon Lord Cornwallis formed the line of battle and began the attack ; for some time the Americans sus- tained it with intrepidity, but at length gave way. When General Washington heard the firing in that direction, he ordered General Greene with a brigade to support General Sullivan. General Greene marched four miles in forty-two minutes, but, on reaching the scene of action, he found General Sullivan's division defeated and fleeing in confusion. He covered the retreat; and, after some time, finding an advanta- geous position, he renewed the battle, and arrested the progress of the pursuing enemy. General Knyphausen, as soon as he heard the firing of Lord Cornwallis's division, forced the pas- sage of Chad's Ford, attacked the troops opposed to him, and compelled them to make a precipitate and disorderly retreat. General Washington, with the part of his army which he was able to keep together, retired, with his artillery and baggage, to Chester, where he halted, within eight miles of the British army, till next morning, when he retreated to Philadelphia. NATAL EXPLOITS 55 ADMIRAL LORD HOWE. BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. On receiving information of the success of the royal army under his brother at Brandywine, Admiral Lord Howe left the Chesapeake and steered for the Delaware, where he arrived on the 8th of October. As soon as General Howe had gained pos- session of Philadelphia, he began to clear the course of the river, in order to open a free communication with the fleet. The Americans had laboured assiduously to ob- struct the navigation of the Delaware ; and, for that purpose, had sunk three rows of chevaux-de-frise, formed of large beams of timber bolted together, with strong projecting iron spikes, across the channel, a little below the place where the Schuylkill falls into the Delaware. The upper and lower rows were commanded by fortifications on the banks and islands of the river, and by floating batteries. While the detachments employed in assisting to clear the course of the river weakened the royal 56 BATTLE-FIELDS AND army at Germantown, General Washington, who Lay encamped at Skippach Creek, on the north side of the Schuylkill, ahout seventeen miles from Ger- mantown, meditated an attack upon it. German- town consisted of one street about two miles long; the line of the British encampment bisected the village almost at right angles, and had its left covered by the Schuylkill. General Washington, ATTACK ON MR. CHEW'S HOUSE, having been reinforced by 1500 troops from Peeks- kill, and 1000 Virginia militia, marched from Skip- pach Creek on the evening of the 3d of October, and at dawn of day next morning attacked the royal army. After a smart conflict, he drove in the advanced guard, which was stationed at the head of the village, and, with his army divided into ^y^ columns, prosecuted the attack; but Lieutenant- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 57 Colonel Musgrave, of the 40th regiment, which had been driven in, and who had been able to keep five companies of the regiment together, threw himself into Mr. Chew's large stone house in the village, which stood in front of the main column of the Americans; and there almost a half of General Washington's army was detained for a considerable time. Instead of masking the house with a sufficient force and advancing rapidly with their main body, the Americans attacked the house, which was ob- stinately defended. This saved the British army ; f'or the critical moment was lost in fruitless attempts on the house ; the royal troops had time to get under arms and be in readiness to resist or attack as cir- cumstances required. General Grey came to the assistance of Colonel Musgrave. The engagement for some time was general and warm ; at length the Americans began to give way, and eifected a retreat wdth all their artillery. The morning was very foggy^ — a circumstance which had prevented the Americans from combining and conducting their operations as they otherwise might have done, but which now favored their retreat by concealing their movements. In this engagement the British had 600 men killed or wounded ; among the slain were Brigadier-Gene- ral Agnew and Colonel Bird, officers of distin- guished reputation. The Americans lost an equal number in killed and wounded, besides 400 who were taken prisoners. General Nash, of North Carolina, was among those who were killed. After the battle. General Washington returned to his en- campment at Skippach Creek. 58 BATTLE-FIELDS AND FORT MIFFLIN. BATTLES OF RED BANK AND FORT MIFFLIN. Although the British army had been success- ful ill repulsing the Americans, yet their situation was not comfortable ; nor could they easily main- tain themselves in Pennsylvania unless the naviga- tion of the Delaware were opened and a free com- munication established between the fleet and army. The upper line of chevaux-de-frise was protected by a work named Fort Mifflin, erected on a marshy island in the Delaware called Mud Island, formed by an accumulation of sand and vegetable mould near the Pennsylvania bank of the river, and by a redoubt, called Red Bank, on the Jersey side. At" a small distance below Mud Island, and nearly in a line with it, are two others, named Province and Hog's Islands; between these and the Pennsylvania bank of the river was a narrow channel, of sufficient depth to admit ships of moderate draught of water. The reduction of Forts Mifflin and Red Bank, and the opening of the Delaware, were of essential importance to the British army in the occupation of Philadelphia. In order, theiefore, that he might be able more con- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 59 veniently to assist in those operations, General Howe, on the 19th of October, withdrew his army from Germantown, and encamped in the vicinity of Philadelphia. He despatched Colonel Count Donop, a German officer, with three battalions of Hessian grenadiers, the regiment of Mirbach, and some light infantry, to reduce Red Bank. This detachment crossed the Delaware at Philadelphia on the evening of the 21st of October, and next afternoon reached the place of its destination. Count Donop summoned the fort to surrender; but Colonel Christopher Greene, of Rhode Island, who commanded in the redoubt, answered that he would defend his post to the last extremity. Count Donop immediately led his troops to the as- sault, advancing under a close fire from the fort and from the American vessels-of-war and floating batteries on the river; he forced an extensive and unfinished outwork, but could make no impression on the redoubt. The count was mortally wounded ; the second in command also was disabled; and, after a desperate conflict and severe loss, the assail- ants were compelled to retreat under a fire similar to that which had met them in their advance. Colonel Donop was made prisoner, and soon died of his wounds. The disaster did not terminate here. That part of the fleet which co-operated in the attack was equally unfortunate. The Augusta, Roebuck, Liver- pool, Pearl, and Merlin, vessels-of-war, had passed through an opening in the lower line of chevaux-de- frise, and, on the commencement of Count Donop's attack, moved up the river with the flowing tide. 60 BATTLE-FIELDS AND But the artificial obstructions had altered the course of the channel and raised sand-banks where none existed before. Hence the Augusta and Merlin grounded a little below the second row of chevaux- de-frise. At the return of the tide every exertion was made to get them off, but in vain. In the morning the Americans, perceiving their condition, began to fire upon them, and sent fire-ships against them. The Augusta caught fire ; and, the flames spreading rapidly, it was with the utmost difficulty that the crew were got out of her. The second lieutenant, chaplain, gunner, and some seamen, perished in the flames ; but the greater part of the crew was saved. The Merlin was abandoned and destroyed. Notwithstanding these misfortunes, the operations requisite for reducing the forts on the river were carried on with great activity. Batteries were erected on the Pennsylvania bank opposite Mud Island ; but, from the difficulty of constructing works on marshy ground, and of transporting heavy artillery through swamps, much time was consumed before they could be got ready to act with effect. The British also took possession of Province Island, and, although it was almost wholly overflowed, erected works upon it. On the 15th of November, every thing was ready for a grand attack on Fort Mifflin. The Vigilant armed ship and a hulk, both mounted with heavy cannon, passed up the strait between Hog and Pro- vince Islands and the Pennsylvania bank, in order to take their station opposite the weakest part of the fort. The Isis, Somerset, Koebuck, and several NAVAL EXPLOITS. 61 frigates, sailed up the main channel as far as the second line of chevaux-de-frise would permit them, and placed themselves in front of the work. The little garrison of Fort Mifflin, not exceeding 800 men, had greatly exerted themselves in oppos- ing and retarding the operations of the British fleet and army against them ; and in this desperate crisis their courage did not forsake them. A terrible can- nonade against Fort Mifflin was begun and carried on by the British batteries and shipping, and was answered by the fort, by the American galleys and floating batteries on the river, and by their works on the Jersey bank. In the course of the day, the fort was in a great measure demolished and many of the guns dismounted. The garrison, finding their post no longer tenable, retired, by means of their shipping, during the night. Two days after- wards, the post at Red Bank was evacuated also. Lord Cornwallis marched against it; but the gar- rison retreated before his arrival. 62 BATTLE-FIELDS AND GENERAL SCHUYLEl BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. The object of the invasion of Burgoyne, under- taken in 1777, was to possess himself of all the defences from Canada to New York, cut off New England from the Middle and Southern provinces, and then conquer it. At first he was successful. In the course of a few days after the commencement of active operations, he captured Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, drove the Americans from Lakes Champlain and George, and compelled them to seek shelter behind the Hudson. General Schuy- ler resisted his advance by blocking up the roads, and retreated from Fort Edward to Saratoga. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 63 The invading general now found himself in want of supplies. In these circumstances, General Bur- goyne conceived the plan of procuring a supply for his army from a different quarter. It was well known that the American army received live cattle from New England, which were collected at Ben- nington, twenty-four miles east from the Hudson, where a large deposit of carriages, corn, flour, and other necessaries, had been made. For this purpose he moved down the east side of the Hudson, and encamped nearly opposite Saratoga, which place the American army left on the 15th of August, and retreated to the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. He sent his van across the river by a bridge of boats; and at the same time de- spatched Colonel Baum, a German officer, with 500 men, partly cavalry, two pieces of artillery, and 100 Indians, to surprise Bennington. General Stark, with the New Hampshire militia, 400 strong, happened to be in that vicinity, on his way to join General Schuyler. He heard first of the approach of the Indians, and soon afterwards was informed that they were supported by a regular force. He collected his brigade, sent expresses to the neighboring militia to join him, and also to Colonel Warner's regiment at Manchester. On the morning of the 14th of August he marched against the enemy at the head of 700 men, and sent Colonjel Gregg, with 200 men, to skirmish in their front and retard their progress. He drew up his men in order of battle ; but, on coming in sight of him, Baume halted on advantageous ground, sent an express to General Burgoyne, informing him of his situa- 64 BATTLE-FIELDS AND tion, and fortified himself as well as circumstances would permit. Some small skirmishing-parties of the Americans killed several Germans and two Indian chiefs, with- out sustaining any loss ; and this slight success not a little elated them. In a council of war, it was BATTlB OP BBXIfllCaTOir. resolved to attack Baum next day; but next day it rained incessantly, and the attack could not be made, although there was some skirmishing. On the morning of the 16th, Stark, having re- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 65 ceived some reinforcements, sent detachments by the right and left of the enemy, with orders to unite in their rear and begin the attack in that quarter. But, before they met, the Indians retreated between the columns, and, receiving a fire as they passed, sus- tained some loss. The detachments, according to orders, began to attack on the rear of the enemy, and were assisted by Stark, who instantly advanced to the charge in front. Baum made a brave de- fence. The battle lasted two hours, during which he was furiously assailed on every side by an incessant discharge of musketry. He was mortally wounded; his troops were overpowered ; a few of them escaped into the woods and fled, pursued by the Americans ; the rest were killed or taken prisoners. Thus, with- out artillery, with old rusty firelocks, and with scarcely a bayonet, these militia entirely defeated 500 veterans, well armed, provided with two pieces of artillery, and defended by breastworks. After the victory the greater part of the militia dispersed in quest of booty, and their avidity for spoil nearly proved fatal to them; for, on receiving Baum's express. General Burgoyne ordered Colonel Brehman, who had before been sent forward to Bat- ten Hill for the purpose, to march to the assistance of his countrymen with the Brunswick grenadiers, light infantry, and chasseurs, amounting to 500 men. Colonel Brehman set out at eight in the morning of the 15th; but the roads were rendered almost impassable by incessant rains; and, although he marched with the utmost diligence, yet it was four the next afternoon before he reached the vicinity of the place where his countrymen had been de- 5 06 BATTLE-FIELDS AND feated. The first notice which he received ol Baum's disaster was from the fugitives w^ioni he met. lie easily repulsed the few militia who were in pursuit of them ; and from the scattered state f Stark's troops, had the prospect of being able to make himself master of the stores, which were the great object of the expedition. But, at that critical moment, Colonel Warner's regiment of continentals arrived, and instantly engaged Brehman. The firing reassembled the scattered militia, w4io joined in the battle as they came up. Colonel Brehman main- tained the conriict till dark ; when, abandoning his artillery and baggage, he retreated, and, escaping under cover of night, with the shattered remnant of his detachment, regained the camp. In these engagements the Americans took four brass field-pieces, about one thousand muskets, (a most seasonable supply to the ill-armed militia,) nine hundred swords, and four baggage-wagons. Exclusive of Canadians and other loyalists, the loss of the royal army could not be less than 700 men in killed, wounded, and prisoners, although General Burgoyne stated it at only about 400. The Ameri- cans admitted the loss of about 100 in killed and wounded ; but this was certainly under the truth. This was the first check which General Bur- goyne's army had met with, and it was a severe one, and had a fatal influence on the campaign. Tlie loss of a few hundred men was nothing, com- pared with the effects which it produced upon the minds of the people ; it greatly elated them, and gave the militia, who had been much dispirited by vhe late defeats, confidence in themselves, and en- NAYAL EXPLOITS. 67 couraged them to hasten to the army in great num- bers, in order to consummate the work which they had begun. Before the events in the vicinity of Bennington, dejection and aL'irm pervaded the North- ern provinces ; but those events dispelled the gloom, infused spirit and vigor into the militia, and gave a new aspect to affairs on the Hudson. • KVBSAI. BGHUTLlB'a BK8IDXN0X, B OH V TI.XETlLIi& 68 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ARNOLD AT BEHMUS'S HEIGHTS. BATTLE OF BEHMUS'S HEIGHTS. On the 19th of August, 1777, General Schuyler was superseded, and the command of the Northern army was assumed by General Gates. General Gates, who was now joined by all the Continental troops destined for the Northern depart- ment, and reinforced by considerable bodies of mili- tia, left the strong position which Schuyler had taken at the confluence of the Mohawk with the Hudson, eight miles above Albany, proceeded sixteen miles up tlie river towards the enemy, and formed a gtrong camp near Stillwater. The two armies NAVAL EXPLOITS. 69 were only about twelve miles distant from each other; but the bridges between them were broken down, the roads were bad, and the country was covered with woods ; consequently, the progress of the British army, encumbered by its fine train of artillery and numerous wagons was slow, and it was attended with some skirmishing. On the evening of the 17th, General Burgoyne encamped within four miles of the American army, and spent the next day in repairing the bridges be- tween the two camps, which he accomplished with some loss. About mid-day on the 19th of Septem- ber he put himself at the head of the right wing of his army, and advanced through the woods towards the left of the American camp : General Frazer and Colonel Brehman, with the grenadiers and light in- fantry, covered his right flank, and the Indians, loyalists, and Canadians, proceeded in front. The left wing and artillery, commanded by Generals Philips and Reidesel, proceeded along the great road near the river. The nature of the ground prevented the contend- ing armies from observing the movements of each other ; but General Gates, whose scouts were in con- stant activity, was soon informed of the advance of the British army. He detached Colonel Morgan, a bold and active partisan, with his riflemen, to ob- serve the motions and impede the progress of the enemy. Morgan soon met the advanced parties in front of the British right wing, and drove them back. General Burgoyne supported them by a strong detachment; and, after a severe conflict, Morgan in his turn was compelled to give way. But General 70 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Gates reinforced him, and the engagement became more general. The Americans attempted to turn the right flank of the British army, with the view of attacking it in the rear ; but, being opposed by Frazer and Brehman, they made a rapid movement, and commenced a furious attack on the left of the British right wing. The combatants were rein- forced ; and, between three and four in the afternoon. General Arnold, with nine Continental regiments and Morgan's riflemen, was closely engaged with the whole right wing of the British army. Both parties fought with the utmost determined courage ; and the battle ended only with the day. When it be- came dark, the Americans withdrew to their camp ; and the royal troops lay all night on their arms on the field of battle. On hearing the firing at the beginning of the engagement. General Philips, with some artillery, forced his way through the woods and rendered essential service. During the battle. General Burgoyne behaved with the utmost intre- pidity and exposed himself to every danger. In the evening, it was believed in the American camp that he was among the wounded ; for numbers of Americans climbed trees in the rear of their coun- trymen, and, whenever the smoke cleared away for a moment, took aim at the British officers. One of these marksmen, seeing an aide-de-camp delivering a message to General Burgoyne, being deceived by the rich furniture of his horse, fired at the aide-de-camp and wounded him, mistaking him for the general. In this battle, in which each party had nearly 3000 men actually engaged, the British lost upwards of 500 in killed and wounded, and the Americans NATAL EXPLOITS. 71 about 400 men. Night separated the combatants: each side cLaimed the victory, and each believed that with a part only of its own force it had beaten the whole of the hostile army. But, although neither army was defeated, it was evident who had gained the advantage : General Burgoyne had failed in the attempt to dislodge the enemy, and his pro- gress was arrested. His communication with the lakes was cut off, and his resources were daily fiiil- ing ; while the Americans had the same opportunities of gaining supplies as before, and their strength was still increasing by the arrival of fresh troops. In such circumstances, to fight without a decisive vic- tory was to the British nearly equivalent to a de- feat ; and to fight without being beaten was to the Americans productive of many of the consequences of victory. Accordingly, the news of the battle were received with joy and exultation throughout the United States, and the ruin of the invading army was con- fidently anticipated. The militia were encouraged to take the field and assist in consummating the work so auspiciously begun. At that time the army under the command of General Gates did not much exceed 7000 men ; but it was soon considerably in- creased. 72 BATTLE-FIELDS AND tURQOTNE'S CAMP ON TEE HUIXSOII. BATTLE OF STILLWATER. After the battle of Behmus's Heights, the safety of the British army lay only in retreat. It was un- able to advance : to fall back on the lakes and return to Canada, although difficult, was not then impossible. But every hour lessened the probability of victory and rendered retreat more impracticable. General Burgoyne, however, could not at once dismiss all the splendid visions of conquest and glory which had so long dazzled his imagination ; and he flat- tered himself with the hope of a powerful co-opera- tion on the side of New York, which had not been NAVAL EXPLOITS. 73 concerted, and was not to happen. Under those delusions he lingered in his strong camp from the 20th of September till the 7th of October. During that interval daily skirmishes happened, which ac- customed the raw troops of America to the face of an enemy. General Gates, sensible that delay was in his favor, meditated no immediate attack on the hostile camp, but diligently took measures to pre- vent the escape of the royal army from the toils in which it was entangled. General Burgoyne's difficulties were great and daily increasing. His army was reduced to 5000 regular troops ; his provisions were almost exhausted and his men put on short allowance ; his horses were perishing for want of forage; he was so en- vironed by the enemy that he could procure no fresh supplies, and he had received no recent intelli- gence from Sir Henry Clinton. He could not long remain in the position which he then occupied, and he was not ignorant of the difficulty and danger of a retreat. In these circumstances he resolved to try the fortune of another battle, as a victory would enable him either to advance, or to retreat with safety. Accordingly, on the 7th of October he led out 1500 men, well provided with artillery, and, accom- panied by Generals Philips, Reidesel, and Frazerj marched against the enemy, leaving his camp on the high grounds under the care of Generals Hamil- ton and Specht, and the redoubts and posts adja- cent to the river under General Gell. General Burgoyne's detachment had scarcely formed within about half a mile of the enemy's entrenchments. 74 BATTLE-FIELDS AND when its left, where the grenadiers were posted, waa furiouly assailed. The Germans, who were on the right of the grenadiers, were also soon engaged. Three regiments, under General Arnold, proceeded to attack the right of the British detachment in front, while another division endeavored to turn its flank and gain its rear. In order to frustrate this intention, General Frazer, with the light infantry and part of the 24th regiment, was ordered to cover the right; but, while he was making a movement for that purpose, the left was overpowered and gave way. To save it from destruction, Frazer hastened to its assistance, but met with an American corps of riflemen, which briskly attacked him ; and he was mortally wounded in the conflict. The whole royal detachment now gave way, and, with the loss of most of its artillery, retreated to the camp. The Americans closely pursued, and, under a tremendous fire of grape-shot and musketry, fiercely assaulted the works throughout their whole extent. Arnold, who conducted the assault, urged on his men, but was ultimately repulsed by the British under the immediate orders of General Burgoyne, after having had his horse shot under him and being wounded in the same leg which had been injured at Quebec. The left of the American detachment, under Colonel Brooks, was more successful. It turned the right of the roj'al encampment, stormed the works of the German reserve, under Colonel Brehman, who was killed, and his troops retreated, with the loss of all their artillery and camp-equipage; while Brooks maintained the ground which he had gained. Darkness, as on the 19 th of September, put an NAYAL EXPLOITS. 7(5 end to the bloody conflict ; and the xlmericans lay all night on their arms, about half a mile from the lines, with the intention of renewing the assault in the morning. The advantage which they had gained was great. Without any considerable loss, they had killed many of the enemy, made upw^ards of 200 prisoners, among whom were several officers of distinction, taken nine pieces of brass artillery, all the baggage and camp-equipage of a German brigade, obtained a large supply of ammunition, of which they stood much in need, and had entered the royal lines and gained a position which threat- ened their rear. About midnight. General Lincoln with his division marched from the American camp to relieve the troops who had been engaged, and to occupy the ground which they had won. This was Burgoyne's last great battle. On the 16th of October he capitulated, and his whole array became prisoners. 76 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ATTACK ON FORTS CLINTON AND MONTGOMERY. The attack on Forts Clinton and Montgomery, which had been delayed till the arrival of reinforce- ments from Europe, had been successfully made The voyage of these reinforcements was tedious; but they arrived at New York in the end of Sep- tember, and Sir Henry Clinton, without delay, em- barked 3000 men in vessels of different descriptions, and, convoyed by some ships-of-war under Commo- dore Hotham, sailed up the Hudson. Forts Clinton and Montgomery, against which the expedition was directed, were situated on high ground of difficult access, on the western bank of the river, about fifty miles above New York. They were separated by a rivulet, which, flowing from the hills, empties itself into the Hudson. Under cover of the guns, a boom was stretched across the river from bank to bank, and strengthened by an im- mense iron chain in front, as well as supported by chevaux-de-frise sunk behind it. Above this strong barrier a frigate and galleys were moored, so as to NAVAL EXPLOITS 77 be able to direct a heavy fire against any vessels that might attempt to force a passage. This seemed to present an insuperable obstacle in the way of the British shipping towards Albany. Fort Indepen- dence stood four or five miles below, on a high point of land, on the opposite side of the river. Fort Constitution was six miles above the boom, on an island near the eastern bank. Peekskill, the head- DEFBNCE OP FORT MONTGOMERY. quarters of the officer who commanded on the Hud- son from Kingsbridge to Albany, was just below Fort Independence, on the same side. General Putnam then held that command, and had about 2000 men under him. On the 5th of October, Sir Henry Clinton landed at Yerplank's Point, a little below Peekskill, on the same side of the river. General Putnam, appre- hending that the enemy intended to attack Fort 78 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Independence and to march through the highlands on the east of the river towards Albany, retired to the heights in his rear; and, entertaming no sus- picion of the real point of attack, neglected to strengthen the garrisons of the forts on the western bank. The British fleet moved higher up the river, ini order to conceal what was passing at the place where the troops had landed ; and, on the evening , of the day on which he had arrived at Yerplank's^ Point, Sir Henry Clinton embarked upwards of 2000 of his men, leaving the rest to guard that post. Early next morning he landed at Stony Point, on the west side of the river, and immediately began his march over the mountains towards the forts. The roads were difficult and the enterprise perilous; for a small body of men, properly posted, might not only have arrested his progress, but repulsed him with much loss. He, however, reached the vicinity of the forts before he was discovered; there he fell in with a patrol, who immediately retreated and gave w^arning of the approaching danger. Between four and five on the afternoon of the 6th of October, the British appeared before the forts, which they summoned to surrender, and, on re- ceiving a refusal, instantly advanced under a heavy fire to the assault. Both forts, garrisoned by about 600 men, were attacked at the same time : Fort Montgomery by Colonel Campbell at the head of 900 men ; and Fort Clinton, the stronger of the two posts, by Sir Henry Clinton with 1200. Fort Mont- gomery was soon taken ; but Colonel Campbell fell in the attack. Most of the garrison, favored by NAVAL EXPLOITS. 7P the darkness and by tlieir knowledge of the passes^ made their escape. At Fort Clinton the resistance was more obstinate ; but that fort also was stormed, and a considerable number of the garrison killed or made prisoners. General Putnam had no suspicion of the real point of attack till he heard the firing, when he despatched 500 men to the assistance of the garri- sons ; but the Ibrts were taken before they arrived, SIFEXCX or rOBT OLINTOir. and consequently they returned to camp. In storm- ing the forts, the British had about 150 men killed or wounded. Besides Colonel Campbell, Captain Stewart, Major Sill, and Count Grabousky, a Polish nobleman who served as a volunteer in the royal army, were the slain. The Americans lost 300 men, in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The American vessels-of-war in the river, being 80 BATTLE-FIELDS AND unable to escape, were burnt by their crews, in order to prevent tliem from falling into the hands of the British, who removed the boom and chain, and opened the navigation of the river. Fort Inde- pendence was evacuated ; and Fort Constitution, where the navigation was obstructed by a boom and chain, was also abandoned, without any attempt to defend it. The British proceeded up the river, de- stroying every thing in their power. They advanced to Esopus, which they laid in ashes, but proceeded no farther. In this expedition they took or destroyed a large quantity of American stores. General Putnam retreated up the river ; informed General Gates that he was unable to arrest the pro- gress of the enemy, and advised him to prepare for the worst. But, although his rear was threatened, General Gates was eager in improving the advan- tages he had gained over the British army, which was now reduced to the most distressing circum- stances, these events having transpired just before the surrender of Burgoyne. NAYAL EXPLOITS- SI OENXRAL lE-E. BATTLE OF MONMOUTH. Fearful for the safety of their army, the Britisli ministers had sent orders to Howe to evacuate the city of Philadelphia and the river Delaware with- out delay, lest the French fleet, which it was pre- sumed would sail for America in the spring, might entrap him, and cause the loss of both fleet and army. Accordingly, the royal army crossed the Delaware into New Jersey, on the 18th of June. Washington had previously detached MaxwelFs brigade to aid the Jersey militia in checking their march, whilst he should fiill on their rear himself with the main body. The Americans crossed the Delaw^are in pursuit of the British, while six hundred men were 6 82 BATTLE-FIELDS AND detached under Morgan, to reinforce Maxwell. The British marched to Allentown, and there chose the road to Sandy Hook, to avoid crossing the Raritan, which they must have done if they had marched direct to Amboy. They encamped, on the 27th of June, near Freehold Court-House, _ in Monmouth county. Washington sent General Wayne, with one thousand men, to reinforce the troops already on their lines. La Fayette was sent to command this division, which amounted to four thousand men, COUNCIL OF OFFICERS BEFORE THE BATTLE OF MOI and Lee soon after joined them, with two addi* tional brigades, and took charge of the whole. Mor- gan hovered on the right ilank of the British, with his corps, and Dickinson was on the left, with eight hundred Jersey militia. Washington was three miles in the rear, with the main body. He deter- mined to make an attack upon the British before NAVAL EXPLOITS. 83 they should reach the strong grounds about Middle- town. Lee was ordered to maintain his dispositions for an attack, and to keep his troops constantly on their arms, so as to take advantage of the first movement of the enemy. Knyphausen led the van, with the baggage, and the best troops were placed in the rear, under Cornwallis. At break of day, on the 28th of June, the royal army began their march ; but the rear waited until eight o'clock in the morning. Lee followed them into the plains ; Clinton turned, with his whole rear- division, to attack the Americans, and Lee began the engagement. Owing to some misunderstanding, part of the American forces began to retreat, and the rest soon followed in great disorder. Washing- ton now came up with the main body, and, to his great astonishment and mortification, met the ad- vanced division in full retreat, Lee intending to re- new the battle on higher ground. Washington rode forward and addressed General Lee in warm terms of disapprobation. Yet his indignation could not get the better of his self-command; and he immediately set himself to repair the error which had been com- mitted. He ordered Lee to arrest the progress of the flying soldiers, while he brought up the main body to their assistance. Lee executed his orders I with his characteristic courage and skill. A sharp conflict ensued : the Americans were compelled to retreat, and w^ere this time brought ofi" by Lee in good order. The British advanced, and attacked the second line of the Americans, which was strongly posted, and made such a vigorous resistance that the enemy were compelled to give way; and at 84 BATTLE-FIELDS AND along night Clinton withdrew his troops to a good position, where he remained till midnight, when he resumed his march, carrying most of his wounded with him. The Americans lost in this battle 69 killed and' 140 wounded; while the British, after burying some of their dead in the night, left on the field of battle 247 killed, who were buried by the Americans. They left 44 wounded, and took many others with them. Clinton continued his retreat unmolested, owing to the bad state of the roads ; but, on his march through Jersey, a large number of his men, who had married in Philadelphia, deserted, and re- turned to that city. The British lost Lieutenant-Colo- nel Monckton, and the Americans Lieutenant-Colo- nel Bonner and Major Dickenson, all able officers. Washington moved towards the Hudson, and D'Estaing sailed up the Delaware, with twelve ships- of-the-line and three frigates, not ten days after Howe had quitted it ; when, finding his enemy gone,^ he sailed for New York, and blockaded the British tleet in the harbor. NAYAL EXPLOITS. 85 COLONEL Z. BUTLEB. MASSACRE OF WYOMING. In the spring of 1778, the settlers, fearing an attack, sent an express to the Board of War, to re- present the danger in which the settlement at Wyoming was of being destroyed by the Indians and tories, and to request that the men who had gone from the valley and joined the Continental army might be ordered to return and assist in the defence of their homes. Their request was granted ; and a company, commanded by Captain Spalding, composed of what remained of the two companies before mentioned as having been enlisted at Wyo- ming, set out for the valley, and were within two days' march of it on the day of the fatal battle. About the 1st of June, the same year, a scouting-party from Captain Hewitt's company discovered a num- jber of canoes, with Indians, on the river at some 86 BATTLE-FIELDS AND distance above the settlement ; and a few days after, a party of Indians attacked, and killed or made pri- soners, nine or ten men, while at work on the bank of the river, about ten miles above the fort. Many^ circumstances indicated the approach of a large body^ of the enemy. Such was the situation of the settle- ment when Colonel Butler arrived. This was the latter part of June, and but a few days before the battle. On the 1st of July, the militia under the command of Colonel Denison, with all others who were capable and willing to bear arms, assembled at the fort in Wilkesbarre, being the principal fori They made an excursion against the enemy, killed two Indians, and found the bodies of the men who had been murdered by them. When they returned, each man was obliged to go to his own house andl furnish himself with provisions, as there were none collected at the fort. In consequence of this disper- sion, they were not able to assemble again until the 3d of July, when their whole strength amounted to about 350 men. It probably would have been greater, but many of the settlers chose rather to remain in the other forts, for the purpose of defending their families and property, in which they naturally felt a greater in- terest than in the general welfare. Of the whole force, consisting of the militia. Captain Hewitt's- company of rangers, and a few volunteers, including several officers and soldiers of the regular army who happened to be in the valley, Colonel Butler was re-i quested to take the command. The whole, as before stated, amounted to about 350 men, indifferently furnished with arms and ammunition. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 87 As the enem}' had entered the valley at the upper end, and had advanced directly towards the fort in which the settlers were assembled, the object of. the savages was supposed to be to attack them in the fort. The enemy had taken Fort Wintermote and one other small fort and burned them, and were burning and laying waste the whole country in their progress. Colonel Butler held a consultation with MASSACRE AT WTOMING. the officers ; and it was decided to be best to go out and intercept the progress of the enemy, if possible, and put an end to the scene of devastation which they witnessed. Being perfectly acquainted with the country, they marched out some distance from the fort, and formed on the bank of a creek, in a very advantageous situation. Here they lay con- cealed, expecting that the enemy would advance to 88 BATTLE-FIELDS AND attack the fort, and knowing that if they did so they would pass the place where the Americans were in ambush. In this situation they remained near half the day; but, no enemy appearing, a council was called, in which there was a difference of opinion as to the expediency of advancing and attacking the enemy, or of returning to the fort, there to de- fend themselves until the arrival of Captain Spald- ing's company, which was daily expected. On the one hand, the hope of succor and their uncertainty as to the strength of the enemy were urged as reasons for returning; and on the other, the de- struction of the whole country, w^hich would in- evitably follow such a step, together with the insuffi- ciency of the fort and the want of provisions to enable them to stand a siege, were powerful reasons in favor of risking an immediate battle. Captain Lazarus Stewart, a brave man, famous in the country for his exploits among the Indians, and whose opi- nion had much weighty, urged an immediate attack ; declaring that if they did not march forward that day and attack the enemy he would withdraw with his whole company. This left them no alternative, and they advanced accordingly. They had not gone above a mile before the ad- vance-guard fired upon some Indians who were in the act of plundering and burning a house. These tied to their camp and gave the alarm that the Americans were approaching. Fort Wintermote was at this time the head-quarters of the enemy. Their whole force, consisting of Indians, British, and tories, was, as near as could afterwards be ascer- tained, about 1000 men, and was commanded by NAVAL EXPLOITS. 89 Colonel John Butler, an officer of the British army, and an Indian chief called Brandt. They were ap- parently unapprised of the movements of the Ameri- cans until the return to the main body of those Indians who had been fired on. They immediately extended themselves in a line from the fort acrosKS a plain covered with pine-trees and underbrush. When formed, the right of the enemy rested on a swamp, and their left on Fort Wintermote. The Americans marched to the attack also in a line, Colonel Zebulon Butler leading on the right wing, opposed by Colonel John Butler, at the head of the British troops, painted to resemble Indians ; Colonel Denison was on the left, and opposed by Brandt and the Indians. In this position the parties engaged, and each supported its ground for some time with much firmness. At length the Americans on the right hand had the advantage of the fight, having forced the enemy's left wing to retire some distance. But on the left the battle soon wore a different as- pect. The Indians, having penetrated the swamp, were discovered attempting to get nito their rear. Colonel Denison immediately gave orders for the left to fall back and meet them as they came out of the swamp. This order was misunderstood, and some of the men or officers cried out, " The colonel orders a retreat!" The left immediately gave way; and, before they could be undeceived as to the object of the order, the line broke, and the Indians rushed on with hideous yells. Colonel Zebulon Butler, who had continued on horseback throughout the day, finding that the right wing was doing well, rode to- wards the left. When he got a little more than 90 BATTLE-FIELDS AND hall-vvdy down the line he discovered that his men were retreating, and that he was between the two fires, and near the advancing line of the enemy. The right had no notice of the retreat until the firing on the left had ceased and the yelling of the savages indicated their success. This wing, no longer able to maintain its ground, was forced to retreat, and the route soon became general. The officers were principally killed in their ineffectual attempts to rally the men. The defeat was total, and the loss in killed was variously estimated at from two to three hundred of the settlers. Of Captain Hewitt's company but fifteen escaped. The loss of the enemy was also considerable. Colonels Butler and Denison, although much exposed to the enemy's fire, escaped. Colonel Butler collected four or five men together in their flight, directed them to retain their arms, and when any of the Indians, who were scattered over the plain hunting for their victims, approached the little party, they fired upon them, and by this means they secured their retreat to Forty Fort. Many of the settlers, at the commence- ment of their flight, had thrown away their arms, that they might be better able to escape. But this was of no avail, for the Indians overtook and killed them with their tomahawks. The few that escaped assembled at Forty Fort ; but the inhabitants were so much disheartened by their defeat that they were ready to submit upon any terms that might be offered. The enemy refused to treat with Colonel Butler, or to give quarter to any Continental officer or soldier. Indeed, it had been determined, if they were taken, to deliver them into the hands of NAVAL EXPLOITS. 91 the Indians. Colonel Butler then left the valley and proceeded to a place on the Lehigli, called Gnadenhutten. On the 4th of July, Colonel Deni- son and Colonel John Butler entered into articles of capitulation for the surrender of the settlement. By these articles it was stipulated, among other things, that "the lives of the inhabitants should be pre- served," and that they should " occupy their farms peaceably;" that "the Continental stores should be given up;" and that " the private property of the in- habitants should be preserved entire and unhurt." The enemy then marched into the fort ; but the con- ditions of the capitulation were entirely disregarded on their part. The Indians plundered the inhabitants indiscriminately, and stripped them even of such of their wearing-apparel as they chose to take. Com- plaint was made to Colonel John Butler, who turned his back upon them, saying he could not control the Indians, and walked out of the fort. The people, finding that they were left to the mercy of the tories and savages, fled from the valley, and made the best of their way, about fifty miles, through the wilder- ness, to the nearest settlement of their friends, leaving their property a prey to the enemy. All the houses on the northwest side of the Susquehanna were plundered and burned. They afterwards plun- dered and burned the town of Wilkesbarre. Having accomplished their hellish purpose of destruction and desolation, the main body of the enemy returned to Niagara, taking with them all the horses, cattle, and other property which they did not think proper to destrov. 92 BATTLE-FIELDS AND OF PULASKI. SIEGE OF SAVANNAH. The summer of 1779 was occupied by the British in strengthening themselves in Georgia and endeavoring to extend their conquests to the Caro- linas. General Lincoln attacked them unsuccessfully at Stono Ferry, and then retired to Sheldon, near Beaufort, while Prevost retreated to Savannah, (June, 1779.) The military aspect of things remained unal- tered here until September, when Count D'Estaing, 'svho had been prevailed on by General Lincoln, and President Lowndes, of South Carolina, to aid in the Southern campaign, appeared off the coast and roused the whole country to action. After having victualled and repaired his fleet at Boston, he had sailed to the West Indies, where he NAVAL EXPLOITS. 93 \md taken St. Vincent and Grenada. About the beginning of the year he had retired to Cape Fran- 9ais, and he afterwards sailed for the American con- tinent. His fleet consisted of twenty sail-of-the- line, two fifty-gun ships, and eleven frigates. As soon as his arrival was known, Lincoln marched for Savannah. The British, to prepare for their defence, had nearly their whole army employed, day and night, in strengthening and extending their lines; while the American militia, sanguine in the hope of expelling the enemy from their Southern pos- sessions, joined the army with unusual alacrity. D'Estaing had demanded a surrender, and allowed a suspension of hostilities for twenty-four hours, during w^hich interval Colonel Maitland, with about 800 men, from Beaufort, succeeded in joining the gar- rison. Prevost at length answered that he would defend the place to the last extremity. On the 4th of October, the batteries of the besiegers w^ere opened, with nine mortars and fifty-two cannon. Finding that a long time w^ould be required to take the place by regular approaches, it was determined to assault the town. In pursuance of this design, on the 9th of October, while two feints were made with the militia, a real attack w^as made on Spring Hill battery, just as daylight appeared, with two columns, consisting of 3500 French troops, 600 Con- tinentals, and 350 of the inhabitants of Charleston. The allies marched boldly to the assault; but a very heavy and well-directed fire from the battery threw their front columns into confusion. They still pressed forward to a redoubt, where the conflict became fierce and desperate. A French and an 94 BATTLE-FIELDS AND American standard were for a time on the parapet; but the assaihmts, after sustaining the enemy's fire fifty-five minutes, were ordered to retreat. Of the French 537, and of the Continentals and militia 241, were killed or wounded. Among those who fell, none w^as more deeply lamented than the gallant Count Pulaski, a Polish officer in the American service. Immediately after this unsuccessful assault the militia almost universally went to their homes, and Count D'Estaing, re-embarking his troops and artillery, left the continent. While the siege of Savannah was pending, a remarkable enterprise was effected by Colonel John White, of Georgia. Previous to D'Estaing's arrival, about 100 tory regulars had taken post near the Ogeechee River, twenty-five miles from Savannah. There were at the same place five British vessels, four of which were manned with forty sailors and armed with eighteen guns. Colonel White, with six volunteers, captured all this force. On the 30th of September, at eleven o'ciock at night, he kindled a number of fires in different places, adopted the parade of a large encampment, practised a variety of other stratagems, and finally concluded his demon- strations by summoning the captain of the tories to surrender. The latter was so fully impressed with the opinion that nothing but instant compliance could save his men from being cut to pieces by a superior force that lie made no defence. White managed his bold enterprise with such address that all the prisoners, amounting to 141, were secured, and conducted by their captors to the town of Sunbury, twenty-five miles distant. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 95 GENEEAL ■WATNB. STORMING OF STONY POINT. Meantime, Washington was posted at West Point ; and while the British were sending parties of plun- derers into Connecticut and Virginia, under General Matthews and the infamous Governor Tryon, Wayne performed one of his most brilliant feats. Stony Point and Fort La Fayette, on opposite sides of the Hudson, some miles below the Ameri- can camp, afforded two posts which might prac- ticably be attacked. They had been taken from the Americans in the spring, when the works were incomplete, and Clinton had garrisoned them and put the fortifications in the best state of repair. After reconnoitring the works in person, Washing- ton determined to surprise them. The attempt was hazardous; for Stony Point is a commanding hill, 96 BATTLE-FIELDS AND projecting far into the Hudson, which washes three fourths of its base. The remaining fourth is in a great measure covered by a deep marsh, commenc- ing near the river, on the upper side, and continuing till it joins it below the fort. The marsh was pas- sable only at one place ; but at its junction with the river there is a sandy beach, which may be crossed at ebb-tide. The fort stood on the summit of the hill, and was well provided with artillery. Several breastworks and strong batteries were raised in front of the principal fortification, and there were two rows of abattis half-way down the hill. The fort was garrisoned by about 600 men, under Lieutenant- Colonel Johnson; and several ships-of-war were stationed in the river, so as to command the foot of the hill. On the 15th of July, 1779, General Wayne marched from Sandy Beach, fourteen miles distant from Stony Point, at the head of the detachment of troops, which were chiefly New Englanders. The road was mountainous, rugged, and difficult; the heat was intense, and it was eight in the evening before the van of the party reached Spring Heels, a mile and a half from the fort, where the detach- ment halted and formed, while General Wayne and some of his officers proceeded to take a view of the works. At half-past eleven, the party, in two co- lumns^ advanced towards the garrison. One hundred and fifty volunteers, under Colonel Fleury, formed the van of the right, and 100 volunteers, under Major Stewart, composed the van of the left. Both advanced with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, and each was preceded by a forlorn hope of 20 men, NAVAL EXPLOITS 97 led by Lieutenants Gibbons and Knox, to remove the obstructions and abattis, and to open a passage for the columns, which followed close in the rear. Having taken care to secure every person on the route who could give information of their approach, the columns reached the marsh undiscovered. In crossing it, unexpected difficulties occurred, and it w^as tw^enty minutes past twelve when the attack ■SV E S T POINT. commenced. A tremendous discharge of musketry and grape-shot opened on the assailants ; but both columns rushed forward with fixed bayonets, and soon gained possession of the fort. This was a brilliant exploit, and the assailants gained more noble and permanent honors b}' their humanity than by their bravery; for, although the 7 98 BATTLE-FIELDS AND place was taken by storm, and the American troops were greatly exasperated by the merciless ravages and devastations committed by the enemy on the coast of Connecticut, yet not one individual "f the garrison suffered after resistance ceased. The garri- son lost 20 men killed in the conflict, and 74 wound- ed, including six officers. The Americans had 63 killed, two of whom were officers; but the wounded did not exceed 40. Seventeen out of 20 of Lieu- tenant Gibbon's forlorn hope were either killed or wounded. The prisoners amounted to 543, includ- ing officers; and the military stores, ordnance, and standards, which fell into the hands of the victors, were considerable. Owing to the defenceless state of the works on the river-side, which would now be exposed to attacks from the British shipping in the river, it was estimated that it would require a garrison of 1500 men to defend the place; and General Wash ington could not spare that number from his little army, which amounted in all to scarcely 9000 men. He therefore deemed it expedient to evacuate the place, after having, to a certain extent, demolished the works. Clinton soon after again took possession of Stony Point, ordered the fortifications to be repaired, and stationed a strong garrison in the fort ; but, failing in his attempts to draw Washington from his strong position in the Highlands, he again sailed down the viver to New York. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 99 PAUL JONES. CAPTURE OF THE SERAPIS. The French ministry, to testify their good-will to the United States, had promised to furnish Paul Jones with a ship, in which, however, he was to display the American flag ; but, after various written memorials, no progress seemed to have been made towards the fulfilment of this engagement. At length he determined to apply in person, and, hav- ing gone to Paris, he soon obtained the command of the Due de Duras, of forty guns. The name, how- ever, he changed to Le Bon-Homme Richard, in com- pliment to the wise saying of Poor Richard : — " If you would have your business done, come yourself; if not, send." In this vessel, badly manned and not much better furnished, Paul Jones sailed as commo- dore of a little squadron, consisting, besides his own ship, of the Alliance, of thirty-six guns, the Pallas, of thirty-two, the Serf, of eighteen, the Vengeance, of twelve, and two privateers, which requested leave to share the commodore's fortunes. After taking several prizes, the Serf, the privateers, and at length 100 BATTLE-FIELDS AND the Alliance, deserted the squadron. The commo • dore's good fortune, however, did not desert him. On the 15th of September, he was, with his own ship, the Pallas, the Vengeance, and several prizes, at the entrance into the Firth of Forth, where they made every necessary disposition to seize the guard- i ship and two cutters that rode at anchor in the roads, and to lay Leith, and perhaps Edinburgh, under contribution. The wind, which was fair in the night, opposed them in the morning. However, on the 16th, the little squadron continued all day to 4 work up the Firth. At this time a member of the, ' British Parliament, observing them from the coast of Fife, and mistaking them for the king's ships, | sent oJBT a boat to inform the commodore that he was greatly afraid of Paul Jones, and to beg some powder and shot. Our hero, much amused with the message, sent him a barrel of gunpowder, with a civil answer to quiet his fears and an apology for not including shot in the present. Next morning, at daybreak, every thing was in perfect readiness to commence the engagement, and two tacks more would have brought the strangers alongside their enemies, when, at that critical mo- ment, a sudden gale of wind swept down the Firth, raging with such violence as completely to over- power them, to sink one of the prizes and drive all the rest of the squadron fairly out to sea. By this failure the captains of the Pallas and Vengeance were so much disheartened that they could not be prevailed on to renew the attempt. Contiiiuing their cruise, after various adventures, the squadron suddenly discovered the homeward- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 101 bound British Baltic fleet, off Scarborough Castle, escorted by the frigate Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough. After a long engagement, in which Paul Jones displayed the most astonishing skill, in- ^ trepidity, and presence of mind, the Countess of Scar- Hborough struck to the Pallas, and the Serapis to the Bon-Homme Richard, which latter ship was reduced rto so shattered a state that next morning, after all hands had left her, she went to the bottom. The Serapis was not in much better condition, the com- ^modore having, with his own hands, lashed the two ships together, to prevent the enemy from availing himself of his superiority in weight of metal. 102 BATTLE-FIELDS AND CAPTURE OF CHARLESTON. During the year 1780, the contest between Great Britain and her ancient colonies was carried on chiefly in the Southern States. As soon as Sir Henry Clinton ascertained that Count D'Estaing had left the American coast, he hastened to de- spatch an expedition against South Carolina, leav- ing the garrison at New York under the command of General Knyphausen. Early in February the troops landed within thirty miles of the capital. Go- vernor Rutledge, to whom the Assembly of South Carolina had recently given extraordinary powers, ordered the militia to rendezvous; but the repulse at Savannah at the close of the preceding campaign had produced such a dispiriting effect that but few complied. The defences of Chaiiest.on consisted of I NAVAL EXPLOITS. 103 a chain of redoubts, lines, and batteries, extending from Asliley to Cooper River, on which were mounted upwards of eighty pieces of artillery ; and on all sides of the town, where a landing was practicable, bat- teries were erected and covered wath artillery General Lincoln, trusting to these defences, and expecting large reinforcements, remained in Charles- ton at the earnest request of the inhabitants, and, with the force under his command, resolved to de- fend the place. On the 21st of March the British fleet crossed the bar, and anchored in Five Fathom Hole. Commodore Whipple, who commanded the American vessels, finding it impracticable to prevent the enemy from passing over the bar, fell back to Fort Moultrie, and afterwards to Charleston. In a few days the town was invested by sea and land, and the British commanders summoned General Lincoln to surrender : the demand was, however, met by a firm refusal. The batteries of the first parallel were now opened upon the town, and soon made a visible impression ; and, to prevent the recep- tion of the reinforcements which General Lincoln expected, Sir Henry Clinton detached Lieutenant- Colonel Webster, wdth 1400 men, by the advanced guard of which detachment the American cavalry, with the militia attached to them, were surprised in the night of the 14th of April, and completely routed and dispersed. The British now extended themselves to the eastward of Cooper River; and about this time Sir Henry Clinton received a re- inforcement of 3000 men from New York. The garrison having no reasonable hope of efiecting a re- treat, an offer was made of surrendering the town ; 104 BATTLE-FIELDS AND but the proposed conditions were rejected by the British commanders. The besiegers in the mean time were daily advancing their works, and had now com- pleted their third parallel. The garrison of Fori Moultrie surrendered ; and the broken remains of the American cavalry under Colonel White were again surprised by Colonel Tarleton, and the whole either killed, taken, or dispersed. Sir Henry Clin- ton, thus successful in every operation, renewed his former offers to the garrison in case of their sur- render; but, the terms so far as they respected the citizens not being satisfactory, hostilities recom- menced. The batteries of the third parallel now opened on the town, and did great execution. Several houses were burned, numbers of the besieged were killed at their guns, and the British prepared to make a general assault by land and water. At length a great number of citizens of Charleston ad- dressed General Lincoln in a petition, requesting his acceptance of the terms which had been previously offered. A capitulation was consequently signed on the 12th of May, and the next day Major-General Leslie took possession of the town. The capitjil having surrendered, measures were adopted to overawe the inhabitants of the country and induce them to return to their allegiance to the king. Garrisons were placed in different parts of the state ; and 2000 men were despatched towards North Carolina, to repel several parties of militia who were hastening to the relief of Charleston. NAVAL EXPLOITS 105 BATTLE OF WAXHAWS. The fall of Charleston was a matter of much exul- tation to the British, and spread a deep gloom over the aspect of American affliirs. The whole Southern army was lost, which, although small, could not soon be replaced. The number of tories had always been considerable in the South ; and, though they had been previously deterred from entering the field by the superior force of their opponents, yet the recent British successes roused all their lurking partialities, decided the wavering, and encouraged the timid. Clinton was well aware of the advantage he had gained, and immediately adopted measures to over- awe the inhabitants and induce them to return to their former allegiance, by the rapidity of his move- ments and the sudden appearance of his troops in dijBferent parts of the country. For this purpose he despatched a body of 2000 men towards North Caro- 106 BATTLE-FIELDS AND lina, to repel the small parties of militia who were hastening to the relief of Charleston. Tarleton, wdth 700 horse and foot, by marching one hundred and five miles in fifty-four hours, met and defeated Colonel Buford, at the Waxhaws. Buford was ad vancing towards Charleston at the head of a body of 400 Continental infantry and a few horsemen. Tarleton easily defeated them by his superior forces, and the Americans were compelled to throw down their arms and implore quarter ; but, by Tarleton's orders, the work of butchery was continued and nearly all of the regiment were killed, or so badly wounded that they could not be removed from the field. This sanguinary proceeding spread dismay and indignation throughout the State, and the re- membrance of " Tarleton's quarters" imparted a similar character to future conflicts. tarleton's quarter. KAVAL EXPLOITS 107 GENERAL GATES. BATTLE OF CAMDEN. In the hope of relieving Charleston, Congress had ordered the Maryland and Delaware troops to march to South Carolina; but they were delayed so much that they did not reach the Head of Elk until April 16, when they marched directly towards South Carolina. The Baron De Kalb commanded this detachment; but, as he was a foreigner, unac- quainted with the country and not accustomed to undisciplined troops. Congress thought it advisable to give the command of the Southern army to General Gates. It was hoped that his fame and his 108 BATTLE-FIELDS AND presence as commander of the Southern army would animate the friends of independence. A council of war had advised De Kalb to file off from the direct road to Camden, through the well- cultivated settlements in the district of the Wax- haws; but when, on the 27tli of July, Gates joined the army and took the command, he determined to go by the shortest road to the British encampments. This route led through a countrj^ of pine-barrens, sand-hills, and swamps, infested by a host of fugitive tories, whose poverty afforded no subsistence to the army and whose politics prevented any secret en- terprises. Soon after they began their march, they were joined by Colonel Porterfield, with 100 Virginia militia. The army soon felt the want of provisions ; and fatigue, fasting, and disappoint- ments as to supplies, exasperated them to a high degree. Starvation became a cant term among both officers and soldiers ; and the whole army subsistec? on a few lean cattle found in the woods, and green corn and peaches, which unwholesome diet naturally produced dj^senteries. The army at length reached Clermont, thirteen miles from Camden, on the loth of August. On the next day General Stephens joined them with a large body of the Virginia militia, making the whole number of the army 3663, of which 900 were regu- lars and 70 cavalry. Cornwallis had now joined his army, which was concentrated at Camden. It had been somewhat reduced by sickness, and the whole number at Camden amounted to no more than 2000 men. Gates had issued a proclamation on entering the NAVAL EXPLOITS. Kjk) Slate, inviting the patriotic citizens to join in at- tempting to rescue their State from its conquerors. Altboac'li ihis procLamation brought many into the field, the number did not equal Gates's expeetar tions. The whole country, however, appeared to be rising, and Cornwallis found that he must either re- treat to Charleston or risk a battle. He chose the latter; and, as his position in Camden was unfavor- able for repelling an attack, he moved out on the night of the 15th, intending to assault the Ame- rican camp at Clermont. Gates had sent his sick, wounded, and baggage, to the Waxhaws, and was advancing to a more eligible situation about eight miles from Camden. The advance of both armies met in the night, and an engagement ensued. Some of Armand's cavalry, who led the American van, being wounded, fell back on others, who suddenly recoiled; by which movement the first Maryland regiment was broken and the whole line of the army thrown into confusion. This first impression struck deep, and dispirited the militia; but the Americans soon recovered their order, and both armies retained their positions during the night. In the morning a severe and general engagement took place. At the first onset General Stevens led forward his men within fifty paces of the enemy, who were also advancing, under Lieutenant-Colonel Webster. Stevens then cried out, " Now, my brave fellows, we have bayonets as well as they : we will charge them !" Cornwallis, who had mistaken Stevens's movement for a change of position, gave orders to Webster to begin the attack, and the British advanced with a loud shout. The courage ILU BATTLE-FIELDS AND of the Virginia militia fliiled, and tbey immediately threw down their arms and fled with precipitation, communicating their panic to the greater part of the North Carolina militia. The Continentals, who formed the right wing of the army, stood their ground, and, notwithstanding the inequality of num- bers, behaved with great resolution. For some time BATTLE OF CAMDEN, AND DEATH OP BARON DE KALB. they had the advantage of the enemy, and were in possession of a number of prisoners; but, owing to their want of cavalry and to the cowardly deser- tion of the militia, they were surrounded and over- powered by numbers. Tarleton charged them as they broke, and pursued them as far as Hanging Rock, twent}-two miles from the scene of action. NAVAL EXPLOITS. Ill Two hLinclred and ninety American prisoner were carried into Camden, of which niip^iber 206 were Continentals, 82 North Cu,rolina militia, and two Virginians. The xVmericans lost the whole of their artillery, eight field-pieces, and nearly all their bag- gage. Their loss in killed and wounded in the battle could not well be ascertained. That of the British was stated at 69 killed, 245 wounded, and 11 missing. The Baron De Kalb, while making a vigorous charge at the head of the regiment of infantry, fell under eleven wounds. His aide-de-camp, Lieutenant- Colonel Du Buysson, received him in his arms, and endeavored to save him from the fury of the foe by announcing his name and nation. He was wounded while attempting to shield his friend ; but a British officer, coming up, ordered every attention to be paid to the unfortunate De Kalb. He was a German by birth, and had formerly been long in the French service. He was second in command in this action, and gave new proofs of his bravery and experience. When he made his last charge, he was still ignorant of the flight of the left wing and centre, as the fogginess of the morning prevented him from seeing what was passing ; and, when wounded and taken, he would scarcely believe that Gates was defeated. He expired in a few hours, spending his last breath in dictating a letter expressing the warmest afiection for the officers and men of his division and the most exalted admiration of their courage and good conduct. 112 BATTLE-FIELDS AND COLONEL SHELBY. BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. A SPIRIT of enterprise beginning to revive among the American militia about this time, (Oct. 7, 1780,) prompted Colonel Clark to make an attempt on the British post at Augusta, in Georgia ; but in this he failed, and was obliged to retreat. Major Ferguson, with the hope of intercepting his party, kept near the mountains, and at a considerable distance from support. These circumstances, together with the NAVAL EXPLOITS. 113 depredations of the loyalists, induced those hardy republicans who reside on the west side of the Alle- ghany Mountains to form an enterprise for reducing that distinguished partisan. This was done of their own motion, without any direction from the govern- ment of America or from the officers of the Con- tinental army. There was, without any apparent design, a power* ful combination of several detached commanders of the adjacent States, with their respective commands of militia. Colonel Campbell, of Virginia, Colonels Cleveland, Shelby, Sevier, and McDowel, of North Carolina, together with Colonels Lacey, Hawthorn, and Hill, of South Carolina, all rendezvoused to- gether, with a number of men amounting to 1600 ; though they were under no general command, and though they were not called upon to embody by any common authority, or indeed by any authority at all, but that of a general impulse of their own minds. They had so little of the mechanism of a regular army, that the colonels, by common consent, com- manded each day alternately. The hardships these volunteers underwent were very great. Some of them subsisted, for weeks together, without tasting ! bread or salt or spirituous liquors, and slept in the woods without blankets. The running stream quenched their thirst. At night the earth afforded them a bed, and the heavens, or, at most, the limbs of trees, were their only covering. Ears of corn or pumpkins thrown into the fire, with occasional sup- plies of beef or venison, killed and roasted in the woods, were the chief articles of their provisions. They had neither commissaries, quarter-masters, nor 314 BATTLE-FIELDS AND stores of any kind. They selected about 1000 ol their best men and mounted them on tlieir fleetest horses. These attacked Major Ferguson (7th Octo- ber) on the top of King's Mountain, near the con- fines of North and South Carolina. The Americans formed three parties. Colonel Lacey, of South Caro- lina, led one, which attacked on the west. The two others were commanded by Colonels Campbell and Cleveland, — one of which attacked on the east, and the other in the centre. On this occasion. Colonel Cleveland addressed his party in the following plain, unvarnished language : — " My brave fellows ! — We have beat the tories, and we can beat them. They are all cowards. If they had the spirit of men, they would join with their fellow-citizens in supporting the independence of their country. When engaged, you are not to wait for the word of command from me. I will show you by my example how to fight. I can undertake no more. Every man must consider himself as an officer, and act from his own judgment. Fire as quick as you can, and stand as long as you can. When you can do no better, get behind trees, or retreat ; but I beg of you not to run quite off. If we be repulsed, let us make a point to return and renew the fight. Perhaps we may have better luck in the second attempt than in the first. If any of you be afraid, such have leave to retire; and they are requested immediately to take them- selves off." Ferguson, with great boldness, attacked the assail- ants with fixed bayonets, and compelled them suc- cessively to retire; but they only fell back a little NAVAL EXPLOITS. 115 way, and, getting behind trees and rocks, renewed their fire in almost every direction. The British, being uncovered, were aimed at by the American marksmen, and many of them were slain. An un- usual number of the killed were found shot in the head. Eiflemen took off riflemen with such exact- ness that they killed each other when taking sight, so effectually that their eyes remained, after they were dead, one shut and the other open, in the usual manner of marksmen when levelling at their object. Major Ferguson displayed as much bravery as was possible in his situation ; but his encamp- ment on the top of the mountain was not well chosen, as it gave the Americans an opportunity of covering themselves in their approaches. Had he pursued his march, on charging and driving the first part of the militia which gave way, he might have got off with the most of his men ; but his un- conquerable spirit disdained either to flee or to sur- render. After a severe conflict, he received a mortal wound. No chance of escape being left, and all prospect of successful resistance being at an end, the contest was ended by the submission of the survivors. Upwards of 800 became prisoners, and 225 were killed and wounded. Very few of the assailants fell; but in their number was Colonel Williams, a distinguished militia officer in Ninety- Six district, who had been very active in opposing the re-establishment of British government. Ten of the royal militia who had surrendered were hanged by their conquerors, in retaliation for similar acts of the tories. 116 BATTLE-FIELDS AND GENERAL PICKENS. BATTLE OF THE COWPENS. In January, 1781, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarletoii was sent by Cornwallis in pursuit of General Mor- gan, who desired rather to avoid an engagement for the moment, but at last determined to await his approach and give him battle. On the morning of the 17th he was apprised of the proximity of Tarleton, and made preparations to receive him. Morgan was posted at the Cowpens, near the boundary-line of the Carolinas. lie threw out an advanced guard under Colonel Cunningham and Major McDowell, NAVAL EXPLOITS. 117 who were directed, upon the approach of the enemy, to skirmish, and fall back upon the first line, which was formed of militia under command of Gene- ral Pickens. The second line, stationed at a distance of two hundred yards in the rear of the first, con- sisted of the Continentals and Captains Triplet's and Taite's companies of Virginia militia, together with Captain Beattie's Georgians, the whole under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Howard. The cavalry, under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Washington, formed the reserve. Previous to the engagement, Morgan addressed his men, and, in order that no confusion might be oc- casioned by the breaking of the militia should they be overcome by the superior force and discipline of the enemy, he directed their officers, in case they were compelled to retire, immediately to form upon the flank of the second line. Tarleton's advanced guard consisted of a legion of infantry, together wdth three companies of light infantry; the centre of the first battalion of the 71st, the entire 7th regiment, and the field-pieces; and the rear of infantry and cavalry. After passing Thickell Creek, he ordered a portion of his cavalry to the advance, when, com- ing up with the American light troops, the latter skirmished and gave w^ay. Tarleton formed his line of battle of three bodies of infantry, separated by the field-pieces, — each flank supported by cavalry. One hundred and fifty yards in the rear of the left flank was placed the reserve of one battalion of infantry and 200 dragoons. His force advanced until they came up with Pickens's line, which delivered its fire with deadly effect when they were within fifty yards. This held them in 118 BATTLE-FIELDS AND check for a short time ; but they began again to ad- vance, and forced the militia to give way. The latter, however, were rallied, and formed on the right and left of Howard's position. The enemy still con- tinued to push up, and were received in a most gal- lant manner by Howard, who stood perfectly firm, iATTLE OF THE COWPENS. and a terrible contest ensued. Tarleton was here obliged to bring up his reserve, the presence of which gave new spirits to his troops. Howard, in giving an order for the protection of his right flank, was misunderstood ; and confusion was thus caused, when the line commenced breaking. Washington, on the left, after the giving way of the first line, gallantly charged the enemy's cavalry, who were coming down upon them, and was of the great- KAYAL EXPLOITS. 119 est assistance in protecting Pickens wl. ile bis com- mand was rallied. As Howard's line was falling back, tbat officer received a message from Washing- ton, desiring bim to fire and be would at tbe same moment cbarge. Morgan now gave tbe word of command, wdien tbe troops faced about, fired, cbarged, and tbe enemy was overcome in front. Wasbington w^as still engaged on tbe left witb tbe artillery and a portion of tbe cavalry opposed to bim. Howard's rigbt was now menaced by tbe 71st, and a portion of tbe cavalry advanced to tbe support of tbat regiment. Morgan sent one company to tbe support of Wasbington, and ordered tbe rigbt bat- talion to fall upon tbe 71st, wbile tbree companies beld secure tbe prisoners wbo bad already been taken. Tbese dispositions bad tbe desired effect, and, after severe figbting, tbe entire Britisb army was over- come, and Tarleton left tbe field, carrying witb bim a few dragoons, and was for some distance pursued by Wasbington. Towards tbe close of tbe engage- ment, Wasbington, wbile cbarging, wellnigb lost bis life. Being far in advance of bis command, and before be was aware of bis dangerous position, be was surrounded by a number of tbe enemy, and, but for tbe timely intervention of some of bis men, must bave been killed. Tbe loss of tbe Britisb in tbis battle may be stated as follows : — killed, 60 ; wounded, 124; prisoners, 600: besides wbicb, tbere fell into tbe bands of Morgan one bundred dragoon- borses, two four-pounder field-pieces, eigbt bundred muskets, tbirty-five baggage-wagons, and two stand of colors. On tbe otber band, our army lost 11 120 BATTLE-FIELDS AND killed and 61 wounded. Thus, in fifty minutes, did 800 soldiers, many of them raw, overcome 1000 thoroughly-disciplined British troops, permitting but a handful to escape. It may be readily supposed that so complete a vic- tory had a great effect on the spirits of the army. Congress passed resolutions highly complimentary to the officers engaged, and voted medals to Morgan, Howard, and Washington, with swords to Pickens and Triplet. General Washington issued an " order" to the army in which he accorded great praise to the victors. NAVAL EXPLOITS 121 COLONEL LEE. BATTLE OF GUILFORD COUET-HOUSE. Almost immediately after the battle of the Cow- pens, General Morgan effected a junction with Gene- ral Greene, then in command of the Southern De- partment, and who deemed it necessary for the time to avoid an action with Cornwallis. Requiring a corps of light troops to act as a covering-party during his retreat and to hang about and harass the enemy in his movements. General Greene selected for' this purpose the troops under Lieutenant-Colonels Howard, Washington, and Lee, and the command of this body was given to Colonel 0. H. Williams, of Maryland. Its duties, which were of the most arduous nature, were performed in a gallant manner; and on the 15th of February the army had posted itself upon 122 * BATTLE-FIELDS AND the opposite side of the river Dan. Here General Greene remained until he received reinforcements and completed his arrangements, when he recrossed the Dan and took up the line of march for Guilford Court-House, South Carolina, where he arrived on the 15th of March. The enemy being now close at hand, Lieutenant- Colonel Lee was thrown forward to feel his move- ments, when he engaged a detachment and secured a few prisoners; but upon advancing farther he found them in too great numbers, and was obliged to retire. Greene made disposition of his troops in the fol- lowing order. The first line was composed of North Carolina militia, the right under General Eaton and the left under General Butler, with two pieces of artillery under Captain Singleton. The right flank was supported by Kirkwood's Delawareans, Lynch's riflemen, and the cavalry, all under Lieutenant-Colo- nel Washington ; the left, in like manner, by Lieu- tenant-Colonel Campbell's riflemen and the infantry of the legion, all under Lieutenant-Colonel Lee. The second line, which was formed three hundred yards in the rear of the first, consisted of two brigades of Virginia militia, the right under General Lawson and the left under General Stevens. The third, four hundred yards in reserve, was formed upon the brow of the hill near the court-house. The right of this line was composed of Hawes's and Green's Virginia regiments, under General Huger, — the left of the 1st and 2d Maryland regiments, the former under Gunby, the latter under Ford; — the whole commanded by Colonel Williams. In the centre KAVA.L EXPLOITS. ^ 123 of the last line was placed the remainder of the artillery. Captain Singleton commenced his fire, which was returned by the enemy, who had formed their line of battle, — the right wing under General Leslie and the left under Lieutenant-Colonel Webster, with the artillery in the centre under Lieutenant McLeod. The first battalion of the guards, under Lieutenant- Colonel Norton, served as a support for the right; and the second, with one company of grenadiers, under General O'Hara, for the left wing. Tarleton's dra- goons were held in reserve. The British commander, having made all his dispositions, advanced, fired one round, and charged bayonets. Our militia, having given a few shots while the enemy was at a distance, were seized by a panic when they saw him coming down upon them. Many of them threw away their muskets; and the entreaties of Butler, Eaton, and Davie, with the threats of Lee, were of no avail. Almost the entire body fled. The artillery now retired to the left of the Marylanders. At this 'crisis the enemy considered victory as already .within his grasp, and continued to push on, when he was attacked on his right and left by Lee and Wash- ington. Cornwallis, perceiving this, threw one regi- ment out to engage Lee, and one regiment, together with his light infantry and yagers, to resist Washing- ton, filling up the breach thus created by advancing the grenadiers with two battalions of the guards, which had formed the supports to the flanks. Lee and Wah'hington fell back in good order, delivering their fire until they came up with the second line, which Igave battle in good earnest. The right flank was 124 BATTLE-FIELDS ^ND supported by Washington, who ordered Lynch' riflemen to fall upon the left of Webster, who had U be supported by O'Hara. Here Webster ordered thd 33d regiment to attack Lynch, and was thereby ii a measure relieved. O'Hara charged the Virginia right wing, which was obliged to yield ground. Lee, on the left, nobly did his duty, and firmly heU his position. When the militia on the right gave way, those on the left fell back, and were not ralliec until they came up on the left of the third line Campbell's riflemen and Lee's legion stood perfectly firm, and continued the contest against one regiment one battalion, and a body of infantry and riflemen i The American reserve, with the artillery, posted in i\ most favorable position, was fresh and ready for th«i word of command. Webster, having overcome ihi Americans of the second line in his front, advancec upon tlie third, and was received by Gunby's Marylanc regiment with a most galling fire, which made hii troops falter. Gunby advanced, charging bayonets when the enemy was completely routed. Leslie, after the left of the Virginia militia gav( way, advanced to the support of O'Hara, who hac forced the American right wing ; and the combinec commands of these generals charged the 2d Marylanc regiment of the third line. This regiment, panic stricken, fled. Gunby, coming up at the time, helc the enemy in check, and a deadly conflict ensued Gunby having his horse shot under him, Lieutenant- Colonel Howard assumed the command. Washing', ton, seeing how hot was the battle at this pointtj pushed forward and charged the enemy; andj NAVAL EXPLOITS. 125 Howard advancing with his bayonets levelled, the British were completely routed. The pursuit w^as continued for some distance, when Cornwallis came up and determined to gain the victory at any cost. He opened the fire of his artillery alike on friend and foe, causing an indis- criminate slaughter of British and Americans. The British were rallied at all points ; and Greene, considering it better to preserve the advantages he had gained, withdrew his forces. This was done in good order, and Cornwallis continued the pursuit but a short distance. The loss of the Americans was about 400 in killed and wounded ; that of the British, about 800. The enemy retained the field, but his victory was both empty and disastrous. In our own day the same measures as those taken by Cornwallis for the recovery of the lost field of Guilford have been pursued by the Russians in the |defence of Sebastopol. The following extract from a description of the battle of Balaklava, October 25, 1854, will illustrate our remark : — '' When there ^ook place an act of atrocity, without parallel in the odern warfare of civilized nations They [the ussians] saw their own cavalry mingled with the roopers who had just ridden over them; and, to the eternal disgrace of the Russian name, the miscreants poured a murderous volley of grape and canister on the mass of struggling men and horses, mingling friend and foe in one common ruin."* ^ "The War, from the Landing at Gallipoli to the Death of Lord Raglan.'' By W. H. Russell, London, 1855. (P 232.) 126 BATTLE-FIELDS AND GENERAL QREENE. BATTLE OF HOBKIRK'S HILL. On the morning of the 25th of April, 1781, Gene- ral Greene/being then in the neighborhood of Cam- den, South Carolina, received information that the British of the command of Lord Rawdon were ad- vancing. His line of battle was soon formed on Hobkirk's Hill, in the following manner. The right, under General Huger, was composed of Hawes's and Campbell's Virginians; the left, under Colonel Wil- liams, consisted of Gunby's and Ford's Marylanders, with two pieces of artillery, under Colonel Harrison, in the centre. The reserve was formed of 250 North i NAVAL EXPLOITS. 127 Carolina niilitiaj under Colonel Reid, together with Lieutenant-Colonel Washington's cavalry. Kirk- wood's gallant Delawareans, who had been stationed in front, together with Captain Smith's company, skirmished with the enemy for some time, and then fell back in good order as they approached. Raw- don advanced in one narrow line, formed in the fol- l| lowing manner. On the right was placed the 63d regiment, in the centre a body of volunteers, and on the left a corps called the King's American regi- ment. The Irish volunteers supported the right and Colonel Robinson the left flank. The British line was scarcely more than one-half the width of the American, and at once General Greene made dispositions to outflank it. For this purpose he ordered Campbell to advance on the right, while Ford made a similar movement on the left, Hawes and Gunby to charge bayonets in the centre, and Washington to fall upon the rear. All seemed to promise well ; when Ford, gallantly pushing forward, received a mortal wound, by which some disorder was created ; but on they pressed. But, almost im- mediately after, Gunby 's regiment recoiled and fell back; whereby Ford's men were unsupported, and gave way in like manner. Campbell's regiment, engaged on the right, stood firm for some time, and I at last began to falter, — was rallied, but again re- treated. Hawes's Virginia regiment was now the only one to stand ; and this body Greene headed in I person. But all his efforts to regain the battle were useless : the enemy passed on, and nothing could hold him in check. During all of this time Washington had been 128 BATTLE-FIELDS AND actively employed. After receiving orders to ad- vance, he charged and turned the enemy's left flank, and then pushed on, that he might fall upor, his rear. He had now secured many prisoners, when he found that the main body of the army was in confusion, and, coming up in time, he saved the artillery by charging the enemy, who were just about capturing it, and brought it off the field. He also served as a protection to the retreating army while Greene drew off his forces. The Americans were halted at a distance of two miles from the field of battle, where Washington retraced his steps in order to gain information relative to the position of the enemy. He succeeded in drawing Major Coffin, the commander of the British cavalry, into ambush, and, charging upon his squadron, it fled before him, losing very heavily in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The day following, the American general fell back to Rigley's Mills, — five miles. General Greene's loss in the battle of Hobkirk's Hill amounted to 268, and that of the enemy to 258. Lord Rawdon, finding that his position had become somewhat critical by the commands of Marion and Sumter being comparatively disen- gaged, from the fact of the garrisons of Orangeburg, Fort Motte, and Fort Watson, having given way, determined to evacuate Camden, which he did on the 10th day of May, after destroying a considerable amount of baggage and setting fire to many of the buildings ot the town. NAVAL EXPLUI TS. '^ 129 lATTLE-OP EUTAW SPRINGS. BATTLE OF EUTAW SPRINGS. I At an early hour in the morning of the 8th of September, 1781, General Greene advanced upon Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, who was posted in a strong position on the left bank of Eutaw Creek, near the springs of that name, in South Carolina, with a British force amounting to 2300 men. Pre- paratory to moving, Greene drew up his men in two lines, in the following manner : — The first was formed of North Carolina militia, under Colonel Malmedy, in the centre, with the 4th Carolina militia on the right and left. Of this line the right was com- manded by General Marion and the left by General Pickens. The second was composed of Continentals ; the Virginia line, under Colonel Campbell, in the centre, with that of North Carolina, under Lieuten- 9 130 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ant-ColoTiel Ashe, on the right, and (jf Maryland, under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard and Major Hard- man, on the left. General Sumner wns placed in. command of the right wing, and Colonel Williams of the left. With each of these were placed two field-l pieces, — those of the first under Captain-Lieutenant Gaines, and those of the second under Captain Browne. Lieutenant-Colonel Washington's cavalry^ and Kirkwood's Delawareans w^ere held in reserve. Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, who was detailed for the support of the right flank, and Colonel Henderson, for a similar duty on the left, constituted, at the same time, the van. By eight o'clock this advance came up with Major Coffin's cavalry, which, after a spirited engagement, w^as repulsed with a severe loss. Upon Stewart's seeing the first intimation of the approach of the Americans, he formed his army in one line, as follows. On the right was placed the 3d regiment; the centre was held by Lieutenant- Colonel Cruger, with a miscellaneous command; and the left was composed of the 63d and 64th regi- ments. The right wing was supported by Mnjor Majoribanks's light infantry, while Major Coffin, with his dragoons, supported the left. At intervals in the line w^ere placed the pieces of artillery. Tlie reserve of infantry w^as posted at the rear of the left flank. Lee, upon coming up with the main body of the enemy, who were provided with artillery, sen to Greene for support, when Colonel Williams ar- rived, with Gaines's field-pieces, and the British vai soon gave way. The American line cauie on, and Lee and Henderson took their proper positions, — th4 former as a support to the right and the latter ta i 1 NAVAL EXPLOITS. 181 the left flank. The battle now became general. The 63d regiment was opposed by the infantry of the legion on the right, and Majoribanks's light infantry was handsomely engaged by Henderson on the left. Our militia in the centre held up admirably against the combined attacks of a portion of Cruger's com- mand, together with the entire 64th, — in all, twice their number. It was not until they had fired seven- teen rounds that they retired from the battle, having covered themselves with glory. The invincible spirit shown by these men was in a measure owing to the confidence in their leaders, Marion and Pickens. It has already been seen how the militia were ral- lied by General Pickens a few months before, at the battle of the Cowpens. That was the first in- stance on record during the war of this description of force being brought to bear after having once given way. Sumner, with a portion of the Conti- nentals, was immediately ordered up to take the place of the militia between Lee and Henderson, who had continued to hold their positions on the right and left. Colonel Stewart, upon seeing the advance of Sumner, at once ordered his reserve to take post on the left of the position. Henderson was now exposed to a most galling fire; but his troops stood it manfully. Here Henderson was himself wounded, which circumstance created some confu- sion in the ranks; but Colonel Wade Hampton, as- suming command, restored confidence. Sumner maintained his ground for some time, nobly fight- ing; but, the enemy having reinforced their line by calling up their reserve, he was obliged to give way before them, when they came on pellmell. Greene 132 BATTLE-FIELDS AND instantly ordered up the Marjlanders, under Wil- liams, and the Virginians, under Campbell, to charge upon this mass of confusion ; Lee at the same time directed Major Rudolph to turn the enemy's left flank, which order was handsomely and promptly executed, and the different regiments of the British in front fell back before the bayonets of Virginia and Maryland. There was one alone that stood firm and undismayed. This was the 3d. But resist- ance was vain : it began to falter and then to retreat. A vigorous pursuit was now kept up on the part of the conquering Americans. By making a charge upon the right, as these movements were going forward, Wasliington had materially contributed to this happy result; but Majoribanks had continued to hold his strong posi- tion, when Washington was directed, with the aid of Hampton and Kirkwood, to dislodge him. The thicket of black-jack through which it was necessary to pass before reaching Majoribanks, in the direction Washington was now taking, was found entirely im- penetrable. Majoribanks lay with his right almost resting upon the creek ; and Washington, finding an open space between the enemy's flank and the stream, gave the order, "by sections wheel to the left," that he might get into position to pass through tl is space and come at his enemy. This necessarily placed his officers between their own troops and those of the British; and Majoribanks now poured in a terrible fire, which mowed down both officers and men. Washington was at this instant unhorsed, and, while disengaging himself, was taken prisoner. Hampton headtjd the cavalry, and attempted to NAYAL EXPLOITS. 133 charge, but was repulsed, although the Delawareans stood firm. Notwithstanding his success, it was necessary for Majoribanks to fall back with the line of the army, a portion of whom had taken up their position in a brick house in the rear. Greene now attempted to dislodge these soldiers; but it was found impossible, with his light field-pieces, to make an impression upon the walls. The American ranks at this point became dis- ordered by many of the soldiers entering the enemy's camp and seizing upon whatever they could find to eat or drink. Major Cofiin charged them, but was repulsed by Hampton, who in turn was obliged to yield to Majoribanks. Greene now determined upon withdrawing his forces to the nearest point where water was to be had, and set to work making arrangements for a renewal of the attack in the course of a day or two. The American loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, was 550, and that of the enemy 1100, including 500 prisoners in the hands of General Greene. On the following night the enemy retreated, after destroying a very considerable portion of their stores and leaving their wounded on the field. In that re- treat they were harassed by Marion and Lee, who took a number of prisoners. 134 BATTLE-FIELDS AND LORD OOftVWALLIS. SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. The result of the masterly operations of General Greene, aided by the partisan warfare of Marion, Sumter, and Pickens, in the South, was to drive Cornwallis into Virginia; and his whole force was concentrated at Yorktown, where, with the design of establishing a strong place of arms, he was engaged in erecting fortifications tenable against any force which was likely to be brought against them. His situation there, the arrival of a reinforcement of 3000 Germans from Europe at New York, the superior strength of that garrison, the failure of the States in filling up their battalions and embodying their militia, and especially recent intelligence from NAVAL EXPLOITS. 135 Count De Grasse that his destination was fixed for the Chesapeake, concurred, about the middle of August, to make a total change in the pLan of the campaign. The appearance of an intention to attack New York was nevertheless kept up. While this decep- tion was played off, the allied army crossed the North River, August 24, and passed on, by the way of Philadelphia, through the intermediate coun- try, to York town. An attempt to reduce the Bri- tish force in Virginia promised success with more expedition, and to secure an object of nearly equal importance* to the reduction of New York. While the attack of New York was in serious con- templation, a letter from General Washington, de- tailing the particulars of the intended operations of the campaign, being intercepted, fell into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton. After the plan w^as changed, the royal commander was so much influenced by the ! intelligence contained in the intercepted letter that he believed every movement towards Virginia to be a feint calculated to draw off his attention from the defence of New York. Under the influence of this opinion, he bent his whole force to strengthen that [post, and suffered the French and American armies [to pass him without any molestation. When the best opportunity of striking at them had elapsed, then, for the first time, he was brought to believe that the allies had fixed on Virginia for the theatre of their combined operations. As truth may be made to answer the purposes of deception, so no feint of attacking New York could have been more successful than the real intention. In the latter end of August, 1781, the American 136 BATTLE-FIELDS AND army began their march to Virginia from the neigh- borhood of New York. Washington had advanced as far as Chester before he received information of the arrival of De Grasse. The French troops marched at the same time and for the same phice. In the i course of this summer they passed through all the extensive settlements which lie between Newport bIR HhNRY CLINT UN. and Yorktown. Tt seldom, if ever, happened be- fore, that an army led through a foreign country at* so great a distance from their own, among a people of different principles, customs, language, and religion, behaved with so much regularity. In their march to Yorktown they had to pass through five hundred miles of a country abounding in fruit, and at a time when the most delicious productions of NAVAL EXPLOITS. 137 nature, growing on and near the public highways, presented both opportunity and temptation to gratify their appetites. Yet, so complete was their disci- pline, that, in this long march, scarce an instance could be produced of a peach or an apple being taken without the consent of the inhabitants. Washington and Rochambeau reached Williamsburg on the 14th of September. They, with Generals Chastellux, Du Portail, and Knox, visited Count De Grasse on board his ship, the Ville de Paris, and I agreed on a plan of operations. The count afterwards wrote to Washington that, in case a British fleet appeared, ''he conceived he ought to go out and meet them at sea, instead of risking an engagement in a confined situation." This alarmed Washington. He . sent the Marquis de la Fayette, with a letter, to dissuade him from the dangerous measure. This letter and the per- suasions of the marquis had the desired effect. The combined forces proceeded on their way to Yorktown, partly by land and partly down the Chesapeake. The whole, together with a body of Virginia militia under the command of General Nelson, amounting in the aggregate to 12,000 men, ; rendezvoused at Williamsburg on the 25th of Sep- tember, and, in five days afterwards, moved down to the investiture of Yorktown. The French fleet at the same time moved to the mouth of York River, and took a position calculated to prevent Lord Cornwallis either from retreating or receiving succor by water. Previously to the march from Williams- burg to Yorktown, Washington published, in general orders, as follows: — "If the enemy should be tempted 138 BATTLE-FIELDS AND to meet the army on its march, the general particu- larly enjoins the troops to place their principal re- liance on the bayonet, that they may prove the vanity of the boast which the British make of their peculiar prowess in deciding battles with that weapon." The combined army halted in the evening, about two miles from Yorktown, and lay on their arms all night. On the next day. Colonel Scammell, an officer of uncommon merit and of the most amiable manners, in approaching the outer works of the British was mortally wounded and taken prisoner. About this time Cornwallis received a letter from Sir Henry Clinton, announcing the arrival of Admiral Digby, with three ships-of-the-line from Europe, and the determination of the general and flag-officers in New York to embark 5000 men in a fleet, which . w^ould probably sail on the 5th of October ; that this fleet consisted of twenty-three sail-of-the-line ; and that joint exertions of the navy and army would be made for his relief On the night after the receipt of this intelligence, Cornwallis quitted his outward position and retired to one more inward. I The works erected for the security of Yorktown on the right were redoubts and batteries, with a line of stockade in the rear. A marshy ravine lay in front of the right, over which was placed a large re- doubt. The morass extended along the centre, which was defended by a line of stockade and by batteries. On the left of the centre was a horn- work, with a ditch, a row of fraise, and an abatis. Two redoubts were advanced before the left. The viombined forces advanced jind took possession of the NAVAL EXPLOITS. 139 ground from which the British had retired. About this time the leo;ion cavalry and mounted infantrv passed over the river to Gloucester. General De Choisy invested the British post on that side so fully as to cut off all communication between it and the country. In the mean time the royal army was straining every nerve to strengthen their works; and their artillery was constantly employed in im- peding the operations of the combined army. On the 9th and 10th of October the French and Ame- ricans opened their batteries. They kept up a brisk and well-directed fire from heavy cannon, mortars, and howitzers. The shells of the besiegers reached the ships in the harbor. The Charon, of forty-four guns, and a transport-ship, were burned. On the 10th, a messenger arrived with a despatch from Sir Henry Clinton to Cornwallis, dated on the 30th of September, which stated various circumstances tending to lessen the probability of relief being afforded by a direct movement from New York. The besiegers commenced their second parallel, October 11, two hundred yards from the works of the besieged. Two redoubts advanced on the left of the British greatly impeded the progress of the combined armies. It was therefore proposed to carry them by storm. To excite a spirit of emula- tion, the reduction of the one was committed to the French, of the other to the Americans. The latter, led by Colonels Hamilton and Laurens, marched to the assault with unloaded muskets. Having passed the abatis and palisades, they attacked on all sides and carried the redoubt, in a few minutes, with the loss of 9 killed and 33 wounded. " Incapable of 140 BATTLE-FIELDS AND imitating examples of barbarity, and forgetting re- cent provocations, they spared every man who ceased to resist." Eight of the British were killed, 120 captured, and a few escaped. The French were equally successful on their part. They carried the redoubt assigned to them with rapidity ; but, being opposed by a greater number of men, their loss amounted to nearly 100 men. These two redoubts were included in the second parallel, and facilitated the subsequent operations of the besiegers. The British could not with propriety risk repeated sallies. One was projected at this time, October 16, with 400 men, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie. He proceeded so far as to force two redoubts and to spike eleven pieces of cannon. Though the officers and soldiers displayed great bravery in this enterprise, yet their success pro- duced no essential advantage. The cannon were soon unspiked and rendered fit for service. By this time the batteries of the besiegers were covered with nearly a hundred pieces of heavy ord- nance, and the works of the besieged were so damaged that they could scarcely show a single gun. Lord Cornwallis had now no hope left but in offering terms of capitulation or attempting an escape. He determined on the latter. Boats were prepared to receive the troops in the night, and to transport them to Gloucester Point. After one whole embarkation had crossed, a violent storm of wind and rain dispersed the boats and frustrated the whole scheme. The royal army, tlius weakened by division, was exposed to increased danger. Orders were sent to those who had passed to re- I NAVAL EXPLOITS. 141 cross the river to Yorktown. With the ffiilure of this scheme the hast hope of the British army ex- pired. Longer resistance could answer no good purpose, and might occasion the loss of many valuable lives. Lord Cornwallis, therefore, wrote a SURRENDER OP C0RNWALLI8. letter to "Washington, requesting a cessation of arms ! for twenty-four hours and that commissioners might I be appointed to digest articles of capitulation. While Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens, the officer employed by I Washington on this occasion, was discussing these ' articles, his flither was closely confined in the Tower of London, of which Cornwallis was constable. By 142 BATTLE-FIELDS AND this singular combination of circumstances, his lord- ship became a prisoner through the agency of the son of his own prisoner. The posts of York and Gloucester were surren- dered on the 19 th of October by a capitulation the principal articles of which were as follows : — The troops to be prisoners of war to Congress and the naval force to France ; the officers to retain their side- arms and private property of every kind ; but all property, obviously belonging to inhabitants of the United States, to be subject to be reclaimed ; the soldiers to be kept in Virginia, Maryland, and Penn- sylvania, and to be supplied with the same rations as were allowed to soldiers in the service of Con- gress ; a proportion of the officers to march into the country with the prisoners; the rest to be allowed to proceed on parole to Europe, to New York, or to any other American maritime post in possession of the British. The honor of marching out with colors flying, which had been refused to General Lincoln on his giving up Charleston, was now refused to Cornwallis; and General Lincoln was appointed to receive the submission of the royal army at York- town precisely in the same way in which his own had been conducted about eighteen months before. Corn- wallis endeavored to obtain permission for the British' and German troops to return to their respective countries, under no other restrictions than an en- gagement not to serve against France or America. He also tried to obtain an indemnity for those of the inhabitants who had joined him; but he w\as obliged to recede from the former, and also to con- sent that the loyalists in his camp should be given NAYAL EXPLOITS. 143 r.p to the unconditional merc}^ of their countrymen. His lordship, nevertheless, obtained permission for the Bonetta sloop-of-war to pass unexamined to New York. This gave an opportunity of screening such of them as were most obnoxious to the Ame- ricans. The regular troops of France and America em- ployed in this siege consisted of about 7000 of the former and 5500 of the latter ; and they were as- sisted by about 4000 militia. On the part of the combined army about 300 were killed or wounded ; on the part of the British about 500 ; and 70 were taken in the tw^o redoubts, which had been carried by assault. The troops of every kind that surren- dered prisoners of war exceeded 7000 men ; but so great was the number of sick and wounded that there were only 3800 capable of bearing arms. The French and American engineers and artillery merited and received the highest applause. Briga- diers-General Da Portail and Knox were both pro- moted to the rank of major-generals, on account of their meritorious services. Lieutenant-Colonel Gou- vion and Captain Eochefontaine, of the corps of en- gineers, respectively received brevets, — the former to the rank of colonel and the latter to the rank of major. Congress honored Washington, Rochambeau, De- Grasse, and the officers of the different corps and the men under them, with thanks for their services in the capture of Cornwallis. The whole project was conceived with profound wisdom, and the inci- dents of it had been combined with singular pro- priety. It is not, therefore^ wonderful that from the 144 BATTLE-FIELDS AND remarkable coincidence in all its parts it was crowned with unvaried success. A British fleet and an army of 7000 men, destined for the relief of Cornwallis, arrived off the Chesa- peake on the 24th of October ; but, on receiving advice of his lordship's surrender, they returned to Sandy Hook and New York. Such was the fate of that general from whose j gallantry and previous successes the speedy con- ' :][uest of the Southern States had been so confidently expected. No event during the war bade fairer for oversetting the independence of at least a part of the confederacy than his complete victory near Cam- den ; but, by the consequences of that action, his lordship became the occasion of rendering that a revolution which, from his previous success, was in danger of terminating as a rebellion. The loss of his army may be considered as the closing scene of the Continental war in North America. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 145 CAPTURE OF THE GENERAL MONK. The Hyder Ally, of sixteen guns, was fitted out Dy the State authorities of Pennsylvania, to repress the enemy's privateers, with w4iich Delaware River abounded. She was commanded by Lieutenant Joshua Barney. On the 8th of April, 1782, he entered upon his iestined service, which was to convoy a fleet of mer- ihantmen to the capes, and protect them from the ['refugee boats" with Avhich the river abounded. While waiting at the capes, he was assailed by two ships and a biig belonging to the enemy, who, find- Ing him unsupported, commenced a furious attack, 10 146 BATTLE-FIELDS AND which he sustained with great coohiess while his convoy were safely retiring up the river. The brig came up first, and gave him a broadside as she was passing, but kept her course up the bay after the convoy, while Barney waited for the ship, which was coming up rapidly. Having approached within pistol-shot, the Hyder Ally poured a broadside into her, which somewhat staggered the enemy, who thought Barney would "strike his colors." The' enemy seemed disposed to board, and was ranging alongside of him, when he ordered the quarter- master, in a loud voice, to "port the helm!" hav- ing previously given him secret instructions to put the helm hard a-starboard, which latter order was obeyed. By this manoeuvre the enemy's jib-boom caught in the forerigging of the Hyder Ally, ihm giving her a raking position, which Captain Barnej knew how to improve. The firing on both sidei was tremendous : an idea of it may be obtained froi the fact that more than twenty broadsides were* fired in twenty-six minutes ! In the mizzenstaysail of the General Monk there were afterwards counted three hundred and sixty-five shot-holes. During the whole of this short but glorious battle. Captain Barney was stationed upon the quarter-deck, ex- posed to the fire of the enemy's musketry, which was excessively annoying and began to be felt by the men, insomuch tliat Captain Barney ordered a body of riflemen whom he had on board to direct their fire into the enemy's top, which immediately had the desired effect. The capture of the General Monk was one of the most brilliant achievements recorded in naval his- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 147 tory. The General Monk mounted eighteen guns and had 136 men, and lost 20 men killed and 33 wounded. The Hjder Ally had sixteen guns and 110 men and lost 4 men killed, and 11 wounded. All the officers of the General Monk were wound- ed except one. The captain himself was severely wounded. The brig which accompanied the enemy ran ashore to avoid capture. Captain Barney now followed his convoy up to Philadelphia. After a short visit to his family, he returned to his com- mand, where he soon captured the *^Hook-'em- snivy," — a refugee schooner which had done a great deal of mischief on the Delaware. These captures struck such terror among the pri- vateers that they began to disperse to more pro- fitable grounds. In consequence of these glorious actions, Captain Barney was presented with a gold- hilted sword, m the name of the State. 148 BATTLE-FIELDS AND CLOSE OF THE EEYOLUTIONAEY WAR. Towards the close of the year 1782, the South Carolina — a frigate hired, hy the State whose name she bore, of the Duke of Luxembourg — was captured by a force of three large armed ships, purposely sent to watch her motions. This vessel, during the years 1781 and '82, had been unusually fortunate in her cruises in the narrow seas and the West Indies. The American privateers were also very successful ; and the English actually fitted out privateers at the^ close of the war for the express purpose of recap- turing American prizes. The English Admiral Rodney also succeeded in capturing the French fleet under the Count de Grasse, who desperately defended his vessel, the Ville de Paris, until himself and two others were j NAYAL EXPLOITS. 149 the only men left standing on the upper deck, when be consented to strike. This vessel had been pre- sented to the King of France, at the time of the Old French War, by the citizens of Paris, and had cost four millions of livres. It was the pride of the French navy. The English also captured thirty- six chests of money and a large train of artillery, which was to have been used in an attack on Ja- maica. All the settlements on the shores of Hud- son's Bay were destroyed by the French Admiral La Pe rouse, who took and destroyed property to the amount of five hundred thousand pounds. In December, 1782, soon after going into winter quarters, the officers of the army sent a deputation to Congress, with a petition and memorial upon the subject of their arrearages of pay. In October, 1780, Congress had passed an act, granting the officers half-pay for life, after the close of the war; but nine States had omitted to ratify this grant, and it was in danger of becoming a dead letter. The officers, many of whom had exhausted their private fortunes in the service of the country, petitioned that the hall-pay for life should be changed to full pay for five years, and that the arrearages should be paid. This reasonable request was not immediately com- plied with by Congress, and indications were appa- rent, in the camp at Newburg, of an approaching appeal to the fears of Congress. Fortunately^ Washington was present; and, though he knew the justice of their claims, he was aware that duty to the country required the prevention of rash and disorderly measures for re- dress. He assembled them together, and calmly 150 BATTLE-FIELDS AND addressed them in his usual dispassionate and sen- sible manner; and they were induced to wait still longer for the compliance of Congress with their demands. Washington then addressed a letter to Congress, in which he so strongly enforced the claims of the officers that their request was granted. Soon after, a letter from La Fayette announced a general peace; and early in April, an authentic copy of the declaration of the exchange of the preliminary articles between France and England being received, peace w^as proclaimed to the army, by the commander- in-chief, on the 19th of that month. This, the reader will recollect, was precisely eight years from the shedding of the first blood in the Revolution at Lexington. Large arrears w^ere due to the army, and many apprehended that an attempt to disband them without pay would occasion a re- volt. The treasury was not only empty, but the Superintendent of Finances had already expended more than his receipts justified ; and, before he could issue his notes for the payment of three months' w^ages, Congress had granted unlimited furloughs to the officers and privates engaged for the war. Much distress was felt by the officers at the prospect of being turned penniless on the world ; but Washing- ton succeeded in pacifying them. In October, a proclamation was issued by Congress, declaring that all soldiers who had been engaged during the war were to be discharged on the 3d of December. Whilst the old troops endeavored to submit patiently to the will of Congress, several of the new levies pro- ceeded to express, in an open and decided manner, their discontent. About eighty of this class, sta- NAYAL EXPLOITS. 151 tioned at Lancaster, marched in a body to Philadel- phia, and, after being joined by several others, they took up their march to the State-House, where Con- gress and the Executive Council were assembled, and, having posted sentinels with fixed bayonets at the doors, they sent in a message, threatening vengeance if their requisitions were not complied with in twenty minutes. After being confined three hours, the members of Congress separated, to reassemble at Princeton, and Washington immediately sent a strong detachment to Philadelphia ; but the tumult had subsided before it reached the city. New York was soon after eva- cuated, and the Americans took possession of it No- vember 25. Washington entered it on horseback, attended by Governor Clinton and a large procession of civil and military officers and citizens. On the 4th of December he took leave of the officers at Francis's Tavern, after which they escorted him to White Hall, where a barge carried him to Powles Hook. He proceeded to Annapolis, where Congress was in session, where, in public audience, he re- signed his commission as commander-in-chief of the American armies on the 23d of December, after which he retired to his private seat at Mount Vernon. Meanwhile, the different courts of Europe had ac- knowledged the independence of the United States, — Sweden and Denmark in February, Spain in March, and Russia in July. The final treaty of peace had been signed at Paris on the 3d day of September, 1783, by David Hartley, on the part of George III., and by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, on the part of the United States. 152 BATTLE-FIELDS AND By the first article of this treaty his Britannic majesty acknowledges the United States to be free, sovereign, and independent states, — that he treats with them as such, and relinquishes, for himself and his heirs, all claims to the government, propriety, and territorial rights of the same. The second article defines the boundaries of the States; and the third secures to them the riorht of fishinsr on the Grand Bank and other banks of Newfoundland, and other places in the possession of the British, formerly used by the Americans for fishing-grounds. The fourth article secures the payment to creditors the debts heretofore contracted; whilst the fifth recom- mends to Congress the restitution of estates formerly belonging to British subjects, which had been con- fiscated. The sixth article prohibits any future confiscation. The seventh provides for firm and perpetual peace; the eighth secures the navigation of the Mississippi to both Englishmen and Ameri- cans. The ninth orders all conquests made after the treaty of peace to be restored ; the tenth pro- vides for the ratification of the treaty within six months from the signing thereof. NAYAL EXPLOITS. GENERAL WAYNE'S VICTORY OYER THE INDIANS. During Washington's administration the Indians on the northwestern border were hostile. In Octo- ber, 1790, General Harmer, being sent against them with a small force, was defeated. In 1791, General St. Clair, with a force of 2000 men, suffered the same disaster. General St. Clair having resigned his office of Governor of the Northwestern Territory, he was succeeded by General Wayne. In August, 1794, he marched, at the head of 3000 men, to attack the Indians on the Miami, and on the 18th of that month arrived at the rapids and made an inef fectual effort to negotiate a peace with the Indians ; but the}', to the number of 2000, being advantage- 154 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ously posted behind a thick wood and near a British fort, treated the proposition with contempt, and formed their line, stretching from the river towards the west for about two miles. On the morning of the 20th the American army advanced in two co- lumns, — the first with orders from General Wayne to move forward with trailed arms and rouse the enemy from his covert; and then, and not till then, fire, and press the fugitives so closely that they would find it impossible to reload their guns after the first discharge. On discovering the immense length of the enemy's front, and perceiving their design of turning his left flank, the general ordered the second line to support the first, and the cavalry, under Captain Campbell, to force their way between the Indians and the river and attack them on their left flank ; while General Scott, at the head of the mounted volunteers, made a considerable circuit, and attacked them on the right. These orders were executed with such promptitude, and so completely was the enemy's line broken by the first charge of the infantry, that the whole body was soon put to flight; and in less than one hour from the com- mencement of the action they were driven more than two miles, through thick woods, and within half a mile of the British fort, where the pursuit terminated. The ensuing three days were spent by General Wayne in burning and destroying the houses and the cornfields on the Miami and around the fort, the commandant of which did not interfere in any way with the operations of either army. On the 28th he returned to the fort on the Au Glaize; but, NAVAL EXPLOITS. 155 the hostility of the Indians still continuing, he pro- ceeded to lay waste their whole territory, and the next year concluded a treaty with them, by which peace was established on terms as satisfactory and beneficial to tlie Indians as to the whites, and which, by giving security to the northwestern frontier, soon occasioned an increase in the population of that ielightful region. 156 BATTLE-FIELDS AND CAPTURE OF L'INSURGENTE. CAPTURE OF L'INSURGENTE. The quasi war, as it is called, between this coun- try and France, under the Directory, having com- menced. Commodore Truxtun, with a squadron under his command, was ordered to protect the commerce of the United States in the West Indies. It was while on this service that his brightest laurels were won, by the capture of two French frigates, each of superior force to his own ship. On the 9th of February, the Constellation, being alone cruising on her prescribed ground, the island of Nevis bearing W. S. W. and distant five leagues, made a large ship on the southern board. The; stranger, being approached by the Constellation,^ showed the American colors, when the private sig- nals were shown. The chase beinff unable to an- NAYAL EXPLOITS. 157 swer, further disguise was abandoned, and, hoisting the French ensign, he fired a gun to windward by way of challenge, and gallantly awaited the contest. This being the first time since the Revolutionary war that an American ship had encountered an enemy in any manner which promised a contest, the officers and men were eager for the engagement; and the enemy were not inclined to avoid it. The ships near- ed, until the Constellation, after having been thrice hailed, opened a fire upon her antagonist. A fierce cannonade ensued, while the American was drawing ahead. She suffered much in her sails and rigging, and the fore-topmast was nearly cut off by a shot. This was, in some degree, remedied by Mr. David Porter, a midshipman, who being unable to com- municate the circumstance to others, himself cut the stoppers and lowered the yard, and thus pre- vented the fill! of the mast with its rigging. In the mean time, their superior gunnery gave the action a turn in favor of the Americans, who were at last enabled to decide the contest by two or three raking broadsides, after a combat of an hour, when the American wore round and would again have raked her with all their gunS;, had she not prudently struck. The prize was the French frigate L'Insurgente, — one of the fastest vessels in the world. She was greatly damaged, and had lost in all 70 men. The Constellation also was much damaged in her rigging, but lost only three men, wounded, one of whom, Mr. James McDonough, had his foot shot off. The Insurgente carried forty guns and 409 men; the American vessel thirty-eight guns and 309 men. 158 BATTLE-FIELDS AND It was half-past three in the afternoon when the Insurgente struck, and Mr. Rodgers, the first lieu- tenant of the Constellation, was sent, together with Mr. Porter and eleven men, to take possession and have the prisoners removed ; but, ere this could be effected, the darkness and a rise of wind separated the ships. The situation of Rodgers at this period was un- pleasant in the extreme. No handcuffs were to be^; found, and the prisoners seemed disposed to rebel. Fortunately, Rodgers was well calculated to act with decision in such circumstances, and Porter and the men equally prompt in executing his orders. The prisoners were sent into the lower hold, and a sentinel stationed at each hatchway, with orders to shoot any one who should attempt to come upon deck without orders. Thus he was obliged to spend three days, at the end of which time he arrived at St. Kitts, where the Constellation had already arrived. On the 1st of February, 1800, the Constellation came in sight of a strange sail off the coast of Gau-- daloupe. Thinking her to be an English merchant- man, Truxtun hoisted the English flag, in order to be hailed by her. This was disregarded, and sail made in pursuit, when the stranger was dis- covered to be a French man-of-war. The English flag was lowered and all made ready for a desperate struggle. The enemy's ship was ascertained to carry fifty-two guns; but, the vessel being very deep, Truxtun was not discouraged by her superior force, but still gave chase. The wind being light during the afternoon, it was not until evening, at NAVAL EXPLOITS. 159 eight o'clock, that they came within speaking-dis- tance. The ship then opened a fire upon them, which was returned, and kept up till near one in the morning, when the French ship made all sail to escape. Truxtun ordered to give chase, hut was informed that the mainmast had been nearly shot away; and, as it was found impossible to remedy it, the chase was given up. Truxtun bore up for Ja- maica, where he arrived in safety. His antagonist, it was ascertained afterwards, arrived at Curacoa in a very disabled condition, and reported a loss of 50 killed and 110 wounded. The loss of the Constellation was 14 killed and 23 wounded, of whom 11 died. The Constellation, at this time, carried twenty eigh teens on her main-deck, and the quarter-deck was supplied with ten twenty-four-pound carronades. She numbered 310 men. The Vengeance, the French vessel, carried twenty-eight eigh teens, six- teen twelves, and eight forty-two-pound carronades. There are various statements of her crew, — all be- tween 400 and 500 men. It is certain that but for the loss of her mast the Constellation would have brought the prize into port; indeed, it is reported that the Vengeance struck three times, but, the Americans continuing their fire, the colors were hoisted again. Commodore Truxtun was rewarded for this ex- ploit by a promotion to the command of the Presi- dent, forty-four guns, and was also presented by Congress with a gold medal. 160 BATTLE-FIELDS AND CAPTAIN DECATUR. BURNING OF THE PHILADELPHIA. After the declaration of war with Tripoli, whilst cruising off that port, in 1803, the Philadelphia, Cap- tain Bainbridge, saw a ship in-shore, sailing westward. The Philadelphia made sail in chase, when the stran-^ ger hoisted Tripolitan colors and stood in-shore. In following her the frigate unfortunately ran on the rocks. Every effort was immediately made to get her off, either by driving her over them or by back- ing her off; but all was ineffectual. The bow- anchors were cast away, the water started in the hold, most of the guns thiown overboard, and the NAVAL EXPLOITS. 161 foremast cut away. The ship still remained im- movable, and the Tripolitan gunboats now came out to attack her. An unequal combat ensued for five hours, when Bainbridge, finding that he could neither get the vessel off nor defend her from the gunboats, was compelled to haul down his flag. The vessel was soon after boarded by the Tripoli- tans, who commenced a deliberate system of plunder and robbery, which the Americans could not resist. The captain and crew were taken on shore, and the officers were lodged under parole in the house for- merly occupied by Mr. Cathcart. Notwithstanding this unfortunate occurrence. Captain Bainbridge (rendered his country nearly as efficient service during his captivity, by his valuable suggestions to Commodore Preble, as if he had been in his former command. After concluding the treaty with the Emperor of Morocco, Commodore Preble sailed to Gibraltar, and thence sent the New York and John Adams to the United States. On the 12th of November he de- clared Tripoli to be in a state of blockade, and on the 24th he received news of the loss of the Phila- delphia. This news was confirmed at Malta, on the 27th, by a letter from Bainbridge. On the 23d of December, cruising off Tripoli in company with the Enterprise, he captured the Turkish ketch Mastico, jvhich was afterwards called the Intrepid and taken into the service. On the 26th a severe gale of wind caused him to sail to Syracuse, and on the 3d of February, 1804, the Siren and the Intrepid ailed for Tripoli, with orders to burn the Philadel- phia. The Intrepid carried four guns and 75 men. 11 162 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Owing to the heavy gales usual about this season of the year, the 16tli had arrived before Decatur was justified in maknig the attempt. The Siren having taken the best position to cover the retreat of the.; Intrepid, Decatur entered the harbor at 7 o'clock,^^ P M., and boarded and took possession of the Phila^t delphia. At this time all the guns of the frigate were mounted and charged, and she lay within half- gunshot of the bashaw's castle and his principal battery. Two Tripolitan cruisers were lying within two cables'-length, on the starboard quarter, and several gunboats within half-gunshot on the star- board bow, and all the batteries on shore w^ere- opened on the assailants. About 20 of the Tripoli- tans on board of the Philadelphia were killed; a large boatful escaped, many leaped into the w^ater, and one man was wounded and made prisoner. After gaining possession of the frigate, Decatur set fire to the storerooms, gunroom, cockpit, and berth- deck, and he, with his officers and men, remained on board until the flames had issued from the ports of the gundeck, and the hatchways of the spar- deck ; and they did not shove off the Intrepid until the fire had spread to her rigging and tops. This gallant achievement was effected without the loss of a man killed, and but one slightly wounded. For his conduct on this occasion, Decatur received from Congress a sword ; he was also promoted to a captaincy ; and the officers and crew of the Intrepid received two months' pay for their gallantry. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 1G3 BOMBARDMENT OF TRIPOLI. BOMBARDMENT OF TRIPOLI. On the 21st of July, 1804, the American squadron was collected off Tripoli. It consisted of the Con- stitution, forty-four twenty-four-pounders ; Argus, eighteen twenty-four-pounders; Siren, eighteen eighteen-pounders ; Vixen, sixteen six-pounders ; Enterprise, fourteen six-pounders ; six-gunboats, carrying each one brass twenty-six-pounder; two bomb-ketches, each carrying a thirteen-inch mortar ; and the Scourge, a captured polacre, taken into the service. The whole number of men in the fleet was 1060. The batteries on shore were judiciously constructed, mounted one hundred and fifteen pieces of heavy cannon, and were defended by 25,000 Arabs and Turks; the harbor was protected by nineteen 164 BATTLE-FIELDS AND gunboats, two galleys, two schooners of eight guns each, and a brig of ten guns. The unfavorable weather prevented an attack until the 3d of August, when, says Coinmodore*Preble, in his despatches, "At noon we were between two and three miles from the batteries, which were all manned. At half-past twelve I wore off-shore, and made the signal to come within hail, when I com- municated to each of the commanders my intention of attacking the enemy's shipping and batteries. The boats were immediately manned, and prepared to cast off in two divisions of three each, — Captain Soniers, Lieutenant James Decatur, and Lieutenant Blake, commanding the three first respectively, Captain Stephen Decatur, Lieutenants Bainbridge and Trippe, the second division.'* The two bombards were commanded by Lieu- tenant-Commandant Dent and Lieutenant Robinson. At half-past one o'clock the squadron stood for the batteries; at two the gunboats were cast off. At half-past two signal for battle, at fifteen minutes before three signal for general action. It was com- menced by throwing shells from the bombs into the town. A tremendous fire was immediately opened from the whole of the enemy's guns, and returned by the squadron, while Captain Decatur, in the second division of gunboats, advanced to board the eastern division of the enemy, consisting of nine gunboats. As they advanced, grape and musket- balls were fired, which were soon succeeded by the free use of the pistol, sabre, pike, and tomahawk. Captain Somers was in such a dull sailer that he was unable to second Decatur's attack ; but, bearing NAVAL EXPLOITS. 165 down upon the western division of five gunboats, he defeated and drove them on the rocks in a shattered condition. Lieutenant Blake was kept to windward during the whole of the action, and on that account many of the enemy's gunboats escaped which might by his aid have been taken. Lieutenant James De- catur, in the remaining vessel of the first division, engaged one of the largest of the enemy's boats, and compelled her to strike her colors ; but, as he was boarding her to take possession, the cowardly captain of the surrendered boat drew a pistol and shot him through the head, by which baseness he was enabled to escape under cover of the other boats. Captain Decatur, after having boarded and car- ried one of the enemy of superior force, took his prize in tow, bore down and engaged a second, which was also obliged to surrender. The gallant officer narrowly escaped death twice during this action ; once by his own presence of mind, and again by the devotion of one of his crew, who, being wounded in both hands, received a blow upon his own head which was intended for that of De- catur. These two prizes had 33 officers and men killed, 19 badly wounded, and 27 taken prisoners. Lieutenant Trippe, in the last of Decatur's divi sion, ran alongside of one of the enemy's large boats, which he attempted to board; but, his boat falling oft* too rapidly, himself. Midshipman John D. Hen- ley, and nine men only, were enabled to reach the Tripolitan deck. They had before them victory or death, with the fearful odds of 11 to 36. The 166 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Turkish commander defended his vessel with the utmost bravery, and before he was mortally woun- ded, by the aid of Henley, Lieutenant Trippe had received eleven wounds from him. The American seamen swept the deck of their enemies, and in a few minutes the colors were hauled down. Four- teen of the enemy were killed and 22 made pri- soners, seven of which were badly wounded. Lieutenant Bainbridge had his lateen-yard shot aw^ay before he was enabled to close with the enemy ; but he galled them by a steady and well- directed fire, within musket-shot; indeed, he pursued the enemy until his boat grounded under the bat- teries. She was fortunately soon got off. The bomb- vessels kept their station, though covered with the spray of the sea occasioned by the enemy's shot ; they were well conducted by Lieutenants Dent and Robinson, who kept up a constant fire from the mortars and threw a great number of shells into the town. The gunboats made two ineffectual attempts to recover the prizes; but the American gunboats w^ere too well supported by the shipping, and they were obliged to desist. The fire of the Constitution produced a great effect, both on shore and on the water. Wherever the guns were turned, the enemy's batteries were silenced and the flotilla thrown into disorder. Her grape-shot made great havoc among the men. At half-past four the signal was given for the flotilla to retire from the action, and in fifteen minutes the light vessels, gunboats, and prizes, were all out of reach of the enemy's shot, and they were taken in tow. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 167 GENERAL EATON. CAPTURE OF DERNE. While these operations were in progress on the sea, General Eaton had made a successful campaign on the land, and, at the time the treaty was signed, actually threatened to drive the reigning bashaw from the throne. Upon his return to the Mediter- ranean he learned that Hamet Bashaw, the exile, was at Alexandria, protected by an Egyptian bey. After spending some time in the Mediterranean, he sailed in the United States brig Argus, Captain Hull, lor Alexandria, where he arrived on the 25th of 168 BATTLE-FIELDS AND November, 1804. On the last day of November he {tailed for Eosetta, from Alexandria, where he arrived on the following day. On the 7th of December he reached Cairo, and, in several conferences with the viceroy, that functionary was prevailed upon to grant a letter of amnesty, and permission to pass the Turkish army, which was besieging the Mame- lukes, whom the exiled bashaw had joined in the village of Minuet, in Upper Egypt. Despatches were sent to Hamet Bashaw, and Eaton busied him- self in the mean time with looking for exiles from Tripoli who would be inclined to join the expedition. From one of them he learned that Joseph Bashaw had circulated the report that his brother had been assassinated. After much difficulty in meeting the bashaw, General Eaton prepared to march from Alexandria to Derne, across the Libyan Desert, with 500 men, 100 of whom were Christians, recruited in Egypt. Leaving Alexandria on the 3d of March, this little army travelled through the desert to Bomba, where it arrived on the loth of April. During the march, the Arab chiefs who had sided with Hamet Bashaw, and who were but little better than bands of robbers, frequently deserted from the main body on account of the refusal of General Eaton to satisfy their exorbitant demands for money over their stipu- lated reward. They generally, however, returned to the encampment within a day or two, hoping perhaps to make up the loss they sustained from General Eaton's firmness by the spoils they expected from tiieir enemies. For fifteen days previously to their arrival at Bomba, they had been destitute of NAVAL EXPLOITS. 169 bread, subsisting upon rice collected in the line of march. On the 22d the Argus and Hornet ap- peared in sight, saw and answered the signals of Eaton, and supplied his army with bread and other provisions. Upon receipt of these, the Arab sheiks found no difficulty in moving forward; and on the 25th of March the army took post on an eminence in the rear of Derne. Several chiefs came out of the town to Hamet Bashaw to convince him of their fealty; and from them they learned that of three factions in the town, one, well armed and in poses- sion of a strong fortification, was in the interest of Hamet. On the 26th, terms of amity were offered the Governor of Derne, by a letter from Eaton, which he simply answered by the words, " My head, or yours." On the morning of the 27th the battle was com- menced by the Tripolitans firing upon the Argus, Hornet, and Nautilus, which had stood in to second the attack. The Hornet and Nautilus stationed themselves so as to fire upon the batteries, while the Argus advanced until she was able to throw her twenty-four-pound shot into the town. In a little while the batteries were silenced, the Tripolitan cannoneers leaving their guns to join their country- men in the attack upon the American part of Hamet's troops. One field-piece only was here worked by the Christians against a battery of the barbarians. This was disabled by the rammer be- ing shot away; and the enemy were manifestly gain- ing the advantage, when Eaton resolved to charge with the 50 men under his command Though the Tripolitans numbered seven to one of their oppo- 170 BATTLE-FIELDS AND nents, they fled, and their battery was soon sur- mounted by the American flag and turned against its late possessors. In this charge Eaton was wounded in the wrist, but Lieutenant O'Bannon gallantly led on the troops. This success was soon followed by the capture of the bey's palace, and the town was in possession of the Americans. The bey took refuge in a Mo- hammedan sanctuary; he, however, managed to escape to the Turkish force which had marched from Tripoli to the relief of Derne, and which was but fourteen hours' march from that town when the Americans fortunately gained possession of it. This army numbered about 1000 men, exclusive of the fugitives from Derne, and a battle took place be- tween it and Hamet's army on the 13th of May. They commenced the action by an attack on about 100 of Hamet's cavalry, who warmly disputed the ground but were compelled to give way to superior numbers. The enemy succeeded in forcing their way to the bey's palace, when a fire was opened upon them from the batteries, and they retreated. Hamet's forces now came forward and annoyed them, and they also suffered much from the fire of the shipping, to which they became exposed. The enemy lost about 85 in killed and wounded, and the bashaw 12. Several of the Arab chiefs in the enemy's camp were much dissatisfied, and two of them deserted to the army of Hamet Bashaw. From this time until the 10th of June tlie enemy lay en- camped withir sight of Derne, frequently making feints of attack and skirmif^hing with the bashaw's troops. On that day the enemy attempted to drive NAVAL EXPLOITS. 171 a party of Hamet's cavalry from a pass they occu- pied in the heights near Derne, and, upon resistance, reinforcements were successively added to both sides. In the end the exiled sovereign gained a decisive victory without any other aid than his own troops afforded. The battle was fought in the Barbary fashion, the Americans and Europeans being but ittle more than spectators of the fight. The enemy ost about 50 killed and 70 w^ounded. Hamet had ibout 60 killed and wounded in all ; and, had his lien been provided with bayonets, the cavalry of his arother s army would have been severely handled. 172 BATTLE-FIELDS AND UABKISON. BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE. In the autumn of 1811, the murders and othei outrages committed by the savages determined the government to adopt measures for the protection of the exposed citizens against further molestation. A small force of regulars and militia was assembled at Vincennes, and placed under the command of William Henry Harrison, Esq., Governor of the In- diana Territory, with instructions to march to the Prophet's town and demand a restoration of the pro- perty carried off by his partisans. He was author- ized also to obtain redress by coercive measures, if necessary. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 173 On the 6th of November Governor Harrison ar- rived before the town. Messengers from the Pro- ihet were sent out to meet him ; and, after an in- erview, in which it was mutually agreed that no lostilities should take place before the next morning, ^hen amicable conferences w^ere to be held, the irmy proceeded to a creek northwest of the village md bivouacked on a bank of dry oak land, consider- ibly elevated, and situated between two prairies. The infantry, in two columns, occupied the front md rear, separated on the left one hundred and ;ighty yards, and on the right about half that dis- ance. The left flank was covered by two companies )f mounted riflemen, containing 150 rank-and-file, !ommanded by Major-General Wells, of Kentucky, .nd the right flank by Spencer's troop of mounted iflemen, to the number of 80. The front line was omposed of one battalion of the 4th regiment of the Jnited States infantry, under the command of Ma- or Floyd, flanked on the right by two companies of ailitia and on the left by one. The rear line was brmed of another battalion of the 4th United States nfantry, under Captain Baen, acting major, flanked >y four companies of militia, under Lieutenant- olonel Decker. Two troops of dragoons, 60 strong, ook post in the rear of the left flank, and another, omewhat stronger, in the rear of the front line. To 'uard against a night attack, the order of encamp- aent was appointed the order of battle ; and each nan rested upon his arms. One flank was protected by two captain's guards, ach of 4 non-commissioned oflicers and 42 privates; .nd the other by two subaltern's guards, each of 20 174. BATTLE-FIELDS AND non-con. missioned officers and privates. Just before reveille on the morning of the 7th of November, 1811, an attack commenced on the left flank, and the pickets were driven in. The first notice of the approach of the enemy was the usual yells of the' savages, within a short distance of the line. They had violated the armistice agreed upon to subsist until the ensuing day; which, it would seem, they had proposed with a view to gain an opportunity of surprising their adversaries in their usual manner. Nothing but the precaution of encamping in order of battle, and the deliberate firmness of the officers in counteracting the effects of a surprise, saved the army from total defeat. The storm first fell upon Captain Barton's regulars and Captain Geiger's: mounted riflemen, forming the left angle on the rear line. Some Indians forced themselves through the line and penetrated into the encampment, where they were killed. The companies thus suddenly and severely attacked were reinforced with all pos- sible speed. A heavy fire then opened to the left of the front, immediately on the regular companies of Captains Baen, Snelling, and Prescot. A gallant charge by the cavalry, from the rear of the front line, under Major Davies, was ordered for the pur- pose of breaking the Indians, who appeared in great Ibrce among some trees a few yards distant in front. The major received a mortal wound, and his men were driven back by superior numbers of the enemy. Captain Snelling's company then charged with fixed bayonets, and the enemy were dislodged. The enemy's fire now extended along the left flank, the whole of the front, the right flank, and part of the NAVAL EXPLOITS. 175 rear line. Upon Spencer's mounted riflemen and the right of Warwick's company it was excessively heavy. Captain Spencer and his first and second lieutenants were killed ; and Captain Warwick fell, mortally wounded. The troops, notwithstanding the fall of their officers, bravely maintained their posts until reinforced. Day approached ; w^hen Ma- jor Wells, reconnoitring the position of the enemy lATTLE OF TIPPECANOB. on the left, charged and broke them. At this favor- ing moment, a small detachment from the cavalry dashed furiously upon the retreating Indians and precipitated them into the marsh. Simultaneously with these successful efforts on the left, the enemy were charged on the right by the companies of Cap- tain Cook and Lieutenant Larabie, supported by the 176 BATTLE-FIELDS AND mounted riflemen, who pursued and killevl a num- ber of Indians in their flight. Driven now at all points, and pursued as far as the ground would per- mit, the Indians dispersed in every direction. They were handled so severely in the end that they were compelled to abandon many of their killed and wounded on the field, which is, wuth them, evidence of positive defeat. Forty Indians were found dead on the field. Numbers were carried off, some of whom were found the next day in holes contain- ing two, three, and four bodies, covered to conceal them from the victorious army. The general esti- mated their loss, in killed and wounded, at 150. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 177 BAOHARI TAYX-Oa COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR OF 1812 —DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON. Many causes of mutual hostility between the United States and Great Britain had existed since the Revolution ; but these did not lead to actual hostilities until the 18th of June, 1812, when war was declared by the United States. The chief reasons of war with Britain, as stated in the President's message, were : — Impressment of American seamen, British cruisers violating the peace of our coasts, pretended blockades of the enemy's coast without an adequate force, and the orders in council whereby our commerce with her enemies was entirely prohibited and a vast amount of property captured while on its way to their port^. 12 178 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ' The war on land was at first disadvantageous to the United States. Michiliinakinac, with the ter- ritory of Michigan, fell into the hands of the Bri- tish. General Hull, who invaded Canada, August 1, 1812, was captured, with his whole army; and the territory on our northwestern frontier was thug laid open to the attacks of the enemy, aided by hostile Indians. Previous to HulFs surrender, which took place on the 16th of August, 1812, there had been an action at Brownstown, twenty-six miles below Detroit, between Major Vanhorne with 200 Ohio volunteers, and an ambuscade of Indians, in which our loss was 17 killed and 8 wounded, (August 4.) Another action took place, August 9, at Maguago, fourteen miles below Detroit, in which Colonel Miller, with 600 militia, defeated 700 British and Indians, under Major Muir and Tecumseh. Our loss was 18 killed and 64 wounded; their loss was 15 regulars killed and 40 Indians found dead on the field. Near Chicago, August 15, Captain Heald, with 54 regulars and 12 militia, encountered between 400 and 500 Indians, and, after a severe contest, was defeated with the loss of 39 men, with two women and 12 children who were with the party. Captain Taylor in defending Fort Harrison met with better success. This post, which was situated on the river Wabash, in the Indian Territory, was garrisoned by about 50 men, one-third of whom were sick, under Captain Zachary Taylor, of the regular army. On the evening of the 3d of September, 1812, two young men were shot and scalped in the vicinity of the fort ; and on the succeeding night the attack was commenced by the conflagration of a block- NAVAL EXPLOITS 179 house, in which the provisions were contained ; and, at the same time, a brisk fire was opened by a large body of the Indians who had lain in am- bush. The fire was returned with great spirit by the garrison ; and, as the destruction of the block- house had caused an opening in his line of defence, Captain Taylor, with great presence of mind, pulled down a cabin, and with its materials constructed DEFENCE OP FORT HARRISOX. a breastwork across the aperture. The situation of this small but gallant party became, however, very critical, as the attempts of the enemy to enter by the breach produced by the fire were of a most desperate nature. Two of the garrison, preferring the risk of capture by the enemy to the prospect of massacre in the fort, endeavored to make their escape. One of them was immediately killed ; the 180 BATTLE-FIELDS AND other returned to the walls, and remained concealed until morning. The enemy, finding their attempts to gain possession ineffectual, retreated about day- light, but remained in the vicinity of the fort for several days. Their loss was supposed to have been considerable ; that of the garrison was only three killed and three wounded; but the destruc- tion of the block-house was a serious disadvantage, as it contained the whole of the provisions. For his gallant conduct on this occasion Captain Taylor was shortly after brevetted a major. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 181 FORT NIAGARA. BATTLES OF OGDENSBURG, FORT NIAGARA, AND QUEENSTOWN. In the beginning of October, 1812, there were as- sembled at Black Rock and Buffalo 1300 newly- enlisted recruits, under General Smyth, 500 militia at the same place, 2900 militia near Lewistown, six companies of field and light artillery, amounting to 300 men, and 800 infantry, at Fort Niagara, mak- ing an aggregate of 5800, and composing what Gene- ral Smyth in his proclamations denominates the army of the centre, extending the length of the Niagara frontier. The whole of this force was un- der the command of Major-General Van Rensselaer, of the Albany militia. On the opposite side of the river was General Brock, with a force at Fori George, and other posts extending to and including IS2 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Fort Erie, of 2400 men, consisting of the veterans of the 41st and 49th regiments and Canadian flank- companies, and 400 Indians. On the 8th of October, two British armed brigs, the Detroit and Caledonia, came down the hike from Maiden and anchored nnder the guns of Fort Erie. Lieutenant Elliott, of the navy, had then just ar- rived at Black Rock, with 50 seamen, to superin- tend the naval operations in that quarter. On the evening of the 9th, with his seamen and a detach- ment of 50 volunteers from General Smjth's brigade, he passed over from Black Rock, boarded and took the brigs. But, the wind not favoring, they drifted' down the current and grounded. The Detroit, w hich was formerly the American brig Adams and sur- rendered by Hull at Detroit, after being divested of most of her military stores, was abandoned and burned. The Caledonia, being near enough to be protected by the guns at Black Rock, was saved ; she was laden w4th furs to the value of $150,000. This brilliant achievement was effected wuth the loss of only two killed and four wounded. The general tenor of the Congressional debates and the publications and the conversation of the day had induced a settled belief that the Canadas would be a certain, easy, and almost a bloodless, conquest ; that, upon the appearance of a respectable force at any point on the frontier, the Canadians in great numbers w^ould flock to the American standard and assist in the object. Impressed with these ideas, the militia and volunteers, who had come out but for a short period, were impatient to make a descent on Canada. They insisted on being permitted to attack NAVAL EXPLOITS. 183 and drive the British from the Niagarca peninsula and then to return to their homes ; and many threatened to leave the camp unless led to immediate action. The success of Lieutenant Elliott had induced them to believe that the conquest was an easy one, and that they had only to show themselves to the enemy in order to conquer them. In compliance wdth their wishes, General Van Rensselaer decided on making the attempt. Tlie principal British force w^as at Fort George ; but they had made an establishment and erected batteries on the heights above Queens- town : against these batteries the efforts of the American troops were to be first directed. Batteries were erected on the American shore to protect the passage and landing of the troops. The regular forces, under Colonel Fenwick and Major Mallary, were ordered up to Lewistown ; and thirteen boats, being all that could be procured at the time, were provided for crossing. The van of the troops destined for the attack consisted of militia, under the command of Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer, aid to the general, a part of the 13th infimtry, under Colonel Christie, a detachment of the 6th and 9th, under Major Mal- lary, — the whole amounting to 400 men. At three o'clock on the morning of the 13 th they proceeded from the camp at Lewistown to the place of embark- ation. Colonel Van Rensselaer, to whom the chief command of the expedition was intrusted, with 100 men, crossed over and effected a landing. A grape- shot, from a battery below Queenstown which en- filaded the passage, wounded Colonel Christie in the hand ; his pilot became confused, his boatmen frightened, and he was obliged to return. The boats 184 BATTLE-FIELDS AND with Major Mallary were carried by the violence of the current below the landing-place; two of them were taken, and the others returned. In ascending the bank, Colonel Van Rensselaer received four wounds. Captains Armstrong, Wool, and Malcolm, were also wounded ; and Lieutenant Valleau and Ensign Morris killed. A party of British troops, KATTLE OF QUEEN STOW N. having issued from an old fort below Queenstown, were fired upon by the Americans and compelled to retreat. The firing from the batteries on the heights soon obliged the xVmericans to take shelter under the bank. To Colonel Van Rensselaer, who lay on the bank severely wounded, application was made for orders. He directed the batteries to be immediately NAVAL EXPLOITS. 185 Stormed. The men were rallied, and 160, under the command of Captain Wool, mounted the rocks on the right of the batteries and took them. The guns were ordered to be turned upon the enemy, but were found to be spiked. The remainder of the detach- ment now joined Captain Wool. Both parties were considerably reinforced, and the conflict grew severe at various points. Many of the British took shelter behind a guard-house, from whence a piece of ord- nance was briskly served; but the fire from the bat- teries on the American side soon silenced it. The British then retired behind a large stone house, but were soon routed and driven from the hill in every direction. General Brock rallied the troops at Queenstown, and, with reinforcements, led them round the hill in rear of the batteries. Captain Wool, discerning this, detached 160 men to meet them ; these were driven back. Being reinforced, they returned to the attack, and were again driven by the British to the precipice which forms the bank of the Niagara above Queenstown. Here, the British pressing upon them with double their numbers, and no opportunity of retreating, an officer placed a white handkerchief upon the point of a bayonet, and raised it as a flag, with intention to surrender; Captain Wool immediately tore it off, rallied his men, and returned to the charge. The British troops were in turn routed. General Brock, in endeavoring to rally them, was struck by three balls and instantly killed. His aid; Colonel McDonald, the attorney-general of Upper Canada, was mortally wounded by his side. By ten o'clock the British were completely driven from the 186 BATTLE-FIELDS AND heights. The American line reformed, and flank- ing-parties were sent out. The victory now ap- peared complete, and General Van Rensselaer pro- ceeded to take measures to secure the conquest. At two o'clock. General Wadsworth, of the militia, with Colonels Scott, Christie, and Major Mallary, cross< d over and took the command. Captain Wool was directed to retire and have his wounds dressed. He crossed the river for that purpose, and soon returned to the field. About three o'clock a large part}^ of Indians appeared, pouring out of Chippewa, and, with their savage, yells, commenced a furious attack. The Americans at first gave way, but were soon rallied, and charged the savages, who directly fled to the- w^oods, leaving one of their chiefs a prisoner and several dead on the ground. Scarcely had this battle ended, when a large reinforcement with artil- lery arrived from Fort George, and the battle was renewed wath increased severity. Most of the events of the day were in view of Lewistown. The militia who had not crossed over had now seen enough of war. Their zeal for the Canadian conquest had abated. They had dis- covered that the Constitution did not require them to go beyond the limits of the United States. Seve- ral boatloads which had embarked returned, and no more could be induced to go. General Van Rens- selaer returned to the American side, and, by every means of persuasion and authority, promising and threatening, endeavored to bring them over to secure the victory; but to no effect. Twelve hun- dred, whose presence only on the opposite bank would have decided the Ibrtune of the day, stood NAVAL EXPLOITS. 187 on the American shore, inactive spectators of the shiughter and capture of their brethren. The regu- lar troops, under General Smyth, who had been ordered down from Black Kock, had not arrived; and the Americans on the heights were left to pro- tect themselves. At this time General Van Rens- selaer addressed a note to General Wadsworth, in- forming him that it was out of his power to send him succors, and advising him to retreat to the river, where boats should be provided to take them over. The gallant band fought their way to the river against thrice their numbers, but on arriving there no boats were to be found. The same panic had struck the boatmen : not a boat could be manned to bring them off, and the whole were obliged to surrender. Three hundred and eighty-six regulars, and 368 militia, were made prisoners : the number killed was not exactly ascertained, but supposed to be about 90. The whole loss in killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing, was estimated at 1000. General Brock was conveyed to Fort George, and interred on the 15th with military honors, the guns of Fort Niagara, as well as those of Fort George, firing during the ceremony. 188 BATTLE-FIELDS AND CONSTITUTION AND GUERKIERE. On the 2d of August, 1812, the Constitution, of forty-four guns, Captain Hull, sailed from Boston on a cruise which will long be memorable in the Re- public as the first of a series of exploits which ele- vated the character of the nation and strongly illustrated the importance of her navy. On the 19th of August he fell in with His Bri- tannic Majesty's ship Guerriere, rated at thirty-eight guns but carrying fifty, commanded by Captain Dacres, who, some time before, had politely en- dorsed on the register of an American ship an invi- tation to Captain Hull to give him a meeting of this kind. At half-past three p.m.. Captain Hull made out his antagonist to be a frigate, and continued the chase till he was within about three miles, when he NAVAL EXPLOITS. 189 cleared for action ; the chase backed her maintopsail and waited for him to come down. As soon as the Constitution was ready, Hull bore down to bring the enemy to close action immediately; but, on his coming within gunshot, the Guerriere gave a broad- side and filled away and wore, giving a broadside on the other tack, but without effect, her shot falling short. She then continued wearing and manoeuv- ring for about three-quarters of an hour to get a raking position ; but, finding she could not, she bore up and ran under her topsails and jib, with the wind on the quarter. During this time, the Constitution not having fired a single broadside, the impatience of the officers and men to engage was excessive. Nothing but the most rigid discipline could have re- strained them. Hull, however, was preparing to decide the contest in a summary method of his own. He now made sail to bring the Constitution up w^ith her antagonist, and, at five minutes before six, p.m., being alongside within half pistol-shot, he commenced a heavy fire from all his guns, douhle-shotted with round and grape; and so well directed and so well kept up was the fire that in sixteen minutes the mizzenmast of the Guerriere went by the board, and her mainyard in the slings, and the hull, rigging, and sails were completely torn to pieces. The fire was kept up for fifteen minutes longer, when the main and foremast went, taking with them every spar ex- cept the bowsprit, and leaving the Guerriere a com- plete wreck. On seeing this, Hull ordered the firing to cease, having brought his enemy in thirty minutes after he was fairly alongside to such a condition that a few more broadsides must have carried her down* 1 190 BATTLE-FIELDS AND The prize being so shattered that she was not worth bringing into port, after removing the pri- soners to the Constitution she was set on fire and blown up. In the action the Constitution lost 7 killed and 7 wounded; the Guerriere, 15 killed, 62 wounded, — including the captain and several officers, — and 24 missing. The news of this victory was received in the United States with the greatest joy and exultation. All parties united in celebrating it, and the citizens and public authorities vied with each other in be- stowing marks of approbation upon Captain Hull aijd his gallant officers and crew. BUBEENDER OF TB2 GUERRIERE. N AVAL EXPLOITS 191 UNITED STATES AND MACEDONIAN- WASP AND FROLIC— CONSTITUTION AND JAVA. On the 8th of October, 1812, the squadron under the command of Commodore Rodgers, consisting of the President, United States, and Congress frigates, and the Argus sloop-of-war, sailed from Boston on a cruise. On the 13th, in a gale of wind, they parted from the United States and Argus. On the 15th, the President and Congress captured a British packet, with specie amounting to nearly two hundred thou- sand dollars. On the 30th of December the two frigates arrived at Boston, without having had the 192 BATTLE-FIELDS AND good fortune to bring an armed vessel of the enemy to action. Tlie Argus arrived soon afterwards at New York, from a very successful cruise of ninety* six days, during which she made captures of British merchant-men to the value of two hundred thousand dollars, and displayed the swiftness of her sailing, as well as the skill of her officers, by an escape from a squadron of the enemy, consisting of six sail, by which she was chased for three days. But the cruise of the United States was by far the most fortunate, as it gave her distinguished com- mander an opportunity of adding another leaf to the laurels he had already acquired, and of shedding additional glory on the Republic. On the 25th of October, being off the Western Islands, she fell in with the British frigate Macedonian, of forty-nine guns and 300 men, — a vessel newly built and of superior equipment. Being to windward, the latter had the advantage of choosing her distance, which, as the United States was in great part armed with carronades, prevented her from availing herself of them. In consequence of this the action occupied an hour and a half As soon, however, as the United States was able to bring her enemy to close action, the superiority of the Americans in gunnery was manifestly displayed. The enemy's mizzenmast and most of his spars and rigging being shot away, he deemed it expedient to surrender, with the loss of 36 killed and 68 wounded. That of the Ame- ricans was only four killed and seven wounded : among the former was Lieutenant John Musser Funk. This great disproportion in the loss of lives, which was remarkably displayed in all the naval NAVAL EXTLOITS. 193 actions during the war, while it afforded a striking proof of the precision of the Americans in the art of firing, rendered their victories doubly grateful, by depriving them in a great measure of the alloy of individual grief with which such events are too often intermixed. The damage sustained by the United States was not so great as to render necessary her return to port. It was deemed proper, however, to accom- pany the prize in; and both fri2;ates arrived in safety at New York on the 4th of December, where Captain Decatur was received with a similar degree of rejoicing and gratitude to that the Republic had heretofore so liberally bestowed upon Captain Hull. The victories, however, of the Constitution and United States, brilliant as they were, were obtained over antagonists somewhat inferior in the number of their guns as well as of their men. We have now to record one in which the enemy was un- doubtedly superior in the number of his cannon and not inferior in the amount of his seamen. The United States sloop-of-war Wasp, Captain Jacob Jones, sailed from the Delaware on the 13th of October. On the 16th she experienced a heavy gale, in which two men were lost, together with her jib-boom. At midnight on the succeeding day several sail were descried, to which chase was given. On the 18th, at daylight, they were dis- covered to be a convoy of six merchant-men, under the protection of a sloop-of-war, four of them being armed vessels. At half-past eleven in the morning the action commenced between the two national vessels, at the distance of about fifty yards. So 18 194 BATTLE-FIELDS AND near, indeed, did they arrive, that the rammers of the Wasp's cannon were, in one instance, struck against the side of her enemy. The fire of the English vessel soon shxckened; and after a most sanguinary action of forty-three minutes it was determined to board her. This was immediately effected, Lieutenant Biddle, of the Wasp, particularly distinguishing himself among the boarders. When they reached the deck of the enemy, they found no person upon it, except three officers and the seaman at the wheel. The colors were hauled down by Lieutenant Biddle, there being no one of the enemy's seamen left to perform that office. The vessel thus gallantly captured proved to be his Britannic majesty's brig-of-war, the Frolic, of twenty-two guns, commanded by Captain Whin- yates. The Wasp mounting but eighteen guns, the enemy was thus superior by four cannon. The annals of naval warfare have, perhaps, seldom con- tained the narration of a more sanguinary conflict than this. The decks of the Frolic were crowded with the dead and wounded, many of whom were crushed by the falling of her spars. Not less than 30 are said to have been killed, and about 60 wounded : both of her masts were shot away ; and she lay on the water, an unmanageable wreck. The Wasp also suffered severely in her spars and rigging from the enemy's fire : her loss of men, however, was trivial, compared with that of her opponent, four only being killed and four wounded. The brave officers and crew of the Wasp were unfor- tunately deprived, shortly afterwards, of their hard- earned prize. No sooner had the engagement ceased NAYAL EXPLOITS. 195 than a sail was seen, which soon approached near enough for them to discover that she was an enemy's seventy-four-gun-ship. From the disabled state of both vessels, an escape was impracticable : they were therefore obliged to surrender to the British ship Poictiers, by which they were carried into Bermuda, The honors conferred upon Captain Jones, his officers and crew, on their return to the United States, were not less flattering than those received on the former occasions. Many of the State legis- latures voted them their thanks; and the substan- tial recompense of twenty-five thousand dollars was appropriated by Congress as a compensation for the loss of the vessel they had so gallantly acquired. Captain Jones was soon afterwards appointed to the command of the Macedonian frigate, which had been purchased by the government from the cap- tors and added to the navy of the United States. Nor was this the last of those gallant achieve- ments which raised so high the character of the American navy. The frigate Constitution was des- tined to receive a brilliant addition to the fame she had acquired in her combat with the Guerriere, and to render the name of the Republic celebrated in remote seas. After his capture of the British frigate, Captain Hull resigned the command of the Constitu- tion, for the purpose of attending to his private aftairs, and was succeeded by Captain William bain bridge. Accompanied by the Hornet sloop-of-war, the Constitution sailed from Boston, on a cruise to tLe Pacific Ocean, towards the end of October. In run- 196 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ning down the coast of Brazil, they discovered the Bonne Citoyenne, a British vessel-of-war, of greater force than the Hornet, lying in the port of St. Sal vador. Captain Lawrence, of the Hornet, sent a challenge, however, to the commander of the enemy's vessel, pledging himself that Captain Bainbridge should not interfere. The British captain did not think proper to accept the offer, although the Con- stitution had sailed on another cruise, and the Hor- net was left to blockade the enemy's vessel. After leaving St. Salvador, Captain Bainbridge steered along the coast of Brazil until the 29th of December, when two sail were discovered, one of which stood in for the land and the other towards the Constitution. The latter was soon perceived to be a British frigate, when Captain Bainbridge tacked i ship and stood for her. At two p.m., the enemy being to windward and having hauled down all her colors except the union, Captain Bainbridge ordered a gun to be fired ahead of her, upon which she hoisted her colors and returned the fire. The action now commenced with great vigor on both sides ; the British frigate keeping at long shot, and the Constitution not being able to close with her without exposing herself to the danger of being raked. The wheel of the latter, however, being shot away. Captain Bainbridge now determined to bring his antagonist to close action. He accordingly biffed up and took a position near to her. Soon after four o'clock, the fire of the enemy being com- pletely silenced, the Constitution passed ahead for the purpose of repairing her rigging. Finding, how- ever, that the British flag was still flying. Captain NAVAL EXPLOITS. 197 Bainbridge took a raking position on her bows, and was at the moment about to commence a destruc- tive fire, when the enemy hauled down his colors and surrendered his ship. Possession was soon after taken of her, when she proved to be the British frigate Java, carrying forty-nine guns and manned with upwards of 400 men. She was commanded by Captain Lambert, a very distinguished officer, who was mortally wounded, and was on her way to the East Indies, with a number of British land and naval officers. Among them was Lieutenant-General Hislop and his staff. One hundred supernumerary ?eamen were also on board. Her loss was exceed- ngly severe, 60 having been killed and considerably 3iore than 100 wounded. The Americans, as usual, 5uflfered much less, only 9 being killed and 25 ;vounded. Finding that the Java was so much injured by :he fire of the Constitution as to forbid the hope of getting her safe into the United States, she was set m fire on the 31st, the crew and passengers and heir baggage having been previously removed. The prisoners, to the number of 361, including officers, vere landed at St. Salvador, on their parole. The amage the Constitution received in the action, and ler decayed state, made it necessary to return to he United States for repairs. She left St. Salvador >n the 6th of January, and arrived at Boston on he 8th of the succeeding month. In all the victories of the American navy the kill and valor of the officers and crews were not ess conspicuous than their humanity and generosity ;o their vanquished enemy. The truth of the old 198 battle-fields and observation, that the brave are peculiarly susceptible of the kindly and gentler feelings of our nature, was never more strongly manifested than on these occasions. Every thing that the most active humanity as well as the most refined delicacy could suggest was displayed towards the officers and crews of the Guerriere, the Macedonian, the Frolic, and the Java. Private property was scrupulously respected ; and the acknowledgments of the enemy evinced their high sense of the liberality with which the conduct of the Americans had been marked. It was not to be expected, however, that the con- flict on the ocean, covered as it was by the ships of the enemy, could be carried on without some loss to the American navy. It was boldly anticipated by the British orators at the commencement of the war that the infant marine of the Republic would be swept from the ocean, while the commerce of the British isles would be carried on as usual, without interruption. Even the best friends of America feared that, after a sanguinary opposition and per- haps useless victories, the national vessels would be hunted from the ocean or be compelled to sur- render to an overpowering superiority. The con- trast between these anticipations, however, and the actual result, was of the most striking nature, and must have afforded occasion to many mortifying reflections on the part of the British cabinet. Six months had now elapsed from the commencement of hostilities, during which time the national ves- sels of the Republic had carried its flag into almost *every ocean. Three of them only had fallen into NAVAL EXPLOITS. 199 the hands of the enemy, and those under such cir- cumstances of rehative force as to reflect no discredit on the captured. The Wasp sloop-of-war was taken, as we have seen, by a seventy-four-gun ship; the schooner Nautilus, of twelve guns, commanded by Lieutenant Crane, surrendered, after a long chase, to a squadron of the enemy's frigates ; and the Vixen gun-brig was captured on the 22d of Novem- ber by tlie frigate Southampton, and carried into the West Indies, where her commander. Captain Read, subsequently died. On the other hand, the havoc made upon the commerce of the enemy was beyond all previous calculation. It has been stated, upon good authority, that, previous to the meeting of Congress in Novem- ber, nearly two hundred and fifty vessels had been captured by the American cruisers, and more than 3000 prisoners taken, while of the American mer- chant-men comparatively few had fallen into the power of the enemy. The injury thus inflicted on the British commerce was produced only in a partial degree by the public vessels. The American priva- I teers swarmed in every sea, and the enterprise so conspicuous in the character of the nation rendered them most formidable opponents. Being mostly built with a view to expeditious sailing, they were in general able to overtake the merchant vessels and to escape from the fastest frigates of the enemy. These advantages were never sullied by inhumanity; and the generosity with which they, in many in- stances, acted in opposition to the love of profit, reflects credit on the national character. 200 B A T T L E - F I E L I> S AND MASSACRE ON THE RIYEB RAISIIT. BATTLE OF FRENCHTOWN. In the West and Northwest the American arms were unfortunate. The left wing of the North- western army was commanded by General James Winchester. Receiving intelligence that the British and Indians were posted at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, Harrison ordered this detachment to proceed against them, if its commander thought it practicable. Winchester immediately detached an efficient force, under Colonel Lewis, which made a rapid march and reached the vicinity of Frenchtown on the 18th of January. The enemy were prepared to receive them ; but the Americans advanced with such impetuosity that the enemy were dislodged from their works and driven to the distance of two miles. The battle lasted from three o'clock in the NAVAL EXPLOITS. 201 afternoon until dark. The American detachment then encamped on the spot from which it had driven the enemy. The loss of the British and Indians was very severe. That of the Americans was 12 killed and 65 wounded. General Winchester, with about 300, arrived at Frenchtown on the 20th. On the morning of the 22d the Americans were surprised and attacked by a greatly superior force of British and Indians, commanded by Colonel Proctor. The action w^as warmly contested for about a half hour, when, the enemy's fire becoming too galling, Winchester ordered his men to form on the north bank )f the river; but they gave way, and could not be rallied. The Indians gained their -rear, and, thus borne down by numbers. General Winchester, 35 officers, and 487 non-commissioned officers and privates, surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Before the troops surrendered, the British com- mander promised them protection from the ferocity of the Indians; but the promise was made to be broken. At break of day the next morning the savages were suffered to commit every depredation they pleased. An indiscriminate slaughter of all who were unable to walk ensued ; many were toma- hawked, and many were burned alive in their houses. Every species of private property remaining in the tents was appropriated by the Indians. The whole detachment was captured or destroyed. The loss of the British and Indians was not ascertained, but must have been severe, since, for a time, the Ameri- cans fought with the fury of desperation. There is no doubt that this disaster was owing to Winchester's want of caution. 202 BATTLE-FIELDS AND SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. After the defeat and capture of General Win- chester and his army at the river Eaisin, General Harrison established his advanced post at the foot of the Miami Rapids, enclosing about eight acres with strong pickets, and establishing batteries at the most commanding points. This position was selected as being convenient for keeping open a communication and receiving reinforcements and supplies from Kentucky and the settled parts of the State of Ohio, and, at the same time, affording the best station for protecting the borders of Lake Erie, recapturing Detroit, and carrying the war into the British territories. It was denominated Fort Meigs, in honor of the zeal and talents of the Governor of Ohio. The Miami of the Lake is formed by the St. NATAL EXPLOITS. 203 Mary's, which comes from the South, and the St. Joseph's, which rises in the Indiana Territory. These rivers unite at Fort Wayne, near the west line of the State of Ohio ; from this point the river assumes the name of Miami, and runs a northeast- erly direction, about fifty miles to Fort Winchester, formerly Fort Defiance, where it receives the waters of the Auglaize from the South. Thence it con- tinues the same course forty miles farther to the rapids, and, after passing a short distance below Fort Meigs on the left, and the ruins of a small village on the right, and embracing a large island, falls into the Miami Bay, opposite the site of an old British fort, eighteen miles from Lake Erie. The rapids terminate at Fort Meigs, three miles above the head of the bay. On the breaking up of the ice in Lake Erie, General Proctor, with all his disposable force, consisting of regulars and Canadian militia from Maiden, and a large body of Indians under their celebrated chief, Tecumseh, amounting in the whole to 2000 men, laid siege to Fort Meigs. To encourage the Indians, he had pro- mised them an easy conquest, and assured them that General Harrison should be delivered up to Tecumseh. On the 26th of April the British co- lumns appeared on the opposite bank of the river and established their principal batteries on a com- manding eminence opposite the fort. On the 27th the Indians crossed the river and established them- selves in the rear of the American lines. The gar- rison, not having completed their wells, had no water except what they obtained from the river under a constant firing of the enemy. On the 1st, 2d, 204 BATTLE-FIELDS AND and 3d of May their batteries kept up an incessant shower of balls and shells upon the fort. On the night of the od the British erected a gun-and-mor- tar battery on the left bank of the river, within two hundred and fifty yards of the American lines. The Indians climbed the trees in the neighborhood of the fort; and poured in a galling fire upon the garrison. In this situation General Harrison received a sum- mons from Proctor for a surrender of the garrison, greatly magnifying the means of annoyance; this was answered by a prompt refusal, assuring the British general that if he obtained possession of the fort it would not be by capitulation. Apprehensive of such an attack. General Harrison had made the governors of Kentucky and Ohio minutely acquaint- ed with his situation, and stated to them the neces- sity of reinforcements for the relief of Fort Meigs. His requisitions had been zealously anticipated, and General Clay was at this moment descending the Miami with 1200 Kentuckians for his relief. At twelve o'clock in the night of the 4th an oflfi- cer arrived from General Clay with the welcome intelligence of his approach, stating that he was just above the rapids, and could reach him in two hours, and requesting his orders. Harrison determined on a general sally, and directed Clay to land 800 men on the right bank, take possession of the British batteries, spike their cannon, immediately return to their boats, and cross over to the American fort. The remainder of Clay's force was ordered to land on the left bank and fight their way to the fort, while sorties were to be made from the garrison in aid of these operations. Captain Hamilton was NAVAL EXPLOITS. 205 directed to proceed np the river m a periaiiger, land a subaltern on the left bank, who should be a pilot to conduct General Clay to the fort, and then cross over and station his periauger at the place designated for the other division to land. General Clay, having received these orders, descended the river in order of battle in solid columns, each officer taking posi- tion according to his rank. Colonel Dudley, being the eldest in command, led the van, and was ordered to take the men in the twelve front boats and exe- cute General Harrison's orders on the right bank. He effected his landing at the place designated, without difficulty. General Clay kept close along the left bank until he came opposite the place of Colonel Dudley's landing; but, not finding the subal- tern there, he attempted to cross over and join Colonel Dudley; this was prevented by the violence of the current on the rapids, and he again attempted to land on the left bank, and effected it with only fifty men amid a brisk fire from the enemy on shore, and made his way to the fort, receiving their fire until within the protection of its guns. The other boats, under the command of Colonel Boswell, were driven farther down the current, and landed on the right to join Colonel Dudley. Here they were ordered to re-embark, land on the left bank, and proceed to the fort. In the mean time two sorties were made from the garrison, one on the left, in aid of Colonel Boswell, by which the Canadian militia and Indians were defeated and he enabled to reach the fort in safety, and one on the right, against the British batteries, which was also successful. Colonel Dudley, with his detachment of 800 Ken- 206 BATTLE-FIELDS AND tiicky militia, completely succc^eded in driving tl e British from their batteries and spiking the cannon Having accomplished this object, his orders were peremptory to return immediately to his boats and cross over to the fort; but the blind confidence which generally attends militia when successful proved their ruin. Although repeatedly ordered by Colonel Dudley, and warned of their danger, and called upon from the fort to leave the ground, and although there was abundant time for that purpose before the British reinforcements arrived, yet they commenced a pursuit of the Indians, and suffered themselves to be drawn into an ambuscade by some feint skirmishing, while the British troops and large bodies of Indians were brought up and intercepted their return to the river. Elated with their first success, they considered the victory as already gain- ed, and pursued the enemy nearly two miles into the woods and swamps, where they were suddenly caught in a defile and surrounded by double their numbers. Fhiding themselves in this situation, con- sternation prevailed ; their line became broken and disordered; and, huddled together in unresisting crowds, they were obliged to surrender to the mercy of the savages. Fortunately for these unhappy vic- tims of their own rashness. General Tecumseh com- manded at this ambuscade, and had imbibed, since his appointment, more humane feelings than his brother Proctor. After the surrender, and all re- sistance had ceased, the Indians, finding 500 pri- soners at their mercy, began the work of massacre with the most savage delight. Tecumseh sternly tbrbade it, and buried his touiahavvk in the head of XAVAL EXPLOITS. 207 one of his chiefs who refused obedience. This order, accompanied with this decisive manner of enforcing it, put an end to the massacre. Of 800 men only 160 escaped. The residue were slain or made pri- soners. Colonel Dudley w\as severely wounded in the action, and afterwards tomahawked and scalped. Proctor, seeing no prospect of taking the fort, and finding his Indians fast leaving him, raised the siege on the 9th of May, and returned with precipitation to Maiden. Tecumseh and a considerable portion of the Indians remained in service ; but large num- bers left it in disgust, and were ready to join the Americans. On the left bank, in the several sorties of the 5th of May and during the siege, the Ameri- can loss was 81 killed and 189 wounded. General Harrison, having repaired the fort and committed its defence to General Clay, repaired to Franklinton to organize the new levies and systematize a plan of defence for the Erie frontier. At Lower Sandusky Jie met Governor Meigs, at the head of a large body lof Ohio volunteers, pressing on to his relief, and gave him the pleasing intelligence that the siege was raised. The volunteers were there discharged, with the warmest acknowledgments of the governor and general for their promptness and zeal in marching to the relief of Fort Meigs. BATTLE-FIET. DS DEFEXOE OF FOKT 8TEPH£NS0H. DEFENCE OF FORT STEPHENSON. On the 28th of July, 1813, the foUowers of Proc- tor again approached Fort Meigs, around which they remained for a week, effecting nothing, though very numerous. The purpose of this second investment seems, indeed, rather to have been the diversion of Harrison's attention from Erie, and the employment of the immense bands of Indians which the English had gathered at Maiden, than any serious blow; and, finding no progress made, Proctor next moved to Sandusky, into the neighborhood of the commander- in-chief The principal stores of Harrison were at Sandusky, while he was himself at Seneca and Major Croghan at Fort Stephenson or Lower San- dusky. Tills laiter post being deemed indefensible against heavy cannon, and it being supposed that NAVAL EXPLOITS. 209 Proctor would of course ' bring heavy cannon if he attacked it, the general and a council of war called by him thought it wisest to abandon it ; but, before this could be done after the final determination of the matter, the appearance of the enemy upon the 31st of July made it impossible. The garrison of the little fort was composed of 150 men, under a commander just past his twenty-first year, and with a single piece of cannon, while the investing force, including Tecumseh's Indians, was, it is said, 3300 strong, and with six pieces of artillery, — all of them, for- tunately, light ones. Proctor demanded a surrender, and told the unvarying story of the danger of pro- voking a general massacre by the savages unless the fort was yielded : to all which the representative of young Croghan replied by saying that the Indians would have none left to massacre if the British con- quered, for every man of the garrison would have died at his post. Proctor upon this opened his fire, which, being concentrated upon the northwest angle of the fort, led the commander to think that it was meant to make a breach there and carry the works by assault : he therefore proceeded to strengthen that point by bags of sand and flour, while under cover of night he placed his single six-pounder in a position to rake the angle threatened, and then, having charged his infant battery with slugs and hidden it from the enemy, he waited the event. During the night of the 1st of August, and till late in the evening of the 2d, the firing continued upon the devoted northwest corner; then, under cover of the smoke and gathering darkness, a column of 350 men approached unseen to within twenty paces 210 BATTLE-FIELDS AND of the walls. The musketry opened upon them, but with little effect ; the ditch was gained, and in a moment filled w^th men. At that instant the masked cannon, only thirty feet distant, and so directed as to sweep the ditch, was unmasked and fired, killing at once 27 of the assailants. The effect was decisive; the column recoiled, and the little fort was saved, with the loss of one man. On the next morning the British and their allies, having the fear of Har- rison before their eyes, were gone, leaving behind them, in their haste, guns, stores, and clothing. COLONEL CBOOHAN. NAVAL EXPLOITS, 211 lUILDINQ OP THE FLEET ON LAKE ERIE. BATTLE ON LAKE ERIE. The American fleet on Lake Erie having been completed, and with great difficulty passed over the bar, a principal part of the crew of each vessel being made up of the Pennsylvania militia who had volun- teered to go on an expedition, sailed on a short cruise for the purpose of training the guns and of exercising the sailors. In the latter part of August, Commo- dore Perry proceeded to the mouth of Sandusl^ River to co-operate with General Harrison. At this place about 70 volunteer marines were received on board, and the fleet sailed in quest of the British squadron. The latter w^as at that time near Maiden, before which place Commodore Perry appeared, and, after reconnoitring the enemy, he retired to Put-in Bay, a distarce of thirty miles, in hopes of drawing out his antagonist. 212 BATTLE-FIELDS AND On the morning of the 10th of September, 1813, the enemy was discovered bearing down upon the American squadron, which immediately got under way and stood out to meet him. The superiority of force was greatly in favor of the British, though they had not an equal number of vessels. Their crews were larger and the length and number of llieir guns greater than those of the American squadron. When the American fleet stood out, the British fleet had the weather-gauge; but at ten o'clock a.m. the wind shifted and brought the American to wind- ward. The line of battle was formed at eleven, and at fifteen minutes before twelve the enemy's flag- ship and the Queen Charlotte opened upon the Law- rence a heavy and effectual fire, which she was obliged to sustain upwards of ten minutes without a possibility of returning it, in consequence of her bat- tery being of carronades. She nevertheless con- tinued to bear up, and, having given a signal to the other vessels to support her, at a few minutes before twelve opened her fire upon the enemy. The wind being too light to assist the remainder of the squadron in coming up, the Lawrence was compelled to fight the enemy's heaviest vessels up- wards of two hours. The crew were not at all depressed ; their animation increased as the despera- tion of the fight became greater, and the guns were worked with as much coolness and precision as if they had been in the act of training only.' The slaughter on board the brig was almost unparalleled, the rigging very much injured, and the braces en tirely shot away ; and at length, after every gun NAVAL EXPLOITS. 213 had been rendered useless, she became quite un- manageable. The first lieutenant, Yarnall, was thrice wounded ; the second lieutenant, Forrest, struck in the breast; the gallant Lieutenant Brookes, of the marines, and Midshipman Laub, were killed, and Sailing-master Taylor, Purser Hamilton, and Midshipmen Claxton and Swartwout, wounded. Her loss already amounted to 22 killed and 61 wounded, when the commodore, seeing that she must very soon strike if the other vessels were not brought up, gave up the command of the Lawrence to Lieutenant Yarnall, and, jumping into a boat, ordered it to be steered for the Niagara, to which vessel he had determined to shift his flag. Li passing from the Lawrence to the Niagara he stood up, waving his sword and gallantly cheering his men, under a shower of balls and bullets. He gained the Niagara unhurt at the moment the flag of the Lawrence came down ; and, the wind having at that instant increased, he brought her into action, and at forty- five minutes past two gave signal for the whole fleet to close. All the vessels were now engaged; but, as the superiority of the enemy had been increased by the loss of the Lawrence, the commodore determined on piercing his line with the Niagara. He therefore reso- lutely bore up, and, passing ahead of the Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Prevost, poured a galling and destructive fire into each from his starboard side, and into the Chippewa and Little Belt from his lar- board. He was then within half pistol-shot, and, as he cut through the hne, the commander of the Lady Prevost, a brave officer, who had distinguished him- 214 BATTLE-FIELDS AND self at the battle of the Nile, received a musket-ball in the face, and the crew, being unable to stand the fire, immediately ran below. At this moment the Caledonia was struggling to get closer into the ac- tion, and her commander, Lieutenant Turner, ordered her guns to be fired through the foresail, which in- terfered between him and the enemy, rather than lATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. lose the chance of a full share in the combat, and was only prevented from attempting to board the Detroit by the prudent refusal of the officer of another small vessel to assist him. The action was now raging with its utmost vio- lence, — every broadside fired with the most exact precision, and the result of the conflict altogether uncertain. In addition to the loss of the Lawrence's NAVAL EXPLOITS. 215 guns, one of the Ariel's had bursted, and the enemy had then the superiorit}^ of thirtj^-four guns. Ttiis doubtful aspect, however, soon after changed. The Queen Charlotte had lost her captain and all her principal officers ; and having, by some mischance, run foul of the Detroit, most of the guns of both vessels became useless. In this situation, advantage of which was immediately taken by Commodore Perrj^, they were compelled to sustain, in turn, an in- cessant fire from the Niagara and other vessels of the American squadron. Tlie British commodore's flag was soon after struck, and those of the Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost, the Hunter, and the Chippewa, came down in immediate succession. The whole fleet surrendered to the inferior squadron, with the exception of the Little Belt, which attempted to escape, but was pursued by two of the gun-boats and captured at a distance of three miles from the squadron. Thus, after an action of three hours, in which the individual gallantry of either fleet had never been surpassed by any naval event now to be found on the record of history, was the entire command of this important lake yielded to the American arms. 216 BATTLE-FIELDS AND eOlONEL JOHN80K. BATTLE OF THE THAMES. The victory gained by Commodore Perry on Lake Erie gave many advantages to the army of General Harrison. The pursuit of the enemy was instantly resolved upon. On the 27th of September the army crossed the lake. Maiden was found wasted and deserted by Proctor, who had retreated by the valley of the Thames towards the heart of Canada. On the 2d of October Harrison started in pursuit of the enemy, and, on the 5th, overtook them. Proctors position was strong. The Indians, under Tecumseh, NAVAL EXPLOITS. 217 were upon the left, between the river and a small marsh ; the British regulars, between two marshes on the right. Harrison's order of battle had been determined when he became aware that the British regulars were drawn up in open order, which made them liable to a fatal attack by cavalry. He in- stantly resolved upon a novel manoeuvre. Colonel James Johnson, with one battalion of mounted men, was ordered to charge and break the line of regulars and then form in their rear. This was executed with precision. The British were broken, and the whole body, panic-stricken by the unexpected character of the attack, surrendered at once. Tecumseh and his Indians fought more ob- stinately. The Kentuckians, commanded by Colonel Richard M. Johnson, were forced to dismount in the contest. But the fall of the valiant Tecumseh, the soul of his people, led to the complete overthrow of the Indians. Within half an hour the battle was won, and a detachment was in pursuit of General Proctor, who had fled at the onset. Though 5000 men were engaged in this battle, only about 40 were killed, most of whom were Indians. This was a splendid and decisive victory. The British army was nearly all captured, and the Indians never re- covered from the blow. 218 BATTLE-FIELDS AND CAPTAIN LAWRENCE. HOENET AND PEACOCK I On the 23d of February, 1813, the sloop-of-war Hornet, commanded by Captain James Lawrence, while cruising near Demarara, discovered a brig to the leeward, and chased her so near the shore that he was obliged to haul off for want of a pilot. Dur-' ing the chase, however, he had discovered a vessel at anchor outside of the bar of Demarara River, with English colors flying, and now began beating round the Corobano bank to get at her; when, between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, another sail was seen on his weather-quarter, edging down for him. As she approached she hoisted English colors, and proved to be the British brig Peacock, Captain Peake. The Hornet was immediately cleared for action, and kept close to the wind in order to get the weather- gauge of the approaching vessel. At ten minutes past five, finding that he could weather the enemy, Captain Lawrence hoisted American colors, tacked, and, in about a quarter of an hour, passed the British NAVAL EXPLOITS. 219 ship within half pistol-shot, and exchanged broad- sides. The enemy was now in the act of wearing, when Captain Lawrence bore up, received his star- board broadside, and ran him close on board on the starboard-quarter; from which position he kept up so close and bloody a fire that in less than fifteen minutes from the commencement of the action the British struck their colors and hoisted a signal of distress. Lieutenant Shubrick instantly went on 3oard, and found that she was cut to pieces, her captain killed, many of the crew killed and wounded, ler maiiunast gone by the board, six feet water in the hold, and sinking very fast. The two ships were immediately brought to anchor and the Hornet's Doats despatched to bring off the wounded; but, although her guns were thrown overboard, the shot- holes which could be got at plugged, and every ex- ertion made by pumping and baling to keep her afloat, so completely had she been shattered that she sunk before the prisoners could be removed, carrying down thirteen of her crew, as well as three men belonging to the Hornet. Lieutenant Connor and the other officers and men employed in remov- ing the prisoners narrowly escaped by jumping into a boat as the Peacock went down ; and four seamen of the Hornet ran up into the foretop at the same time, and were taken off by the boats. The Peacock was deemed one of the finest ships of her class in the British navy. In size she was about equal to the Hornet; but in guns and men the Hornet was somewhat, though very little, her [superior, and by no means so much so as to give her any decided advantage. The loss on board the 220 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Peacock could not be precisely ascertained. Captain Peake was twice wounded, the second time mortally, Four men were found dead on board. The master and thirty-two others were wounded, three of whom afterwards died. The Hornet had only one man killed and two slightly wounded. Her rigging and gails were much cut, but her hull received very little injury. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 221 CHESAPEAKE AND SHANNON. After the action with the Peacock, Captain Law- rence was promoted to the command of the frigate Chesapeake, then lying in Boston Harbor. She sailed on the 1st of June, 1813. As soon as she got under way. Captain Law- rence called the crew together, and, having hoisted the white flag, with the motto of " Free Trade and Sailors' Eights," made a short address. His speech, however, was received with no enthusiasm ; on the contrary, signs of dissatisfaction were evident, — par- ticularly from a boatswain's mate, a Portuguese, who seemed to be at the head of the malecontents ; and complaints were muttered that they had not yet received their prize-money. Such expressions, at the eve of an action, were but ill-bodings of the re- sult of it; but Captain Lawrence, ignorant as he was of the character of his sailors, and unwilling at 222 BATTLE-FIELDS AND such a moment to damp their spirits by harshness, preserved his accustomed cahimess, and had prize- checks at once given by the purser to those who had not received them. While this scene was pass- ing, the Shannon, observing the Chesapeake coming out, bore away. The Chesapeake followed her till four o'clock in the afternoon, when she hauled up and fired a gun, on which the Shannon hove to.j They manoeuvred for some time, till, at about a quarter before six, they approached within pistol- shot and exchanged broadsides. These broadsides were both bloody ; but the fire of the Shannon was most fortunate in the destruc- tion of officers. The fourth lieutenant, Mr. Ballard, was mortally wounded ; the sailing-master was killed, and Captain Lawrence received a musket-ball in his leg, which caused great pain and profuse bleeding; but he leaned on the companion-way and continued to order and to animate his crew. A second and a third broadside was exchanged, with evident advantage on the part of the Chesapeake ; but, unfortunately, among those now wounded on board of her was the first lieutenant, Mr. Ludlow, who was carried below ; three men were successively shot from the helm in about twelve minutes from the commencement of the action ; and, as the hands were shifting, a shot disabled her foresail, so that she would no longer answer her helm, and her anchor caught in one of the after-ports of the Shan- non, which enabled the latter to rake her upper- ;t broadside Captain Bljthe was killed by a cannon- shot through his body, and in a moment after- wards Captain Burrows fell by a musket-ball. Tiiu ^ command of the two vessels during the whole en- gagement was therefore maintained by the lieute- nants. Captain Burrows refused to quit the deck, and at four p.m. received the sword of Captain Blythe from the hands of Lieutenant McCall, ex- pressed his satisfaction at the manner of his death, and expired about eight hours afterwards. The colors of tlie Boxer had been nailed to the mast, and her first officer was therefore obliged to hail Lieutenant McCall to inform him of her surrender before it was known that she w^as vanquished. She was immediately taken possession of and carried into Portland, with her masts, sails, and spars cut to pieces, and with twenty eighteen-pound shot in her hull. The number of her killed and wounded could not be ascertained, no papers being on board by which the strength of her crew could be known. Her officers admitted the loss of 25 killed and 14 wounded. The rigging of the Enterprise was much cut with grape-shot, but her hull was not materially damaged. Her loss w^as one killed and thirteen wounded : among the latter, the captain and car- penter's mate, mortally. Lieutenant Tillinghast and Midshipman Waters, the latter of whom was severely wounded, behaved with coolness and deter- mination ; and Lieutenant McCall, who succeeded NAVAL EXPLOITS. 227 his gallant captain, sustained the reputation of the navy by his conduct throughout the action. On their arrival at Portland the bodies of the deceased commanders were deposited with the usual military ceremonies, and the prisoners were soon after removed to the interior. Both vessels were repaired with the utmost despatch ; and the Boxer, being considered the superior vessel, was ordered by the President of the United States to be delivered up for the benefit of the captors and bought from them into the service. 228 BATTLE-FIELDS AND MASSACRE AT FORT MIMMS. Early in 1812, Tecumseh, the great Shawnee warrior and statesman, appeared among the Indians of the South, attended their councils, and used all his knowledge of their character and his eloquence to induce them to join the Indian confederacy of the North and its British allies. It appears that his efforts were at first unsuccessful. But the successes of the British in the North, and the awful aid of superstition, effected Tecumseh's purpose. Through the channel of Florida the British supplied the Indians with implements of war and presents of goods highly valued by the red men. A large majority of the Creeks — by far the most powerful of the Southern tribes — were induced ta begin hostilities against the United States. Murders and robberies were committed, and the criminals were not delivered up on demand. The inhabitants of the frontier were filled with alarm and consterna- tion. The people of the Tensaw district, on the Alabama, fled for safety to Fort Mimms. This post NAVAL EXPLOITS. 229 was garrisoned by 150 volunteers, under com.nand of Major Beasly. In the forenoon of the 30th of August, 1812, Weatherford, a Creek chief of great talents, with about 600 warriors, sui prised the fort, set fire to the buildings it contained, and massacred all within it except 17 persons, who contrived to escape. Nearly 400 men, women, and children were put to death, with circumstances of the utmost horror. This terrible event spread consternation through the neighboring settlements. The inhabitants fled towards the other forts, leaving their dwellings and fields to be destroyed or wasted by the savages. The spirit of the people of Tennessee and Georgia was aroused, and prompt exertions were made to punish the perpetrators of the massacre. 230 BATTLE-FIELDS AND GENERAL JACKSON. BATTLES OF TALLUSHATCHES AND TALLADEGA. On the 2d of November, 1813, Major-General Jackson despatched Brigadier-General Coffee from NAVAL EXPLOITS. 231 the camp at Ten-Islands with 900 men, consisting of cavalry and mounted riflemen, on an expedition against the Tallushatches towns, where a consider- able force of the Creeks was concentrated. Coffee arrived within a mile and a half of the town on the morning of the 3d, where he divided his force into two divisions, and directed them to march so as completely to encircle the town, which was effected in a masterly manner. When they arrived within about half a mile of the town the enemy began to prepare for action, which was announced by the beating of their drums, mingled with savage yells. About an hour after sunrise the action was brought on by two companies who had gone within the circle of alignment for the purpose of drawing the enemy out from their buildings. As soon as the two com- panies exhibited their front in view of the town and gave a few scattering shot, the enemy formed and made a violent charge upon them, on which they gave way, and were followed by the Indians until they reached the main body, who immediately opened a general fire, and then charged. The In- dians now, in tl..eir turn, retreated, firing, until they got around and in their buildings, when they made a most determined resistance, fighting to the very last moment, as long as they could stand or sit, not one shrinking oi complaining, not one asking for quarter. Every warrior in the town was killed, and all the women and children were taken prisoners, except a few who were unintentionally slain in con- sequence of the men flying to the houses and mix- ing with their families, and at the same time refus- ing quarter. 232 BATTLE-FIELDS AND The number found killed of the enemy was 186, and a number of others were killed in the woods who were not found. The number of women and children taken was 84. Of the Americans five were killed and 41 wounded, the greater part slightly, none mortally ; two of the killed were with arrows, which appeared to form a principal part of the arms of tlie Indians on this occasion, every man having a bow, with a bundle of arrows, which he used after the first fire with his gun, until a leisure time for loading offered. Coffee bestows much praise on his men for their deliberation and firmness. "Notwithstanding our numbers," says he, " were far superior to that of the enemy, it was a circumstance to us unknown, and from the parade of the enemy we had every reason to suppose them our equals in number; but there appeared no visible traces of alarm in any. On the contrary, all appeared cool and determined ; and, no doubt, when they fice a foe of their own or of superior number, they will show the same courage as on this occasion." The following day General Coffee returned with his detachment to the camp. Late on the evening of the 7th a friendly Indian arrived at the camp, who brought intelligence that the enemy had arrived in great numbers at Talla- dega, about thirty miles below the camp, where 160 men of the friendly Creeks had erected a fort, the more effectually to resist the efforts of the hostile party, and where they were now stationed with their wives and children. The messenger repre- sented that, unless speedy relief could be obtained NATAL EXPLOITS. 233 from the army, the fort would certainly be taken. General Jackson immediately gave orders for taking up the line of march, with 1200 infantry and 800 cavalry and mounted riflemen, leaving behind the sick, the w^ounded, and the baggage, with a suffi- cient force for their protection. By twelve o'clock that night the army was in motion, and commenced crossing the river opposite the encampment, which was effected in a few hours, and on the night of the 8th the army was encamped within six miles of the enemy. At eleven that night a soldier and tw^o Indians, who had been sent forward to recon- noitre, returned with the intelligence that the enemy were encamped w^ithin a quarter of a mile of the fort; but they had not been able to approach near enough to ascertain either their number or precise situation. At midnight the adjutant-general was ordered to prepare the line of march, and by four o'clock the army was in motion. The infantry marched in three columns; the cavalry and mounted riflemen were in the rear, with flankers on each wing. The advance con- sisted of a company of artillery with muskets, and two companies of riflemen. A company of spies marched four hundred yards in front of the whole, to bring on the engagement. Having arrived with- in a mile of the enemy at seven o'clock, 250 of the cavalr}^ and mounted riflemen were placed in the rear of the centre as a corps de reserve, and the re- mainder were ordered to advance on the right and left of the infantry, and, after having encircled the enemy by uniting the fronts of their columns and keeping t^ ^^r rear connected with the infantry, to 234 BATTLE-FIELDS AND face and press inwards towards the centre, so as to leave the enemy no possibility of escape. The in- fantry were ordered to advance by heads of com- panies, General Hall's brigade occupying the right and General Roberts's the left. About eight o'clock, the advance having arrived within eighty yards of the enemy, who were con- cealed in a thick shrubbery which covered the margin of a rivulet, received from them a heavy fire, which they immediately returned and then charged and dislodged them from their position. The advance now fell back, as they had been pre- viously ordered, to the centre. On the approach of the enemy, three of the militia-companies, having given one fire, commenced a retreat, notwithstand- ing the utmost exertions of their officers. To fill the vacancy occasioned by this retreat, Jackson im- mediately ordered up a regiment of volunteers ; but, finding the advance of the enemy too rapid to admit of their arrival in time, the reserve was ordered to dismount and meet them. This order was executed with great promptitude and gallantry; and the re- treating militia, seeing the spirited stand made by the reserve, immediately rallied, and, recovering their position, poured in upon the enemy a most destructive fire. The engagement now became general ; and in fifteen minutes the Indians were seen flying in every direction. On the left they were met and repulsed by the mounted riflemen ; but on the right it unfortunately happened that too great a space had been left between the cavalry and infantry, by which numbers escaped. They were NAVAL EXPLOITS. 235 pursued, however, for three miles, to the mountains, with great slaughter. The force of the enemy was represented by them- selves at 1080, of whom 299 were left dead on the ground, and a great inany were killed in their flight. It is believed that very few escaped wdthout a wound. The American loss was 15 killed and 80 wounded. 236 BATTLE-FIELDS AND EXPEDITION TO THE HILLIBEE TOWNS AND THE TALLAPOOSA KIVER. On the 11th of November, General Cocke, who commanded the other division of the Tennessee militia, ordered Brigadier-General White, with a de- tachment of mounted infantry and cavalry, to pro- ceed from Fort Armstrong, where this division was stationed, on an expedition against the Hillibee towns of the hostile Creeks, on the Tallapoosa River, Tliis expedition was completely successful. They penetrated one hundred miles into the enemy's country and burned four of their villages, three of which they found deserted. . Previous to their ar- rival at the fourth, they learned that a party of the hostile Creeks were assembled there. Having marched the whole of the night of the 17th, the^ NAVAL EXPLOITS. 237 surrounded and completely surprised the town at daylight of the morning of the 18th; and of the whole party, which consisted of 316, not one escaped, 60 being killed and the remainder made prisoners. The detachment now returned to camp, where they arrived on the 23d, having lost not one drop of blood in this enterprise. The country through which they marched was exceedingly rough and hilly, and they had to pass several narrow defiles, where it was necessary to use the utmost precau- tion. The troops and horses, likewise, had to be subsisted, in a great degree, on such supplies as could be procured in the enemy's country, which rendered their march more tardy than it would otherwise have been. The Georgia militia, though embodied before those of Tennessee, were not able, from the want of mili- tary supplies, to proceed to active operations till the end of November. Brigadier-General Stewart had been originally destined for the command, as the senior brigadier ; but, family considerations inducing him to decline its acceptance, Brigadier-General Floyd was appointed in his room. Towards the end of November, Floyd received in- formation that numbers of the hostile Indians were assembled at Autossee, a town on the southern bank of the Tallapoosa River, about twenty miles above its junction with the Coosa. He immediately left his camp, which was situated on the west side of the Chattahoochee River, and proceeded against the enemy with 950 militia and between 300 and 400 of the friendly Creeks. On the evening of the 28th the detachment encamped within nine or ten miles 238 BATTLE-FIELDS AND of the place of destination, and, having resumed their march about one next morning, at half-past six they were formed for action in front of the town. The detachment was formed in two columns, with a rifle- company on each flank and a company of artillery in front of the right column. It was Floyd's intention to have completely sur- rounded the enemy by resting the right wing of his force on Canleebee Creek, at the mouth of which he was informed their town stood, and resting his left on the river-bank below the town ; but, to his sur- prise, as the day dawned, he perceived a second town about five hundred yards below that which he was preparing to attack. The plan, therefore, was instantly changed: three companies of infantry on the left were wheeled to the left en echelon, and ad- vanced to the lower town, accompanied by a rifle- company and two troops of light dragoons. The remainder of the force approached the upper town, and the battle soon became general. The Indians presented themselves at every point, and fought with desperate bravery; but the well-directed fire of the artillery and the bayonets of the infantry soon forced them to take refuge in the outhouses, thickets, and copses in the rear of the town. Many, it was supposed, secured themselves in caves previously formed for this purpose in the high bluff of the river, which was thickly covered with reeds and brush- wood. It was intended that the friendly Indians should have crossed the river above the town and been posted on the opposite shore during the action, to fire on such of the enemy as should attempt to escape, or to keep in check any reinforcements which NAVAL EXPLOITS. 239 might be attempted to be thrown in from the neigh- boring towns. Owing to the difficulty of the ford, however, and the coldness of the weather and late- ness of the hour, this arrangement failed, and their leaders were directed to cross Canleebee Creek and occupy that flank, to prevent escapes from the Tallissee town. Some time after the action com- menced, the friendly Indians thronged in disorder in the rear of the militia, when the hostile tribes fell on the flanks of the detachment and fought with great intrepidity. By nine o'clock, however, the enemy was completely driven from the plains and the houses of both towns wrapped in flames. It was impossible to determine the strength of the enemy; but from the information of some of the chiefs, which it is said could be relied on, there were assembled at Autossee warriors from eight towns for its defence, it being their beloved ground, on which they proclaimed no white man could approach with- out inevitable destruction. Neither was it possible to ascertain their loss; but from the number which ^vere lying scattered over the field, together with those destroyed in the towns and those slain on the bank of the river, whom respectable ofiicers affirmed they saw lying in heaps at the water's edge, where they had been precipitated by their surviving friends, their loss in killed alone must have been at least 200, among whom were the Autossee and Tallissee kings. The number of buildings burned is supposed to have been 400 ; some of them were of a superior order for the dwellings of savages, and filled with valuable articles. The Americans had 11 killed and 54 wounded: among the latter was General Floyd. 240 BATTLE-FIELDS AND The detachment being now sixty miles from any depot of provisions, and their rations pretty nearly consumed, as soon as the dead and wounded were properly disposed of the place was abandoned, and the troops commenced their march back to the camp on the Chattahoochee : a measure the more necessary as they were in the heart of an enemy's country, which in a few days could have poured from its numerous towns hosts of warriors. They arrived at the camp in safety, having marched 120 miles in seven days. On the 9th of December another detachment of the Georgia militia, consisting of about 530 men, under the command of General Adams, marched on an expedition against the Creek towns on the Talla- poosa River. Notwithstanding the precautions which they used to prevent the Indians from hearing of their approach, they found the villages deserted, and were unable to bring the enemy to action, though their yells were repeatedly heard on both sides of the river. Having burned two of their villages, therefore, the detachment returned to camp. NAYAL EXPLOITS. 241 I miWrltiWiKBHI TEEATY OP THE HICKORY aROOND. FINAL TREATY OF THE CREEKS. On the 17th of January, 1814, General Jackson, finding himself in a condition to commence active offensive operations, marched from his encampment at Fort Strother with 900 volunteers, who w^ere soon afterwards joined by 300 friendly Indians, against an assemblage of Creeks at the Great Bend of the Tallapoosa. On the evening of the 21st he fell upon a large trail which indicated the neighborhood of a strong force. At eleven o'clock at night his spies came in and informed him that there was a large encampment of Indians at about three miles distance, who, from their warwhoops and dances, appeared to be apprized of his approach, and would either commence a night-attack upon him or make 16 242 BATTLE-FIELDS AND their escape. Having received this intelligence, General Jackson put himself in readiness to meet an attack or pursue them as soon as daylight ap- peared. At six o'clock in the morning a vigorous attack was made upon his left flank, which sustained it with hravery : the action continuing to rage at that point and on the left of the rear for half an hour. As soon as it became light enough to pursue, the left wing was reinforced by Captain Ferril's com- pany of infantry and led on to the charge by Gene- ral Coifee. The enemy was completely routed at every point ; and, the friendly Indians joining in the pursuit, they were chased about two miles with great slaughter. The chase being over. General Coffee was detached to burn their encampment; but, finding it fortified, he returned to the main body for artillery. Half an hour after his return a large force appeared and commenced an attack upon the right flank. General Coffee was permitted, at his own request, to take 200 men and turn the enemy's left; but, by some mistake, only 54 followed him. With these he commenced an attack on their left; 200 of the friendly Indians were ordered to fall upon the enemy's right and co-operate with the general. The Creeks intended this attack on Jack- son's right as a feint, and, expecting to find his left weakened, directed their main force against that quarter; but General Jackson, perceiving the object of the enemy, had directed that flank to remain firm in its position, and at the first moment of attack they were supported by the reserve under Captain ierril. The whole line met the approach of the NAVAL EXPLOITS. 243 memy with vigor, and, after a few fires, made a bold ind decisive charge. The Creeks fled with precipita- ;ion, and were pursued a considerable distance with I destructive fire. In the mean time General Coffee ^as contending on the right with a superior force ; :he friendly Indians who had been ordered to his mpport, seeing the enemy routed on the left, quit heir post and joined in the chase. That being )ver, Jim Fife, with the friendly Indians, was again )rdered to support General Coffee. As soon as he cached him they made a decisive charge, routed :he enemy, and pursued him three miles. Forty- ilve of the enemy's slain were found. General Coffee ivas wounded in the body, and his aid. Colonel Donaldson, and three others, slain. The next day Greneral Jackson commenced his return-march to Fort Strother. His men and horses were exhausted, and he was not furnished with either provisions or brage for a longer stay. The enemy, supposing they had defeated the general, hung on his rear; md on the morning of the 24th, as he was on the Doint of crossing Enotachopeo Creek, the front-guard baving crossed, with part of the flank-columns and he wounded, and the artillery just entering the w^ater, an attack commenced on the rear. The main part of the rear-guard precipitately gave way, leaving only 25 men, under Colonel Carrol, who Qiaintained their ground as long as possible. There then remained on the left of the creek, to meet the nemy, the remnant of the rear-guard, the artillery- company, and Captain Kussell's company of spies. Lieutenant Armstrong, of the artillery, immediately ordered them to form and advance to the top of the 244 BATTLE-FIELDS AND hill, while he and a few of his men dragged up i six-pounder amid a most galling fire from more thai ten times their numbers. Arrived at the top, thej formed and poured in upon their assailants a fire of grape, and at length made a charge and repelled them Lieutenant Armstrong, Captains Hamilton, Bradford and McGovock, fell in this rencontre. By this time| a considerable number had recrossed the creek and joined the chase; Captain Gordon, of the spies' rushed from the front and partially succeeded in; turnmg the enemy's left flank. The Creeks now fled m the greatest consternation, throwing off their packs and every thing that retarded their flight, andi were pursued for more than two miles. Twenty-six of their warriors were left dead on the field. Gene-! ral Jackson's loss, in the several engagements of the 22d and 24th, was 24 killed and 70 wounded After the battle of the 24th, General Jackson was enabled i to return to Fort Strother without further molestar tion. The Creeks, encouraged by what they considered a victory over General Jackson's forces in the battles of the 22d and 24th of January, continued to con- centrate their forces and fortify themselves at the Great Bend of the Tallapoosa. This river forms the northeastern branch of the Alabama. Several miles above its junction with the Coosa, is a curve in the river in the form of a horseshoe, called by die whites the Great Bend, and by the Indians Emucsau. The peninsula formed by the bend con- tains about one hundred acres, and the isthmus leading to it is about forty rods across; at the bottom of the peninsula is the village of Tohopisca, con- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 245 aining about two hundred houses. On this peninsula ;he Indians from the adjoining districts had concen- rated their forces to the amount of 1000 warriors, vith ample stores of provisions and ammunition, md had fortified themselves with great skill, having hrown up a breastwork consisting of eight tiers of ogs with double portholes across the isthmus, so hat an assailing enemy might be opposed by a louble and cross-fire by the garrison, who could lie n perfect safety behind their works. Considerable reinforcements of volunteers from Pennessee, and friendly Indians, having reached jreneral Jackson on the 16th of March, he left Fort 5trother with his whole disposable force, amounting ;o about 3000 of every description, on an expedition igainst this assemblage of Indians. He proceeded lown the Coosa, about sixty miles, to the mouth of ]edar Creek, where he established a post called Fort iV'illiams, and proceeded, on the 24th, across the 'idge of land dividing the waters of the Coosa from ;he Tallapoosa, and arrived at the Great Bend on ;he morning of the 27th, having the three preceding lays opened a passage through the wilderness of ifty-two miles. On the 26th he passed the battle- ground of the 22d of January, and left it three niles in his rear. General Coffee was detached, with '00 cavalry and mounted gun-men and 600 friendly [ndians, to cross the river below the bend, secure lie opposite banks, and prevent escape. Having crossed at the Little Island Ford, three miles below ;he bend, his Indians were ordered silently to ap- Droach and line the bank of the river, while the iiounted men occupied the adjoining heights, to 246 BATTLE-FIELDS AND guard against reinforcements, which might be ex pected from the Oakfusky towns, eight miles below Lieutenant Bean at the same time was ordered t( occupy Little Island at the ford ing-pl ace, to secure any that might attempt to escape in that direction In the mean time General Jackson, with the artillerj and infantry, moved on in slow and regular order tc the isthmus, and planted his guns on an eminence one hundred and fifty yards in front of the breast- work. On perceiving that General Coffee had com- pleted his arrangements below, he opened a fire upon the fortification, but found he could make no other impression with his artillery than boring shotr holes through the logs. General Coffee's Indians on the bank, hearing the roaring of the cannon in front and observing considerable confusion on the peninsula, supposing the battle to be nearly w^on, crossed over and set fire to the village and attacked the Creeks in the rear. At this moment General Jackson ordered an assault upon the works in front. The regular troops, led by Colonel Williams, accompanied by a part of the militia of General Dougherty's brigade, led on by Colonel Russell, presently got possession of a part of the works, amid a tremendous fire from behind them. The advance-guard was led by Colonel Sisler, and the left extremity of the line by Captain Gordon, of the spies, and Captain McMarry, of General Johnson's brigade of West Tennessee militia. The battle for a short time was obstinate, and fought musket-to-musket through the port- holes, when the assailants succeeded in getting pos- session of the opposite side of the works, and the contest ended. The Creeks were entirely routed; NAVAL EXPLOITS. 247 and the whole margin of the river strewed with the slain. The troops under General Jackson, and General Coffee's Indians, continued the work of destruction as long as there was a Creek to be found. General Coffee, on seeing his Indians cross- ing over, had ordered their places to be supplied on the bank by his riflemen ; and every Indian that attempted to escape by swimming the river or crossing the Little Island below was met and slain by General Coffee's troops. The battle, as long as any appearance of resistance remained, lasted five hours; the slaughter continued until dark, and was renewed the next morning, when 16 more of the unfortunate savages were hunted out of their hiding- places and slain. Five hundred and fifty-seven warriors were found dead on the peninsula, among whom was their famous prophet Manahell, and two others, the principal instigators of the war; 250 more were estimated to have been killed in crossing the river, and at other places, which were not found. General Jackson's loss was 26 Avhite men and 23 Indians killed, and 107 white men and 47 Indians wounded. This was a decisive stroke. The power of the Creeks was crushed forever, and the miserable remnant of the hostile party, under their bold, eloquent, and indomitable chief, Weatherford, wan- dered about the country, hunted like wild beasts. Soon after the victory. General Jackson retired to the Hickory Ground, at which place terms of peace were settled, Weatherford, by his dignified conduct; securing an unexpected degree of favor for hie people. 248 BATTLE-FIELDS AND BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. From this period until the commencement of July, 1814, the hostile armies lay comparatively inactive. Soon after his arrival at Sackett's Harbor from French Mills, General Brown put his troops in motion for the Niagara frontier; but, after proceed- ing some distance, he returned to the former post. At this place he remained, assiduously employed in disciplining and organizing his troops, until he re- ceived orders from the government to assemble a division of the army at Black Rock and Buffalo, with a view to the recovery of Fort Niagara, which still remained in the hands of the enemy, and to the capture of the British posts in the peninsula. His force, which consisted of between 3000 and 4000 men, was composed of two brigades of regulars, with artillery, the first brigade commanded by Brigadier- NAVAL EXPI.OITS. 249 General Scott, nnd the second by Brigadier-General Ripley, together with a body of volunteers from New York and Pennsylvania, under General Porter. The commander-in-chief, General Brown, had re- centl}^ been promoted to the rank of major-general. With this army, therefore, the best-appointed, per- haps, and most efficient of any that had been yet assembled, w^as the last campaign of the war on this frontier commenced. The first attack made by this force was on the British fort of Erie, opposite to Black Rock. On the 2d of July, at midnight, the whole army em- barked in boats from the latter place, and the next morning landed on the enemy's shore. Prepara- tions w^ere immediately made for the assault of the fort; but it surrendered before the artillery could be planted against it. The garrison, to the num- ber of 137, w^ere made prisoners of war. The British troops in the vicinity were at this period encamped in a strong position at Chippewa, and were supposed to amount to about 3000 men, who were commanded by Major-General Riall. To the attack of this place General Brown moved his army on the succeeding day, leaving behind him a bmall garrison in Fort Erie, and encamped in the evening in a favorable position, wdthin two miles of the enemy's works. On the morning of the 5th the American pickets were repeatedly attacked by parties of the enemy ; and General Porter was de- spatched in the afternoon to gain the rear of these skirmishers, and, by cutting them off, bring on an engagement of the main body. General Riall, about the same time, moved out of his works with his 250 BATTLE-FIELDS AND whole force, and soon fell in with General Porttr's command. Perceiving this movement, General Brown ordered the first brigade and Towson's artil- lery to advance and engage the enemy on the plains of Chippewa : and in a few minutes a warm action commenced. The left of the American position was occupied by General Porter's brigade of volunteers, who, un- able to withstand the fire of the British regulars, gave way, and exposed that flank of General Scott's brigade. To prevent the enemy from assailing it, General Brown now ordered up the brigade of Gene- ral Kipley, with directions to skirt the wood on the left and endeavor to gain the rear of the British right. After a most severe and arduous conflict, Major Jessup, who commanded a battalion on the left flank, succeeded in gaining a position, from whence he opened so galling a fire as to cause the enemy's right to fall back. In the mean time the brigade of General Scott had continued to advance against the powerful resistance of the enemy, who now, finding his eflbrts repulsed at every point, gra- dually retired, until he reached the sloping ground in the vicinity of Chippewa, where, being hard pressed by the victors, his retreat was changed into a rapid and disorderly flight. The advance of the Americans was, however, checked by the batteries at Chippewa, behind which the British troops had rallied. General Brown now ordered up the artil- lery, with a view of forcing the works ; but, finding the day to be nearly spent and the batteries of the enemy strongly fortified, he drew off" his forces and retired to the camp. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 251 In proportion to the numbers engaged, the loss of men in this action was unusually great. The official report of General Brown stated the killed, wounded, and missing of the American army to amount to 328. That of the British troops appears, from the statement of General Drummond, to have amounted to 133 killed, 320 wounded, and 46 prisoners, among whom were many officers of rank. Few of the American officers were wounded, and not one killed, although their conduct was such as to call forth the highest encomiums of their commander. Generals Scott and Ripley, and Majors Jessup, Leavenworth, and McNeill, and many others, were specially noticed, in the official report, in terms of high praise. 252 BATTLE-FIELDS AND BATTLES OF BRIDGEWATER AND NIAGARA. On the 25th of July, 1814, General Brown was informed that the British army had moved to Queenstown in considerable force, and was landing a party at Lewistown for the purpose of attacking the town of Schlosser and capturing the stores of his army. With the expectation of drawing him off from this attempt, General Scott was despatched on the road to Queenstown, with his own brigade, Towson's artillery, and the dragoons. At four hi the afternoon this detachment moved from the camp, and, having proceeded about two miles, dis- covered the enemy posted on an eminence of con- siderable strength at a place called Bridgewater, having the Queenstown Road in their front, the position being defended by a formidable battery of NAVAL EXPLOITS. 253 nine pieces of artillery. Between this post and General Scott's advance was a narrow strip of wood. He immediately determined to attack the enemy, and, after despatching an express to camp for a reinforcement, formed his small party in a plain in front of the British position. The artillery, under Captain Towson, opened a cannonade, which was returned by the enemy's batteries with great effect ; and an action commenced and was supported more than an hour, by the first brigade, against greatly- superior numbers. The 11th and 22d regiments, having expended their ammunition, fell back, both of their commanding and most of the inferior officers being w^ounded. The brunt of the engage- ment then fell on the 9th, commanded by Colonel Leavenworth, which suffered severely from the enemy's fire. In the mean time the 25th regiment, under Major Jessup, which had been placed on the right of the American line, finding the road w^hich led to the rear of the enemy's left unoccupied, moved along it, and threw itself on the rear with such signal success as to capture General Riall and many other officers and to cause the flight of a great part of their line. The enemy's batteries, however, still continued a heavy fire, before which the ranks of General Scott's brigade were rapidly thinning; and, reduced as it was in numbers, it was evident that it could not withstand the assault of a fresh body of troops which the British commander, ignorant of the small amount of troops opposed to him, had ordered up. In this critical situation of affairs, day being now spent and its light partially supplied by the moon, the second brigade, under 254 BATTLE-FIELDS AND General Eipley, arrived in time to retrieve the fortune of the day. Hearing, while at the camp, the fire of musketry and cannon, it was immediately put in motion, and received orders from General Brown to advance to the support of the first brigade, to which it immediately hastened. The order was rapidly complied with; and, when the troops arrived on the field, General Ripley was directed by General Brown to form on the right of the first brigade. Perceiving the exhausted state of that body and the nature of the enemy's position, General Ripley determined to depart from his orders, a literal compliance with which would, in all probability, have placed his brigade in the same dangerous situation with that of General Scott. He saw that the position of the enemy's artillery on the eminence was the great source of annoyance to the American army, and unless that should be carried their defeat might be considered as certain. He determined, therefore, to place his own brigade between that of General Scott and the enemy's battery and endeavor to get possession of the latter. Forming, therefore, the two regiments of which his brigade was composed in the intended situation, he directed Colonel Miller to lead the 21st regiment immediately up to the cannon, while he himself, at the head of the 23d, moved to the attack of the infantry on the left. This order was executed by the 21st with a degree of gallantry never exceeded in any previous combat, and which shed the highest glory upon that regiment and its gallant commander. In a few moments the enemy's cannon were in his pos.^ession; and such was the valor of the assail- KAYAL EXPLOITS. 255 ants and the resolution of the enemy that the artillery-men were bayoneted while in the act oi firing their pieces. Exactly at the same moment General Eipley, with the 23d regiment, which had at first faltered before the destructive fire of the enemy, attacked the infantry and drove them from the crest of the eminence. The enemy's position was thus gained, after a most sanguinary contest; and the line of the second brigade formed in front of the captured cannon, with the 1st regiment and General Porter's volunteers on the left and the 25th regiment on the right, the American artillery being between that regiment and the 23d. Mortified by his expulsion from the eminence, and having received an accession of fresh troops, the enemy now brought up his whole force and made a resolute and determined attempt to recover his posi- tion. He was received with equal gallantry by the second brigade, and, after a close contest of bayonets, was driven down the hill. The attack was renewed a second time with no better success ; and at last, about midnight, a third and final attempt was made, which was not defeated until after great loss on both sides. The firing then ceased in every direction, the British troops having been withdrawn, leaving their opponents in possession of the field. The brigade of General Scott had, while this contest was continued, been reformed, and, passing through an opening of General Ripley's line, made an un- successful charge upon the enemy's right flank; and afterwards, participating in the conflict, it took post on the left. In this severe engagement Generals Brown and 256 BATTLE-FIELDS iXD Scott were both wounded and compelled to leave the field. The command therefore devolved upon General Ripley, who, with this information, received directions from General Brown to collect the wounded and return to camp. Unfortunately, no means were: at hand for the removal of the captured artillery. Most of the horses had been killed, and the troops: were so much exhausted as to render the removal of the cannon by hand impracticable. They were, therefore, reluctantly left on the ground, having been previously spiked and otherwise injured. The wounded being collected and the shattered remains of the army consolidated, the line of march was taken up in good order for the camp. The loss of men was remarkably equal in number on both) sides ; but, from the inferior numerical force of the Americans, it fell more severely on them. Of the British 84 were killed, of whom 5 were officers, 559 wounded, including Generals Drum- mond and Riall and 39 other officers, and 234 missing and prisoners: in all, 878. Of the Ame- ricans 860 were killed, wouuded, or missing. NAVAL EXPLOITS, 257 SIEGE OF FORT ERIE. The capture of Major-General Riall and many other of the enemy's officers was owing to the enter- prise and skill of Major Jessup, — one of the most gallant and accomplished of soldiers, whose humanity was as strongly displayed on this occasion as his valor. To the judgment of General Ripley and the unsurpassed steadiness of his brigade, particularly of the 21st regiment, under Colonel Miller, the final Buccess of the day seems to have been greatly owing; jand the storming of the heights of Bridgewater will long be remembered among the most gallant achieve- ments in the American annals. The remains of the army having been marched back to the camp, General Ripley received directions from General Brown to refresh the troops and return I to the field of battle in the morning, there to be 17 258 BATTLE-FIELDS AND governed by circumstances. Accordingly, at dawn on the succeeding day the troops were put in motion for that purpose ; but General Ripley, having ascer- tained that the enemy w^as strongly posted in front and his line nearly double that of the Americans, his own force being reduced to 1600 men, resolved to disobey his instructions and avoid a contest with an enemy of such superior force. He therefore broke up his camp at Chippewa, and, destroying the bridges in his rear, retreated to Fort Erie, and immediately proceeded to strengthen and extend its defences. This wise and judicious retreat, which was severely censured at the time, probably saved the remains of this gallant army from entire destruction. The enemy, to the number of about 5000 men, soon afterwards followed his footsteps and appeared before Fort Erie, to which they began to lay a regular siege. In the mean time, by the indefatigable ex- ertions of the American troops, the fort was put in a better state of defence, although still imperfect. The main camp of the enemy was distant about two miles from the American fortifications, around which they now commenced a double line of intrench- ments, supported by block-liouses. On the 5th of August — the day after the com- mencement of the siege — General Gaines arrived from Sackett's Harbor, and, being the senior officer, took the command. From this day to the 14th nothing material occurred, the enemy being em- ployed in cannonading the American batteries and drawing closer their lines of circamvallation. At length, on the evening of that day, an unusual HAYAL EXPLOITS. 259 ENEEAl T0W8OB. 2G0 BATTLE-FIELDS AND degree of activity being observed in the British camp, it was conjectured that an assault would be attempted ; and preparations were therefore made to receive it. At two in the morning of the 15th the British troops moved from their intrench men ts in three columns, — the right under Colonel Fischer, the centre and left under Colonels Drummond and Scott. The approach of the right column was soon perceived on the American left, which was defended by the 21st regiment and Towson's artillery, be- tween whom and the enemy only a line of loose brush intervened. The column was permitted to approach within a short distance, when so destruc- tive a fire was opened upon it that it fell back in confusion. The attempt was four times renewed, with no greater success ; and the enemy at last broke and fled to the encampment. In the mean time the left and centre columns had advanced at the same moment to the assault. The former were received by the 9th regiment, the artillery of Captain Douglass, and two companies of volunteers, of New York and Pennsylvania, and retreated after the first fire. The efforts of the centre column, however, were more steady and suc- cessful. Being covered in a great measure by a ravine, they suddenly emerged, and, placing scaling- ladders to the wall, ascended the parapet, and, after a sanguinary struggle, in which they were twice repulsed, succeeded for a short time in establishing themselves in the bastion. At this moment an explosion took place under the platform which de- stroyed great numbers of both armies and caused the sudden and confused flight of the enemy, whose NAVAL EXPLOITS. 261 numbers were thinned in their retreat by the Ame- rican artillery. In this sanguinary and protracted contest, which continued until after daylight, the British troops suffered very severely. According to the official report of their commander, 57 were killed, including Colonels Scott and Drummond, the leaders of the left and centre columns, 319 wounded, and 539 missing, of whom about 200 were taken prisoners. The American loss amounted to but 84 in killed, wounded, and missing. Among the killed, however, were Captain Williams and Lieutenant McDonough of the artillery, both officers of great promise. After this repulse the British troops lay com- paratively inactive for a considerable period. A cannonading was, indeed, kept up on both sides, without material consequences. By the bursting of a shell General Gaines received a wound that obliged him to retire from the command, which then devolved on General Ripley, and was retained by him until the 2d of September, when General Brown, having recovered from his wounds, resumed it. The batteries of the enemy began now to appear every day more formidable ; fresh troops were con- stantly arriving; and every thing indicated an unfavorable destiny for the garrison of Fort Erie. Considerable anxiety was consequently excited in the public mind for the fate of these brave men. Keinforcements were, however, on the march from Plattsburg, which was itself menaced by Sir George Prevost. The fire from the batteries continuing to be very severe. General Brown resolved upon a sortie for the purpose of effecting :heir destruction. 262 BATTLE-FIELDS AND aENERAL PORTER. The British force consisted of three brigades of about 1500 men each, one of which was alternately stationed at the batteries, while the other two remained at the camp, two miles distant. The object proposed in the sortie was the destruction of the cannon and the defeat or capture of the brigade on duty before the arrival of the reserve. The 17th of September was fixed upon for this enter- prise. At noon of that day the troops moved out of the fort, in two divisions. The left, commanded by General Porter, and consisting of the riflemen and Indians under Colonel Gibson, and two columns, NAVAL EXPLOITS. 263 one under General Davis, the otlier under Colonel Wood, proceeded, by a road nearly opened through the forest, to the enemy's right. The right division, under General Miller, was stationed in the ravine, between the fort and the hostile lines, with direc- tions not to advance until General Porter should have reached the enemy's flank. The left division advanced with so much celerity that the enemy were completely surprised. A severe conflict, however, ensued, which in thirty minutes ended in the capture of the batteries and garrison, with the loss of Colonels Gibson and Wood, both of whom fell, gallantly fighting, at the head of their columns. The noise of the firing reaching the division of General Miller, he imniediately moved forward, and succeeded, after a close and desperate contest, in carrying the batteries opposed to him, and took possession of their block-houses. He was now joined by General Ripley, who took the command ; and, the remaining battery having been captured, the troops were employed in destroy- ing the enemy's works and spiking his cannon. At this moment General Ripley received a severe wound, and the command devolved upon General Miller. The object of the sortie being accomplished, the whole body returned to the fort, bringing with them 380 prisoners, and having destroyed the fruits of forty-seven days' labor. From the spirited resistance of the enemy, the loss sustained by the assailants was, as may be sup- posed, severe. Of killed the number amounted to 79, among whom was General Davis, of the New York militia; 232 were wounded, and 216 missing. 264 BATTLE-FIELDS AND The official report of the British commander acknow- ledged a loss of 609 men, 115 of whom were killed, 178 wounded, and 316 prisoners. The enemy claimed a victory; but their retreat, which took place a few days afterwards, palpably contradicted this pretension. The reinforcements from Plattsburg, amounting to nearly 5000 men, which had taken a circuitous route and were delayed a considerable time, arrived on the 9th of October at Fort Erie, and the com- mand of the whole force then devolved upon Major- General Izard. The enemy having fallen back behind the Chippewa, that officer moved from Fort Erie on the 14th, with the design of bringing him to action. On the 18th General Bissell was de- spatched with about 900 men to destroy the enemy's stores at Lyon's Creek, which service he executed after a sharp contest with a detachment from the enemy's army of about 1200 men under the Mar- quis of Tweedale, which he succeeded in repulsing. The army of General Izard had, in the mean time, advanced towards Chippewa, where it found the enemy strongly posted in an intrenched camp, from which various attempts were made to entice him, without success. The season being now far ad- vanced, it was determined to withdraw the army to the American shore. Fort Erie being therefore destroyed. General Izard evacuated the Canadian territory, and distributed his troops at the posts of Buffiilo, Black Rock, and Batavia : and thus termi- nated the third and last invasion of the peninsula by the American forces. NATAL EXPLOITS, 265 [ODORE MODONOtJGl BA.TTLES OF PLATTSBURG AND LAKE CHAMPLAIN. In the mean time, events occurred in other quar- ters of the Union no less honorable to the Ameri- can arms. Sir George Prevost, Governor-General of Canada, having collected all his disposable force for an invasion of the Union as far as Crown Point, entered the country on the 1st of the month and occupied the village of Champlain. There he issued proclamations tending to dissuade the people from their allegiance, and inviting them to furnish the army with provisions for their further progress. General Macomb was then at Plattsburg, with about 2000 American troops, many of whom were militia. He made able dispositions of his small force, and prepared for a determined resistance to the pro- gress of Prevost. Simultaneously with their opera- tions on land, the enemy prepared their fleet foi action on Lake Champlain. The American fleet, under Commodore McDo- 266 BATTLE-FIELDS AND noiigli, lay at anchor in Burlington Bay, on the right flank of the American lines, and two miles distant. Great exertions had been made by both parties to produce a superior naval force on this lake, — the Americans at Otter Creek, and the British at the Isle aux Noix. On comparing their relative strength on the 11th of September, the American fleet consisted of the Saratoga, flag-ship, mounting 26 guns; Eagle, 20 guns; Ticonderoga, 17 guns; BDELINQTON BAT. Preble, 7 guns; six galleys of two guns each, 12 guns ; four of one, 4 guns : making in the whole 86 i guns and 820 men. The British fleet consisted of the frigate Confiance, flag-ship, mounting 39 guns; Linnet, 16 guns; Cherub, 11 guns; Finch, 11 guns; five galleys of two guns each, 10 guns; eight of one, 8 guns : making in the whole 95 guns and 1020 men. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 267 The British-land forces employed themselves from the 7th to the 11th in bringing up their heavy artil- lery and strengthening their works on the north bank of the Saranac. Their fortified encampment was on a ridge a little to the west of the town, their right near the river, and their left resting on the lake, one mile in the rear of the village. Having determined on a simultaneous attack by land and water, they lay in this position on the morning of the 11th, waiting the approach of their fleet. At eight o'clock the wished-for ships appeared under easy sail, mov- ing round Cumberland Head, and were hailed with joyous acclamations. At nine o'clock they anchored within three hundred yards of the American squa- dron, in line of battle, — the Confiance opposed to the Saratoga, the Linnet to the Eagle, thirteen British galleys to the Ticonderoga, Preble, and a division of the American galleys, the Cherub assisting the Con- fiance and Linnet and the Finch aiding the galleys. In this position, the weather being perfectly clear and calm and the bay smooth, the whole force on both sides became at once engaged. About an hour and a half after the commencement of the action the starboard guns of the Saratoga were nearly all dis- mantled. The commandant ordered a stern-anchor to be dropped and the lower cable cut, by means of ivhich the ship rounded to and presented a fresh Droadside to her enemy. The Confiance attempted :he same operation and failed. This was attended with, such powerful effects that she was obliged to surrender in a few minutes. The whole broadside >f the Saratoga was then brought to bear on the Linnet, and in fifteen minutes she followed the ex- 268 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ample of her flag-ship. One of the British sloopaj struck to the Eagle ; three galleys were sunk, and| the rest made off. No ship in the fleet being able to follow them, they escaped down the lake. There was no mast standing in either squadron at the close of the action to which a sail could be attached. The Saratoga received fifty-five round-shot in her hull and the Confiance one hundred and five. The actioni lasted without any cessation, on a smooth sea, at close quarters, two hours and twenty minutes. In the American squadron 52 were killed and 58 wounded. In the British, 84 were killed and 110 wounded. Among the slain was the British com- mandant, Commodore Downie. This engagement was in full view of both armies and of numerous spectators collected on the heights bordering on the bay to witness the scene. It was viewed by the in- habitants with trembling anxiety, as success on the part of the British would have opened to them an easy passage into the heart of the country and ex- posed a numerous population on the borders of the lake to British ravages. When the flag of the Con- fiance was struck, the shores resounded with the acclamations of the American troops and citizens. The British, when they saw their fleet completely conquered, were dispirited and confounded. At the moment of the commencement of the naval action, the British, from their works on shore, opened a heavy fire of shot, shells, and rockets, upon the American lines. This was continued with little in- terruption until sunset, and returned with spirit and effect. At six o'clock the firing on the part of the British ceased, every battery having been silenced NAVAL EXPLOITS. 269 GENERAL MACOMB. y the American artillery. At the commencement f the bombardment, and while the ships were en- aged, three desperate efforts were made by the British to pass the Saranac, for the purpose of carry- ig the American lines by assault. With this view, caling-1 adders, fascines, and every implement neces- ary for the purpose, were prepared. One attempt iras made to cross at the village-bridge, one at the pper bridge, and one at the ford-way, three miles Ibove the works. At each point they were met at he bank by the American troops and repulsed. At he bridges the American regulars immediately drove hem back. The ford was guarded by the volun- 270 BATTLE-FIELDS AND toers and militia. Here a considerable body of British effected a passage, and the militia retired into the neighboring woods, where their operations would be more effectual. A whole company of the 76th regiment was here destroyed, three lieutenants and 27 men taken, and the captain and the rest of the company killed. The residue of the British were obliged to recross the river with precipitation and considerable loss. At dusk the British withdrew their cannon from the batteries ; at nine o'clock sent off all the artillery and baggage for which they could procure transports ; and at two the following morning the whole army precipitately retreated, leaving their sick and wound- ed behind. Great quantities of provisions, tents, intrenching-tools, and ammunition, were also left.| Much was found concealed in the ponds and creeks' and buried in the ground. Their retreat was so sudden, rapid, and unexpected, that they arrived at Chazy, a distance of eight miles, before their de-J parture was known to the American general. Tho light troops and militia were immediately ordered out in pursuit, but were unable to make many pri- soners. Upwards of 300 deserters came in within two or three days after the action, who confirmed the account of Prevost's precipitate flight, and as- sisted in discovering the property they had con- cealed and left behind. The American loss on land during the day was 37 killed and 82 wounded and missing. General Macomb's official report estimates the British loss in land and naval forces since theiri leaving Montreal, in killed, wounded, prisoners, de-l perters, and missing, at 2500. 1 NAYAL EXPLOITS. 271 The British army engaged in this expedition con- sisted of 14,000 men. The precipitate retreat of so numerous and well-appointed an army from before a :brce of 1500 regulars and 3000 militia, suddenly called together, was unaccountable and wholly un- expected. General Prevost endeavored to justify limself to his government by imputing it to the loss of the fleet. But no active co-operation was or could 36 expected from their respective fleets by either army. The real ground was that the valor of the American troops in defence of their soil had con- vinced the British general that an attempt to pene- trate the country and carry his original plans into effect would be attended with defeat and disgrace. BLADENSBURG. BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG AND CAP- TURE OF THE CAPITAL. In the Chesapeake great devastation was com- mitted, in revenge, as was stated, for outrages upon the Canadians. Early in the year the General Go- vernment had received information that a powerful armament was preparing to make a descent upon the country in the vicinity of the Chesapeake; and measures for defence were taken. General Winder was placed in command of the land-forces called into the field for the defence of Washington, and Commodore Barney in command of a flotilla of gun- boats in the bay. In August the British fleet, under Admiral Coch- rane, conveying a large army, under Major-General KAVAL EXPLOITS. 273 Ross, arrived at the mouth of the Potomac. By great exertions General Winder was enabled to collect at Bladensburg about 5000 men, 350 of whom were regulars, and several hundred marines and seamen from Commodore Barney's flotilla. The British troops were landed, and about noon on the 29th of August reached Bladensburg. An obstinate contest ensued, in which the British suffered a severe loss but compelled the Americans to give way. As the militia retired, the British regulars ad- vanced upon the main road, and, coining immediately in front of Commodore Barney's flotilla, he opened an eighteen-pounder upon them, which cleared the road, and for a time disordered their column and re- tarded their approach. Two other attempts made by the enemy to pass the battery were also repulsed, I and General Ross marched a division of his troops j into an open field with a determination to flank the 1 commodore's right. This attempt also was frustrated by Captain Miller, of the marines, with three twelve- pounders, and the men of the flotilla acting as in- fantry. After .being thus kept in check about half an hour, General Ross began to outflank the right of the battery in large numbers, and pushed about 300 men upon General Smith's brigade, which, after exchanging a shot or two, fled as precipitately as the brigade of General Stansbury. In the panic pro- duced by this disorderly retreat the drivers of the ammunition-wagons fled also, and Commodore Bar- ney's small command was left to contend against the j whole force of the enemy with less than one com- plete round of cartridge. To add to the general mis- I fortune and to increase the difiiculties even of retir- 18 274 BATTLE-FIELDS AN D ing with credit, he had received a severe wound in his thigh, and his horse had been killed under him ; two of his principal officers were killed and Captain Miller and Sailing-master Martin wounded. The places of lENERAL SMITH. these could be promptly supplied from the men act- ing as infantry; but the means of repulsing the enemy were expended, and the British infiintry and marines were by this time completely in the rear of the battery. Thus situated, the commodore gave i NAVAL EXPLOITS. 275 I orders for a retreat, and, after being carried a short dis- tance from the scene of his gallantry, he fell exhausted by the loss of blood, and was soon after made prisoner by General Ross and Admiral Cockburn, who put him on his parole, and, having first removed him to their hospital at Bladensburg, ordered the immediate (attendance of their surgeons to dress his wound. Having thus obtained possession of the pass of ther bridge over the eastern branch of the Potomac, the enemy marched directly upon the capital, and im- mediately proceeded to the destruction of all the spacious and splendid edifices by which it was adorned. The Senate-house, the Represent ative- Ihall, the Supreme Court room, the President's house, with all its exterior and interior decorations, and the buildings containing the public Departments, were very soon demolished, and several private houses burned to the ground. The plunder of in- dividual property was prohibited, however, and soldiers transgressing the order were severely pu- nished. The principal vengeance of Admiral Cock- jurn — on whom, if the safety of the citizens' dwell- ings had alone depended, if he is to be judged by iiis former conduct, they would have rested on a slender guarantee — was directed against the printing- office of the editor of a newspaper, from whose press had been issued frequent accounts of the admiral's depredations along the coast. The navy-yard, as well as a new first-rate frigate and a sloop-of-war, were destroyed by order of Go- vernment upon the approach of the enemy, to pre- vent the immense public stores, munitions, and armaments deposited there from falling into his i 276 BATTLE-FIELDS AND hands. The Patent-office alone, in which were col- lected the rarest specimens of the arts of the country, escaped the insatiate vengeance of a foe whose de- stroying arm was directed against the most superb monuments of architectural skill and public munifi- cence. The public documents and official records, the flfigs and various other trophies of the repeated triumphs of the American arms, and the specie from all the banks in the district, had previously been placed beyond the reach of the invaders, and they returned from an irruption which excited the in- dignation of all parties in the Union and drew forth the deprecations of the principal nations in Europe. The President and the heads of Departments, all of whom had visited the rendezvous of the troops at Bladensburg the day before the battle, finding that the force which had been hastily assembled did not amount to the number called for by the requisitions upon the adjacent States, returned to the metropolis to make arrangements for the augmentation of Gene- ral Winder's army. This duty, which in times of less danger required the exercise of great energy, could not be performed before the enemy had encountered and defeated the corps already collected. The cap- ture of these officers would have caused at least a temporary derangement of the Government, and, in order that its functions might be resumed imme- diately after the departure of the enemy, they retired from the metropolis upon his approach. General Winder had also withdrawn with the remnant of his force to Montgomery Court-house ; the citizens w^ere incapable of opposing the hostile operations of the I NAVAL EXPLOITS. 277 [British commanders; and the capital was therefore {entirely at their mercy. I That division of the enemy's fleet which ascended the Potomac, consisting of eight sail, upon which were mounted 173 guns, and commanded by Captain Gor- idon, was directed to attack the city of Alexandria. As they approached up the river, the commander of Fort Warburton, Captain Dyson, destroyed that post and retired with his artillerists, and the British squad- ron passed up to the city without annoyance or im- pediment. The people of Alexandria surrendered their town and obtained a stipulation, on the 29th of August, from the British commander that their dwellings should not be entered or destroyed. The condition upon which this stipulation was made re- quired the immediate delivery to the enemy of all public and private naval and ordnance stores ; of all the shipping and the furniture necessary to their equipment then in port; of all the merchandise of every description, whether in the town or removed Tom it since the 19th of the month ; that such mer- chandise should be put on board the shipping at the expense of the owners ; and that all vessels which oaight have been sunk upon the approach of the snemy should be raised by the merchants and de- ivered up, with all their apparatus. These hard and mgenerous conditions were complied with ; and, on :he 6th of September, Captain Gordon moved off with I fleet of prize-vessels, which, as well as his frigates md other vessels of war, contained cargoes of booty. In descending the river he w^as warmly opposed, and received considerable damage from two batteries, at the White House and at Indian Head, under the 278 BATTLE-FIELDS AND respective commands of Captains Porter and Perry, of the navy, the former assisted by General Hunger- ford's brigade of Virginia militia infantry and Cap- tain Humphrey's company of riflemen, from Jeffer- i son county, and the latter by the brigade of General i Stewart and the volunteer companies of Major Peter and Captain Birch. The batteries, however, not being completed, and mounting but a few light pieces, could not prevent the departure of the enemy with his immense booty, though they kept up an incessant fire from the 3d until the 6th of the month upon the vessels passing down on each of those days. Commodore Rodgers, too, aided by Lieutenant New- combe and Sailing-master Ramage, made frequent attempts to destroy the enemy's shipping by ap- proaching him within range of musket-shot with several small fire-vessels. After tlie communication of the fire a change of wind prevented these vessels from getting in between the British frigates, though they excited much alarm among the fleet, whose men were actively employed in extinguishing the flames. These respective forces were afterwards concentrated, and Commodore Rodgers took posses- sion of Alexandria, with a determination to defend it, notwithstanding its surrender, against another attempt of the enemy, whose fleet was not yet oit of signt of the nearest battery. NAVAL EXPLOITS 279 iOMBARDMENT OF FORT JICHENRT. ATTEMPT OF THE BKITISH ON BALTIMORE. After the embarkation of the troops under Gene- ral Ross, whose loss at Bladen sburg amounted to nearly 1000 men in killed, wounded, prisoners, deserters, and those who died of fatigue. Admiral Cochrane concentrated the various detachments of his fleet, and made preparations for an attack upon the city of Baltimore. As the pow^erful armament approached, the alarm spread quickly through the adjacent country, and a large volunteer force collected, under Major-General Smith. The troops intended for the land-attack were debarked upon North Point, fourteen miles below the city, and, on the morning of the 12th of 280 BATTLE-FIELDS AXD September, nearly 8000 soldiers, sailors, and mariL^a^ had effected a landing, while sixteen bomb-vessela and frigates proceeded up the river and anchored within two miles and a half of Fort McHenry. General Smith detached General Strieker, with part of his brigade, on the North Point Road, and Major Randal, with riflemen and musketry, to the mouth of Bear Creek, to check the progress of the enemy. The light parties of the Americans were driven in, and the force, under General Strieker, was soon engaged with greatly-superior numbers. After an hour and twenty minutes' fighting, the Americans were compelled to retire to the high grounds in their rear. The enemy did not pursue. General Strieker was reinforced, and the Americans prepared their whole line of intrenchments and batteries for their reception. On the 13th the British army came in sight of the main body of the Americans and manoeuvred in their front, driv- ing in the vedettes. But, seeing the strength of the defences and the skilful dispositions of General Smith, they did not attack. In the mean time the British vessels bombarded Fort McHenry, which was bravely defended by its garrison, commanded by Major Armistead. The vessels suffered con- siderably from the fire of the American batteries. About midnight on the 13tli the British army re- treated to the point at which it landed, and re-em- barked. The next day the fleet dropped down the river. The British lost 700 men and their general, Ross; the Americans, 175. KAVAL EXPLOITS 281 ATTACK ON FORT BOWYER AND CAPTURE OF PENSACOLA. In the mean time an attack was made on the remote Southern coast, which was the prelude to an invasion of a more important nature. After the conclusion of the contest with the Creeks, the head- quarters of General Jackson were removed to Mobile, where, about the end of August, he received in- formation that a body of 300 British troops, with an immense quantity of the munitions of war, had arrived at Pensacola, in three armed vessels, and had marched into the fort at that place, then in the possession of the Spanish ; and that an additional force of thirteen sail-of-the-line, and 10,000 troops, was daily expected. From Pensacola Colonel Nicholls, the commander of the British forces, soon after issued a proclamation, addressed to the inhabit- ants of Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, recom- mending to them to "throw oflf the yoke under 282 BATTLE-FIELDS AND which they had been so long groaning and put an end to the unnatural war by which they were op- pressed." I About the same period, also, an attempt was rnade by the same officer to engage in his service a band of lawless pirates who had formed an establish- ment on the island of Barrataria, within the limits^ of Louisiana. The efforts of the American govern- ment had been hitherto unavailing to destroy thisi nest of outlaws. Mixing with the sanguinary, audacity of the buccaneer the address and caution of the smuggler, they had contrived, for a long time, under the government of a chief named Lafitte, to overawe or elude the expeditions sent against them. To these marauders the British officer made a pro- posal of union and alliance, communicating at the same time important information with respect to his designs ; but, although proscribed by the Ame- rican government, which had set a price upon his head, Lafitte would not consent to act the part of a traitor. Instead of accepting the British offers, he immediately made the whole known to Governor Claiborne, of Louisiana. Struck with this proof of magnanimity, that officer promised a general pardon to the whole band, on condition of their engaging in defence of the country, at that time menaced by invasion, — an ofler which was joyfully accepted by the Barratarians, who from that time rendered eminent services to the Republic, distinguishing themselves particularly at the defence of New Orleans. | The three vessels which had arrived at Pensacula,' joined by another, soon after sailed from that port NAVAL EXPLOITS. 283 for Mobile, and on the 15th of September appeared off Fort Bow} er. Mobile Bay is about thirty miles long, and of considerable breadth ; but its entrance is only five miles broad, and is completely com- manded by Fort Bowyer, which is situated at the extreme point on the east side of the bay. The fort was occupied by a small garrison, commanded by Major Lawrence. The British squadron, consisting of two ships and two brigs, appeared in sight about noon of the ] 5th, standing directly for the fort. About four o'clock in the afternoon the battery was opened upon them. The fire was immediately returned from all the ves- sels. A force of 110 marines, commanded by Colonel NichoUs, 200 Creek Indians, headed by Captain Woodbine, of the British navy, and about 20 artillerists, which had been previously landed in the rear of the fort, opened a fire upon it from a twelve-pounder and a howitzer; but they did no execution and were soon silenced by a few shot. The action continued without intermission on either side for nearly three hours, when three of the ves- sels were compelled to retire. The commodore's ship, which mounted twenty-two thirty-two-pound carronades, having anchored nearest the fort, had her cable cut by the shot, and was so much disabled that she drifted on shore, within six hundred yards of the battery ; when, the other vessels being out of reach, such a tremendous fire was opened upon her that she was set on fire and abandoned by such of her crew as survived. Of a crew of 170 men the commander and 20 men only escaped. On board of the other ship 85 were killed and wounded ; one 284 BATTLE-FIELDS AND of the brigs also was very considerably damaged, but her loss was not ascertained. The effective force in the fort was about 120 men; their loss was only 4 killed and 5 wounded. During the hottest part of the action the flagstaff was shot away, but the flag was immediately regained, under a heavy fire of grape and canister, hoisted on a sponge-staff, and planted on the parapet. The land-forces re- treated by land to Pensacola. The unprecedented conduct of the Governor of Pensacola, in harboring and aiding the British and their Indian allies and in allowing them to fit out expeditions against the United States from that port, had been forcibly remonstrated against by General Jackson, but hitherto without effect. Having been reinforced by about 2000 Tennessee militia, who had marched to Mobile through the Indian country, Jackson advanced to demand of the Spanish autho- rities in Pensacola redress for thus violating the rules of neutrality. He reached the vicinity of that post on the afternoon of the 6th of November, and immediately sent a flag to the governor to com- municate the object of his visit. The flag was fired on and forced to return. Nothing remained now but to take possession of that post, which had been so long a source of annoyance to the United States. General Jackson accordingly commenced the attack early on the 7th. The encampment of the Ame- rican army being to the west of the town, it was natural for the enemy to suppose that the attack would be made in that quarter ; a detachment of 500 men, however, was ordered to move in that direction, while, with the main body, he gained an opposite NAVAL EXPLOITS 285 and unexpected point, and, by hastening rapidly on, entered the town before the garrison was aware of his approach. They were unexpectedly saluted, however, by a battery formed in the street, which, after a few volleys, was carried at the point of the bayonet; and the Spanish and British troops were soon driven from all their positions. The governor then surrendered the town and forts unconditionally, and soon after signed a capitulation by which Pen- sacola and its dependencies were delivered up to the United States. The British, in evacuating the bay, destroyed the fortress of the Barrancas ; and General Jackson returned with his troops to Mobile. 286 BATTLE-FIELDS AND FORTIFTINa OF NE' BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. The projected nttack upon New Orleans, which it was now certain the British would attempt, in- duced General Jackson to proceed to that city with his troops. He accord in,i>;ly left Mobile on the 22d of November, and arrived at New Orleans on the 2d of the succeeding month. Li the situation in which he found that city, abundant occasion existed for the display of those warlike talents and that mental energy with which he was eminently gifted. The population was composed of a mixture of various nations, among whom there was little bond of union; and, the country having been but recently trans- ferred to the Republic, there was perhaps less national attachment than in any other quarter. Discontent and apprehension pervaded a great por- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 287 tion of the community ; the city corps refused to turn out on the requisition of General Flournoy ; and even the legislature of the State^ then in ses- sion, encouraged them in their disobedience. Added to this, the important post to be defended was ap- proachable in various quarters, and the troops stationed at each of these points were insufficient to defend them. But the intrepid spirit of General Jackson was unappalled in the midst of the difficul- ties with which he was surrounded. He immedi- ately adopted the most decided and efficient measures for the defence of the place. He visited in person every point at which an invading enemy might be opposed, and left no point unfortified that could afc all conduce to the great object of defence. The grand approach by the Mississippi was secured by batteries, and the inlets and bayous were obstructed by all possible means. The active and energetic measures and the confident tone of the commanding general revived the spirits of the inhabitants of Louisiana, which had fallen at the prospect of inva- sion by so numerous an army as that which it was ascertained was on their coast; and all the true lovers of their country in the State flocked to his banner, and declared their intention of standing by him till the British were expelled from their shores or they had died /or their country. Upon the lakes to the east of the town a small force of five gun- boats, under Lieutenant Jones, had been collected, which, in the narrow passes, would, it was supposed, be competent to repel any force that could be con- veniently brought against them. Information having been Tece* ved early in Decern- 288 BATTLE-FIELDS AND ber of the arrival of sixty sail of vessels off Ship Island, Lieutenant Jones made sail for the passes leading into Lake'Pontchartrain, where they might be opposed to advantage. On the 14th the enemy were discovered, moving, in forty-three gun-boats, with 1200 men, to the attack of Lieutenant Jones's small force, which, consisting of five gun-boats, as mentioned above, and 180 men, lay becalmed in an unfavorable position. After a gallant resistance of an hour against such an overpowering superiority of force, the American flotilla was compelled to sur- render, with the loss of about 40 killed and wounded. That of the assailants was, from concurrent circum- stances, believed not to have been less than 300. This gave the British the command of Lakes Pont- chartrain and Borgne. The capture of tlie gun-boats, upon which General Jackson had depended greatly as a means of defence as well as of the transmission of intelligence, made it necessary to use greater exertions than before on the land. The militia of New Orleans was called out en masse ; and measures which nothing but the urgent necessity of the case could justify were adopted. An embargo was laid on all vessels in the harbor ; the negroes were impressed and compelled to work on the fortifications; and, on the 16th, martial law, of the most rigid nature, was proclaimed by General Jackson. The rigid police which this last measure enabled him to exert soon freed the city from the disaffected, the spies, and the traitors, with which it had abounded ; and the citizens arose as one man and labored day and night at the fortifi- cations. NAVAL EXPLOITS. 289 By his command of Lake Borgne the enemy had it in his power to approach New Orleans by any of the numerous bayous and canals leading to the Mis- sissippi. Most of these had been obstructed with great care. Unfortunately, however, a pass, called the Bayou Bienvenue, which was little known and used only by fishermen, was left open, and unde- fended except by a picket-guard. Guided by some traitors, the enemy, on the 23d, came suddenly on the American guard through that secret passage, and, having made them prisoners, pushed rapidly on, and, by two o'clock in the afternoon, reached the bank of the river. This intelligence being conveyed to General Jackson, he resolved immediately to attack them. Having therefore collected about 2000 men, he marched at five in the afternoon to meet the enemy, and at seven came in sight of them, encamped on the bank of the river, and engaged in preparing their evening repast. The enemy's force on shore amounted to about 3000 men, and extended half a mile on the river, and in the rear to a wood. Their position being thus exposed to an attack from the water, it was determined that a fire should be opened upon it from Conmiodore Patterson's schooner, the Caroline, at the same time that General Coffee, with his brigade, assailed their right, and General Jackson, wdth the remainder of the force, attacked the strongest part of the position, near the river. The darkness of the night preventing a discovery, the Caroline gained her position, and opened a heavy and galling cannonade, the seamen being lighted to the slaughter by the enemy's own camp-fires. This >vas the first intimation that the British had of the 19 290 BATTLE-FIELDS AND approach of an enemy. At the same moment the brigade of General Coffee rushed impetuously on their right and entered their camp, while the force of GeneralJackson assailed their front and left with, equal ardor. Though taken by surprise and severali hundred killed or wounded, the enemy w^ere not yetl defeated. Extinguishing their fires, they came boldly forward into action. A thick fog arising shortly; after the commencement of the engagement, General Jackson deemed it most prudent to call off his troops; and, having lain on the field all night, he retired in the morning to a stronger position, about two miles nearer the city. His loss was 24 killed, 115 wounded, and 74 missing; that of the British was 46 killed, 162 wounded, and 64 missing. I . The position now taken by General Jackson occu- pied both banks of the river. On the eastern bank, a ditch containing five feet water, which had been dug for agricultural purposes, reaching from the river to the swamp, was now made use of for an im- portant military purpose. On its northern bank in- trenchments were thrown up, and large quantities of cotton-bales were so arranged as to protect the troops effectually from the enemy's fire. These works were well mounted with artillery. On the western bank of the river a heavy battery of fifteen cannon enfiladed the whole front of the position on the eastern bank. This battery was manned by Com- modore Patterson, with the crews of part of his squadron, and near him General Morgan was sta- tioned with a body of militia. In the mean time the enemy, who had suffered severely from the fire of the Caroline, took advantage NAVAL EXPLOITS. 291 of her running aground on the 27th, set her on fire and destroyed her by means of hot shot. On the 28th, the British commander-in-chief, Sir Edward Packenham, having landed with the main body of his army and a large train of artillery, advanced within half a mile of the American works and com- menced a furious attack with rockets, bombs, and a heavy cannonade. The fire, however, from the batteries and an American vessel, the Louisiana, caused so much destruction that, after a severe con- test, the British general drew ofi" his troops with con- siderable loss. On the 1st of January, 1815, the invaders made another attempt to force General Jackson's fortifications. They had in the night erected a battery, and early in the morning opened a brisk cannonade, making, at the same time, tw^o bold efforts to turn his left wing; but they were again repulsed, with the loss of about 70 men. Shortly after this event both armies were reinforced, — that of General Jackson by the arrival of 2500 Kentuckians, under General Adair, and that of the invaders by General Lambert, with 4000 men. The American force now consisted of about 7000 men, most of them indiiferently armed ; that of the British of about 12,000, all of whom were veterans, well appointed, and commanded by able and expe- rienced officers. With great labor, the British gene- ral completed, on the 7th of January, a canal from the bayou to the Mississippi, by which he was enabled to transport the necessary number of boats and troops to the attack of the works on the western side of that river. The American com- mander had, in the mean time, not been deficient in /^92 BATTLE-FIELDS AND preparation. His works had now been completed. The defences on the eastern bank were manned with the Tennessee and part of the Kentucky militia, under the personal command of General Jackson. Early in the morning of the 8th of January — a day which will ever be memorable in the annals of the Republic — the British commander, having de- tached Colonel Thornton with a strong body to the west bank, moved to the assault with the remainder of his force, in two columns, under Generals Gibbs and Keane, the reserve being commanded by Gene- ral Lambert. They approached with determined countenances, slowly but firmly, accompanied by detachments carrying fascines and scaling-ladders. The former were designed to fill up the ditch, and with the latter they intended to mount the ramparts. When they arrived within nine hundred yards, the Americans commenced a heavy and incessant can- nonade, which mowed them down with terrible slaughter. But they still moved on with a firm step, invariably supplying the place of the fallen with fresh troops. At length they came within reach of the American small-arms. Then com- menced a stream of such well-directed and destruc- tive fire that, after losing hundreds in the vain attempt to advance, they broke, and retreated in confusion. In the endeavor to rally them their } commander-in-chief. Sir Edward Packenham, was killed. A second time did the British columns ., advance to within a short distance of the ditch, with the same ill success. The cannon thundered from every battery, the Tennessee riHes were levelled with deadly aim, and grape-shot and sheila NAVAL EXPLOITS 293 were scattered as thick as hailstones over the plain. The British again faltered, and again were pressed forward by their officers. But all their efforts suc- ceeded only in leading their veteran soldiers to destruction : the men shrunk from a contest in which they saw nothing but immediate slaughter. The columns broke and retreated in confusion. A ATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, third but equally unavailing attempt was made by the British officers to bring them up to the charge. The loss of the commander-in-chief, the disability of Generals Gibbs and Keane, who were severely wounded, and the sight of the plain, covered as it was with the bodies of near 2000 dead and wounded, operated in checking any further advance. General Lambert^ on whom the command now devolved, 294 BATTLE-FIELDS AND finding that no hope remained of a successful result, collected together the broken remnants of this once- formidable army and retired to the encampment. In the mean time the detachment under Colonel Thornton, after landing on the west bank, imme- diately attacked the American works. The Ken- tucky militia, believing themselves to be outflanked, retreated, leaving the enemy in possession of their works. This post completely commanding that on the opposite bank, its occupation by the enemy would have proved of the most serious detriment to General Jackson, had he not, by a dexterous strata- gem, induced him to abandon it. General Lambert having proposed an armistice, to continue till twelve o'clock, in order to enable him to remove his dead from the field of battle, the proposition was agreed to by the American commander, with a condition, however, that it should not extend to the west bank, to which no reinforcements were to be sent by either party. Deceived by this reservation, and supposing that a large American force was already on that bank. General Lambert ordered Colonel Thornton to witbdraw his troops, and it was immediately re- occupied by General Jackson. Li this battle the British loss was 293 killed, 1267 wounded, and 484 missing or prisoners, in- cluding almost all the commanding ofhcers ; while of the Americans only 13 were killed, 39 wounded, and 19 missing. This splendid and most important victory was thus rendered doubly gratifying, from the reflection that it was clouded by the loss of so few of those by whose exertions it was achieved. From New Orleans the whole British fleet pro- NAVAL EXPLOITS, 2['5 ceeded to Mobile Bay, where they took possession of Fort Bowyer, which was garrisoned by 375 men, — a number so small w^ien compared with that of the force sent against them as to render resistance un- availing. The further prosecution of their schemes of conquest was arrested about this time by the news of peace, which being soon after confirmed officially, the territory of the United States was evacuated by the British. fy> y— "•^ Americans into bodies. A desperate fight took place, in which the Mexicans behaved with unwonted courage ; but, by skilful manoeuvring, Walker suc- ceeded in uniting his forces, and entered the con- vent-yard, where the command was dismounted. Here another action took place,.in which the lancers were assisted by both artillery and infantry. Here, while directing the movements of his little band, Captain Walker fell mortally wounded, and soon afterwards expired. The enemy were driven back. Meanwhile the main column of the American forces arrived at the city and opened their fire upon masses of the enemy. Gorman, with tlie left wing of his regiment, proceeded towards the upper part of the town, where the enemy still were, and suc- ceeded in dispersing them. At the same time Colonel Wynkoop's command had assumed position; but before they could open their batteries the Mexicans had tied. In this hard-fought action the loss of the Ame- NAYAL EXPLOITS 431 ricans was 13 killed and 11 wounded. They suc- ceeded in capturing one six-pounder brass gun, a mountain-howitzer, numerous wagons, and a large quantity of ammunition. The Mexicans lost, ir killed and wounded, 150. CAPTAIN WALKER. After this battle General Lane marched to the relief of Colonel Childs. He remained at Puebla with his whole force until the evening of the 18th of October, when information was received that the Mexican general Rea was at Atlixco, thirty miles 432 BATTLE-FIELDS AND distant, in considerable force. Lane immediately ordered his troops to be ready for marching on the following morning at eleven o'clock. At that time he left Puebla with nearly the same force that had entered it, and, after a forced march of five hours' duration, came in sight of the enemy's advance- guard, near Santa Isabella. Here a halt w^as made until the cavalry could come up from their examina- tion of a neighboring hacienda. Meanwhile small parties of the enemy came to the foot of the hill and opened a straggling fire, which did no execution. On the arrival of the cavalry, Lane put his who'3 force in motion ; but, as signs of confusion appeared among the Mexicans, he hurried on the cavalry to charge the enemy and keep them engaged until the infantry could come up. As the Americans ap- proached the Mexicans retired, until, at a small hill, about a mile and a half from their first position, they halted and fought severely. The action was continued until, by a forced march, the American infantry arrived, when they again fled, pursued by the cavalry. Another running fight of about four miles took place, during which many of the fugitives were cut down. When within less than two miles of Atlixco, the enemy's main body was observed posted on a side-hill behind rows of chapparal hedges. Without stopping to ascertain their num- bers, the cavalry dashed among them, dealing death on all sides, and forcing them within the thickest part of their shelter. Then, dismounting, the as- sailants entered the chapparal, hand to hand with their foe. Here the struggle was long and terrible, scores of the enemy falling beneath the heavy blow^? NAVAL EXPLOITS. 4o3 of their opponents. Tliis continued until the arrival of the infantry, who for the last six miles had been straining themselves to the utmost to join the cavalry, notwithstanding the previous fatiguing march of sixteen miles. The road being intersected by numerous gullies prevented the artillery from advancing faster than at a walk; and so worn out were the cavalry, both through exertio:i and the heat of the weather, that they could pursue the enemy no farther. The column continued, however, to press forward towards the town; but night had already set in when it reached a hill overlooking it. But the moon shone with a splendor which afforded a fine view of all the surrounding country, and enabled the American general to continue his opera- tions with perfect certainty. As the Americans approached, several shots were fired upon them ; and, deeming it imprudent to risk a street fight in an unknown town at night, General Lane ordered the artillery to be posted on a hill overlooking the town, and to open upon it. This w^as speedily put in execution, so that in a very short time the terrified inhabitants beheld flaming balls and shells hurled into their town with a pre- cision and effect to which their own system of war- fare afforded no parallel. Every gun was served with the utmost rapidity ; and, amid the stillness of a Mexican night-scene, the discharges of artillery pealed for miles around, while at intervals the crashing of walls and roofs afforded a strange and distressing contrast. This bombardment continued for nearly an hour with great effect ; the gunners 28 434 BATTLE-FIELDS AND being enabled by the moonlight to direct their shot to the most populous parts of the town. The firing from the town had now ceased; and, wishing to obtain, if possible, its surrender, Lane ordered Major Lally and Colonel Brough to advance cautiously with their commands into the town. On their entering, the general was met by the ayunta^ miejito, or city council, who desired that their town might be spared. Quiet was accordingly restored, and on the following morning Lane disposed of such ammunition as could be found, and then commenced his return to Puebla. NAVAL EXPLOITS, 435 COLONEL FREMONT. OCCUPATION OF CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO. Tn May, 1846, President Polk was authorized by Congress to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers, to continue the war which had commenced on the 436 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Rio Grande. Of this number ten companies com- posed a force destined to act against Santa Fe. They were formed of five companies United States dra- goons, two of foot, two light artillery, and one volunteer horse. This army was placed under the direction of Colonel Stephen W. Kearney, who, in a confidential letter from Secretary Marcy, dated June 3, 1846, received in substance the following instruc- tions : — To organize for the expedition an additional force of 1000 men, in order to proceed from Santa Fe against Upper California ; to establish a govern- ment there after taking possession ; to receive as volunteers a number of Mormon and other emigrants, recently settled in the province ; to co-operate with the naval force in the Pacific; to open trade with the Indians : and to respect the rights of the Cali- fornians. The letter concludes as follows: — " I am directed by the President to say that the rank of brevet brigadier-general will be conferred on you as soon as you commence your movement towards Cali- fornia, and sent round to you by sea, or over the country, or to the care of the commandant of our squadron in the Pacific. In that way cannon, arms, ammunition, and supplies for the land-forces, will be sent you." The dep6t of Kearney's force was Fort Leaven- worth. On the 27th of June his advance commenced its march ; and by the 1st of August more than 1600 men were concentrated at Bent's Fort, having marched a distance of ^ve hundred and sixty-four miles. The march was resumed on the 3d, and, after a toilsome journey over frightful prairies, they NAVAL EXPLOITS. 437 arrived, August 12, at the mountains near the Rio Grande. Signs of hostility now began to appear; and messages arrived from General Armigo, Governor of Santa Fe, requesting Kearney to advance no f^irther, or at least to consent to negotiations for peace. The tone of these was dignified but earnest. The American commander replied that he came to take possession ; that the peaceable inhabitants should be well treated, but that the vengeance of both army and government would be poured upon ' all others. On the march the colonel received a ' despatch from Government constituting him briga- dier-general. On the 18th of August General Kearney took possession of Santa Fe in the name of the United States. The oath of allegiance was administered to the alcalde and inhabitants, and a military terri- torial government established. No opposition was experienced, Governor Armigo and his army having fled at the approach of the Americans. General Kearney was proclaimed governor, erected a fort, (called Fort Marcy,) and published a proclamation , to the inhabitants. After seeing every thing in a state of tranquillity, General Kearney commenced his march, September 25, for the distant region of California. Before the general had accomplished this arduous undertaking, Colonel Doniphan, with his citizen volunteers, commenced one of equal magnitude, and pregnant with events of paramount importance. When Kearney left Santa Fe he ordered the colonel to proceed as soon as practicable into Chihuahua 438 BATTLE-FIELDS AND and report to General Wool^ who, with the centre division, had been intrusted with the conquering of that province. On the 17th of December, Doniphan, with 924 men, began his expedition. On the 24th they reached the Jornada Lake, into which runs the Brazito River, more than twenty miles from the Paso del Norte of the eastern mountain-range. Here they were informed that the Mexicans, to the number of 1000, were collected at the Pass, ready for an attack. The Americans numbered about 600, the remainder being sick. On the afternoon of the following day (Christmas) the enemy were seen approaching, and, when within eight hundred yards, extended themselves so as to cover the Ame- rican flank. An officer approached, carrying a black flag, and, after proclaiming no quarters, rejoined his column, which immediately charged at a rapid gallop. The conflict was but short, — the Mexicans being de- feated with the loss of 30 killed, and driven into the mountains. Eight were captured, six of whom subsequently died ; and their single piece of cannon was also taken. The Americans had seven wounded. On the 27th Doniphan entered the town of El Paso without resistance, where he was reinforced by Major Clark's artillery. On the 8th of February, 1847, the whole com- mand (924 men) left the Paso del Norte and marched for Chihuahua. On the 28th was fous-ht the great battle of Sacramento. This action, with the position itself^ is thus described by Colonel Doniphan : — *' The Pass of the Sacramento is formed by a NAVAL EXPLOITS. 439 point of the mountains on our right (their left) ex- tending into the valley or plain, so as to narrow the valley to about one and a half miles. On our left was a deep, dry, sandy channel of a creek, and between these points the plain rises to sixty feet abruptly. This rise is in the form of a crescent, the convex part being to the north of our forces. On the right from the point of mountains, a narrow part of the plain extends north one and a half miles farther than on the left. The main road passes down the centre of the valley and across the crescent near the left or dry branch. The Sacramento rises in the mountains on the right, and the road falls on to it about one mile below the battle-field or intrench- ment of the enemy. We ascertained that the enemy had one battery of four guns, two nine and two six- pounders, on the point of the mountain (their left) at a good elevation to sweep the plain, and at a point where the mountain extended farthest into the plain. On our left (their right) they had another battery on an elevation commanding the road, and three intrenchments of two six-pounders; and on the brow of the crescent, near the centre, another of two six, and two four and six culverins, or rampart- pieces, mounted on carriages ; and on the crest of the hill, or ascent between the batteries, and the right and left, they had twenty-seven redoubts dug and thrown up, extending at short intervals across the whole ground. In these their infantry were placed and were entirely protected. Their cavalry was drawn up in front of the redoubts, four deep, and in rear of the redoubts two deep, so as to mask tliem as far as practicable. 440 BATTLE-FIELDS AND "We now commenced the action by a brisk tire from our battery, and the enemy unmasked and commenced also. Our fire proved effective at this distance, killing 15 men, wounding and disabling one of the enemy's guns. We had two men slightly wounded, and several horses and mules killed. The enemy then slowly retreated behind their works in some confusion, and we resumed our march in our former order, still diverging more to the right to avoid their battery on our left, and their stronger!, redoubts, which were on the left near where the road passes. . . . The howitzers charged at speed, and were gallantly sustained by Captain Reid ; but, by some misunderstanding, my order was not given to the other two companies, Parsons's and Hudson's. Captain Hudson, anticipating my order, charged in time to give ample support to the howitzers. Cap- tain Parsons at the same moment came to me and asked permission for his company to charge the redoubts immediately to the left of Captain Wright- man, which he did very gallantly. " The remainder of the two battalions of the first regiment were dismounted during the cavalry charge, and, following rapidly on foot, and Major Clark ad- vancing as rapidly as practicable with the remainder of the battery, we charged their redoubts from right to left, with a brisk and deadly fire of riflemen, while Major Clark opened a rapid and well-directed fire on a column of cavalry attempting to pass to our left so as to attack the wagons and our rear. The fire was so well directed as to force them to fall back, and our riflemen, with their cavalry and howitzers, cleared it after an obstinate resistance. Our forces NAVAL EXPLOITS. 441 advanced to the very brink of their redoubts, and attacked them with their sabres. When the redoubts were cleared and the batteries in the centre and our left were silenced, the main battery on our right still continued to pour in a constant and heavy fire, as it had done during the heat of the engagement ; but, as the whole fate of the battle depended upon carry- ing the redoubts and centre battery, this one on the right remained un attacked, and the enemy had rallied there 500 strong. "Major Clark was directed to commence a heavy fire upon it, while Lieutenant-Colonels Mitchell and Jackson, commanding the first battalion, were ordered to remount and charge the battery on the left, while Major Gilpin was directed to pass the second bat- talion on foot up the rough ascent of the mountain on the opposite side. The fire of our battery was 60 effective as to completely silence theirs, and the rapid advance of our column put them to flight over the mountains in great confusion. "Thus ended the battle of Sacramento. The force of the enemy was 1200 cavalry from Durango and Chihuahua, 300 artillerists, and 1420 rancheros, badly armed with lassoes, lances, and machetes or corn-knives, ten pieces of artillery, — two nine, two eight, four six, and two four-pounders, — and six culverins or rampart-pieces. . . . Our force was 924 effective men ; at least one hundred of whom were engaged in holding horses and driving teams. The loss of the enemy was his entire artillery, ten wagons, masses of beans and pinola, and other Mexican pro- visions, about 300 killed, about the same number wounded, many of whom have since died, and 40 442 BATTLE-FIELDS AND prisoners. The field was literally covered with the dead and wounded, from our artillery and the un erring fire of our riflemen. Night put a stop to the carnage, the battle having commenced about three o'clock. Our loss was 1 killed, 1 mortally wounded, and 7 so wounded as to recover without any loss of limbs." On the 1st of March Colonel Doniphan tool" pos- session of Chihuahua, where he remained three weeks. At the end of this time, having received orders from General Wool, he marched, April 25, for Saltillo. On the road. Captain Reid defeated about 50 Indians near El Paso, May 13, capturing one thousand horses. On the 22d of May the com- mand reached Wool's encampment, and, on the 27th, that of General Taylor. As the term of service of these gallant men had expired, they now commenced their return. Early in June they marched through Matamoras, and, on the 16th, arrived at New Orleans. Their reception was most enthusiastic, and they set out for their homes laden with the honors and congratulations of a benefited republic. In the mean time important events had been taking place in California. Before the war began, in 1846, the territory of Upper California formed the north- western portion of the Republic of Mexico. The chief portion of its inhabitants were Indians, on account of whose hostility the interior of the country was little known. The settlements of the descendants of the Spaniards and Mexicans were situated on the coast of the Pacific, or near it. These small towns had grown up around the missions established NAVAL EXPLOITS. 44S at different places by the Jesuits at an early period. Portions of the country situated in the valley of San Jose and in the vicinity of Los Angeles were very fertile. But the greater part of the territory was thought to be only fit for grazing purposes, and consequently the population increased very slowly. Intelligence of the commencement of the war upon the Rio Grande having reached the Pacific Ocean on the 2d of July, Commodore Sloat, commander of the squadron on that station, arrived at Monterey, and, on the 7th, the American flag was hoisted over that town amid the cheers of the Americans and a salute from' the ships in the harbor. Commodore Sloat then issued a proclamation to the people of California. On the 8th the American flag was hoisted at San Francisco, by Montgomery, com- mander of the sloop-of-war Portsmouth. Captain Fremont, who had arrived in California by an overland journey, with a party of about 170 men. took possession of Sonoma, one of the most northern posts in the territory, and, leaving a small garrison at that place, marched for the mission of San Juan, about thirty miles east of Monterey. He arrived there and took possession of the mission without opposition. A considerable quantity of stores was found there. The fortification of Monterey was commenced im- mediately after raising the United States flag. On the 23d, Commodore Sloat sailed in the Levant for the United States, leaving Commodore Stockton in command of the Pacific squadron. Immediately after, the Cyane, Commandant Dupont, with Captain Fremont and volunteers on board, sailed for San 444 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Diego, and the frigate Congress, Commodore Stock- ton, sailed for San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles, the capital of California. The frigate Savannah remained at Monterey, and the sloop-of-war Ports- mouth at San Francisco. Thus all the ports of the territory were secured. On the 17th of August Commodore Stockton issued a proclamation, declaring California in t! e full and peaceable possession of the United States, and authorizing the election of civil officers through- out the country. Colonel Fremont soon afterwards went north w^ith only 40 men, intending to recruit and return immediately. Early in September Com- modore Stockton withdrew all his forces and pro- ceeded with the squadron to San Francisco. Captain Gillespie was left in command of Pueblo de los Angeles, with about 30 riflemen ; and Lieutenant Talbot in command at Santa Barbara, with only 9 men. Scarcely had Commodore Stockton arrived at San Francisco, when he received information that all the country below Monterey was in arms and the Mexican flag again hoisted. He immediately returned, took command of the sailors, and, dragging by hand six of the ship's guns, marched towards Los Angeles. At the ranche Sepulinda the Californians were prepared to meet him ; but in the battle which ensued they were routed with great loss. By this victory Commodore Stockton acquired a sufficient number of horses, mounted his men, and organized his force for land-operations. On the 23d of September the City of the Angels was invested by an army of Californian.s, whose over- whelming numbers caused Captain Gillespie to sur- NAVAL EXPLOITS. 445 render that place. He returned with his 30 riflemen to San Pedro, and there embarked for Monterey. The Californian chief, Manuel Gaspar, then led 200 of his men against Santa Barbara, where they were braved by Lieutenant Talbot and his insignificant force for ten days. This youthful commander, who had won the esteem of Colonel Fremont in his former expeditions, now proved himself worthy of holding the post of danger. He held the town until he was completely besieged, and then, refusing to surrender, forced his way through the enemy to the mountains in the vicinity, where he remained eight days, suffering from cold and hunger. The enemy made several attempts to induce him to surrender, which he rejected. One detachment of 40 men ad- vanced to take him, but was driven back. They then offered to permit him to retire if he would pro- mise neutrality during the war; but he told them that he preferred to fight. At length, finding that neither force nor persuasion w^ould cause him to leave his position, they set fire to the grass and brush around him and burned him out. He then retreated with his 9 men to Monterey, five hundred miles, mostly on foot. The brave fellows were wel- comed as from the grave, the fears of their com- panions that they were slain having been confirmed by a report of the Californians to that effect. Colonel Fremcnt had made an attempt to go from San Fran- cisco to the relief of Captain Gillespie ; but, after being at sea twenty-nine days, he was compelled to put back to Monterey by bad weather. A day or two after the arrival of Lieutenant Talbot, a party of 27 Americans, under Captains Burrows and 446 BATTLE-FIELDS AND Thompson, were attacked by the Califorriians, 80 in number. Captain Burrows and three Americana were slain. Three of the enemy also fell, but they kept the Americans shut up at the mission of St. Johns until Major Fremont marched to their assist- ance. The whole party left St. Johns on the 26th of November, and arrived at San Fernando on +he 11th of January. During the progress of these events in California, General Kearney was on his march thither from Santa Fe. On the 6th of October he met Carson with 15 men coming as an express from the City of the Angels, with an account of the conquest of that country by Fremont and Stockton. With the devo- tion to the public service for which he has always been characterized, he complied with the request of General Kearney to allow some one else to take his despatches to Washington, and, giving up his hopes of seeing his family, he turned his fjice again towards the Pacific as a guide. General Kearney then sent back a part of his forces and continued his march with 100 men, well equipped. On the 15th of Octo- ber they left the Rio Grande and commenced the march across the mountains. On the 5th of December they were met by a small body of volunteers, under Captain Gillespie, who had come from San Diego for the purpose of giving them information concerning the state of the country. Captain Gillespie informed them that there was an armed party of Californians, with a number of extra horses, encamped at San Pasqual, three leagues dis- tant. General Kearney determined to march upon them, in the double hope of gaining a victory and a NAVAL EXPLOITS. 447 remount for his poor soldiers, who had completely worn out their animals in the march from Santa Fe, ten hundred and fifty miles. Captain Johnston led the advanced guard of 12 dragoons, mounted on the best horses in the company; then came 20 volunteers under Captains Gibson and Gillespie, and in the rear two mountain-howitzers, with dragoons to manage them, mounted on sorry mules. The rest of the army were ordered to follow on the trail of this detachment with the baggage. At daybreak on the 6th of December they encountered the enemy, who was already in the saddle. Captain Johnston made a furious charge upon them with the advance- guard, and was well supported by the dragoons. He fell almost in the very beginning of the fight; but the action did not flag, and the enemy were forced to retreat. Captain Moore led off rapidly in pur- suit, but the mules of the dragoons could not keep up with his horses, and the enemy, seeing the break in the line, renewed the fight and charged with the lance. They fought well, and their superiority of numbers had wellnigh proved fatal to the little band ; but the dragoons came up, and they finally fled from the field, carrying off" most of their dead with them. They had kept up a constant fire in the first part of the fight, and used their lances with great dexterity at its close, and the American loss was heavy. Captain Johnston, Captain Moore, Lieutenant Hammond, two Serjeants, two corporals, eleven privates, and a man attached to the topo- graphical department, were slain. General Kearney was wounded in two places. Captain Gillespie had three wounds, Lieutenant Warner, of the topogra- 448 BATTLE-FIELDS AND phical engineers, three, and Captain Gibson and eleven others were also wounded, most of them having from two to ten wounds from lances. The howitzers were not brought into action until near its close, when the mules attached to one of them got alarmed, broke from their drivers, and ran :way with it directly into the enemy's lines. The severe wounds of the soldiers caused a halt in the march until the 10th of December, when the march was resumed, and on the 12th the army reached San Diego. The arrival of General Kearney at San Diego was opportune; and Commodore Stockton and he now laid a plan for putting an end to the war. In the battle of San Gabriel, (Jan. 3, 1847,) and on the plains of the Mesa, they defeated the enemy and entered Los Angeles, (Jan. 10,) and signed a capitulation (Jan. 13) by which the country passed tranquilly under the government of the United States. The other incidents which transpired in this quarter were unimportant. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which terminated the war, gave Upper California to the United States on the pay- ment of fifteen millions of dollars to Mexico. THE END. ^t> ,9^^^^ ^°°- o^ ,^. -^ \V '/>. xOq -<• °'.^' .^'^'^ . ^^ ' ''"'^. ' a\^ c«^ ' f^/^O. ^ ^ ' .# .C^ -Q . .^ ,^% ■ '^:^'^. ^ -/: -^../■•^ ^~ •%"--\>^s--: ti ,^^^ . .Oo \^^ "^^ * . ., n ^ V' . ^ X, > '^•, ^V^^' ;.; v-v^^' ". "'^. • '^. ^0^ s -^^ Oo <\ ^ * X -* % , , . _' ■ ^^ ^*<. '/ ■<..>-■ ..-/'% ^ ■'^ ,^\ '-" % ^ \, ,-iy^ ^A V^^ ^ VV"^' ^^^ >^ Oo ^, * :. N - ^^' A^ >^^ .Oo. H -/^ i^::2!%. ^ ."^ ^ V ,s\'