Qass. Book. A GENERAL. VIEW OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENTS or THE AMERICAN NAVY, DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME. ILLUSTRATED BY BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, OFFICIAL REPORTS, AND INTERESTIJTO VIEW^ O? AMERICAN COMMERCE. TO W;hI0H is AFFIXED A srccmcT accopwt op the origik and progress of the GRSSER REVOXUTZOli'. termiwatiwg with the glorious VICTORY OF JVAVARIJVO, October ^0, IS'^'K. . • BROOKLYN. N. Y. njDcccxxviir. iXOi-||5~ Ca. o^ -u !FI£lfi.@li The strong interest which is evinced by in- dividuals, to learn the early history of their ow^n country, and the enthusiasm with which they peruse the bold achievements of their early defenders, renders the work before us a fair candidate for public favour. The aston- ishing advancement of our favoured country in population, wealth, arts, and arms, the space which she fills in the map of the world, and the moral influence which she will unavoida- bly exert among the nations, are sufficient in- ducements to the study of her history, and the firm attachment of her children. How far the compiler of this history has conduced to the at- tainment of these objects, and with what judg- ment the work is executed, is left with his rea- ders to determine. In relating the exploits of the American Navy on the Lakes, he has taken the liberty to introduce so much of the military opera- tions in the immediate vicinity, as to elucidate the corresponding transactions of the former. How far this will meet the public approbation is not within his province to determine ; but he is persuaded, that those who perceive the PREFACE. intimate relation which they bear to each oth- er, will by no means disapprove the plan. The deep interest which the sufferings and heroism of the Greeks have excited both in Europe and America, is a sufficient pledge of the favourable reception which may be expec- ted for the historical sketch which is appen- ded. As the conflict still rages, no sufficient data can be afforded for a full and correct his- tory ; and the compiler has merely to say that he has used his endeavors to select with care, from the most apparently correct sources. TABLE OF CONTENTS, CHAPTER I. p. 13. Riseand Progress of the American Navy. CHAPTER II. p. 17. Subject continued. — Nicholas Biddle, p. 18 ; Ed- ward Preble, p. 28 ; Thomas Truxton, p. 30. CHAPTER III. p. 33. John Paul Jones. CHAPTER IV. p. 67. Federal Constitution. — Subject Continued. — Tripo- litan War. CHAPTER V. p. 74. Subject Continued. CHAPTER VI. p. 95. Causes that led to the late war with Great Britain. — War declared. CHAPTER VII. p. 96. General movements in the war, &c. CHAPTER VIII. p. 117. General view of the naval operations of the war. CHAPTER IX. p. 1^34. Naval adventures continued. CHAPTER X. p. 145. Naral operations continued. CONTENTS. CHAPTER XI. p. 156. Naval War continued. CHAPTER XII. p. 159. General operations against Canada. CHAPTER Xlll. p. 168. Operations against Canada continued. CHAPTER XIV. p. 176. General operations against Canada continued. CHAPTER XV. p. 181. General operations against Canada continued. CHAPTER XVI. p. 187. Subject continued. CHAPTER XVII. p. 196. Naval operations renewed. CHAPTER XVIII. p. 203. Naval operations continued. CHAPTER XIX. p. 210. Wasp and Reindeer. CHAPTER XIX.— Continued p. 244. Loss of the Argus. CHAPTER XX. p. 247. British war continued. — General operations upon the seaboard — against Canada, &c. Peace. CHAPTER XXL p. 255. Qeneral operations continued. CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIT. p. 280. General operations continued. — Perry's victory. CHAPTER XXIII. p. 285. General operations continued. — Defeat of Gen. Proc- tor. CHAPTER XXIV. p. 297. General operations continued. — Sir J. Yeo's mode ©f fighting. CHAPTER XXV. p. 302. General operations continued. CHAPTER XXVI p. 316. General operations continued. CHAPTER XXVII. p. 319. AgeneraLview of the southern war. CHAPTER XXIX p. 337. General operations continued. CHAPTER XXX. p. 345. General operations continued. CHAPTER XXXI. p. 337. General operations continued. CHAPTER XXXII. p. 345. General operations continued. — Battle of Bridge- water. CHAPTER XXXIll. p. 353. General operations continued. — Siege at Fort Erie. CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXIV. p. 368. General operations at the South. — Capture of Wash- ington, &;c. CHAPTER XXXV. p. 370. General operations at the north. — Macdonough's vic- tory CHAPTER XXXVl. p. 384. General operations continued. CHAPTER XXXVII. p. 398. General Movements towards Peace. CHAPTER XXXVIII. p. 399. Comparative view of the British and American Na- vies.. GREEK REVOLUTION. CHAPER II. p. 455. General operations continued. — Summary view. CHAPTER III. p. 460. Summary view. — 1824. CHAPTER IV. p. 465. General summary. — 1 8 25. CHAPTER V. p. 468. General summary. — 1826. CHAPTER VI. p. 474. General summary. — 1827. Battle of Navarino, p. 475. RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE AMERICAN NATY, CHAPTER I. Rise and Progress of the American Navy ^ from its Origin to the commencement of the Revolution, 1775. It is not the intention of the author of this work, to puff off a conqueror, or emblazon a hero ; but to deline- ate the exploits of great and good men. To accomplish this, it will be necessary to exhibit to view not only their own personal achievements, but to unite them with a general sketch of the great events which have marked the rise and progress of American commerce, and the American Navy ; that by associating causes and effects, the reader may enjoy an extensive view of the whole field. This subject will not only be interesting, but ex- hibit to the world, at the same time, a train of the most astonishing events, which have ever been recorded in the whole family of man. The commerce of the first settlers of North America, in the fore part of the i 7th century, was confined to the article of small furs and peltry, principally, which were procured of the natives ; to these were soon added, to- bacco, grain, provisions, lumber of various kinds, &c, and before the middle of that century, the whale and cod fisheries, and ship building, afforded valuable arti- cles of commerce. Before-the century closed, hemp, flax, oil, copper ore, pig and bar iron, whale fins, iudigo, 14 RISE AND PROGRESS 01' flax seed, and rum, were added to their exports, and the whole taken collectively, laid the foundation of a com- merce, that with England alone, at that time, exceeded one million sterling annually, exclusive of their trade wiih France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, and the other commercial nations of Europe, and the West Indies. About the first of the 1 8th century, tar and pitch were ranked among their exports. Cotton was introduced into Carolina soon after, and was added to the commercial staples of the south, and ranked among their most vain- able exports. Such was the progress of the commerce of British America, at the commencement of the Revo- lution in 1775, that their annual exports amounted to more than 4000,000/. sterling. The cod and whale tisheries formed very important items in this commer- cial aggregate. At that time the number of vessels em- ployed in the cod fisheries amounted to six hundred and sixty-five, and their tonnage to twenty-five thousand six hundred and thirty ; manned by more than four thou- sand seamen. The annual amount of fish exported, exceeded 350,000 quintals, which, at ^3 the quintal, exceeded the sum of $1,050,000, besides pickled fish in barrels, of about one half or two thirds of that sum, making an annual aggregate of more than ^1,500,000. These fish were sold principally in the south of Europe, and the West Indies and brought in exchange specie, wine, brandy. West India goods, Sec. The commercial advantages of the whale fishery were also at the same time very considerable. 7'his fisher} commenced at the island of Nantucket in 1690, along the American coast, and as early as 1715, they employed six sloops of 30 tons each ; but as adventurers engaged in the pursuit, it extended into other regions and other climes. As early as 1730, the Americans employed more than 300 tons of shipping in this fishery, and at the commencement of the Revolution, the colony of Massachusetts employed more than 13000 tons, and more than 4000 seamen. The enterprise of the Americans at that time is very hand- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 15 somely described by Mr. Burke, in his speech in the British House of Commons, in the followinsj remarks : "As to the vveahh which the colonists have drawn from the sea by their fisheries, you had ail that matter laid before you at your bar. You sure)}' thought these acquisitions of vakie, for they seemed to excite your envy, and yet the spirit by which that enterprising em- ployment has been exercised, oug'it rather, in my opin- ion, to have raised esteem and admiration. And pray, sir, what in the world is equal to it ? Pass by the other parts, and look at the manner in which the New England people of late carried on their whale fishery. While W'c follow them among the tumbling mountains of ice, and behold them penetrating into the deepest frozen re- cesses of Hudson's and Davis's straits ; while we are looking for them beneath the arctic circle, we hear that they have pierced into the opposite region of polar cold, that they are at the antipodes, and engaged under the frozen seipent of the south. Falkland island, which seemed too remote and too romantic an object for the grasp of national ambition, is but a stage and resting place for their ambitious, and victorious industry. Nor is the equinoctial heat more discouraging to them, than the accumulated winter of both poles. We know that while some of them draw the line, or strike the harpoon on the coast of Africa, others run the longitude, and pur- sue their gigantic ^ame along the coast of Brazil. No sea but what is vexed with their fisheries. No clime that is not witness of their toils. Neither the persever- ance of Holland, nor the activity oi France, nor the dex- terous, and firm sagacity of English enterprise, ever car- ried their most perilous mode of hardy industry, to the extent to which it has been pursued by this recent peo- ple ; a people who are still in the gristle, and not hard- ened into manhood." These sentiments of Mr. Burke are in point with the object in view, which is to develope the springs of action that stimulated the commercial enterprise of the most 16 RISE AND PROGRESS OF active, persevering, hardy, adventurous, frugal, and in- dustrious people on earth. The same sprin^^s of action extended to every branch of commerce, until they have now become the second commercial nation in the world. Nor will it rest here ; for the same commercial spirit continues to rise with their increase of population, and their national resources ; and will continue to rise, until the U. S. of America shall become, decidedly, the first commercial nation in the world. Thus far for a brief summary view, of the rise and progress of American commerce. Let us now turn our attention to the naval spirit and enterprise of this peo- ple. As early as 1710, the colonics of New-England fitted out a naval armament and took Port Royal, a strong town in French Le Acadia, now Annapolis Royal, which was the first successful naval enterprise of the British colonics. In 1745 the same colonics fitted out another armament, and took from the French the strong city of Louisburg, in Le Acadia, then called the Dunkirk of America, in allusion to the strong fortress in France by that name. — These bold and successful adventures astonished not on- ly Europe, but America herself; for brave, hardy, enter- prising and valiant as they had proved (henisclves to have been, in their wars with the French and Indians, they had yet to learn, that their strength could be carri- ed abroad successfully, in distant naval enterprises. These fortresses, while in the hands of the French, an- noyed their commerce, but more particularly their fish- ery, and they roused to the contest, and wrested them from their possession ; but at the peace of Utrecht, in 1713, the former was restored ; and at the peace of Aix« la-Chapelle, 1748, the latter was restored to the French. In the old seven years war, the same colonies rallied again in their strength, and fitted out another armament in 1 758, to co-operate with a British fleet ; and again took possession of Louisburg, which still remains in posses- sion ©f Great Britain. Considering the numbers and THE AMERICAN J^AVY. 17 resources of those colonies at that day, these achieve- ments were as brilliant as the capture of Quebec in 1759, by Gen. Wolfe, or of Copenhagen by Lord Nelson, in 1 807. These valiant feats of arms were but the budding honors of America ; but when taken in connexion with the splendid achieveujents they displayed through that war, and their growing commerce, Great Britain, after the peace of 1763, became jealous of her rising Ameri- can colonies, and commenced a system of taxation, and other restrictive and coercive measures, which led to an appeal to arms, that severed the colonies from themoth- <"r country, in the revolutionary war, 1775. CHAPTER II. Subject continued. At the peace of 1763, agriculture and commerce again engrossed the attention of the American people, and their naval spirit was hushed to repose, until it was again awakened by the din of war, at the commencement of the revolution, in 1775. Then the sleeping thunders of America awoke in the numerous privateers, and other armed vessels, which cruised successfully against the commerce and armed ships of Britain. Then the naval prowess of America began to unfold itself to the world. Then appeared upon the theatre of naval war a Biddle, a Preble, a Little, a Truxton, and a John Paul Jones, whose splendid achievements added an inextinguishable lustre to their names, and an immortal honor to their country. The following extracts from their several bio- graphical memoirs, will serve more fully to illustrate this remark. 18 RISE AND PROGRESS OP NICHOLAS BIDDLE, Commodore in the American Navy. Captain Biddle was born in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1750. Among the brave men, who perish- ed in the glorious struggle for the independence of A- merica, Capt. Biddle holds a distinguished rank. His services, and the high expectations raised by his military genius and gallantry, have left a strong impression of his merit, and a profound regret that his early fate should have disappointed, so soon, the hopes of his country. Very early in life he manifested a partiality for the sea, and before the age of fourteen he had made a voyage to Quebec. In the follovv^ing year, 17G5, he sailed from Philadelphia to Jamaica, and the Bay of Honduras. The vessel left the Bay in the latter end of December, 1765, bound to Antigua, and on the second day of January, in a heavy gale of wind, she was cast away, on a shoal, called the Northern Triangles. After remaining two nights and a day upon the wreck, the crew took to their yawl, the long-boat having been lost, and with great diffi- culty and hazard, landed on one of the small uninhab- ited islands, about three leagues distant from the reef, upon which they struck. Here they staid a few days. Some provisions were procured from the wreck, and their boat was refitled. As it w^s too small to carry them all off, they drew lots to determine who should remain, and young Biddle was among the number. He, and his three companions sutiered extreme hardships for want of provisions and good water ; and, although various ef- forts were made for their relief, it was nearly two months before they succeeded. Such a scene of dangers and sufTerings in the com- mencement of his career, would have discouraged a youth of ordinary enterprise and perseverance. On him it pro- duced no such effect. The coolness and promptitude with which he acted, in the midst of perils that alarmed THE AMERICAN NAVY. 19 the oldest seamen, gave a sure presage of the force of his chardCter, and after he had returned home, he made several European voyages, in which he acquired a thor- ough knowledge of seamanship. In the year 1770, when a war helween Great Britain and Spain was expected, in consequence of the dispute relative to Falkland''s Island, he went to London, in or- der to enter into the British navy. He took with him letters of recommendation from Thomas Willing, Esq. to his brother-in-law, Capt. Sterling, on board of whose ship he served for some time as a midshipman. The dispute with Spain being accommodated, he intended to leave the navy, but was persuaded by Capt. Sterling to.remain in the service, promising that he would use all his interest to get him promoted. His ardent mind, how- ever, could not rest satisfied with the inactivity of his sit- uation, which he was impatient to change for one more suited to his disposition. * In the year 1773, a voyage of discovery was underta- ken, at the request of the Royal Society, in order to as- certain how far navigation was practicable towards tha North Pole, to advance the discovery of a north-west passage into the south seas, and to make such astrono- mical observations as might prove serviceable to naviga- tion. Two vessels, the Race Horse and Carcase were fitted out for the expedition, the command of which was given to Captain Phipps, afterwards Lord Mulgrave. The pe- culiar dangers to which such an undertaking was expo- sed, induced the government to take extraordinary pre- cautions in fitting out and preparing the vessels, and se- lecting the crews, and a positive order was issued, that no boys should be received on board. To the bold and enterprising spirit of young Biddle, such an expedition had great attractions. Extremely anxious to join it, he endeavoured to procure Captain Sterling^'s permission for that purpose, but he was un^ willing to part with him, and would rot consent to let 20 ftlSE AND PROGRESS OF him go. The temptation was, however, inesisliWe. He resolved to go, and laying aside his uniform, he en- tered on board the Carcase before the mast. When he first went on board, he was observed by a seaman who bad known him before, and was very much attached to him. The honest fellow, thinking that he must have been degraded, and. turned before the mast in disgrace, was greatly atfected at seeing him, but he was equally surprised and pleased when he learned the true cause of the young officer's disguise, and he kept his secret as he was requested to do. Impelled by the same spirit, young Horatio, afterwards Lord Nelson, had solicited and ob- tained permission to enter on board the same vessel. These youthful adventurers are both said to have been appointed cockswains, a station always assigned to the most active and trusty seamen. The particulars of this expedition are well known to the public. These intre- pid navigators penetrafed as far as the latitude of eighty- one degrees and thirty-nine minutes, and they were, at one time, enclosed with mountains of ice, and their ves- sels rendered almost immoveable for five days, at the hazard of instant destruction. Captain Biddle kept a journal of his voyage, which was afterwards lost with him. The commencement of the revolution gave a new turn to his pursuits, and he repaired, without delay, to the standard of his country. When a rupture between Eng- land and America appeared inevitable, he returned to Philadelphia, and soon after his arival, he was appoin- ted to the command of the Camden galley, fitted for the defence of the Delaware. He found this too inactive a service, and when the fleet was preparing, under Com- modore Hopkins, for an expedition against New-Provi- dence, he applied for a command in the fleet, and was immediately appointed commander of the Andrew Do- ria, a brig of 14 guns and 130 men. Paul Jones, who was then a lieutenant, and was going on the expedition, was distinguished by Captain Biddle, and introduced to his friends as an officer of merit. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 21 Before he sailed from the Capes of Delaware, an in- cident occurred, which marked his personal inlrepidit}'. Hearing that two deserters from his vessel were at Lew- istown in prison, an officer was sent on shore for them, but he returned with information that the two men, with some others, had armed themselves, barricadoed the door, and swore they would not be taken ; that the mi- litia of the town had been sent for, but were afraid to o- pen the door, the prisoners threatening to shoot the first man who entered. Captain Biddle immediately went to the prison, accompanitjd by a midshipman, and calling to one of the deserters, whose name was Green, a stout, resolute fellow, ordered him to open the door ; he re- plied that he would not, and if he attempted to enter, he would shoot him. He then ordered the door to be for- ced, and entering singly, with a pistol in each hand, he called to Green, who was prepared to tire, and said, " Now Green, if you do not take t,ood aim, you are a dead man." Daunted by his manner, their resolution failed, and the militia coming in, secured them They afterwards declared to the officer who furnishes this ac- count, that it was Captain Biddle's look and manner, which had awed them into submission, for that they had determined to kill him as soon as he came into the room. Writing from the Capes to his brother, the late Judge Biddle, he says, " I know not what may be our fate : be it, however, what it may, you may rest assured, I will never cause a blush on the cheeks of my friends or coun- trymen." Soon after they sailed, the small-pox broke out and raged with great violence in the fleet, which was manned chiefly by New-England seamen. The human- ity of Captain Biddle, always prompt and active, was employed on this occasion to alleviate the general dis- tress, by all tlje means in his power. His own crew, which was from Philadelphia, being secure against the distemper, he took on board great numbers of the sick from the other vessels. Every part of his vessel was 22 RISE AND PROGRESS OF crowded, the long-boat was fitted for their accommoda- tion, and he gave up his own cot to a ) ouiig midshipman, on whom he bestowed the greatest attention till his death. Jn the mean while he slept himself upon the lockers, re- fusing the repeated solicitations of his ofiicers, to accept their births. On their arrival at New-Providence, it surrendered without opposition. The ciew of the An- drew Doria, from their crowded situation, -became sick, and before she left Providence, there were not men e- nough, capable of doing duty, to man the boats. Cap- tain Biddle visited them every day, and ordered every necessary refreshment, but they continued sickly until they arrived at New-London. After refitting at New-London, Captain Biddle receiv- ed orders to proceed oilthe banks of Newfoundland, in order to intercept the transports and store-ships bound to Boston. Before he reached the banks, he captured two ships from Scotland, with 400 highland troops on board, destined for Boston. At this time the Andrew Doria had not 100 men. Lieutenant Josiah, a brave and excel- lent officer, was put on board one of the prizes, with all the highland ofiicers, and ordered to make the first })Oil. Lnfoitunately, aSoutten days aftej-wards, he was taken by the Cerberus frigate, and, on pretence of his being an Englishman, he was ordered to do duty, and extreme- ly ill used. Captain Biddle, hearing of the ill treatment of Lieutenant Josiah, wi-ote to the admiral at New- York, that, however disagreeable it was' to him, he would treat a young man of family, believed to be a son of Lord Craston, who was then his pri; oner, in the manner they treated Lieutenant Josiah. He also applied to his own government in behalf of this injured ofiicer, and by the proceedings of congress, on the 7th of August, 1776, it appears, "that a letter from Captain Nicholas Biddle to the marine committee, was laid before congress and read : whereupon. Resol- ved, That General Washington be directed to propose an exchange of Lieutenant Josiah, for a Lieutenant of THE AMERICAN NAVY, 23 he navy of Great Britain : that the general remonstrate o Lord Howe on the cruel treatment Lieutenant Josiah las met with, of which the congress have received un- loubted information/' Lieutenant Josiah was exchan- ;ed, after an imprisonment of ten months. After the apture of the ships with the highlanders, such wasCap- ain Biddle's activity and success in taking prizes, that k'hen he arrived in the Delaware, he had but five of the rew with which he sailed from New-London, the rest aving been distributed among the captured vessels, and heir places supplied by men who had entered from the trizes. He had a great number of prisoners, so that, or some days before he got in, he never left the deck. While he was thus indefatigably engaged in weakening he enemy's power, and advancing his country ""s interest, le was disinterested and generous in all that related to lis private advantage. The brave and Worthy opponent, t'hom the chance of war had thown in his power, found n him a patron and friend, who, on more than one occa- ion, was known to restore to the vanquished the fruits if victory. In the latter end of the year 1776, Captain Biddle was ppointed to the command of the Randolph, a frigate of hirty-two guns. With his usual activity, he employed very exertion t^o get her ready for sea. The difficulty if procuring American seamen at that time, obliged him, n order to man his ship, to take a number of British eamen, who were prisoners of war, and who had re- uested leave to enter. The Randolph sailed from Philadelphia, in February, 777. Soon after she got to sea, her lower masts were iscovered to be unsound, and, in a heavy gale of wind, II her masts went by the board. While they were bear- iig away for Charleston, the English sailors, with some thers of the crew, formed a design to take the ship. Vhenall was ready, they gave three cheers on the gun- eck. By the decided and resolute conduct of Captain Jiddle and his officers, the ringleaders were seized and lunished, and the rest submitted without further resis- 24 RISE AND PROGRESS OF tance. After refitting at Charleston, as speedily as pos- sible, he sailed on a cruise, and three days after he left the bar, he fell in with four sail of vessels, bound from Jamaica to London. One of them, called the True Brit- on, mounted twenty guns. The commander of her, who had frequently expressed to his passengers, his hopes of falling in with the Randolph, as soon as he perceived her, made all the sail he could from her, but finding he could not escape, he hove too, and kept up a constant fire, until the Randolph had bore down upon him, and was preparing for a broadside, when he hauled down his colours. B_y her superior sailing, the Randolph was en- abled to capture the rest of the vessels, and in one week from the time he sailed from Charleston, Captain Diddle returned there with his prizes, which proved to be very valuable. Encouraged by his spirit and success, the state of I South Carolina made exertions for fitting out an expe- ' dition under his command. His name, and the person- al attachment to him, urged forward a crowd of volun- teers to serve with him, and in a short time, the ship Gen- eral Moultrie, the brigs Fair America, and Polly, and the Notre Dame, were prepared for sea- A detachment of fifty men from the first regiment of South Carolina continental infantry, was ordered to act as marines on board the Randolph. Such was the attachment which the honorable and amiable deportment of Captain Bid- die had impressed, during his stay at Charleston, and such the confidence inspired by his professional conduct and valor, that a general emulation pervaded the corps to have the honor of serving under his coniniaud. The tour of duty, after a generous competition among the officers, was decided to Captain Joor, and Lieutenants Grey and Simmons, whose gallant conduct, and that ol their brave deiachment, did justice to the high charac- ter of the reg-iment. As soon as the Randolph was re- fitted, and a new mainmast obtained in place of one which had been struck with lightning, shedropt down to TtiE AMERICAN NAVY. 25 Rebellion Roads with her little squadron. Their inten- tion was to attack the Carysfort frigate, the Perseus twen- ty-four gun ship, the Hinchinbrook of sixteen guns, and a privateer which had been cruizing off the Bar, arid had much annoyed the trade. They were detained a con- siderable time in Rebellion Roads, after they were ready to sail, by contrary winds and want of water on the Bar, for the Randolph. As soon as they got over the Bar, they stood to the eastward, in expectation of falling in with the British cruizers. The next day they retook a dismasted ship from New-England ; as she had no car- go en board, they took out her crew, six light guns, and some stores, and set her on fire. Finding that the Brit- ish ships had left the coast, they proceeded to the West Indies, and cruised to the eastward, and nearly in the latitude of Barbadoes, forsome days, during which time they boarded a number of French and Dutch ships, and took an English schooner from New- York, bound to Grenada, which had mistaken the Randolph for a Brit- ish frigate, and was taken possession of before the mis- take was discovered. On the night of the 7th March, 1778, the fatal acci- dent occurred, which terminated the life of this excel- lent officer. For some days previously, he had expec- ted an attack. Captain Blake, a brave officer, who com- manded a detachment of the second South Carolina regi- ment, serving as marines on board the Genera] Moultrie, and to whom we are indebted for several of the ensuing particulars, dined on board the iJandolph two days be- fore the engagement. At dinner Captain Biddle said, — "We have been cruizing here for some time, and have spoken a number of vessels, who will no doubt give in- formation of us, and I should not be surprised if my old ship should be out after us. As to any thing that carries her guns upon one deck, I think myself a match for her." About three P. M. of the 7th of M.irrh, a signal was made from the Randolph for a sail to the windward, in conse- quence of which the squadron hauled upon a wind, ip 3 26 RISE AND PROGRESS OF order to speak her. It was four o'clock before she could be distinctly seen, when she was discovered to be a ship, though as she neared and came before the wind, she had the appearance of a large sloop with only a square sail set. A bout seven o'clock, the Randolph being to wind- ward, hove to, the Moultrie being about one hundred and fifty yards astern, and rather to leeward, also hove to. About eight o'clock, the British ship fired a shot just ahead of the Moultrie, and hailed her ; the answer was the Polly of New-York ; upon which she immediately hauled her wind and hailed the Randolph. She was then, for the first time, discovered to be a two-decker. After several questions asked and answered, as she was ranging up along side the Randolph, and had got on her weather quarter. Lieutenant Barnes, of that ship, called out, "This is the Randolph," and she immediately hoisted her colours and gave the enenjy a broadside. Shortly after the action commenced, Caplain Biddle received a wound in the thigh and fell. This occasioned some confusion, as it was at first thought that he was killed. He soon, however, ordered a chair to be brought, said that he was only slightly wounded, and being carried for- ward encouraged the crew. The stern of the enemy's ship being clear of the Randolph, the captain of the Moultrie gave orders to fire, but the enemy having shot aihead, so as to bring the Randolph between them, the last broadside of the Moultrie went into the Randolph, and it was thought by one of the men saved, who was sta- tioned on the quarter-dtck near Captain Biddle, that he was wounded by a shot from the Moultrie. The fire from the Randolph was constant and well directed. She fired nearly thr>.^e broadsides to the enemy's one, and she appeared, while the battle lasted, to be in a continual bloze. In about twenty minutes after the action began, and while the surgeon was examining Captain Biddle's wound on the quaiter-di ck, the Randolph blow u|-. The enemy's vessel was the British vessel Yarmouth, of sixty-four guns, commanded by Captain Vincent. — THE AMERICAN NAVY. 27 So closely were they engaged, that Captain Morgan of the Fair American, and all his crew, thought that it was the enemy's ship that had blown up. He stood for the Yarmouth, and had a trumpet in his hand to hail and in- quire how Captain Biddle was, when he discovered his mistake. Owing to the disabled condition of the Yar- mouth, the other vessels escaped. The cause of the explosion was never ascertained, but it is remarkable that just before he sailed, after the clerk had copied the signals and orders for the armed vessels that accompanied him, he wrote at the foot of them, " In case of coming to action in the night be very careful of your magazines." The number of persons on board the Randolph was three hundred and fifteen, who all perished, except four men, who were tossed about for four days on a piece of the wreck before they were dis- covered and taken up. From the information of two of these men, who were afterwards in Philadelphia, and of some individuals in the other vessels of the squadron, we have been enabled to state some particulars of this un- fortunate event in addition to the accounts given of it by Dr. Ramsay, in his History of the American Revolution, and in his history of the Revolution of South Carolina. In the former work, the historian thus concludes his ac- count of the action : " Captain Biddle who perished on board the Randolph was universally lamented. He was in the prime of life, and had excited high expectations of future usefulness to his country, as a bold and skilful naval officer." Thus prematurely fell, at the age of twenty-seven, as gallant an officer as a \y country ever boasted of. In the short career which Providence allowed to him, he dis- played all those qualities which constitute a great sol- dier. Brave to excess, and consummately skilled in his profession, no danger nor unexpected event could shake his firmness, or disturb his presence of mind. An exact and rigid disciplinarian, he temprred his authority with so much humanity and afl'ability, that his orders were 'j3 RISE AND PROGRESS OF always executed with cheerfulness and alacrity. Per liaps no officer ever understood better the art of com- manding the affections, as well as the respect of those who served under him ; if that can be called an art, which was rather the natural effect of the benevolence and magnanimity of his character."* EDWARD PREBLE, Commodore in the American Navy, ^'Jedediah Preble held the commission of brigadiei general, under the colonial government of Massachusetts Bay. In the struggle for independence, he took a deci- ded stand in opposition to the encroachments of the Brit- ish crown, and during that contest, was for several years, a member of the council and senate of that state.- He died in the year 1783, aged seventy -seven, having been gratitied by the disposer of human events to live just long enough to see perfected the emancipation of this coun- try from European thraldom, a blessing partly denied to Moses, who was only permitted to view the promised land at a distance, and then expire. This gentleman, in the year 1761, resided in a part of Falmouth, called then Casco Bay, now Portland, in the Province of Maine, where his son Edward, the subject of this memoir, was born on the 1 5th of August in that year. In his infantile years, he discovered a persevering and 'bold temper. His form was robust, his constitution strong, and invigorated by athletic sports. His father placed him at Dummer academy, Newbury, where he received the rudiments of a Latin and English education, under a Mr. Samuel Moody, a gentleman in high re- spect for his integrity and literary qualifications. Tn contrariety to the wishes and expectations of his ■' Rsgers's Aroer. Bin»raphieal Dictionary THE AMERICAN NAVT. 29 father, he, at an early period, manifested a predilection for the sea, and as he persisted in his inclination, his father at last deemed it proper to gratify him. Hence he left school at the dawn of the revolution, and instead of entering a /Ve.yAman at college, he entered /re^Ama/i on board of a letter of marque, Ca[)tain Frend, and made his first voyage in a trip to Europe. At the age of eighteen, he was a midshipman on board the state ship Protector, of twenty-six guns, Captain John Foster Williams, in 1779. On her first cruise he had to perform his part in a hard fought action with the English letter of marque Duff, carrying thirty-six guns, ofl' Newfoundland, when the enemy at last blew up. Scarcely forty of the crew were saved. During his second cruise, the Protector was captured, and her principal officers sent prisoners to England, with the exception of Preble, who was re- leased at New-York, through the influence of a Colonel William Tyng, his father's intimate friend. As soon a& he obtained his liberty, he returned home. Mr. George Williams, the late first lieutenant of the Protector, having been appointed to command the sloop of war Winthrop, then fitting out at Boston, Mr. Preble entered as first lieutenant, and continued in her until the peace of 1783, rendering many essential services in the line of his duty. His daring courage and presence of mind in the midst of danger, will be best illustrated bj the following anecdote : Captain Little, having the tender of an English armed brig, which lay in the harbor of Penobscot, Was advised of certain circumstances, which induced him to attempt her capture by surprise. To accomplish this object, he run along-side the brig in the night, and had forty board- ers dressed in white frocks, to distinguish them from the enemy. As he advanced, he was taken for the brig's tender, hailed, and directed to rw/t aboard. Little's re- ply was, that he was coming aboard. As Little came along-side the brig, Lieutenant Preble and fourteen of the party appointed for the purpose; 8* 30 RISE AND PROGRESS OF jumped on board ; but the rapidity^ of the vessePs pas- sage prevented the remainder from following. Captain Little, finding the precariousness of Preble's situation, hailed him, desiring to know, if he would not have more men. His reply, indicative of great presence of mind, was, " No, we have more than we want ; we stand in each other's way." The brig being within pistol shot of the shore, the chief part of the enemy on deck leaped over board, and swam to land ; who were followed by some, who made their escape through the cabin windows. The officers were just rising as Preble entered the cab- in ; he assured them.thatthey were his prisoners, and that any resistance would be vain and fatal to them. The vessel of course was surrendered, and it was supposed to superior force. Notwithstanding a brisk cannonade and firing of musketry from a battery on shore, Preble beat his prize out of the harbor, and arrived ai Boston, with- out injury. The knowledge of this gallant achievement greatly enhanced his reputation as a naval officer. ^THOMAS TRUXTON, Commodore in the American Navy. *' The father of Captain Truxton was an eminent counsellor of the bar, in the then colony of New- York, and resided on Long or Nassau Island, where the Com- modore was born on the 17th of February, 1755. Hav- ing lost his father at an early age, he was placed under the care of John Troup, Esq. of Jamaica, l-iong-Island, a gentleman well known in the annals of the war between France and England, preceding the yVmerican revolu- tion. The sea was his favorite element. At twelve years of age, he first embarked in his naval career under a Captain Joseph Holmes, in the ship Pitt, bound for Bristol, England. The next year, he sailed under a Captain Chambers, in the London trade. While yet in THE AMERICAN NAVY. 3f his novitiate he was impressed on board of an English ship of war of sixty-four guns, during the dispute with Spain about the Falkland Islands, from which ship he was afterwards released, through the influence of some friends in power. The commander of his Britannic Majesty's ship Prudent, from which he was discharged, used every persuasion to induce him to remain in the service of the crown, with the strongest assurances, that every exertion should be used for his speedy promotion, but without effect, as he immediately returned to the ship and service from which he had been impressed. In the beginning of the revolutionary struggle he forth- with embarked in the cause of the -colonies against the unjust oppression of Great Britain, and early in 1775 had the command of an armed vessel, with which he cruised against the enemy with great success. In these cruises, the United States were much benefited by the quantities of powder which were found on board his pri- zes, of which articles they were greatly in want. To- wards the close of the same year, when on a voyage to St. Eustatia, a Dutch island in the West Indies, in a let- ter of marque, of which he was half owner, he was cap- tured off the Island of St. Christopher'?, his vessel con- demned, and himself released under the provisions of the general restraining act of the British Parliament. From St. Christopher's he went to St. Eustatia, and thence to Philadelphia. His next cruise was in the capacity of first lieutenant of the private armed ship Congress, which was just equipping for sea. During the early part of the winter of 1776, this vessel, in company with another private armed vessel, called the Chance, fitted out at the same time, made several prizes off the Havan- na, which were very valuable home-bound Jamaica ships, going through the Gulf of Florida. He, as prize- master, brought one of them safe into the port of Bedford, Massachusetts. In June of the same year, while the harbor of New- York was blockaded by the British fleet, previous to its evacuation by the AmericanSj he made 32 RISE AND PROGRESS OF his way to sea through the Long Island Sound, in a ves- sel called the Independence, fitted out by himself and Isaac Sears, Esq. and placed under his command. Off the Azores or Western Isles, he made several prizes, of which three were large and valuable ships, forming a part of the Windward Island fleet, under convoy. One of these prizes carried more guns and men than his ves- sel. The proud Englishmen, notwithstanding their vaunted natural prowess, were obliged to strikt; their colours to an infeiior force. Truxton next directed his course to the British Channel, in the ship Mars, of twenty guns, where he made a number of prizes, several of which he sent into Quiberon Bay. The French court, from a desire to lessen the strength of a rival power, had for some time lent a secret aid to the revolting col- onies, yet it had not manifested their hostile intentions so openly as to induce the recal of the British minister from Versailles. Hence upon the reception of these pri- zes, into a French port, the British ambasador. Lord Stormont, made a strong remonstrance to the cabinet, protesting against the admission of American armed ves- sels and prize? into the ports of France, but without ef- fect. Truxton, after this cruise, domiciliated himself in Philadelphia, from which port he sailed during the re- mainder of the war, commanding vessels, of which he was in general part owner. His cruises were generally successful. When commanding the St. James, of .0 guns, and one hundred men, on a voyage to France with Thomas Bar- clay, Esq. the Consul General from the revolted colo- nies to that country, a passenger on board, he fell in with a British private ship ot war, mounting 32 guns and a proportionate number of men, consequently neaily double his force. After a severe and close engagement, the enemy was obliged to sheer o^] and was afterwarde towed into New- York in a very crippled state. The late Secretary of the Navy, William Jones. Esq. acted as Captain Truxton 's third lieutenant, and conducted him- THE AMERICAN NAVY , 33 self during the whole engagement with such distinguish- ed bravery, that he was shortly after promoted to a first lieutenancy. In this vessel, Truxton returned safe to Philadelphia with a most valuable cargo. He used every means in his power to harass the enemy on the ocean, during every period of the war, and constantly evinced the most consummate skill and undaunted cour- age ; and his exertions were almost unirersally crowned with complete success. CHAPTER III. JOHN PAUL JONES. Commodore in the American Navy. •' The following interesting narrative is translatedfrom a French manuscript, written by himself. While we condemn the author for his egotism, we must make great allowances, on that account for the splendid success that attended his enterprises, and estimate his vanity by the reason he had to be vain. Few even, perhaps, circum- stanced as Paul Jones was, would have praised them- selves less than he has done in this sketch ; which pos- sesses the singular merit of being substantially correct in all parts, so far as we are informed of the matter."-^ J^ilcs'' Register, " At the commencement of the American war (during the year 1775) I was employed to fit out the little squad- ron, which the congress had placed under Commodore Hopkins, who was appointed to the command of all the armed vessels appertaining to America, and I hoisted, with my own hands, the American flag, on board the Al- ired, which was then displayed for the first time. ,34 RISE AND PROGRESS OF I at the same time, acquainted Mr, Hewes, a member of congress, and my particular friend, with a project for seizing on the Island of St. Helena, by means of our ht- tle squadron, which would have infallibly rendered us masters of part of the homeward-bound East India fleet ; and as the congress, at that time, proposed to appropriate two thirds of the prizes to itself, they would have thus been furnished with the means of carrying on the war during several years ; but an event of a more pressing nature prevented this scheme from being carried into execution. The cruelties and vexations, at that time exercised by Dunmore, in Virginia, determined the congress to de- tach the squadron against him ; but Mr. Hopkins dis- played neither zeal nor talents upon this occasion, and lost so much time that his squadron was frozen in the Delaware. After a delay of two months, the squadron was at length disengaged, and set sail for New-Providence, the principal of the Bahama Islands. There we found a large quantity of artillery, mortars and other implements of warfare, of which we stood greatly in want in Ameri- ca ; and I had the good fortune to render myself ex- tremely useful to the commodore, who was but little ac- quainted with military operations. It was to me he was indebted for the plan adopted by him when the squad- ron came in sight of New-Providence, and I also under- took to moor the squadron in a proper birth to execute our enterprize. On our return from New-Providence, we took two armed vessels, one of which was loaded with bombs, and fell in, near Rhode-lskind, with an English man of war, called the Glasgow, carrying twenty-four guns ; but not- withstanding our superiority, both in point of force and sailing, the commander in chiel suffered her to escape, after having lost many men killed and wounded, both on board the Alfred and the Cabot. The squadron now entered the port of New-London^ THE AMERICAN NAVY. 3^ in Connecticut ; and Hopkins, on receiving intelligence that the English frigates had been driven from Newport, took advantage of the darkness of the nights to repair to Rhode-Island. A council of war having dismissed the captain of the Providence, one of the ships of the squadron, the com- modore gave me orders in writing to take the command of her, and to escort some troops that were proceedinf my crew. Near to the entrance into Carrickfergus, I, lowever, seized on a fishing boat, manned with six per- ons, who proved to be pilots. The Drake, a twenty- ;un ship, happened to be then in the road, and even vithih sight ; 1 imagined it possible to obtain posses- ion of her by surprise during the night. With this view, immediately gave orders for making the necessary )reparations ; but the mate, who had drank too much >randy, did not let go the anchor according to orders, vhich prevented the Ranger from running foul of the Drake, according to my intentions. As I had reason tp )elieve, that my appearance had not hitherto given any ilarm, I deemed it prudent to cut my cable, and return nto St. George's channel. I remained there, buffeted 4.* 45 msE AND PROGRESS OF about by the winds, during three days, until the weather having become more favourable, I determined a second time to attempt a descent ; this project, however great- ly alarmed my lieutenants ; they were poor, they said, and their object was gain, not honor : they accordingly excited disobedience among the ship's company, by per- uading them that they had a right to determine, wheth- er the measures adopted by me were well concerted or not. 1 happened to be at this period within sight of White- haven, in Cumberland, at the mouth of the Solway Frith. This is a considerable harbor, in which there then were about 400 sail, some of them vessels of 250 tons bur- then ; ar»d 1 had determined to take advantage of the ebb tide, wlien the shipping wa. dry, to destroy them. To etfect this, it was necessary to land about midnight, with a party of determined men, and seize on a (ort and and a battery, which defended the port. JIVly two lieu- tenants being averse to the enterprise, and yet being un- willing to discover their true motives, feigned illness. On this I determined to take the command in person, and with much difficulty prevailed on thirty volunteers to follow me. With this handful of men, and two small boats, I quit- ted the Ranger, at eleven o'clock at night, and rowed to- wards the harbor ; but, it being farther ofi" than we ima- gined, and the tide against us, day broke before w^e had effected a landing. I now sent the smallest of the boats towards the northern side of the harbor to set fire to the vessels, ■while I myself advanced with (he other to the south, to take possession of the fort and battery, the first of which was taken by assault, 1 myself being the first to enter it through one of tlie embrasures. We then nailed up the thirty-six cannon mounted on the batteries, and advan- ced towards the south, with a view of burning all the vessels, when, to my infinite astonishment, 1 beheld the i>ther boat returning, without having done any thing- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 43 On this, I deemed it best to unite my forces, with a view of elFecting, at least, some part of our enterprise. In short we set fire to some of the vessels, and it soon burned with great fierceness, and began to communicate ; but, as it was now eight o'clock in the morning, and the inhabitants began to approach near us in crowds, I could no longer defer my retreat, which was made in good or- der. On my return on board the Ranger, the wind be- ing favorable, I set sail for the coast of Scotland. It was my intention to take the Earl of Selkirk prisoner, and detain his lordship as a hostage, in conformity to the- project already mentioned. It was with this view about noon of the same day I landed on that nobleman's estate, with two officers and a (ew men. In the course of my progress, I fell in with some of the inhabitants, who, ta- king me for an Englishman, observed that Lord Selkirk was then in London, but that her ladyship and several ladies were at the castle. On this, I determined to return : but such moderate conduct was not conformable to the wishes of my peo- ple, who were disposed to pillage, burn and destroy ev- ery thing, in imitation of the conduct of the English to- wards the Americans. Although I was not disposed to copy such horrid proceedings, more especially when a lady was in question, it was yet necessary to recur to such means as should satisfy their cupidity, and, at the same time, provide for Lady Selkirk's safety. It imme- diately appeared to me, to be the most proper mode to give orders to the two officers to repair to the castle with the men, who were to remain on the outside under arms, while they themselves entered alone. They were then instructed to enter, and demand the family plate, in a polite manner, accepting whatever was offered them, and then to return, without making any further inqui- ries, or attempting to search for more. I was punctually obeyed ; the plate was delivered : Lady Selkirk herself observed to the officers, that she w^as exceedingly sensible of my moderation ; she even / 44 RISE AND PROGRESS OF intimated a wish to repair to the shore, although a mile distant from her residence, in order to invite me to dinner ; but the officers would not allow her ladyship to take so much trouble. Next day, April 4, 1778, 1 prepared to return to Carrickfergus to attack the Drake in open day ; but the lieutenants were averse to the project, and the crew of the Ranker became so mutinous, that I ran no small risk of being either killed or thrown into the sea ; and but two days before, I was on the point of being aban- doned, and left ashore at Whitehaven. In the mean time, the captain of the Drake sloop of war, having been informed of our descent at Whitehaven, prepared to attack us ; and, while every thing was get- ting ready, he despatched an officer on board ofhis boat, vJth a spy-glass, in order to reconnoitre the Ranger. On this, I immediately masked my guns, kept my men out of sight, and disguised the vessel in such a manner as to resemble a merchantman ; in consequence of this the crew of the boat were deceived and taken. This trifling success produced the efl'ect of enchantment on my sai- lors, who were no longer averse from giving her battle. The Drake, having fired some cannon to recall her boat, hoisted her anchor, and came out. attended by a number of yachts and pleasure-boats, with ladies and gentlemen on board : but when the engagement became serious, they thought proper to withdraw to a respectful distance. No sooner did the enemy make his appearance, than I l'!i/ to, determined not to engage until she came within pistol shot. The engagement was accordingly snslained with great vivacity on both sides during an hour and tive minutes, when, the captain and lieutenant being both mortally wounded, the English flag was lowered, and I took possession of her. I regretted greatly the death of theners will be an act of humanity, which will afford you golden feelings on a death bed: I hope this cruel contest will soon be closed ; but should it continue, I wage no war with the fair ! I ac- knowledge their power, and bend before it with profound submissionj! Let not therefore, the amiable Countess of Selkirk regard me as an enemy ; I am ambitious of her esteem and friendship, and would do any thing, consistent with my duty, to merit it. " The honor of a line from your hand, in answer to this, will lay me under a very singular obligation ; and if 1 can render you any acceptable service, in France or elsewhere. I hope you see int< my character so far as to command me without the least grain of service. I wish to know exactly, the behavior of my people, as I am deter- mined to punish them if they have exceeded their liberty. '' I have the honor to be, with much esteem and with profound respect, madam, your most obedient and most humble servant, "PAUL JONES. " To the Right Hon. the Countess of Selkirk, St. Mary's Isle, Scotland." THE AMERICAN NAVY. 49 During the course of the war, I found it impossible to restore the plate belonging (o ihe Selkirk family ; 1 how- ever, purchased it at a great price, and at length found means to send it by land fiom TOricnt to Calais, by means of M. dc Calonne, who transmitted me a very flattering letter on the occasion. In short I at length re- ceived a very flattering letter from the Earl of Selkirk, ackno\vled;^ing the receipt of it. I had no sooner arrived at Brest, than Admiral the Count D'Orvilliers transmitted an account of my expe- dition to the minister of the marine, in consequence of which it was intimated to Dr. Franklin, that his majesty was desirous that I should repair to Versailles, as he was resolved to employ me on a secret ex[)edition, for which purpose he would give me the Indiinne^ with some other frigates, with troops, &,c. for the purpose of effecting a descent. I was instantly informed of this l>y the ambas- sador, who observed to me, at the same time, that this must be considered as a profound secret, it being of so important a nature, that it had been deemed p>oper to withhold a communication of it even to his colleagues. M. de Sartuse received me with the most distinguish- ed politeness, making me, at the same time, the most flattering promises ; and the Prince de Nassau was sent into Holland to give instructions for the necessary ar- rangements for arming and equipping the frigate inten- ded for me. But in a short time after this, hostilities took place between France and England in consequence of the action with La Belle Pou/e. This not a little em- barrassed the Minister of the Marine, and the difficulty was not diminished by the intelligence brought by the prince, who asserted that the Dutch would not permit the Jndienne to be equipped. As M. de Sartine had written to the three American ministers, and obtained their consent for my remaining in Europe. I offered to serve on board of the grand fleet ; I also communicated several plans for crippling the power of England, such as that of destroying her 5 5Q RISE AND PROGRESS OF trade and settlements on the coast of Africa, and in Hud- son's Bay ; of annihilating their fisheries in Newfound- land ; intercepting their East India and West India, and above all, the Baltic fleet, which was escorted by a sin- gle frigate, as I learned by certain information from Eng- land. The minister adopted the last of these plans ; and I accordingly repaired to Brest, to take the com- mand of one of the frigates of that port, with two others, and a cutter, &ic. then at St. Maloes ; but I found, on my arrival, that the admiral had appointed a French of- ficer to the vessel in question, and as there was not a single moment to be lost, tlie senior officer of the frig- ates at St. Maloes was despatched against the Baltic fleet, which he missed, by not steering sufficiently near to the coast of England to intercept it. Being greatly disgusted with a series of delays, that ensued during nine mouths, 1 at length repaired to Ver- sailles, with an intention of returning to America, if I should not immediately obtain a command ; for I recol- lected the saying of Old Richard, " If you wish that your affairs should be prosperous, superintend them in person," &c. This induced me to promise, that if the minister should at length comply with my request, I should call my -own ship " Old Richard.'' Accordingly, on obtaining Le Duras, until a better ressel could be procured, 1 called her . She was a very small and a very old and infirm vessel, that had made four voyages to the East Indies. As proper guns could not be procured at L'Orient, where the lay, I repaired, first to Bordeaux, and then to Angou- leme, where 1 made a contract for such as I wanted. On my return, I found that the Marquis de la Fayette, who had returned from America, was desirous to join me in tlie expedition, it being intended that he should com- mand a body of land forces, he having obtained the king's command for that purpose. While the necessary arrangements were making at fourt, a naval commissary purchased at Nantes a mer- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 5I 'hantman, called La Pallas, of thirty-two eight pounders^ ind a hrig, named La Vengeance, of twelve three poun- iers ; but neither of them was calculated for war : to hese was added Le Cerf, a very fine cutter belonging to he royal navy, carrying eighteen nine pounders ; with he Alliance, a new frigate, belonging to the United states : but as the guns had not as yet arrived from An- jouleme. The Good Man Richard was armed from an old )attery of twelve pounders; and as the expedition was in- ended against the enemy's ports, I mounted six old eighteen pounders in the gun room, so that she might, in lome measure, be called a forty gun ship. As it was bund impossible to procure a sufficient number of Amer- can sailors, I determined to supply the deficiency by mrolling English ones, who happened to be prisoners of var in France ; and in addition to these, a certain num- ber of peasants was levied, so that we may be said to lave had as bad a crew as was ever shipped on board my vessel. I was given to understand, however, ;hat the chosen body of troops, under the command of he Marquis de la Fayette, would serve as a guarantee or their good conduct; but no sooner was the little squadron ready, than I received a letter from the Mar- pis, intimating that the object of the expedition having Dcen divulged at Paris, the king had issued orders to Drevent the embarkation of the troops, in consequence jf which he had joined his regiment. Thus the project, which was no less than that of put- ting Liverpool, the second town in England, under con- tribution, failed, in consequence of having been indis- creetly communicated to*******. I ought also to remark, that, according to the first arrangement, my little squadron was to have been joined by two fireships, and five hundred men of Walsh's Irish regiment, but the minister did not keep his word, for he neither procured for me the fire-ships, nor the soldiers ; so that it became impossible for me to fuJtil the plan I 52 RISE AND PROGRESS OF had concerted, although it was still more important than that of seizing on Liverpool. I now received orders to escort a fleet of transports and merchantmen from (^''Orient, destined for dilferent ports between that atid Bordeaux ; and after that I was to cha?e away the iMiglish cruisers from the Bay of Bis- cay, and then to return for further orders. After executin;^ this commission, on my representing how ecessary it was to make a diversion in favor of the count D'Orvilliers, then cruising in the Channel, with aixty-six ships of the line, 1 received- a carle blanche du- ring six weeks, without any other restriclit)n than that of repairing to the Texei, l)y the first of October. By this time, 1 received inlin)ation from England, that eight East Indiamen were soon evj)ected on the coast of Ire- land, near to Limerick. This was an oi» ect of great at- tention : and as there were two privateers at Port L'Orient ready for sea, Lc Monsieur, of forty guns, and Le Granville, of fourteen, the captains of which offered to place themselves under my orders, 1 accepted the proposition. But the French commissary who super- intended the naval department, acted with great impro- priety on this, as well as on many former occasions. The little squadron at length set sail from the road of Groays, on the fourteenth of August, 1779 ; but we had no sooner proceeded to the north of the mouth of the Channel, than Le Mo )tsieiir and Le Granville ahan- doned me during the night, and Le Cerf soon after imitated their conduct. 1 was extremely anxious to cruise for a fortnight in the latitude of Limerick : but the caj)tain of the Alliance, after ob ccting to this, also left me during tiie night ; and as 1 had now with me only the Pallas and the Vengeance, 1 was obliged to re- nounce my original iptentions. 1 took two prizes on the coast of Ireland ; and, within sight of Scotland, came up and seized two privateers, of twenty-two guns each, which, with a brigantine, 1 sent to Bergen, in Norway, according to the orders I had re- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 55 e^ived from Dr. Franklin : these prizes, however, were restored to the English by the king of Denmark. When I entered the INorlh Sea, I captured several vessels, and learned by my prisoners, as well as by the newspapers, that the capital of Scotland and the port of Leith were left totally defenceless. 1 also understood, at the same time, that my information relative to the eight Indiamen was correct ; they having entered Lim- erick three days after I been obliged to leave the neigh- borhood of that port. As there was only a twenty gun ship and two cutters in Leith Road, 1 deemed it piacticabic to lay those two places under contribution. , I had indeed no other force to execute this pro'ect, than the Richard, the Pallas, and the Vengeance ; but I well knew, that in order to per- form a brilliant action, \t is not always necessary to pos- sess great means. I therefore held out the prospect o-f great booty to the captains under my command ; and, as lo myself, I was satislied with the idea of making a di- version in favor of the Count D'Orvilliers, who was then in the Channel. 1 now distributed red clothes to my men, and put some of them on board the prizes, so as to give them the ap- pearance of transports full of troops. All the necessary arrangements were also taken to carry the enterprise into execution : but, about a quarter of an hour before the descent was to have been made, a sudden tempest arose, and drove me out of the Forth, or Edinburgh Frith, and so violent was the storm that one of my pri- zes was lost. This did not, however, deter me, notwithstanding the Bmallness of my force.-:, from forming different enter- prizes of a similar nature : but I could not induce the captains of the Pallas and Vengeance to second raj views ; I was therefore obliged to content myself bj spreading alarm on the coast, and destroying the ship- pirjg, which i did as far as HuU» 44 RISE AND PROGRESS OF On the morning of the 23d September, while I was cruising in the latitude of Flamborough Head, which I had appointed as a place of rendezvous for my little squadron, and where I hoped to be rejoined by the Alli- ance and Le Cerf, and also to fall in with the Baltic fleet ; this convoy accordingly appeared, at a time when 1 had been abandoned by several of my consorts, had lost two boats, with their crews, who had run away on the coast of Ireland, and when a third, with eighteen men on board, was in chase of a merchantman to the windward, leaving me with a scanty crew, and only a single lieutenant and some inferior officers, on board. It was about two o'clock in the afternoon that the Baltic fleet appeared in view ; I then happened to have the wind of it, and was about two leagues distant from the coast of England. 1 learned from my prisoners, that the convoy was escorted by the Serapis, a new vessel, that could mount fifty-six guns, but then carried only forty-four, on two decks, the lower battery carrying eighteen pounders, and the Countess of Scarborough, a new twenty-two gun ship. We were no sooner descried than the armed vessels stood out to sea, while the trade took refuge under the cannon of Scarborough Castle. As there was but little wind, I could not come up with the enemy before night. The moon did not rise until eight, and at the close of day the Serapis and Countess of Scarborough tacked and stood for the fortress. 1 was lucky enough to discover this manojuvre by means of my night glass, without which 1 should have remained in ignorance of it. On this I immediately altered my course six points, with a view of cutting off the enemy ; tvhich was no sooner perceived by the Pallas, than it was supposed my crew had mutinied, which induced her captain to haul his wind, and to stand out to sea, while the Alliance lay to, io windward, at a considerable dis- taace ;and, as the captain of this vessel had never paid »ny attention whatever to the signals of the Richard I THE AMERICAN NAVV. 55 since her leaving France, I was obliged to run all risks and enter into action with the Richard only, to prevent the enemy's escape. I accordingly began the engagement at 7 o'clock at night, within pistol shot of the Serapis, and sustained the- brunt of it for nearly a whole hour at that distance, ex- posed, not only to her fire but also to that of the Count- ess of Scarborough, which raked the Richard, by means of the broadsides she fired into her stern. It ought to be here remarked, that the Richard, prop- erly speaking, was only a thirty-four gun frigate^ carry- ing only twelve-pounders ; but six eighteen-pounders had been placed in the gun room, in case of being obli- ged to recur to a canonade in an enemy's harbor. The sea being very calm during the engagement, I hoped to he able to derive great advantage from this circum- stance ; but instead of this, they burst at the com- mencement of the action, and the officers and men, post- ed at this service, and who were selected as the best of the whole crew, were either killed, wounded, or affright- ed to such a degree, that none of them were of any ser- vice during the rest of the engagement. In this unfortunate extremity, having to contend with three times my own strength, the Richard being in im- minent danger of going to the bottom, and her guns be- ing no longer in a condition to return the enemy's fire, I had recourse to a dangerous expedient, to grapple with the Serapis, in order, on the one hand, to render her su- periority useless, and, on the other, to cover ourselvei from the fire of her consort. This manoeuvre succeeded most admirably, and I fastened the Serapis, with my own hands, to the Richard. On this, the captain of the Countess of Scarborough, who was a natural son of the Duke of Northumberland, conducted himself like a maa of sense, and from that moment ceased to fire uponns. well knowing that he must at the same time danjagr the Serapis. That vessel being to windward at the moment we had 56 RISE AND PROGRESS OF grappled, instantly dropped her anchor, hoping by thi« to disengage herself from us ; but (his did not answer her expectations, and the engagement from that moment consisted of the discharge of great guns, swivels, mus- quetry, and grenades. — The English at first, testified a desire to board the Richard, but they no sooner saw the danger tlian they desisted. 'J'he enemy however, pos- sessed the advantage of their two batteries, besides the guns on their forecastle, and quarter-deck, while our cannon was cither burst or abandoned, except four pie- ces on the forecastle, which were also relinquished du- ring some minutes. Mr. rvlease, the officer who com- manded ihc'se guns, had been dangerously wounded on the head, and having, at that period, no greater object to occupy my attention, I myself took his post. A few sailors came to my assistance of their own accord, and served the two guns next to the enemy with surprising courage and address. A short time after (his, 1 received 6ufficien( assistance to be able to remove one of the fore- castle guns from (he opposite side ; but we had not strength sufficient to remove the other, so that we could only briitg three guns to bear upon ihe enemy during the remainder of the action. The moon, which as I have already observed, rose at eight, beheld the two vessels surrounded by flame, in consequence of the explosion of the cannon. It so hap- pened at this j)enod, that the mainmast of the Serapis, which was painted yellow, appeared extremely distinct, so as to form an excellent mark ; on this, I pointed one of my guns at it, taking care to ram home the shot. In the mean time, the two other pieces were admirably ser- ved against the and sv,rcpt its forecastle, by means of an oblique tire. The tops also seconded us bravely, by means of musquetry and swivels, and also threw a multitude of grenades so as greatly to annoy the enemy. By these means they were driven from their quarters, nofwithstanding their superiority in point of men and ar- tillery. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 57 The captain of the Serapis, after consulting with his officers, resolved to strike ; bit an unlucky accident, which occurred on board the Richard, prevented this : a bullet havin'^ destroyed one ofour pumps, the carpen- ter was seized with a panic, and told the gunner, and another petty officer, that we were sinking. Some o"e observed at the same time, that both I and the lieutenant were killed ; in consequence of which the gunner, con«iderine harbour of Tripoli, in preparing for an attack upon the town, and in cruising. A prize that had been taken was put in commission, and called the Scourge. A loan of six (:un-boats and two bomb-vessels, completely fitted for *crvicfc, was obtained from the king of Naples. Permis- fion was also given to take twelve or fifteen Neapolitan* on board each boat, to serve under the Ahierican flag.. Frigate Constitution, 44 Brig Argus, 18 Syren, 18 Scourge, Schooner Vixen, 16 Nautilus, 16 Enterprize, 12 THE AMERICAN NAVY. 81 With this addition to his force, the commodore, on the 21st of July, joined the vessels off Tripoli. His squad- ron then consisted of the guns, 24 pounders. 24 18 6 6 6 Besides six gun-boats, carrying each a twenty-six bras* pounder, and two bomb-ketches, carrying each a thir- teen inch mortar. The number of men engaged in th« service amounted to one thousand and sixty. On the Tripolitan castle and batteries, one hundred and fifteen guns were mounted ; fifty-five of which were pieces of heavy ordnance: the others long eigh- teen and twelve pounders, hi the harbour were nine- teen gun-boats, carrying each a long brass eighteen or twenty-four pounder in tbe bow, and two howitzers abaft; also two schooners of eight guns each, a brig of ten, and two galleys, of four guns each. In addition to the ordinary Turkish garrison, and the crews of the armed vessels, estimated at three thousand, upwards of twenty thousand Arabs had been assembled for the de- fence of the city. The weather prevented the squadron from approach- ing the city until the 28th, when it anchored within two miles and a half of the fortifications ; but the wind sud- denly shifting, and increasing to a gale, the commodore was compelled to return. On the 3d of August, he again approached to within two or three miles of the batteries. Having observed that several of the ene- my's boats were stationed without the reef of rocks, covering the entrance of the harbour, he resolved to take advantage of this circumstance. He made signal for the squadron to come within speaking distance, to communicate to the several commanders his intention 52 RISE AND PROGRESS OF of attacking the shipping and batteries. The gun-boats and bomb-ketches were immediately manned, and pre- pared for action. The former were arranged in two di- visions of three each. The first division was under the command of captain Somers. on board the boat No. 1 ; lieutenant James Decatur commanded the boat No. 2 ; and heutenant Blake, No. 3. The second division was commanded by captain Decatur, in No. 4 ; lieutenant Bainbridge commanded No. 5 ; and Heutenant Trippe- No. 6. The two bomb-ketches were commanded, the one by lieutenant commandant Dent ; the other by Mr. Robinson, first lieutenant of the commodore's ship. — At half past one, the squadron stood in for the batteries. At two, the gun-boats were cast off. At half past two, signal was made for the bomb-ketches and gun-boats to advance and attack. At three quarters past two, the signal was given for a general action. It commenced by the bomb-ketches throwing shells into the town. A tremendous fire immediately commenced from the ene- mies' batteries and vessels, of at least two hundred guns. It was immediately returned by the American squadron, now witliin musket-shot of the principal batteries. At this moment, captain Decatur, with the three gun- boats under his command, attacked the enemy's eastern division, consisting of nine gun-boats. He was soon in the middle of them. The fire of the cannon and mus- ketry was immediately changed to a desperate attack with bayonet, spear, sabre, &c. Captain Decatur hav- ing grappled a Tripolitan boat, and boarded her with only fifteen Americans; in ten minutes her decks were cleared, and she was captured. Three Americans were wounded. At this moment captain Decatur was inform- ed that the gun-boat commanded by his brother, had en- gaged and captured a boat belonging to the enemy ; but that his brother, as he was stepping on board, was treacherously shot by the Tripolitan commander, who made off with his boat. Captain Decatur immediately pursued the murderer, who was retreating within the THE AMERICAN NAVY. 83 lines ; having succeeded in coming alongside, he board- ed with only eleven men. A doubtful contest of twen- ty 'minutes ensued. Decatur immediately attacked the Tripolitan commander, who was armed with a spear and cutlass. In parrying the Turk's spear, Decatur broke his sword close to the hilt, and received a slight wound m the right arm and breast ; but having seized the spear he closed ; and, after a violent struggle, both fell, Decatur uppermost. The Turk then drew a dag- ger from his belt ; but Decatur caught hold of his arm, drew "a pistol from his pocket and shot him. While they were thus struggling, the crews of both vessels rushed to the assistance of their commanders. And so desperate had the contest round them been, that it was with difficulty Decatur could extricate himself from the killed and wounded that had fallen around him. In thii affair an American manifested the most heroic courage and attachment to his commander. Decatur, in the struggle, was attacked in the rear by a Tripolitan ; who had aimed a blow at his head, which must have proved fatal, had not this generous-minded tar, then dangerous- ly wounded, and deprived of the use of both his hands, rushed between him and the sabre, the stroke of which he received in his head, whereby his skull was fractur- ed. Tbis hero, however, survived, and now receives a pension from his grateful country. Ail the Americans bat four were wounded. Captain Decatur brought both his prizes safe to the i^mcrican squadron. Lieutenant Trippe boarded one of the enemy's large boats, with only a midshipman, Mr. Jonathan Henly, and nine men ; his boat falling off before any more could join him. He was thus left either to perish, or to conquer thirty-six men, with only eleven. Though at first, the victory seemed doubtful, yet, in a few minute?, the Tripolitans were subdued ; fourteen of them were killed, and twenty-two taken prisoners. Seven of these last were severely wounded. Lieutenant Trippe re- ceived eleven sabre wounds, some of them dangeroue. 34 RISE AND PROGRESS OF The blade of his sword bending, he closed with his an- tagonist. Both fell. In the struggle, Trippe wrested the Turk's sword from him, and, with it^ stabbed him to the heart. Lieutenant Bainbridge had his lateen yards shot away. This rendered all his exertions to get along side the enemy's boats of no effect. But his brisk and well directed fire, within musket shot, did great execution. At one time his boat grounded within pistol shot of one of the enemy's batteries. He was there exposed to the fire of musketry ; but, by his address and courage, he extricated himself from his dangerous situation. Captain Somers was not able to get far enough to windward, to co-operate with Decatur. He, however, bore down upon the leeward division of the enemy. — With his single boat, he attacked five full manned Tri- politan boats, within pistol shot. He defeated, and drove them in a shattered condition, and with the loss of many lives, to take refuge under the rocks. The two bomb vessels kept their station, and threw a great many shells into the town. Five of the enemy's gun-boats, and two galleys, composing their centre divi- sion, stationed within the rocks, being reinforced, and all joined by the gun-boats that had been driven in, twice attempted to row out and surround the gun-boats and prizes of the Americans. They were, however, prevented by the vigilance of the commodore, who made signal for the brigs and schooners to cover them. This was properly executed by these vessels. Their conduct was excellent during the whole of the engage- ment, and they annoyed the enemy exceedingly. The fire from the Constitution did considerable execution, and kept the enemy's flotilla in constant disorder. She was several times within two cables' length of the rocks, and three of the batteries. As soon as her broadside was brought to bear on any of the batteries, it wag im- mediately silenced. Byt having no large vessels to »e- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 8* cure these advantages, the fire was recommenced as soon as she changed her position. At half past four, the wind having inclined to the northward, and the enemy's flotilla having retreated to a station which covered them from the fire of the Ameri- cans, signal was ipac^e for the gun-boats and bombs to retire from the action. This was effected, and in fif- teen minutes the squadron was out of the reach of the enemy's shot. The squadron was more than two hours within grape shot distance of the enemy's batteries, which kept up a constant fire. The damage sustained by the Americans was by no means proportionate to the apparent danger. The frigate Constitution was struck in her mainmast by a thirty-two pound ball, her sails and rigging were considerably cut, and one of her quar- ter-deck guns was injured by a round shot ; not a man, however, was killed on board of her. The other ves- sels suffered in their rigging, and had several men wound- ed ; but none were killed, excepting lieutenant Deca- tur. On the part of the enemy the effect of this en- gagement was very different. The boats captured by the Americans had one hundred and three men on board, forty-seven of whom were killed and twenty-six wound- ed. Three other boats were sunk with all the men on board of them. Numbers were also swept from the decks of the other vessels in the harbour. On shore, several Tripolitans were killed and wounded ; a num- ber of guns in the batteries were dismounted ; and the town was considerably injured. When the squadron was standing in for the attack, the bashaw affected to despise them. After having sur veyed them from his palace, he said, *' they will mark their distance for tacking ; they are a sort of Jews, who have no notion of fighting." The palace and terraces of the houses were crowded with spectators to behold the chastisement the bashaw's boats would give the American vessels if they approached too near. Mo- mentary, however, was this exultation. Scarcely had 8 86 RISE AND PROGRESS OF the battle commenced, when no one was to be seen, except at the batteries. Many of the inhabitants fled to the country ; and the bashaw retreated to his bomb- proof room. On the 5th of August, the commodore prevailed on a French privateer, that had left Tripoli in the morning, to return with eleven wounded Tripolitans, whose wounds had been carefully dressed. The commodore also sent a letter to the bashaw's minister. The pris- oners informed the prince, that the Americans in battle were fiercer than lions, but in the treattnent of their prisoners, they were even more kind than the mussul- men. The bashaw at first misunderstood the motive of sending these men ; but when informed that it was done through motives of humanity, he professed to be pleas- ed, and said if he took any wounded Americans, he ihould, in like manner, restore them : but he would not release any of the crew of the Philadelphia. On the 7th the privateer returned with a letter from the French consul, signifying that the bashaw would probably treat on more reasonable terms. Nothing, however, definitive or satisfactory was proposed. The terms intimated were considerably higher than the com- modore felt willing, or thought himself authorised to accept. He therefore prepared for a second attack. — The bomb-ketches, commanded by lieutenants Crane and Thorn, were to take a station in a small bay west of the town, where without being much exposed, they might throw their shells with great effect. The gun- boats were to attack a seven gun battery. The brigs and schooners were to support them, in case the enemy's flotilla should venture out. At half-past two, the action commenced. In the course of two hours, six of the leven guns in the battery were silenced. During the action, forty-eight shells and about five hundred round ahot were thrown into the town and batteries. The Tripolitan galleys manoeuvred to gain a positioH that Blight enable them to cut off the retreat of the Ameri- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 87 t can gun-boats ; but the large vessels defeated their de- sign. One of the American prize boats, taken in the first attack, was blown up by a red-hot shot from the battery passing through her magazine. She had on board twenty-eight men, ten of whom were killed, and «ix wounded : among the former were James Caldwell, first lieutenant of the Syren, and J. Dorsey, midship- man. Mr. Spence, midshipman, and eleven men, wer« taken up unhurt. When the explosion took place, this young officer was superintending the loading of a gun ; having discharged the piece, he with the survivors jump- ed into the sea. They were soon taken up by another boat. At eight in the evening of the same day, the John Adams, captain Chauncey, joined the squadron. By him the commodore was informed, that four frigates were on their passage ; also, that by the appointment of a senior officer to one of the frigates, he would be su- perseded in his command. The government was high- ly satisfied with the conduct of the comniodore ; but had not a sufficient number of captains, juniors to the commodore to supply all the frigates with commanders ; nor had information of his brilliant success as yet reach- ed America. The John Adams having been sent out as a transport, no assistance could, for the present, be received from her. All her guns were stowed by the kelson, and their carriages put away on board of the other frigates. A* these last were all to sail four days after the John Ad- ams, further operations were suspended in expectation of their arrival- On the 9th, the commodore reconnoitred the har- bour, in the brig Argus. Next day a flag of truce was seen flying on the shore. The commodore sent a boat, but which, however, was not permitted to land her men. They returned with a letter from the French consul. By it the commodore wafe informed that the bashaw would accept five hundred dollars for the ransom of 88 RISE AND PROGRESS OF each prisoner, and put an end to the war without any annuity for peace. The sum demanded amounted to about one hundred and fifty thousand doHars. This the commodore rejected ; but for the sake of the cap- tives, and to prevent further effusion of blood, he offer- ed eighty thousand dollars as ransom, and ten thousand dollars as presents. The bashaw, however, suspended the negotiations, and said he would wait the result of another attack. On the night of the 23d, the bomb-ketches were sent under the protection of the gun-boats, to bombard the town. The bombardment commenced at two A. M. and continued till daybreak ; but without much cfTcct. The weather being favourable on the 27th, the com- modore stood in for Tripoli, and anchored the Consti- tution two miles N. by E. from Fort English. The light vessels kept under way. As a number of officers and seamen of the Constitution were employed in the boat, captain Chauncey, several of his officers, and about seventy seamen, volunteered their services on board her. The gun-boats, accompanied by the Syren, Argus, Vixen, Nautilus, Enterprise, and the boats of the squad- ron, anchored at three in the morning within pistol shot of the enemy's lines. With springs on their ca- bles, they commenced a brisk fire on the shipping, town, batteries, and castle. It was warmly returned from the enemy's batteries. The boats of the squadron remain- ed with the gun-boats to assist in boarding the flotilla, in case it should come out. The biigs and schooners kept under way, to harrass the enemy, and to support the gun-boats- At daylight, the commodore, apprehen- sive that the ammunition of the gun-boats might be nearly expended, weighed anchor, and stood in under the direct fire of Fort English, and of the castle, crown and mole batteries. He made signal for the gun-boats to retire from action. Having arrived at a good dis- tance for firing at thirteen Tripolitan gun-boats and gal- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 89 ^ejs, engaged with the American boats, he discharged a broadside of round and grape shot at them. One of them was sunk ; two were disabled ; and the remain- der put to flight. The commodore then continued run- ning in until within musket shot of the batteries. He hove to, fired three hundred round shot, besides grape and cannister, into the bashaw's castle, town and batte* ries. The castle and two of the batteries were silen- ced. A little after six he hauled off. The gun-boats fired four hundred round shot, besides grape and can nister, apparently with much effect. The result of this attack was serious on shore. A thirty-six pound ball penetrated the castle, and entered the apartment of the prisoners. Considerable damage was done to the hous- es. Several lives were lost A boat from the John Adams, with a master's mate and eight mfin on board, was sunk by a double headed shot, which killed three seamen and badly wounded another. The French consul, immediately after the attack, re- newed the negotiations for peace. They were, howev- er, broken off, in consequence, he thought, of one of the vessels of the squadron approaching the harbour ai 'a cartel. This the bashaw interpreted as a proof of discouragement on the part of the Americans. On the 3d of September, the bomb-ketches being re* paired, and also the damages sustained by the other ves sels in the action of the 27th of vVugust, the commo dore resolved on another attack. The action com nienced between three and four o'clock, and soon be- , came general. As the American gun-boats bore dowa. the boats and galleys gave way, and retreated under cover of the musketry, on shore. The brigs,, schooa- ers and gun-boats, pursued as far as the depth of the water would permit, and within musket shot of Fort English. The action in this quarter was divided. The brigs and schooners, with one divison of the gun-boats, engaged the fort. The other division continued engg- ^ed with the Tripolitan boats and galleys. 8* 90 RISE AND PROGRESS OF The two bomb-ketches, while throwing their sheila into the town, were exposed to a direct fire from the bashaw's castle, from the crown, mole, and several oth- er batteries. The commodore, perceiving their dan- ger, ran his ship between them and the batteries, within musket shot. Seventy guns were brought to bear on him from the batteries. But he discharged eleven broadsides with so much etTect, that he silenced the principal batteries, and injured the others, and also the town considerably. The wind veering to the north- ward, and it beginning to blow fresh, the commodore, at half past four P. M. gave signal to retire from the ac- tion under cover of the Constitution. Though the fri- gates and vessels were much damaged in this engage- ment, not a man was lost. The bomb-vessel, commanded by lieutenant Robin- son, had all her shrouds shot away, and was so much damaged in her hull, as to be with difficulty kept above water. The Argus received a thirty-two pound ball in her hull. It cut away a bower cable as it entered, which so completely destroyed its force, that it fell upon the deck without doing any injury. Commodore Preble had for some time contemplated sending a fire-ship into the harbour, in order to destroy the flotilla, and injure the town. Captain Somers vol- unteered his services. He, with the assistance of lieu- tenants Wadsworth and Israel, fitted out the ketch In- trepid for the expedition. One hundred barrels of gun- powder and one hundred and fifty shells were placed in the hold. Fusees and combustibles were so applied as not to endanger a retreat. On the evening of the 4th of September, captain Somers chose two fast-rowing boats, in order to bring off the people, after the vessel should be set on fire. His own boat was manned by four men from the Nautilus, and six from the Constitution, with lieutenant Wadi- worth. At eight they parted from the squadron, and stood into the harbour. They were convoyed by the THE AMERICAN NAVY. gi Argus, Vixen, and Nautilus, until arrived within a short distance from the batteries. On entering the inner har- bour, and near the point of her destination, the fire ship' was boarded and carried by two galleys of one hundred men each. At this moment she exploded with the most awful effect. Every battery was silenced. Not a gun was fired during the remainder of the night. There is every reason to suppose that captain Somers, on per- ceiving no means of escape left, and that he should inev- itably be doomed to an ignominious captivity, heroically resolved to die, and with his own hands set fire to the ti'ain, when himself, his companions, and the enemy, met a common death. After this, nothing material occurred until Septemljer 9th, when the long expected squadron, under commo- dore Barron, joined the one before Tripoli. Here en- ded the command of commodore Preble, so honourable to himself and his country. All joined in praising his distinguished merit. The Pope made a publ'C declara- ration, that "the United States, though in their infancy, had, in this affair, done more to humble the antichris- tian barbarians on the coast, than all the European states had done for a long series of time." Sir Alexan- der Ball, a distinguished commander in the British navy, addressed commodore Preble as follows : — " I beg to repeat my congratulations on the services you have ren- dered your country, and the hair-breadth escape? you have had in setting a distinguished example. Your bravery and enterprise are worthy a great and rising na- tion. If I were to offer my opinion, it should be, that you have done well not to purchase a peace with th« enemy. A few brave men have indeed been sacrificed ; but they could not have fallen in a better cause ; and I even conceive it advisable to risk more lives rather thaa submit to terms which might encourage the Barbary •tates to add fresh demands and insults." After the junction of the two squadrons, comnaodoie Preble obtained leave to return home. This he did witi» f>2 RISE AND PROGRESS OF the greater pleasure, as it would give the command of a frigate to captain Decatur. On his return to the Uni- ted States, he was received and treated every where with that distinguished attention, which he had so fully merited. Congress voted him their thanks, and reques- ted the President to present him with an emblematical medal.* While Commodore Preble was humb!->)g the emperor of Morocco, and maturing his plans for the Tripolitan war, general William Eaton, who had resided as one of the American consuls up the Mediterranean, and then on his passage home, conceived the plan of co-operating with the naval force, by repaiii'ng to Egypt, and forming a confederacy with Hamet Caramelli ; and restoring him to his lawful possessions. As soon as gen. Eaton made known his plans, several marines volunteered from the American squadron and joined him in the adventure. He repaired to Alexandria in Egypt, made known his plans and views to Uamet, roused him from his despon- dency, and entered into an agreement with him that promised to restore him to his throne. This throne was then possessed by Jussutl", who had murdered his father, and his eldest brother, driven Hamet his youngest "brother into exile, and usurped the throne. " 'Hamet on his part promised to maintain perpetual peace with the United States, and promote, by all pos- sible means, the mutual and reciprocal interest of the parlies. As soon as this convention was signed, the parties pro- ceeded to assemble an army, which was soon eilected ; and they commenced their iriarch across the desert of Barca. After traversing the desert about six huntired miles, they arrived before Derne, the capital of a prov- ince of the same name, belonging to the government of Tripoli, which soon yielded to the arms of the conquer- ors. •Clark's Naval History, vol. i. p. 148—163. m THE AMERICAN NAVY. 9J Alarmed for his own safety, the Bashaw of Tripoli strengthened his defence, by augmenting his garrison, and calling into the field an army of twenty thousand Arabs. Thus fortified, he set at defiance the army of Eaton, and the squadron of Preble, by demanding the sum of six hundred thousand dollars, and an annual tribute as the conditions of peace. But these term* were rejected with disdain, and the assailing squadron renewed the war. Negotiations in the mean time were lingering and pro- gressing, delaying and advancing in Tropoli. Suffice it to say, that, the sum of sixty thousand dollars was paid to the Bashaw — thirty thousand dollars less than the gallant Preble, in the midst of victory, had offered 5 and five hundred and forty thousand dollars less than the insolent Bashaw, in fancied security, had demanded. CHAPTER VI. 'Causes thai led to the late war with Great Britain. War declared. Notwithstanding the war of the revolution had cost Great Britain more than 100,000 men, and more than 100,000,000 sterling ; compelled her to do justice to her colonies, as far as justice could be done by a fair and honourable treaty, yet she by her folly had lost her colonies, and felt the wound so sensibly, that she made all possible efforts to continue to embarrass and distress them. She violated the 7th article of the treaty of Paris, 1783, by withholding the western posts, on the frontier ; encouraged and promoted Indian wars, and depredations upon our N. Western frontier ; and actu- 94 RISE AND PROGRESS Or ally furnished officers and men, arms and ammunitron, moncj and other supplies for war. She also excited the Barbarj powers, upon the shores of the Mediterra- nean sea, to commit depredations upon American com- merce ; impressed American seaman into her service, and compelled thcin to do duty on board her ships of war. She by her orders in council, commenced an un- precedented restrictive system upon neutral commerce, and -by her arbitrary and despotic paper blockades, claimed the sovereign control of the ocean ; all which not only greatly embarrassed, but almost annihilated all neutral commerce. In addition to all this, she claimed the right of searching neutral vessels, aed not only impressing therefrom American seamen ; but of seizing and removing all goods, suspected of belonging to an enemy. Under the mask of the first of these as- sumed rights, the British frigate Leopard actually fired into the American frigate Chesapeake ; compelled her to strike her colours, and took out of her four American seaman. This outrage caused great public excitement, and led to an immediate negotiation ; but before the af- fair could be amicably adjusted, the British sloop of war Little Belt, commenced an attack upon the Amer- ican frigate President, which was nobly repelled ; and the Little Belt suffered severely. This renewed outrage called aloud for war, and the government, and the nation were alive to the issue; but before war had been declared. Great Britain added the finishing touch to her hostile system, by exciting the North Western Indians to actual hostilities, and on the first of December the President announced to Congres* the memorable battle of Tippacanoe, near the Wabash, on the seventh of November, in which the Americana lojt one hundred killed, wounded, and missing. The Indians in this action surprised Gen. Harrison, in time of peace, and nolwifhstanding they were routed and dis- persed, their loss could not be accurately ascertained ; but was undoubtedly much greater than that of the Americans, THE AMERICAN NAVY. 95 The government and nation again felt the shock, and the President recommended to Congress an immediate declaration of war. Congress etitered with firmness and spirit into the views and feehngs of the President and nation, and on the third of April following, they laid an embargo for ninety days. On the 4th of June following, the House of Representatives passed a bill, declaring war against Great Britain ; on the 17th the Senate sanctioned the bill, on the 18th it was signed by the President, and on the 19th war was publicly de- clared. A military spirit had been kindling in the country, through that portion of the French Revolution that had involved neutral commerce and neutral rights in the strife of the belligerant powers of Europe, and it had been foreseen by the nation, that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for America to avoid being involved in the controversy. Congress, by their special acts, had so far anticipated the event of war, as to authorize the President to enlist 25,000 men ; but the spirit of the people had not yet been roused to the contest, and the ranks were not filled. The same acts also empowered the President to enrol fifty thousand volunteers, and imbody 100,000 militia ; but this force also was not raised ; and had it been called into service, the want of experienced officers, together with constitutional em- barrassments, would have been serious, if not insur- mountable difficulties to have been overcome, before any important operations could have been effected. Under these embarrassments the President commenced the war. og RISE AND PROGRESS OF CHAPTER VI. General Movement in the War, ^c When it was understood by the government that war with Britain was inevitable, general Hull, then at Ur- bana, state of Ohio, June 1st, received orders to march directly to Detroit. The General with his brave troops traversed the pathless desert, then possessed by numerous and powerful Indian tribes, and arrived safe at Detroit early in the month of July. He commenced immediate preparations for the invasion of Upper Can- ada ; agreeable to orders, on the 1st of August, crossed over Detroit river and took possession of the village of Sandwich, where he issued his proclamation, promising peace and protection to all such as should make no re- sistance ; but threatening with military vengeance all such as should be found in arms, particularly every man found fighting by the side of an Indian. Under cover of this proclamation, general Hull commenced his operations ; the inhabitants were generiilly disposed to favour the invasion, and the General proceded to in- vest fort Maiden ; but before the fortress could be car- ried, he received intelligence of the capture of Michi- limackinac by the enemy. This was a death blow to the future prospects of general Hull, for he a( once »aw, that the fall of this fortress would open the North Western frontier, and expose the whole Territory of Michigan to an Indian invasion, and even endanger the safety of Detroit. In this state of aflfairs general Hull had notice of the arrival at the river Raisin, (36 miles from Detroit,) of a company of Ohio volunteers, under captain Brush, with supplies for the army. He detach- ed immediately a company of 150 men, under the com- mand of Maj. Van Home, to escort the supplies to camp. Maj. Van Home fell into an Indian ambush, near the point of destination, and lost about forty of his party. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 97 killed and wounded ; and among the number three of his Captains. Before the news of the disaster reached general Hull, he had concluded to raise the siege of Maiden, and return to Detroit. On his way to that for- tress, the news q( the defeat at the Raisin reached him, and he hastened back to Detroit, leaving a strong de- tachment to protect his friends at Sandwich. As soon as general Hull reached Detroit, he detached Lieut. Col. Miller, with about 300 regulars, and 200 militia, to relieve the party under captain Brush, with supplies, and escort them to the fort, but the enemy had antici- pated this movement, and collected in ambush, a strong force of regulars and Indians, to the number of about 750, at a place called Maguagua, near Brownstown. The Indians were headed by the noted chief Tecum- seh, and the whole force was under the command of Maj. Muir. On the 9th Col. Miller f(;ll into this am- bush, and a sharp action ensued ; the British regulars commenced the attack in front, and the Indians upon both flanks ; but the Americans, regardless of the hor- rid yells of the savages, bravely repelled their attack ; charged home upon the British, and at the point of the bayonet drove them from their covert, and pursued them to Brownstown, where they hastily embarked, and crossed over to Maiden. The loss of the British regu- lars amounted to 1 5, killed, and 30 or 40 wounded ; but the loss of the Indians was much greater; about 100 were found dead on the field of action. The sufferings of Col. Miller and his party were so great in this ac- tion, that he found it necessary to abandon the object of his destination at the Raisin, and return the next day to Detroit, agreeable to special orders. The communication with the state of Ohio, (and the United States army at Detroit depended for provis- ions upon its being kept open,) was completely blocked up; the provisions for the supply of Hull's army, under a convoy of 200 men, commanded by captain Brush, of the Ohio Volunteers, were waiting at the River Raisin, 9 9S RISE AND PROGRESS OF 36 miles from Detroit ; Major Van Home had been defl patched a day or two before, with a small command, to the assistance of captain Brush, but was defeated and driven back. General Hull now saw it necessary to turn his serioua attention to that point ; and to send a force to open this communication which was fully competent to the task, both to enable the supplies to pass unmolested, and to counteract the unfavorable impressions made on the minds of the troops by the defeat of Maj. Van Home. He accordingly detached from the army a part of the regular troops, the Michigan legion and some riflemen, and dragoons of the Ohio volunteers, making in the whole about 600 men, under the command of Lieut. Col. James Miller, of the 4th regiment U. S. Infantry, for this object. The 4th regiment, except one company left at Sand- wich, to garrison a small fort, built by order of General Hull; a small detachment of the 1st Infantry, and a small number of Artillerists from captain Dyson's com- pany stationed in fort Detroit, formed the regular troops of the detachment, amounting to about 300 in number. The Michigan legion consisted of about 60 men, mostly native Frenchmen of that territory, comnianded by cap- tain De Cant. The cavalry consisted of about 40 dra- goons and mounted spies, commanded by captain Sloan, of the corps of Volunteer Cavalry. The riflemen amounted to about 200, commanded by Major Morrison, of the Ohio volunteers, making the 600 men. Col. Miller obtained permission from General Hull to take two field pieces with the detachment, one six pounder and one 5 1-2 inch howitzer, with their appen- dages and ammunition. The first was manned by a aquadron of Artillerists from Captain Dyson's company, detached from fort Detroit, and commanded by Lieut. Jonathan Eastman ; that corps and the second wa» manned by a squad picked iVom the first Infantry (the General refusing to detach from the Ist any more Ar- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 99^ lillerists) and was placed under the command of Lieut. James Dilliba, of the regiment of Artillerists, then ser- ving as master of ordnance to General HulPs armj. Captain Brevoort, of the 2d U. S. Infantry, then com- manding the transports on the lakes ; and Captain Abraham P. Hull, of the 12th Infantry, son and aid to the General, volunteered their services as aids de camp to Col. Miller. Lieut. John L. Eastman, adjutant of the 4th Infantry, served as brigade major. Captain Maxwell, of the Ohio volunteers, a revolutionary offi- cer, and who had served in the Indian war under Gen, iVayne and others, was chosen to lead the spies, recon- Qoitre the country a-head of the detachment, and point Dutthe route of maich: he was assisted by several vol- unteer citizens from Detroit, well acquainted with tb« country. The detachment having drawn two days' provisions, being organized, and every thing prepared for th« inarch, was paraded in line in order of march, as to the station of corps, in the main street in the town of De- troit, on the 8th of August, 1812, at 5 o'clock P. M. Col. Miller then rode to the centre, and in front of the line, addressed the troops in the following words : "Sol- liers, we are going to n\eet the enemy, and to beat them ! The reverses of the 5th must be repaired ! The blood of your brethren, spilt by savage hands, on that day, must be avenged by their chastisement and by the chastisement of the enemy who employs them, more savage than they ! I shall lead you — 1 trust that no man ivill disgrace himself or me — every man who is seen to leave the ranks, to give way or fall back without or- ders shall instantly be put to death. The ofticers are tiereby charged with the execution of this order. My brave soldiers ! you have once faced the enemy in a bard conflict, and beaten them, and gained glory t« j^ourselves and honor to your country ! Let this oppor- tunity be improved to add another victory to that of Tippacanoe, and new glory to that which you gained 100 RISE AND PROGRESS OF on the Wabash. Soldiers, if there are any now in the ranks of this detachment, who are afraid to meet the enemy, they are now permitted to fall out and stay be- hind — "At which the words " Til not stay,'' ran through the ranks, with a " huzza." After which the line was wheeled by sections to the right into open column, when Col. Miller took his po- sition at the head;, and ordered the detachment to march. The whole moved off in order and in high spirits, and discovered those ardent feelings to meet the conflict, which inspired a full confidence in the remain- ing army and anxious citizens, that it would be success- ful. The head of the column arrived at the river Rouge, six miles from Detroit, about sun-set. There being no bridge, and the water very deep, the detachments were conveyed over in scows ; there being but two provided, which would not carry more than 50 men each ; it was 10 o'clock at night before the troops, artillery, horses and waggons, were all crossed over. The weather be- ing somewhat rainy and very dark, it Was determined to encamp there for the night. The guards and piquets having been stationed, and every arrangement completed for the security of the camp; the men were permitted to lie down upon their arms and rest till day light. The tents and all other dispensable baggage, was left at De- troit. The troops had no other covering than some rails which they took from the fences to screen them from the weather. Cooks of messes were directed to cook the provisions during the night so as to be ready to march at day break. Accordingly the troops were pa- raded, and every thing prepared to move in that order, which appeared the best calculated to receive or make an attack, when and wherever the enemy might be met. The following is the order in wjiic'h the troops marched ; Captain Maxwell, with his mounted spies went a-head, as a van guard, at such a distance as he judged prudent. An advanced guard, under Capt. Snelling, of the fourth THE AMERICAN NAVY. 101 infantr}', of 40 men of his eompairy, marched in Kne of single rank, 200 yards in advance of, and covering the heads of the columns. The musquetrj was formed in two columns of single files, the regulars in front, and marched by files on the right of columns. One column on each side of the road, at 200 yards diste from each other. One commanded by Major Morrison, and the other by Major Van Home, of the Ohio volun- teers. The Cavalry under Captain Sloan, marched ia the road, in column of double files by the right of col- umn. The head of this column kept in line with the heads of the columns of musquetry on the right and left. Flank guards were formed of riflemen, and march- ed by single files, headed by the officer comrpanding each, parallel with the column of musquetry and at the distance of 80 yards from them. A rear guard march- ed at the distance of 50 yards in rear of the foot of, and covering the columns of musquetry. The artillery moved in the road, in the rear of the cavalry, and op- posite the centre of the columns of musquetry, followed by the ammunition waggons, the waggons containing en- trenching tools, hospital stores, medicine chests, &c. fol- lowed in succession. Colonel Miller marched at the head of the column of cavalry, accompained by his aids» in the road and in a line with the heads of the columns of musquetry. The method of forming the line of battler from the or- der of march, was as follows : In case an attack was made in front, the advance guard was to stand till the columns of infantry and rifle- men formed in lines and marched upon it. The two columns of infantry were to form two lines to the front; the front division of each column were to form (he first line, and the rear divisions the second line, which brought the regular troops into the first line. The two lines were to be formed respectively on the centres of the divisions of columns which were to compose them. If the first line should require extending, the 9* 102 RISE AND PROGRESS 07 right and left divisons of the second hne were to ad- vance and form respectively on the right and left flanki of the first line. If the first line should not require extending, the second line was to form a corps of re- serve. The right and left flank guards were to form respectively on the right and left flanks of the front line. The artillery and cavalry were to move to that point hy order of the commander in chief, which he should think proper to direct. The rear guard was to protect the waggons and stores. If an attack should be made in rear, the columns were to form lines to the rear, and march upon the rear guard as upon the front, and so of other corps. If an attack should be made on either flank, the whole were to halt and the columns face to the enemy ; and by so facing they would already be formed in two lines ; and the other corps would form as before directed. In this order the detachment marched from the en- campment near the river Rouge, on the morning of the 9th. They proceeded through the White Settlement, which was about five miles, and entered the woods. The country, from the river Rouge to Brownstown, is generally flat, and lies a little above the surface of the river Detroit. Indian huts and fields are interspersed through woods : at that time the fields were covered with corn, which was grown to 7 and 8 feet higli. The first woods which the troops entered was about one mile and a half through. When the advance guard had arrived at the farther edge of this wood, the spies having advanced into the Indian opening, were fired upon by a party of about ten Indians, who were on horseback, and had concealed themselves behind the house of the celebrated chief, Waik-in-the-water. The spies fell back : a citizen from Detroit, who accompanied them, was killed, and fell from his horse. The guard under captain Snelling advanced quickly towards the house, at sight of which^ the Indiaoii fled without receiving much injury from the THE AMERICAN NAVY. 103 guard, who fired upon them as they were uncovered bj the house, bearing away as a trophy, the citizen's scalp whom they had shot. The facility with which the scalp was taken, was astonishing. There appeared not to have been time for the Indian to have reached the spot where the man fell, before the guard arrived upon the same spot, when the scalp had been taken off, and the Indian fled. When the firing was heard by the col- umns, the order was given by Colonel Miller to "form the line of battle," which soon ran through the detach- ment, and was executed promptly ; but as the Indiani had fled, the firing ceased, and all was silent for a few moments. The spies were again sent forward, but soon returned, and reported that no enemy could be discovered. The troops were again formed in the or- der of march and moved forward as before. The firmness with which Colonel Miller conducted during this alarm, and his presence of mind, gave the army fresh courage, and increased their confidence in their commander : as also, the promptness and order with which the line of battle was formed, gave him recipro- cal confidence in his troops ; for every one believed that the enemy had met them in force. This happened about 9 o'clock A. M. The march was continued un- til 12, without much further interruption. Some flying Indians were discovered now and then, who had been «ent out by the enemy to watch the movements of the Americans, and to give information of iheir ap- proach towards Brownstown ; where the enemy, as ap- peared afterwards, then lay in ambush to receive them. He had crossed over from Maiden, and taken that posi- tion, on the night of the 7th, the time the American de- tachment crossed from Sandwich to Detroit ; which clearly proved that he had intelligence of the move- ment and object of Colonel Miller : for all the Indians, and their allies, had recrossed to Maiden, afVer the de- feat of Major Van Home, to celebrate the victor_y and present the American scalps to the commanding officer of that fort. 104 TRISE AND PROGRESS OF The position which the enemy had chosen, lay in an open oak wood, just at the declivity of a rising ground, over which the Americans had to pass. He had thrown up breastworks of trees, logs, &lc. behind which he lay concealed in force, and in order of battle. His works were thrown up in form of a courtine with two flanks. The line of the courtine lay across the road and perpendicularly to it. The banks formed an angle with the courtine of about 120. The courtine was Hn€d with British regular troops, two deep, of the 41st regiment of foot, under the command of Major Muer, of that regiment, who had long been in command at Maiden. The flank of the courtine, on the enemy's right, and American left, was lined with Canadian mili- tia and Indians, commanded by Walkin the-water and Marport. This line was flanked by the river Detroit. Most of the militia were dressed and painted like their " brethren in arms," the savages. The left flank of the courtine was lined entirely by savages, under the command of the celebrated Indian warrior Tecumseh,- of the Shawanoese nation. The number of the Brit- hh regulars and militia amounted to about 300: about 200 regulars. The Indians amounted to 450 ; mak- ing the enemy's force abmit 750 men. The position and strength of the enemy were entire- ly unknown to Colonel Miller and to the army, at this time. At 12 o'clocJc, meridian, the detachment arrived at a large opening which contained 4 or 5 Indian houses,, gardens and orchards. The army halted to take some refreshment, and to bury the man who had been kill- ed ; where they lay about one hour. The village was deserted, and nothing left in the houses of conse- quence. I'he march was again Fesumed at i o'clock P. M/ and continued without interruption. The troops marched over the ground on which Major Van Home had been defeated four days before; and passed the THE AMERICAN NAVY. IO5 dead bodies of several of the slain, and some dead horses. Th'e body of captain M'CuUoch lay under an Indian bark. The columns having arrived at the oak woods near Brownstown, at half past three, some guns were heard a-head by them. In a kw seconds a volley was heard from captain Snelling's advance guard, and another instantly returned from a great number of pieces. The troops, by this time completely awake, were ordered to halt. Colonel Miller rode towards the centre at full speed, halted, and with a firm voice, or- dered the columns to " form the line of battle,'' which was executed with that order, promptness and zeal, which he had expected : after the first vollies, the firing became incessant in front. Captain Snelling stood his ground till the lines were formed, and moved to his relief. He stood within pistol shot of the ene- my's breastworks, in a shower of balls from the regu- lar troops in his front, who shewed themselves after the first fire, and set up the Indian yell. When the first line appeared before the breastwork, they received the fire of the whole front and a part of the flanks : at this instant Colonel Miller discovered that the enemy out- flanked him, when the second line and flank guards were brought upon the flanks of the front line, and ex- tended to meet the whole line of the enemy. The sav- ^ages, in unison with the British troops, set up a horrid yell, and a severe conflict ensued. The incessant firing in the eentre ran diverging to the flanks : from the cracking of individual pieces, it changed to alternate vollies ; and at length to one continued sound : and, while every thing seemed hushed amidst the wavering roll, the discharge of the six pounder burst upon the ear. The Americans stood ! — At this instant Colonel Miller was thrown from his horse which took fright at •the discharge of the artillery ; he was supposed to be shot, those near him flew to his aid. The savages who saw him fall sprang over the breastwork to take his scalp, but were driven back. Colonel Miller instantly 106 RISE AND PROGRESS OF remounted and returned to continue his orders. The fire from the Indians who were screened by their breast- works, was deadly. The soldiers saw the advantage it gave them, and Colonel Miller, throwing his eye along the line, discovered one or two, edging to place thena- selves behind a tree. He saw the instant must be im- proved, and ordered "" charge V which instantly mn through the line : the men whom he saw edging, with every other, brought down their pieces, struck up a huz- za ! and marched directly into the breastworks. The effect of the grape from the six-pounder, and the ap- proach of the bayonet, caused the British line to yield, and then to break, and the troops fled in disorder ! at nearly the same instant the Indians and militia on their right flank, being charged in their works, by the Michi- gan legion, under Captain De Cant, and a part of th« Ohio riflemen, turning this flank by the river, fled ia confusion. Tecumseh, on the enemy's left flank, stood longer ; some of the Indians under his command, near the extremity of the line, had jumped over the breast- works, in the full assurance of victory : they were driv- en back, by the point of the bayonet. Tecumseh en- deavored to outflank the American line, and turn their right ; but from the skill and gallantry of the officei"8, and firmness of the men on that flank, he was foiled in every attempt, and was finally forced to fall back, and take new positions, and fight on the retreat. The British and Indians on their right flank, fled directly down the river, and were pursued by Colonel Miller, with that part of his troops which had opposed them ; and Te- cumseh, with his Indians, fled directly from the river, westwardly, into the wilderness, and were pursued by that part of the troops which had opposed them, over- taking them who were wounded, and otherwise unable to escape. After the British had retreated about one mile, they came into an opening, of about half a mile in diame- ter ; here they endeavoured to form again, but on th« THE AMERICAN NAVY. 101 precipitate approach of the Americans, thej again brolce and fled into the woods down the river. Thej were pursued to ihe edge of these woods, when Colonel Mil- ler received information from Major Van Home, whom he had left in command of the right flank, that Tecum- »eh had retreated westwardly, that he successively took new positions with his Indians, that they were still fight- ing, and that it was still doubtful how the conflict would finally terminate in that quarter. On the receipt of this information, C( lonel Miller ordered the troops under his immediate command, to halt, and form the line. He informed the oflicers,that it would not do to pursue. the enemy any farther, until he had heard again from the right flank. That as Tecumseh had retreated in anoth- er direction, the army was now divided, and the two divisions, already out of hearing of each other's mus- quetry. That if Tecumseh was likely to overpower tl»at division, he must send hack a reinforcement to then- relief, or the Indians would otherwise immediate- ly advance upon the field of battle, and massacre the wounded, destroy the rear guard, and take the ammuni- tion and stores ; and finally tail upon his rear. Information was at length brought that TecumseU had finally fled, and that the troops were returning to join that division as soon as possible. Colonel Miller immediately ordered the troops to march in further pursuit of the British. They entered the woods and the cavalry moved a-head at full speed. When they arrived through these woods, which was about half a mile, they came upon the beach of Lake Erie, and discovered the enemy ail in boats, steering to- wards Maiden, and out of reach of their shot. Ther had concealed tlieir boats at this point, when they came orer, for this purpose, if they should bo defeated. This eircumstance, however, could not have been known 1o Colonel Miller before. He now ordered the troops to return upon the field from whence they had last march- ed, which was done ; and on their arrival, they were 108 RISE AND PROGRESS OF joined by the other division which had returned from the pursuit of Tecumseh and his Indians. The cause is now shewn, which has not been gener- ally understood heretofore, why the British were not all captured, when they had been so totally defeated. The troops were then formed in line, fronting the field of battle ; when Colonel Miller rode in front of the centre, and addressed them in the following words : " My brave fellows ! you have done well ! every man has done his duty. I give you my hearty thanks for your conduct on this day ; you have gained my highest esteem ; you have gained fresh honor to yourselves, and to the American arms : your fellow soldiers in arms will love you, and your country will reward you. You will return to the field of battle to collect those who have gloriously fallen ; your friendly attentions to your wounded companions is required." After which, de- tachments were sent out with waggons to search the woods, and collect all the wounded and dead, and to bring them to the ground tlien occupied by the troops. After this was completed, all the Indian houses were prepared, amounting to 3 or 4, and the wounded moved into them, as it began to rain, and the surgeons were in- dustriously employed with them, during the whole night. The troops then encamp'ed in order of battle, about dusk, on the bank of the river, fronting the woods, form- ing three sides of a parallelogram, the river forming the other side. The time from the attack on the van guard, to the time of forming the line on the Indian fields, after the pursuit was finally ended, was two and a half hours. During this sharp conflict, the conduct of each individ- ual officer and soldier was so uniformly and strictly military, that the cuiniiiaiidcr was scarcely able to make distinctions in his brief and modest official report to General Hull. The physical powers of almost every man, were called to action, and severely tried. The names of some officers only, will be mentioned, whose THE AMERICAN NAVY t09 conduct Was, from concomitant circumstances, most deeply impressed on the mind of the writer. In doing this, however, he wishes to be distinctly understood, that the conduct of many others, was equally meritorious. As he writes entirely from recollection, the impossibili- ty at this time, of giving the names, and much more, the actions of every individual, will readily be conceived. Major Van Home, who had the mortification to be de- feated on nearly the same ground, on the 5th, had sought and obtained a command under Colonel Miller. He behaved during the whole action, in a gallant and sol- dierly manner. Major Morrison, of the Ohio volun- teers, also obtained a command in the detachment, of whose meritorious conduct, Colonel Miller always spoke with the greatest warmth of feeling ; his horse was shot under him at nearly the same time Colonel Miller was dismounted, being at that moment near together. Lieu- tenant Johnson, of the Michigan dragoons, (a small number of which corps, formed a part of the cavalry,) behaved in a most gallant manner — he had liis horse shot under him. At the moment the charge was order- ed, being near Colonel Miller, he discovered one of his men shrink from the attack, at which he presented his pistol to his breast and was on the point of blowing him through, when Colonel Miller desired him not to kill him, as he considered the battle was going in their favor. Captain De Cant, and his Ensign M'Comb, of the Michi- gan legion, behaved in a manner, which would have done honor to veterans, particularly, when charging the Indians in their works, on the river flank ; Captain De Cant was the first man, who jumped the breast work at that point, thereby encouraging his men to follow him. Captain Brown of the Ohio volunteers, who was on the flank opposed to Tecumseh, with his company, fought hard and stubborn ; his conduct was admired by Colonel Miller — as was the conduct of all the volunteers, both officers and men on that flank. Captain Daniel Baker, «f the first regiment U. S. Infantry, bad requested and 10 1 10 RISE AND PROGRESS OF obtained a command ; he was on the flank opposed to the Indians under Tecumseh. His gallantry, and the eflect of his experience, contributed greatly to the foil- ing of Tecumseh, in his manceuvering to turn that flank of the American line. He was shot through the thigh, in the warmest part of the engagement, but did not quit his command, till the enemy finally fled, nor the ground until the wounded were all brought off'. Lieutenant Eastman, with the six pounder, did good execution, and contributed greatly to the defeat of the British troops. The fourth regiment behaved generally in that chival- rous manner, which ought to render the individuals then composing it, the objects of their country's warmest af- fections and unceasing patronage. These sentiments, it is believed, must be acknowl- edged by all those who are acquainted with their con- duct, fatigues, and hardships, during this, and the pre- ceding cam>aign on the Wabash. They had been for eighteen months, almost continually traversing those wild regions of the north west, where perils and dangers awaited them through every succeeding day and night, where they were necessarily deprived of almost all the enjoyments and comforts of life, and during some por- tion of the time, of the necessary means of subsistence. They had marched during successive weeks, in mud and water, and during successive days, without having dried their feet. They had now fought during this time, two of the severest battles that had ever been fought under the government of the United States, larger numbers had been engaged, biut an equal number had never fought more desperate y. These battles were as much more perilous than usual, as the enemy were more terrible : capture was massacre, and defeat was annihilation. The conduct of Colonel Miller, it is believed, will be correctly appreciated from the foregoing narrative of facts, by his countrymen. Encomium would be insipid. Captain Snelling, of the advance guard, behaved in that l»3foic manner that can never be excelled : of his com- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 1 J 1 mand of forty men, more than twentj were killed and wounded. In the retreat of the enemy, he pursued on horseback (the remnant of his guard falling into the line,) bare-headed, having lost his hat in the engage- ment. It is believed it was shot away. Captains Fuller and Burton ; Lieutenants Peters, Hawkins, Way, East- man, Ager, Peckham and Larabee, of the fourth, all con- ducted in the most gallant manner ; as also did Captain Whistler, junior ; Lieutenant Stansbury, Ensigns Whist- ler, M'Cabe, Cibley and Phillips, of the first U. S. regi- ment of infantry, who served in the fourth on that tour. Lieutenant Peters was wounded in the early part of the engagement, having been shot through the leg, the same, and a little below that, which had been shot through at the battle of Tippacanoe : Ensign Whistler was also wounded. Capt. Brevoort, aid to Col. Miller, behaved with that cool and daring intrepidity, which gained him the admiration of the army. Capt. Hull was active, and very useful in carrying the orders of Colonel Miller. Lieutenant Charles Larabee of the fourth, was also wounded ; he was shot through the left arm, little below the shoulder, the bone of which was broken and split, and which was amputated a few days afterwards. On his falling to the rear, which he was persuaded to do, he found the officer and squad with the howitzer in difficulty. The position of this piece on the march, being in rear of the six pounder, and its am- munition waggon, and considerably in the rear of the cen- tre of the columns, when the attack was made in front, it had not ascended the rising ground on which the lines formed. The enemy not being seen from that posi- tion, and their situation, and the nature of the attack, being unknown ; the piece was unlimbered and pre- pared for action and awaited the orders of the comman- der in chief, agreeably to his instructions. Orders soon came by an aid. Captain Hull, to advance the piece to the front, in line with the infantry ; in consequence of having to ascend the rising ground, the soil being soft, \ 1 2 RISE ANt) PROGRESS OF and the road somewhat obstructed by logs and root?, it was necessary again to limber the piece, in oidcr to ad- vance it to its intended position. At this moment, the horses being frightened by the firing, grew frantic and unmanageable, and in endeavoring to bring the limben to the piece, they were run against a tree, and so twisted around it as to break them down. They were thrown aside, and an attempt made to advance the piece to the front by the men, with their drog ropes. In conse- quence of the obstructions before mentioned, the men with all their exertions, were able to advance it- but slowly up the rising, with the officer at the drag ropes. In this situation, tugging up the hill, Lieutenant Lara- bee met them, when he saw their trouble, forgetting that he was hurt, he sprang to the piece, clinched the drag rope with his right hand, and with the greatest en- tluisiasm of feeling and language, he assihted in bringing the piece to the front, with his left arm swinging from its shattered point, when he again returned to the rear. This misfortune of the howitzer, deprived Colonel Mil- ler of its use, during the time the British troops stood their ground. It could not be brought in front of the line so as to fire on the enemy, without injuring the Americans, till the moment the enemy's line broke, ag there were but ten men attached to it. That number being its complement in action only, could not advance it, under those circumstances, in time. The conduct of the officer commanding the piece, however, was ap- plauded, and his misfortune solaced by Colonel Miller. In this action eighteen Americans were killed, and sixty ftiree wounded, making in killed and wounded, eighty- one ; about one man in seven who were engaged : not one man was captured. The loss of the enemy wa« ascertained to be, of Indian? killed and wounded, one hundred and two, more than one half of that number were left dead on the field, and believed to be from the best information, of whites, fifty-eight, total, one hun- dred and sixty : a fcw whites were taken prisoners. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 115 The British had brought over horses and sleds to carrj off their killed and wounded, and consequently thej were mostly taken to Maiden. The writer believes the above stated number of killed and wounded, of th« white enemy, to be too small, as he saw in the hospitals at Maiden, a few weeks afterwards, while a prisoner of war, and on his way to Quebec, a great number of con- valescent men, many had died : among whom were one or two officers of the 41st regiment. He also ascer- tained that Major Muer, Tecumseh, Blue Jacket, and other commanders, were wounded. Some time in the evening of the ninth. Captain Max- well returned with his spies, having been sent forward to the village of Brownstown, and reported, that the village was abandoned, and that no enent)' could be dis- covered. Early next morning, August lOth, detach- ments were sent out by Colonel Miller, to scour the woods in search of one man who was ascertained to be still missing ; he was however, found dead. While the men were ranging over the woods, one of them was shot dead. The smoke of a piece was dicovered at a dis- tance, rising from the ground, by the party — they ap- proached the spot, and beheld an Indian lying on the ground wounded, and unable to stand — one arm and one leg were broken — he had lain there during the night by his piece, which was loaded when he fell. The cool deliberation with which he died, proved the n.1- tive fortitude of the savage to meet death when resis- tance is useless. Unwilling to endure his pains longer, nnd die by degrees, he determined to die by the hand'of his enemies, and to sell liis life to them, as dear as possi* ble. He summoned together the little strength which remained, and so ttcadily levelled his rifle at the ap- proaching American, as to put the ball through hit heart. A singular occurrence happened also, as to the death of an Indian who was killed the day before, during th« l)attle, and near the close of it: — An officer et il[»« 10* 1 14 RISE AND PROGRESS OF fourth regiment had observed two or three balls strike close to him, and apparently from a quarter where no enemy could be discovered, he told one of his men to search for the Indian whom he supposed concealed, and on watching for the discharge, he discovered it to be overhead — he looked into the top of a tree, and saw an Indian loading his rifle, he took a position to tire at the savage, who di-covered it, and made ready to tire at the soldier, but the soldier being a little too quick for him, put a ball through him, and he came tumbling down from the tree like a bear. The dead being all collected on the tenth, about 10 o'clock A. M. were buiicd under an Indian house, in one grave, and the house burned down, to conceal from the savages th» spot where they lay. At sun rise the march was resumed, and at 12 o'clock on the '2ih of August, the detachment re-enter- ed the town of 'Jctroit, covered with mud, from foot to head, their clolies not having been dried in two and a half days. Thj sun now cheered them with its influ- ence, they marched through the street to the encamp- ment, to the tune of the soldier's return, and closed vrithyankee doodle. They were met by their brother soldiers and citizens, with all that sympathy and heart felt joy, which constitutes the soldier's reward, for his hard earned victory. About the same time Capt. Heald, who had aban- doned Fort Chicago, agreeable to orders, fell into an Indian ambush, on his way to Detroit, and suffered the loss of his whole party, either killed, wounded, or ta- ken, and the survivors were carried to Michilimackinac. On the 14th Gen. Hull made one more attempt to re- lieve Capt. Brush at the Raisin, and escort the supplies to Detroit, he accordingly detached Colonels Cass, and M'Authur with 3 or 400 men ; but before this could be effected, the British invested the fortress of Detroit, ind on the l6th Gen. Hull signed an unconditional capitulation, and the fortress of Detroit, the whole THE AMERICAN NAVY. II5 Michigan Territory, together with the detachment of McAuthur and Cass, and the party and suppHes, at the Raisin, under captain Brush, were all given up to the enemy. The former fell into their hands ; but the lat- ter, disdaining the pusillanimity of Hull, and calling in question his powers to involve him and his party in the fate of the garrison, abandoned his stores, and return- ed, with his brave troops, to Ohio. SURRENDER OF HULL'S ARMV. Head Quarters^ Detroit, August 26, 1812. GENERAL ORDERS. It is with pain and anxiety, that Brig. General Hull announces to (he North West Army, that he has been compelled from a sense of duty, to agree to the follow- ing articles of Capitulation. Camp at Detroit, Aug. 16, 1812. Capitulation for the surrender of Fort Detroit, en- tered into between Major General Brock, commanding His Britannic Majesty's forces, on the one part, and Brig. Gen. Hull, commanding the N. Western Army of the United States, on the other part. \st. Fort Detroit, with all the troops, regulars as well as milita, will be immediately surrendered to the British forces under the command of Major General Brock, and will be considered as prisoners of war, with the exception of such of the militia of Michigan Territory as have not joined the army. Ind. AH the public stores, arms, and all public docu- ments, including every thing of a public nature, will be immediately given up. 3J. Private persons and property of every descrip- tion, will be respected. 116 RISE AND PROGRESS OF 4th. His Excellency Brig. General Hull, having ei- pressed a desire that a detachment from the state of Ohio, on its way to join his army, a$ well as one sent from Fort Detroit, under the command of Colonel M'Arthur, should be included in the above capitula- tion, it is accordingly agreed to ; it is however to be understood, that such j)art of the Ohio Militia, as have not joined the army, will be permitted to return to their homes, on condition that they will not serve during the war ; their anns, however, will be delivered up, if be- longing to the public. 5th. The garrison will march out at the hour of 1 2 o"'clock this day, and the British forces will take imme- diate possession of the fort. J. M'DONEL, Lt. Col. Militia, P. A. D. C. J. B. GLEGG, Major, A. D. I). JAS. MILLER, Lt. Col. 5th U. S. Infantry. E. BRUSH, Col. 1st. Regt. Michigan Militia. APPROVED. W. HULL, Brig. G^n. Comdg. U. S. Armr. ISAAC BROCK, Major General. Gen. Brock took possession of Detroit, and sent Gen. Hull with his regulars down to Quebec; but sent to their homes upon parole, the militia and volunteers. From General Brock to Sir George Prevott — dated De- troit, 1 Gth August, 1812. Sin, I hasten to apprise your excellency of the cap- ture of this very important post; 2500 troops have this day surrendered prisone.'s of war, and about 25 pieces of ordnance have been taken without the sacri- fice of a drop of British blood. I had not more thao 700 troops including militia, and about 600 Indian?, to accomplish this service. When I detail my good for-- Iwte, j/our Excellency 7oill be astonished. " ISAAC BROCK, Major General. To His Ex. Lieut. Gen. Sir GEO. PREVOST. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 117 This dastardly conduct of Gen. Hull, gave a shock to the government, and the nation, inexpressibly great, and fixes a lasting reproach upon his name. He wa» »oon after exchanged for thirty British prisoners ; tried in due form by a court martial, and sentenced to be shot ; but by the recommendation of the court, mercy interposed, on account of his revolutionary services, and advanced age ; the President remitted his sentence, and ordered his name to be struck from the rolls of the army. Public opinion sanctioned the doings of the court- martial, as well as the interposition of mercy, through the President, and all further clamour against Gea. Hull ceased. CHAPTER VIH. General viczo of the naval operations of the war. The public mind, vi^hich had been overwhelmed with the disasters and misfortunes of the savage war of the wilderness, and the fail of Michilimackinac, Chicago, and Detroit, was soon relieved by the brilliant display of naval war upon the ocean. The naval heroes of America unfurled the starspangled banner; spread their sails to the wind, traversed every sea, and every clime in quest of the enemy, and spread a new and splendid era on their country. With the glorious victories of a Paul Jones, a Preble and other naval heroes of the rev- olution before them; of a Truxton, a Little, a Stewart, a Tryon, a Barney and others of the naval war with France ; of a Decatur, a Macdonough, and others of the TripoUtan wars, they rose in the majesty of theui- 118 R'SE AND PROGRESS OF selves, and nobly vindicated the honor and just rights of their country's flag. On the 28th of June, commodore Rodgers put to «ea, from N. York, with his little squadron, consisting of tlie President, Congress, United States (frigates) and brig Hornet in quest of the British West-India fleet. Soon after they were at sea, they discovered the Brit- ish frigate Belvidera, and commenced a chase, which continued through the day, and when the President had 8o far gained upon the Belvidera, as to be able to reach her with her bow guns, and was in momentary expect- ation of bringing her to action, she had the misfortune to lose 16 men by the bursting of one of her bow guns, and the leg of the commodore was fractured at the eame time. This misfortune, added to the explosion of the passing brig, so crippled the President, as to render it necessary to wear ship, and with a broad side upon the Belvidera, attempt to cripple her so much as to prevent her escape, and bring her to action. But the desired elfect was not fully obtained, for the Belvidera, crippled as she was, eflfected her escape, by lighting ship, throw- ing overboard her guns, and whatever else she could spare, and the commodore gave up the chase about midnight. Commodore Rodgers continued his cruise in quest of the convoy, to the entrance of the British channel, and not falling in with them, stood away for the Madeiras, and Western isles, and on the 30th of August returned to Boston by the way of Newfoundland, with several valuable prizes. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 119 Copy of a ietterfrom Capt. Hull to the Secretary of the Kavy. United States Frigate Constitution, August 28, 1312. Sir, The enclosed account of the affair between the President, Com. Rodgers, and the British frigate Behi- dera, was taken by an officer, on board the Belvidera, and fell into my hands by accident. It clearly proves that she only escaped the commodore by superior sailing, after having lightened her, and the President being very deep. As much has been said on this subject, if Commo- dore Rodgers has not arrived, to give you his state- ment of the affair, if it meet your approbation, I should be pleased to have this account published, to prevent people from making up their minds hastily, as I find them willing to do. I am confident, could the commodore have got along side the Belvidera, she would have been his, in less than one hour. I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your obedient servant. ISAAC HULL. Hon. Paul Hamilton, &:c. An account of the proceedings of his Majesty''s ship Belvidera, Richard Byron, Esq. Captain, 23d of June, 1812. At 40 minutes past 4 A. M. off Nantucket Shoal, saw several sail bearing S. W. made sail towards them : at 30 minutes past 6, they bore S. W. by S. made them out to be three frigates, one sloop, and one brig of war, ftanding to the S. E. under a press of sail. Observed them to make signals, and haul up in chase of us, haul- IfO RISE AND PROGRESS OF iug down their steering sails, in a confused, and irregu- lar manner. Tacked ship, made the private signal, which was not answered ; made all the sail possible, N. E. by E.; at 8, moderate and fine weather, the head- most ship of the chase S. S. W. 1-3 W. apparentlj gaining ground on us at times, and leaving her consorts. At ."'.0 minutes past 1 1 hoisted our colours and pendant; the chase hoisted American colours, two of them hoist- ed! commodore's broad pendants ; at noon the commo- dore and the second headmost ship of the chase S. W. S-4 W. about 2 and 3-4 of a mile, Nantucket Shoal N. 4" E. 48 miles ; moderate and tine weather, cleared •hip for action, commodore of chase gaining, the other ships dropping ; observed the chase pointing her guni at us ; at 40 minutes past 3 V. M. the commodore fired 3 shot, one of which struck the rudder coat, and came into the after gun room; the other two came into the upper, or captain's cabin, one of which struck the muzzle of the larboard chase gun, the other went through the beam under the skylight, killed William Gould, seaman ; wounded John Hill, armourer, mortal- ly ; Joseph Lee, seaman, severely ; George Marlon, ship's corporal, badly ; Lieut. Bruce, and Jamts Kel. ley and James Larmont, seamen, slightly. At 45 min- ute* past 3, commenced firing with our stern guns, shot away her larboard lower steering sail, keeping our ship a steady course N. E. by E. at 4, the chase bore up and fired her larboard broadside, which cut our rigging and »ails much, the long bolts, breeching-hooks, and breech- >ngs of guns and carronades frequently^ breaking (by one of which Capt. Byron was severely wounded in the left tlwigh) all of which was instantly replaced. Kept up a constant fire, which was returned by our opponent with bow-chase guns, and at times by her broadsides, which by her superiority of sailing she was enabled to do till 45 minutes past 6, when we cut away our spare »heet and small bower anchors, barge, yawl, and jolly boats, and started 1 4 tons of water ; we then gained ou THE AMERICAN NAVY. 13| bim, when he bore up and fired three broadsides, part of which fell short of us ; at 7, opponent ceased firing, and the second frigate commenced, but finding her shot fell short, ceased again. Employed fishing our cross- jack yard, and main top-mast (both badly wounded,) Icnotting and sphcing our rigging, which was much cut md damaged. At 11, altered our course to E. by S. 1-2 S. and lost sight of our opponents. AMERICAN SQUADRON. Bos i 071 Sept. 1, 1812. We with pleasure announce the safe arrival in this Dort on Monday last of the United States squadron :ommanded by Com. Rodgers, which sailed from New- i?'ork, on the 21st June, on a cruise. The squadron, :omposed of the Preoident, 44 guns, bearing Com. Hodgers' flag; the United Stales, 44, bearing Com. De- ;atur's flag; Congress 36, Capt. Smith; Hornet 16, I!apt. Lawrence; diud hr'ig Argus 16, Capt. Sinclair ; ;ame into harbour in a handsome style. Tlie squad- •on had been seventy days at sea, during whieh time hey had been nearly to the chops of the English IJhannel, along the coast of France, Spain, and Portu- gal ; to within ten leagues of the Rock of Lisbon ; to he vicinity of the Western Islands ; and back by the Banks and Coast of Nova Scotia to Boston ; during vhich they did not even see a single British national I'essel, excepting the Belvidera, with whom the Presi- ient had a running fight of some hours. They have captured seven English merchantmen two of which hey burnt, and sent the other five for American ports, lone of which, as we have learnt, have been fortunate jnough to arrive, The running fight between the President and Behi- hra is thus stated : — The latter was descried on the 23d June, when the squadron gave chase. The Presi- dent, by superiority of sailing, got within gun-shot of U J fl|2 RISE AND PROGRESS OF the Behidera, between 4 and 5 o'clock P. M. when finding the breeze, which had enabled the President to OYerhaul the chase, was moderating, and that the chase was preparing to fire on the President, the latter com- menced firing for the purpose of crippling the spars of the Belvidcra, in order to come up with her. The fire was kept up two hours ; the President yawing, and firing two or three broadsides to eifect her object, and keeping up a constant fire of the chase guns, which though it cut the sails and rigging, did not stop the way of the Belvidera, which, as the wind became light, was accelerated by her crowding all sail, starting her wa- ter, cutting away her anchors, and by staving and throwing Over her boats. The chase continued until near midnight ; dui-ing which the Congress frigate came so near the Belvidera as to fire three or four shot-at her. The Hornet, as reported, had no share in the firing. Early in the chase a very serious accident oc- curred on board the President — one of the forward guns, being fired, burst, tore up the decks, killed several sea- men, and wounded 11 or 1 2 others — among whom was Com. Rodgers, who had stepped forward to direct the firing of the chase guns, and who was blown up, and in the fall had the bone of his leg fractured. He has since recovered. This accident also prevented the chase guns being used for some time. The loss of the President we have not accurately ascertained. We •nderstand 4 weie killed by the bursting of the gun, and 3 by the shot of the Belvidera ; and 1 9 were wounded, mostly slightly, and by the bursting gun. We lament to learn, that the crews of the ships are very sickly, mostly of scurvy — occasioned by short al- lowance of provisions and water, made necessary iu consequence of the sudden departure of the squadron from New- York, and the length of her cruise. Many have died. — Centinel. THE AMERICAN NaVY. 123 From Com. Rodgers to the Secretary of the Navy. U. S. Frigate President, Boston, Sept. 1, 1812. Sir, I had the honour yesterday of informing you of the nrrival of the squadron, and now state the result and particulars of our cruise. Previous to leaving New-York on the 21st of Juno, I heard that a British convoy had sailed from Jamaica for England, on or about the 20th of the preceding month, and on being informed of the declaration of war against Great Britain, I determined, in the event of Com. Decatur joining me with the United States, Congress, and Argus, as you had directed, to go in pur- suit of them. • The United States, Congress, and Argus did join nae on the 2 1st ; with which vessels, this ship and the Hor- net accordingly sailed in less than an hour after I re- ceived your orders of the 18th of June, accompanied by your official communication of the declaration of war. On leaving New- York, I shaped our course south- easterly, in the expectation of falling in with vessels, by which 1 should hear of the before mentioned con- voy, and the following night met with an American brig that gave me the sougbt-for information ; the squad- ron now crowded sail in pursuit, but the next morning was taken out of its course by the pursuit of a British frigate, that I since find was the Belvidera, relative to which I beg leave to refer you to the enclosed extract from my journah After repairing as far as possible the injury done by the Belvidera to our spars and rigging, we again crowded all sail, and resumed our course in pursuit of the convoy, but did not receive further intel- ligence of it until the 29th of June, on the western edge of the banks of Newfoundland, where we spoke an American schooner, the master of which reported 124 RISE AND PROGRESS OF that he had two days before passed them in latitude 43°, longitude 55°, steering to the eastward. I was surprised to find that the convoy was still so far to the eastward of us, but was urged, however, as well by what I considered my duty as by inclination, to conti- nue the pursuit. On the 1st of July, a little to the eastward of New- foundland Bank, we fell in with quantities of cocoa nut shells, orange-peels, &;c. which indicated that the convoy were not far distant, and we pursued it with zeal, al- though frequently taken out of our course by vessels it was necessary to chase, without gaining any further in- telligence until the 9th of July, in lat. 45o 30', long. 23o, we captured the British private armed brig Dol- phin, of Jersey, and were informed by some of her crew that they had seen the convoy the preceding eve- ning ; the weather was not clear at the time, but that they had counted 85 sail, and that the force charged with its protection consisted of one two decker, a frigate, a sloop of war, and a brig. This was the last intelligence 1 received of the before- mentioned convoy, although its pursuit was continued until the 13th of July, being then within 18 or 30 hours sail of the British channel. From this we steered for the Island of Madeira, pas- sed close by it on the 21st of July ; thence near the Azores, and saw Corvo and Flores ; thence steered for the banks of Newfoundland ; and from the latter place, by the way of Cape Sable, to this port, it having become indispensably necessary, by the time we reached our own coast, to make the first convenient port in the Uni- ted States; owing, I am sorry to say, to that wretched disease, the scurvy, having made its appearaace on board of the vessels, most generally to a degree serious- ly alarming. From the western part of the banks of Newfoimd- land to our making the island of Madeira the weather was such, at least six davs out of seven, as to obscure THE AMERICAN NAVY. 125 from our discovery every object that we did not pass within four or five miles of, and indeed for several days together the fog was so thick as to prevent our seeing eacli other, even at cable's length asunder, more than twice or thrice in 24 hours. From the time of our leaving the United States until our arrival here we chased every vessel we saw, and you will not be a httle astonished when I inform you, that, al- though we brought to every thing we did chase, with the exception of four vessels, we only made seven captures and one recapture. It is truly an unpleasant task to be obliged to make a communication thus barren of benefit to our country ; the only consolation I individually feel on the occasion being derived from knowing, that our being at sea obli- ged the enemy to concentrate a considerable portion of his most active force, and thereby prevented his cap- turing an incalculable amount of American property that would otherwise have fallen a sacrifice. I am aware of the anxiety you must have experien- ced at not hearing from me for such a length of time ; but this I am sure you will not attribute in any degree to neglect, when I inform you that no convenient oppor- tunity occurred from the time of leaving the United States until our retyrn. Mr. Newcomb, who will deliver you" this, you will find an intelligent young man, capable of giving such further information as you may deem of any moment : He will at the same time deliver you a chart, shewing the track in which we cruised. Annexed is a list of vessels captured, recaptured, and burnt. The four vessels we chased and did not come up with, were the Belvidera^ a small pilot-boat schooner, supposed to be an American privateer, the hermaphro- dite privateer Yankee, which we lost sight of in a fog^ but whose character we afterwards learnt, and a frigate supposed to be British, that we chased on the 28th ult. near the ehoals of George's bank and should certainly 126 RISE AND PROGRESS OF have come up with, had we had the advantage of two hours' more day-hght. On board of the several vessels of the sq'iadron there are between 80 and 100 prisoners, taken from the vessels we captured during our late cruise. The gov- ernment not having any agent for prisoners here, I shall send them to Con>. Bainbridge, to be disposed of in such manner as best comports with the interest of the United States, and which I hope may meet with your approbation. With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN RODGERS. Hon. Paul Hamilton, Secretary of the Navy. Extract from Commodore Rodgers'' Journal. Sailed from New York June 21. The 23d, 6 A. M. discovered and gave chase to an English frigate, suppo- sed to be the Belvidera. The superiority of the Presi- dent's sailing, while the breeze continued fresh, enabled her to get within gun-shot between 4 and 5 P. M. when it had moderated so as to give very faint hopes of getting along side. At this time perceiving she was training her guns to bear upon the President, the latter com- menced a fire at her spars and rigging, with the view to cripple and get abreast of her, a lire was kept up about wo hours. The President gave her two or three Droadsides, and kept up a well directed hre from the chase guns, which cut her sails and rigging very much, but did not succeed in destroying any of her spars, al- though some of them were much wounded. The Pres- ident all this time was exposed to a running tire from her four stern-chasers ; and once the British frigate com- menced a fire from her main deck, with an intention of raking the President with a broadside, but at that mo- ment receiving one from the President continued her course under & preu of sail, and used only ber stern THE AMERICAN NAVY. 1 27 guns. All sail was crowded in pursuit, but in vain. The chase was now throwing overboard every thing that could be spared, to increase her sailing, and escap- ed by the lightness of the wind •, four of her boats were seen floating by the President, completely knocked to pieces, together with a great number of casks, spars, &:c. audit was supposed most of her guns were also thrown overboard. The President received a considerable number of shot in her sails and rigging, but was not materially in- jured. The chase was continued till about midnight, when it was relinquished as hopeless, and the President hove to for the squadron to cotne up. Early in the chase, one of the President's chase guns, on the gun- deck, burst, and injured the upper deck so much, as to prevent the use of the chase guns on that side for a considerable time. The President had 3 killed, and 19 wounded, most of the latter sMghtly ; of the wound- ed, 16 were by the bursting of a gun. It was by the same gun Com. Rodgers had his log fractured ; but has recovered. The squadron afterwards pursued the Jamaica fleet, but owing to uncommonly foggy weather, missed them, although at times very near. After the rencounter above related, Capt. Byron, of the Belvidera, in conversation with an American gen- tleman, observed, that, in his opinion. Com. Rodgers had done every thing on board the President, which could have contributed to the capture of his ship. When the squadron first gave chase to the Belvideia, thej gained upon her very fast; and Capt. Byron considered his vessel as lost ; but as a last resort, when the Presi- dent was coming up within gun-shot of the Belvidera, orders were given to cut away the anchors, stave the water casks, and throw overboard the boats, and every thing moveable, which could be spared, and which could tend to lighten the ship. As soon as this bad been dooe, it was observed, that the Belvidera begau to 128 RISE AND PROGRESS OF draw from the chase ; which being discovered by Com. Rodgers, he opened his fire upon her, in hope of dis- abhng some of her spars, and thereby enable him to come up with her. Capt. Byron declared, that the fire from the President was extremely well directed, al- most every shot taking effect ; and that to the circura- stance above related, and the wind at the same time be- coming more hght, was his escape to be attributed. A declaration, like this, coming from an enemy, is conclusive evidence of the good conduct of Commo- dore Rodgers. On the 3d of July the frigate Essex, Capt. Norton, put to sea from New- York, bound on a cruise : the Con- stitution, Cjpt. Hull put to sea from Annapolis on the 12th, bound to New York. On her way, she was cha- sed out of her course on the 17th by the British ship of the line Africa, and the frigates, Shannon, Belvidera, Guerriere, and Eolus. This squadron commenced their chase under a favourable breeze, and Capt. Hull, see- ing no prospect of escape, cleared ship for action, in case of necessity •, but deeming resistance ajiainst such a vast superiority of force, desperate, he hit upon the following expedient. He sent out his kedges, with a long warp, and hove his ship ahead so adroitly, that she goon gained upon the squadron, so fast as to induce them to put forth all their efforts to bring their headmost ship into action by all the tow boats of the squadron. The parties continued their exertions about 60 hours, with the most indefatigable labours, when the Constitution was relieved by a favorable breeze, and she shot ahead of her pursuers, and made an honorable escape. The following account from the log book of the Con- stitution will shew in detail the most interesting adven- tures. Friday, July 17, 1812. Commences with cl^ar weather and fresh breezes from the northward and eastward. At 1 -2 past 1 , P. M. mounded in .'2 fathoms water. At 2, four sail of vessek THE AMERICAN NAVY. 129 in sight. At 3, sounded in 1 8 \-2 fathoms. At 1 -4 past 3, tacked to the east. At 4, a ship in sis;ht, bearing N. E. standing down for us, and three ships and a brig N. N. W. on the starboaj'd tack. From 4 to 6, hght airs from the northward. At 6, the single ship bearing E. N. E. At 1-2 past 6, got a light breeze from the southward and eastward, wore ship and stood towards the above sail, keeping her a little off the larboard bow. At 1-2 past 7, beat to quarters and cleared ship for ac- tion. At 8, light airs •,^-coming up with the ships very slow. At 1-2 past 10, made the private signals of the day. At 1-4 past 11, hauled down the signals, not hav- ing been answered, and made sail by the wind, with star- board tacks on board. From 12 to 4 A. M. light air$ from the southward and westward and cloudy. At 4 A. M. the ship made a signal. At day-light, discover- ed three sail astern. At 5, discovered another sail astern, making two frigates off our lee-qUarter, and two frigates and one ship of the line, one brig, and one schooner, astern. At 1-4 past 5, it being calm and the ship having no steering way, hoisted out the tirst cutter and got the boats ahead to tow ship's head round to the southward, got a 24 pounder up off the gun-deck for a stern-gun, and the forecastle gun aft — cut away the taffarel to give them room, and run two guns out of the cabin windows. At 6, got the ship's head round to the southward and set top-gallant studding-sails and stay sails, one of the frigates firing at us. At 1-2 past 6, sounded in 26 fathoms water. At 7, got out a kedge and warped the ship ahead. At 1-2 past 7, hoisted the colours and fired one gun at the ship astern. At 8, calm ; — employed warping and towing the ship. The other ships having alight air gaiiwhg on us, with their boats ahead, and one of them using sweeps. At 9, the above ship in close chase of us, and the nearest frigate gaining on us. At 9 minutes past 9, a light breeze sprung up from the southward ; braced up by the wind on the larboard tack, when the above frigate comment 1 so RISE AND PROGRESS OF ced firing, but her shot did not reach us ; got the boats along side, run two of them up. At 10, started 2333 gallons of water and pumped it out — almost calm — man- ned the first cutter to tow ship ; — six sail of the enemy's ships off the starboard beam and quarter ; perceived that the nearest frigate had got all the boats from the other ships to tow her towards us. From 10, A. M. to meridian, employed warping and towing. All sail made by the wind, one of the ships coming up, apparently having all the boats from the other ships. Saturday, July 18. Light airs from the southward and eastward, attended with calms. At 1-2 after meridian, sent the first cutter and green cutter ahead to tow ship. At ]-4 before 1, P. M. a strange sail discovered two points abaft olf the lee-beam, the four frigates one point off the starboard- quarter. Line-of-battle ship, brig and schooner, off the lee-beam. At 7 minutes before 2, the chasing frigates commenced firing their bow chase guns, we returned them with our stern chasers. At 1-2 past 3, still chas- ed by the above ships, one of them being nearly within gun-shot. At 7, observed the enemy's ships towing with their, boats. Lowered down the first cutter, green cut' ter and gig, and sent them ahead to tow ship ; — light airs, inclinable to calms. At 8, light airs from the southward and eastward. The first and fifth cutters and eig ahead towing ship. The enemy's ships in the same position as at 7. From 8 to 9, light airs and cloudy. The enemy's ships still in chase of us ; boats ahead tow- ing ship. At 7 minutes before 1 1 , a breeze springing up from the southward ; boats came along side;, hoisted up the gig and green cutUfcr, and set the fore-top-mast stay- sail and main-top-gallant studding sail. At midnight moderate breezes and cloudy, the enemy's ships still in chase. At 2, A. M. discovered one of the ships off the lee-beam. At 1-2 past 2, took in the studding sails, at Jay-light four frigates in sight, three off the lee-quarter THE AMERICAN NAVY. 131 and one off the lee-beam, from two to three miles dis- tant. At 4, six sail in sight from off the deck, hauled down the foretop-mast staysail ; — very light breezes. At 20 minutes past 4, tacked ship to the eastward. At 5, passed about gun-shot distance to wnidward of one of the frigates ; hoisted in the first cutter ; — ten sail in sight from the mast-head. At 9, saw a ship to windward supposed to be an American merchantman, standing to- wards us. The frigate astern hoisted American col- ours, as a decoy ; we immediately hoisted English col- ours ; got royal studding sails fitted. At 11, A. M.took in sky-sails. At meridian, moderate breezes and pleas- ant weather, rather leaving the frigates in chase ; the headmost frigate to leeward, bearing nearly N. by W. four or five miles distant, the nearest frigate W. N. W. directly in our wake, distant about three and half miles. The li"^ne-of-battle ship, N. by W. 1-2 W. on the lar- board tack, hull down. Two frigates otT our lee-quar- ter, N. N. W. 1-2 W. and N. W. by N. about five miles distant, and a brig bearing about N. by W. Observed, latitude 38° 47' N. which, with the soundings got at 1-4 past 10, A. M. and allowing for the distance since ran, gives our long, about 73° 53' W. from which we data our departure. CAPT. hull's official LETTER. Constitution at sea, off Kantucket^ July, 20, 181 2. Sir, The Constitution is on her way to Boston for your orders, having been chased by a British squadron of! New- York, and very near being taken. The chase con- tinued three days and nights, by a line-of-battle ship, four frigates, a brig and a schooner. J 32 RISE AND PROGRESS OP I shall call off Boston and write from there, and con- tinue cruising in the bay until I hear from you. Respectfully, ISAAC HULL. Hon. Paul Hamilton, Sec'?/ of Mavy. On Sunday, the 26th of July, the Constitution arrived in Boston harbour. On Tuesday the 28th, Capt. Hull eame up to the town. On his landing and reaching State Street, he was received by his fellow-citizens with repeated huzzas. [The following card was inserted, at the request of Capt Hull, in the Exchange Coffee-house Books.] " Capt. Hull, finding his friends in Boston are cor- rectly informed of his situation when chased by the British squadron off I*^ew-York, and that they arc good enough to give him moie credit by escaping them than he ought to claim, takes this opportunity of requesting ihem to make a transfer of a great part of their good wishes to Lieutenant Morris, and the other brave of- ticers, and the crew under his command, for their great exertions and prompt attention to orders while the ene- my were in chase. Capt. Hull has great pleasure in saying, that notwithstanding the length of the chase, and the officers and crew being deprived of sleep, and allow- ed but little refreshments during the time, not a murmur was heard to escape them." Interesting Particulars. Capt. Hull, in the management of his ship during her chase by the squadron under Com. Broke, displayed the most skilful and accomplished seamanship. At a time when the wind was very light, the sails of the Shannon were all furled, and the boatsof the squad- ion were all put to tow her directly to windward to- THE AMERICAN NAVY. j.33 ward the Constitution ,• at the same time Capt. Hull was kedging his ship forward faster than the enemy was able to advance by towing ; he had gained a considera- ble distance, before the enemy, who were constantly observing him with their glasses, perceived the manner in which he was leaving. They then kedged in their ttirn, but not with the same rapidity, owing probably in some measure to the precaution observed by Capt. Hull, whenever his boats came home, instead of making them fast to the ship, of hoisting them up at the davids. This manoeuvre of kedging a ship at sea, in 25 or 30 fathoms water, was an ingenious and novel experiment ; it was first suggested, it is understood, by Lieut, [now Capt.] C. Morris. When the squall struck the Constitution, by which she ultimately escaped, Capt. H. availed himself of an- other stratagem to gain time. He was to windward — the squall was powerful, and pressed her huge side low in the water ; he immediately let every thing go by the run, apparently in the utmost confusion, as if unable to shew a yard of canvas — his sails were hauled up by the brails and clewlines ; the enemy, observing this, has- tened to»get every thing snug before the gust should reach them : — but, no sooner had they got their sails furled, than Capt. Hull had his courses and topsails set, and the Constitution darted forward with great rapidity. So coolly however did he proceed, that he would not suffer one of his boats to be cut adrift, but though pres- sed by a pursuing enemy, attended personally to hoist- ing in his launch and other boats, while the ship was going nine or ten knots through the water. This is a fact which will appear astonishing to a sailor ; and he seem- ed to be the only person in the ship who conceived it feasible : — the British squadron cut adrift all their boatJi and, after they abandoned the chase, spent two or three whole days in cruising to pick them up. 12 ^j4 .^ISE ArjD PROGRESS OF CHAPTER IX. J^aval Adventures Confinue'd. CONSTITUTION AND GUERRIERE. On the 2(1, of Sept. the Constitution put to sea front Boston, and on the 19th, descried a sail, and gave chase immediately. Capt. Hull soon discovered the chage to be a British frigate of the largest class, which did not appear to decline the cornhat. Capt. Hull cleared ship, and bore down upon the enemy and his brave crew gave three cheers as they commenced the action. U. S. frigate, Constitution, off Boston Lights August 30, 1812. Sir, I have the honour to inform you, that on the l9th inst. at 2 P. M. being in lat. 41 deg. 42 min. and Ion. 55 deg. and 48 min. with the Constitution under my command, a sail was discovered from the mast-head bearing E. by S. or E. S. E. but at such a distance we could not tell what she was. All sail was instantly made in chase, and soon found we came up with her. At 3 P. M. could plainly see, that she was a ship on the star- board tack under easy sail, close on a wind ; at half past 3 P. M. made her out to be a frigate ; continued the chase until we were within about three miles, when I ordered the light sails to be taken in, the courses hauled up, and the sliip cleared for action. At this tirjie the chase hnd backed his maintop-sail, waiting for us to come down. As soon as the Constitution was ready for action, I bore down with intention to bring him to close action immediately : but on our coming within gun- shot she gave us a broadside and filed away, and woj-e, jiving us a broadside on the other tack, but without THE AMERICAN NAVY, I34 «ffect ; her €hot falling short. She continued wearing and manoeuveringfor about three quarters of an hour to geta raking position,but(indingsh€ could not,she bore up, and run under her top-sails and jib, with the wind on her quarter. I immediately made sail to bring the ship up with her, and live minutes before 6 P. M. being along side within half pistol-shSt, we commenced a heavy fire from all our guns, double shotted with round and grape, and so well directed were they, and so warmly kept up, that in 15 minutes his mizen-mast went by the board and his main yard in the slings, and the hull, rigging, and sails very much lorn to pieces. The fire was kept up with equal warmth for 15 ntinutes longer, when hie mainmast and foremast went, taking v/ith them every spar, excepting the bowsprit. On seeing this we ceased firing, so that in thirty minutes after we got fairly along side the enemy, she surrendered, and had not a spar standing, and lierhull below and above water so shat- tered, that a few more broadsides must have carried her down. After informing you, that so fine a ship as the Guer- riere, commanded by an able and experienced officer, had been totally dismasted, and otherwise cut to pieces so as to make her not worth towing into port, in the short space of thirty minutes, you can have no doubt of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and ship's company 1 have the honour to command ; it only re- mains therefore for me to assure you, that they all fought with great brav7 List of the killed and wounded on board the Ouerriere. Killed. — H. Ready, 2d Lt. and fourteen petty oifi- -cers, seamen and marines. Wounded. — James R. Dacres, Capt. T Bart. Kent, Lt. 5 Robert Scott, master; Samuel Grant, master's mate ; James Enslie, midshipman, and. fifty seven petty officers, seaman and marines. Missing. — Lt. James Pullman, Mr. Gaston, and twen- ty two seaman and marines. The following particulars of the action, are commu- nicated by an officer of the Constitution, and may b« considei'ed as essentially correct. Lat. 4]o 42' N. ion. 55o 33' W. Thursday, August 20th, fresh breeze from N. W. and cloudy ; at 2 P. M. discovered a vessel to the southward, made all sail in chase ; at 3, perceived the chase to be a ship on the starboard tack, close hauled to the wind ; hauled S. S. W. ; at 1-2 past 3, made out the chase to he a frigate ; at 4, con;iing up with the chase very fast ; at 1-4 before 5, the chase laid the main-top-sail to the mast ; took in our top-gallant-sails, stay-sails and flying jib ; took a jecond reef in the top-sails, hauled the courses up, sent the royal yards down, and got all clear for action ; beat to quarters, on which the crew gave three cheers ; at 5 the chose hoisted three Engiiih etisigns, at 5 minutes past 5, the enemy connnenccd firing : at 20 minutes past 5, set our colour?, one at each mast-head, and one at the mii:cn-pcak, began Cuiwz on the enemy, and con- tinued to fire occasionally, he wearing very often, and we manoeuvering to close vvith him, and avoid being ra- ked ; at 6, set the main top-gallant sail, the enemy hav- ing bore up ; at 5 minutes past 6, brought the enemy to close action, standing before the wind ; at 15 minutes past C, the enem) ""s mizen-mast fell over on the star- board side; at 20 minutes past G, finding we were drawing ahead of the enemy, lufi'ed short round his bows^ io rake him ; at 2.5 minutes past C, the enemy fell o». 12* 13$ RISE AND PROGRESS Of' board of us, his bow-sprit foul of our mizen rigging. We prepared to board, but immediately after, his fore and main-mast went by the board, and it was deemed unnecessary. ^ Our cabin had taken fire from his guns ; but soon extinguished, without material injury ; at 30 minutes past 6, shot ahead of ihe enemy, when the firing ceased on both sides ; he making the signal of sub- mission by firing a gun to leeward ; set fore-sail, and hauled to the eastward to repair damage ; all our bra- ces and much of our standing and running rigging and some of our spars being shot away. At 7 wore ship, and stood under the lee of the prize — sent our boat on board, which returned at 8, with Capt. DQcres,late of his Majesty's ship Guerriere, mounting 4^* carriage guns, and manned with 302 men ; got our boats out, and kept them employed in removing tlie prisoners and baggage from the prize to our own ship. Sent a surgeon's mate to assist in attending the wounded ; wearing ship occa- sionally to keep in the best position to receive the boats. At 20 minutes before 2 A. M. discoveied a sail off the larboard beam, standing to the south ; saw all clear for another action : at 3 the sail stood off again ; at day lightwas hailed by the Lieut, on board the prize, who in- formed he had four feet of water in the hold, and that she was in a sinking condition 5 nW hands emj)ioyctl in removing the prisoners, and repairing our own damage through the remainder of the day. Friday the 2J&I coiTunenced with light brec7.ea from the northward, and pleasant ; our boats and crew sli!! employed as be- fore. At 3 P. M. made the signal of recal for our boats, having received all the prisoners. They imedi- atelj left her on fire, and 1-4 past 3 she blew up. Our loss in the action was 7 killed and 7 wounded; among the former, Lieut. Bush of llic n!arines,and among the ■latter, Lt. Morris, severely ; and Mr. Aylwin, the mas- ter, slightly. On the part of the enemy, 15 men killed, and 64 wounded. Among the former, Lt. Ready, 2d of THE AMERICAN NAVY. } 39 the ship ; among the latter, Capt. Dacres, Lt. Kent, Ist. Mr. Scott, master, and master's mate. During her short cruise, the Constitution, besides the above gallant achievement, has destroyed two EngUsh brigs ; one with lumber, the other in ballast, and recap- tured the Adelineof Bath, from London with dry goods, which had been taken by the British sloop Avenger, Capt. Johnston, of 16 guns ;— and which Capt. Hull manned and ordered for America. When the Guerriere first came in sight of the Con- stitution, she stood toward her, as if with an intention of bringing her to immediate action, and the latter put her- self under easy sail for her reception.; but after ap- proaching sufficiently near, to observe her with accura- cy, she bore up, stood broad off from the wind, and seemed inclined to take French leave : Capt. Hull wai compelled to crowd a press of sail upon his ship in or- der to overtake his antagonists, who when he got within gun shot^ commenced a cannonade ; not a gun was re- turned from the Constitution, whose,' men were coolly turned u|) to reef topsails, send down top-gallant yards, and swing the lower yards with chains ; this business being effected with deliberation and precision under a galling lire from the enemy, and without herself return- ing a single shot, the Conslitvlion was ranged along side of the enemy, and her fire opened with such terrible effect, that in lb minutes the Guerriciu was demol- ished ! When the Guerricre's mizcn mast v/as shot away. Capt. H. in the cnfhusiasm of the moment, swung his hat round his hearl, and, in true sailor's nhraze, exclaim- ed, '•'•Huzza ! my boys ! we have made a brig of her !" It is well known, that when Lieut. Bush ofthe marines received his mortal wound, the Guerriere's bow- sprit was engaged in the mizen rigging of the Const tu- tion, and he was on the quarter for the purpose of boarding. Lt. Morris was in the same situation, and received a musket ball through his body. Capt. Hull J 40 RISE AND PROGRESS OF was about joining thenm for the same purpose, and whcnr stepping upon the arm-chest, he was drawn back by a sailor, who begged he would not get up there unless he took off thosc^wABS, pointing to his epaulets. At that moment the two ships were so near together, that one of our sailors, having discharged his boarding pistol, and mi.-sed his object, threw the pistol itself, and struck him in the breast. The flag being shot away from the Constlh(lion''t main-top-gallant mast-head, John Hogan, a young sailor, ascended amid a shower of bullets and lashed it to the mast. This brave fellow enjoys a pension for his in- trepidity. Lieutenant, (now Capt.) Morris, has since been pro- moted to the command of the frigate Adan^, of 32 guns. He has ever been distinguished in the navy for his unremitted application in the acquirement of nauti- cal information ; for activity, intelligence, and zeal in the faithful discharge of his duty. His gallant conduct., while under Comnoodore I^reble, in the Tripolitan war. gained him the confidence of his commander, the ad- miration of his companions in arms, and the applause- of his countrymen. He was the first man who gained the deck of the frigate Philadelphia, on that ever me- morable night, when, under the batteries of the enemy, she. was wrapt in flames by the Spartan band, under Lieutenant Decatur ; for which brilliant exploit the President most justly gave the latter a Captain's com- mission. When the constitution made her escape frorn the British squadron ofl' the Capes of the Chesapeake, to Lieut. i\!orris did the magnanimous Hull give much of the credit acquired in that masterly retreat. Those who personally know tlie sterling worth and intrinsic merit of Captain .Morris, cannot but rejoice that hit mai\ly virtues and naval talents have now a more ample field of exertion in his country's cause. Capt. Hull, in a letter to the Secretary of the nary, pasBed a handsome eu-ogium on Capt. iVIorris. in the THE AMERICAN NaVY. 141 following pass.ige : " I cannot but make you acquainted with the very great assistance I received from that val- uable officer, Lieut. Morris, in bringing the ship into action, and in working her whilst along side the enemy ; and I am extremely sorry to state, that he is badly- wounded, being shot through the body. We have yet hopes of his recovery, when, I am sure, he will receive the gratitude of his country for this and the many gal- lant acts he has done in the service."* The Constitution made . several other valuable cap- tures, and arrived in Boston on the 28th of August, when Capt. Hull and his brave officers and crew were most courteously received, and most hospitably treated. When the festive scenes at Boston were closed, Capt. Hull set out for Washington. On his way he was re- ceived with the iiighest testimonials of respect ; present- ed with the freedom of all the large cities, as he passed, together with several valuable presents in plate, &c. Congress, highly sensible of the merits of this action, as well as the loss they had sustained in being obliged to destroy the prize at sea, voted as a gratuitous donation to the crew of the Constitution, the sum of fifty thou- sand dollars. The government bestowed honourable promotions upon the truly meritorious sailing master, and lieutenants ; and the whole crew applauded th« act. Soon after the capture of the Guerriere, Commodore Porter entered the Delaware, and aimounced, that shortly after he sailed from New Yoik, he had fallen in with a British fleet of merchantmen, under convoy of *A few days previous to this action, the following challenge wiu inscribed upon the register of the John Adams. "• The Guerriere, 44 guns, 300 men, will he Imppj' to see the Presi- dent, Commodore Rodgers, out-side the Hook, or any other larg« frigate, to hvive a soci.ible tcle-a-tele.^' The Guerriere was so much of a wreck, that she was burnt at een, the next day; but the Constitution suffered so slightly, that she actu- ally cleared ship for action immediately alter the battle, when a tail, tupposed to be an enemy, appeared in view. 142 RISE AND PROGRESS OF one frigate, and that he had been so successful as to cut out a transport brig, containing about 150 soldiers, which he permitted the Capt. to ransom for 14,000 dol- lars, after having disarmed, and parolied the troops. Tiiat on the 1 3th of August, he fell in with the British eloop of war Alert, and captured her in eight minutes. ESSEX AND ALERT. Letter* from Capt. Porter of the E?sex Frigate to the Secretary of the Nnvy. At Sea, August 17, 18M. Sir, I have the honour to inform you, that on the 1 3th, hi« B rtannic Majesty's sloop of war Alert, Capt. T. L. P. Laugharne, ran down on our weather (piarter, gave three cheers, and-commenccd an action (if so triiTmg a skirmish deserves the name) and after eight minles tiring ttruck her colours, with seven feet water in her hold, much cut to pieces, and 3 men wounded. I need not inform you that the officers and crew of tlie Essex behaved as i trust all Americans will in such ca- •es, and it is only to be regretted, that so much zeal and activity could not have been displayed on an occasion that would have done them more honour. The Essex has not received the slightest injury. The Alert was otit for the purpose of taking the Hor- net ! I have the honour to be with great respect, your obedient servant, D. PORTER. Hon. PAUL HAMILTON, Sec't/ of Navy. The Alert mounted twenty 18lb. carronades, [rated ia Steel's list 16,] and had 130 men. THE AMERICAN NAVT. 14S Al Sea, August.^, 1819. Finding myself much embarrassed by the Alert, from the great number of prisoners we have aheady made (about 500,) I conclude that before our arrival in Amer- ica the number would be considerably augmented, and as I found my provisions and water getting short, and being well satisfied that a plan had been organized by them for rising on the ship in the event of an engage- ment, I considered it to be for the interest of my coun- try to get clear of them as speedily as possible, particu- larly as I was well assured that immediately on their arrival at St. Johns, an equal number of my countrymen would be released and lind a sure and immediate con- veyance. I therefore drew up written stipulations corresponding with the accompanying letters ; threw all thegunsof the Alert overboard ; withdrew from her all the men belonging to the Essex ; appointed Lieut. J. P. Wilmer to command her as a cartel, put all my pris- oners on board her, and despatched her for St. Johns, in Newfoundland, with orders to proceed from thence to New York with such Americans as he may receive in exchange. At a more suitable opportunity I sl)all do myself the honour to lay before you copies of every paper rela- tive to this transaction, and sincerely hope that my con- duct in this allair may meet you with approbation. As the Essex has been has been so annoying about Bermuda, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, 1 expect I phall have to run the gauntlet, through their cruisers: you may however rest assured, that all a ship of her nize can do shall be done, and whatever may be our fata oui country shall ne^er blush for us. 1 have the honour to be, &ic. D. FOIirER. Hon. PAUL HAMILTON, Sec^y of Xavy, 144 RISE AND PROGRESS OF We are obliged to omit the correspondence between Captains Porter and Laugharne, in which it was finally agreed, that the Alert, after being, disarmed, should go to Newfoundland, as a cartel, with Brith prisoners. — The Alert afterwards returned to New York with American prisoners. Extract of a letter from Admiral Duckworth to the Secretary of the INavy. St. Johns, Newfoundland, Aug. 31 , 1812. A vessel captured as the Alert has been, could not have been vested with the character of a cartel, until she had entered a port of the nation by which she had been captured, and been regularly tittcd out from thence. For every prize might otherwise be provided with a flag of truce, and proposals for an exchange of prison- ers ; and rendered thus effectually secure against the possibility of recapture ; while the cruising ship would be enabled to keep at sea with an undiminished crew ; the cartels being always navigated by the prisoners of war. It is utterly inconsistent with the laws of war to re- cognise the principle upon which this arrangement has been made. Nevertheless I am willing to give a proof of my res- pect for the liberality with which the captain of the Es- sex has acted, in more than one instance, towards the British subjects who have fallen into his hands ; of the Ksaorcd obligation that is always felt, to fulfil the engage- ments of a British oflicer ; and of my contidence in the disposition of his royal highness the Prince Regent, to allay ihe violence of war by encouraging a reciproca- tion of that courtesy by which its pressure upon individ- uals mar be so essentially diminished. On the 4th of this month, a midshipman of the Essex arrived, and presc:;'u*i to me a letter from his captain, pro])Oaing an exchange for 86 British prisoners. The THE AMERICAN NAVY. I45 midshipman had however been placed alone in the charge of one of the captured vessels, with 86 prisoners, to conduct them to this port. A list of 10 prisoners of the same description, disposed of in the same manner, has been sent to me by the commander of the Ameri- can private armed schooner the Rossie. It is incumbent upon me to protest in the strongest manner against the practice of conducting exchanges upon terms like these ; and to signify to you that it wil! be utterly impossible for me to incur, in future, the re- sponsibility of assenting to them. Commodore Porter further states, that on the 3Cth of August, he descried a stiil standing towards him, and he immediately cleared ship for action, and stood towards the enemy ; that vv-hcn nightintervencd, he hoisted lights as beacons, (0 the enemy, which were regularly answer- ed, but for some cause not satisfactorily explained, the enemy disappeared, and in the morning was not to be found. Also, (hat on the 4lh of Sept. the Essex com- menced the chase of a brig, when two ships of war were in sight ; but owing to light winds she made her escape. That the Essex was chased in her turn by two ships of war ; but by her skilful mancEUvering, had the good fortune to make hei escape. CHAPTER X- Naval Operations Continued, On the 8th of Oct. Commodore Rodgers Bailed from Boston, with the following squadron, on a cruise ; viz. The frigates President, United States, Congress, and brig Argus. On the 13th, agale parted the squadron, »ud ihortly after the President and Congress fell ia 13 1 46 RISE AND PROGRESS OP with and captured the British packet Swallow, with 500,000 dollars in specie on board, which they brought ?afe into Boston, on the 301 h of Dec. The Argus cruised olFthc West India station sosuccessfully, that she returned into port about the middle of Jan. 1813, with prizes to the amount of about 200,000 dollars. She was no less successful in eluding and escaping the arm- ed ships, and squadrons of the enemy, than in capturing and securing her prizes ; and such was her adroitness in nautical skill, that she actually captured and manned one of h crprizes within pistol shot of a British 74. On the 18th of October, captain Jones, in the United States sloop of war Wasp, of sixteen gtms, fell in with, and cajjtured, his Britannic majesty's sloop of war Frol- ic, of eighteen guns, captain Winyates, after a sharp and desperate action of forty-three minutes. The Frolic lost thirty killed and tifty wounded ; the Wasp five kil- led and tive wounded. His Britannic majesty's ship of war Poictiers, of 74 guns, fell in with, and captured the Wasp and her prize, soon after the action. THE WASP AND FROLIC. Copy of a letter from Captain Joneg, late of the U. States' stoop of • war Wasp, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated New-York, 24th Nov. 1812. 1 here avail myself of the first opportunity, of inform- ingyou of the occuirences of our cruise, which termin- ated in the capture of the Wasp, on the l8thofOct. bj the Poictiers, 74 guns, while a wreck, for damages re- ceived in an engagement with the British sloop of war Frolic, of 22 gnns ; sixteen of them 321b. carronades, and four 1 -' poimders, on the main deck, and two \i pounders, carronades, on the top-gallant forecastle, ma- king her superior in force to us, by four 12 pounders. THE AMERICAN NAVY. I47 The Frolic had struck to us, and was taken posession of, about two hours before our surrendering to the Poieiiers. ^ ^We had left the Delaware, on the 13(h — the 16th, had a heavy ^ale, in which we lost our jib-boom, and two men. Half jDast eleven, on the night of the 17th, in the lat. of 37° north, Ion. 65° west, we saw several sail, two of them appearing very large ; w^e stood from them, for some time ; then shortened sail and steered, the remainder of the night, the course we had perceived them on. At day-light, on Sunday the 18th, we saw them ahead — gave chase, and soon discovered them to be a convoy, of six sail, under the protection of a sloop of war ; four of their large shi])s mounting from 16 tO' 18 guns. At 32 minutes past 11, A. M. we engaged the sloop of war, having first received her fire, at the distance of 50 or 60 yards, which space we gradually lessened, until we laid her on board, after a well support- ed fire of forty-three minutes ; and, although so near, while loading the last broadside, that our rammers were ehoved against the side of the enemy, our men exhibited the same alacrity, which they had done during the whole of the action. They immediately surrendered, upon our gaining their forecastle, so that no loss was sustained, on either side, after boarding. Our main top-mast was shot away, between 4 and 5 minutes after the commencement of the firing, and fal- ling, together with the main topsail yard, across the lar- board fore and fore topsail braces, rendered our head yards unmanageable the remainder of the action ; at 8 minutes the gaft and mizen top-gallant mast came down : and, at twenty minutes from the beginning of the action, every brace, and most of the rigging, was shot away. A few minutes after separating from the Frolic, both her masts fell upon deck ; the main mast going close by the deck, and the fore mast twelve or fifteen feet above it. The courage and exertions of the olhcers and crew, ful- ly answered my expectations and wishes : Lieut. Bid- 148 RISE AND PROGRESS OF dle's active conduct, contiibutcd much to our success, by the exact attention paid to every dcpartaient, during the engagement — and the animating example he atFord- ed the crew, by his intrepidity. Lieutenants Rodger^, Booth, and Mr. Rapp, shewed, by the incessant tire from their divisions, that they were not to be surpassed in resolution or skill. Mr. Knight, and every other ofTicer, acted with a courage and promptitude, highly honoura- ble ; and, 1 trust, have given assurance, that they may be relied on, whenever their services may be required, 1 could not ascertain the exact loss of the enemy, as many of the dead lay buried under the masts and spars, that had fallen upon deck, which two hours exertion had not suOiciently removed. Mr. Biddle, who had charge of the Fiolic, states, that, from what he saw, and from inforfnntion from the ollicers, the number killed must have been about thirty, and that of the wcninded, about forty or fifty. Of the killed, is her first Lieutenant, and sailing master ; of the wounded, Captain Winyates, and the second Lieutenant. We had five killecl, and five wounded, as per list ; the wotmded are recovering. Lieut. Ciaxton, who was' confined by sickness, left his bed a little previous to tlie engagement ; and, though too vs'cak to be at his division, remained upon deck, and showed, by his composed manner of noting its incidents, that we had lost, by hi» illness, the services of a brave officer. I am, &c. JAMES JONES. TheHon. P. HAMILTON, Scc'y of JVavij. The frigate United States, Commodore Decatur, soon after she was separated from the squadron in the gale, fell in with and captured H. B. Majesty's frigate Macedonian, J. S. Carden commodore, after an actioo of 90 minutes. THE AMERICAN NAVT. J4t CAPTURE OF THE MACEDONIAN. Copy of a letter ft om Commodore Decatur, to the Secretary of the Niivy, dated U. S. Ship, United Slates, At Sea, Oct. 30, 1812. Sir — I have Ihc honour to inform you, that on the ^5th itist. in Int. 29" north, Ion. 29^^ 30' west, we fell in wilji. and after an action of an hour and a half, cap- tured his Britannic majesty's ship Macedonian, com- manded by Capt. John Garden, and mounting 49 car- riage-guns — (he odd gun shifting. She is a frigate of the largest class, two years old, four months out of dock, and rcj>u!ed one of liie best sailers in the Britieh ser- vice, 'i'he etietny, being to windward, had the advan- tage of engaging us a' his own distance, which was go great, (hat, for the (irst half hour, we did not use our carronades ; and at no moment was he within the com- plete et'ect of our iriiisquetry or grape ; to this circum- stance, and a heavy swell, whicli was on at (he time, I ascribe the unusual length of the action. The enthusiasm of every officer, seaman, and ma- rine, on board (his s hip, on c'lscovering the enemy — ~ Iheir steady conduct in battle, and precision of (heir tire, could not be surpassed — where all met my fullest expectations, it would be unjust, in me, to discriminate: Fermit me, however, to ircommend to your particular notice, my 1st Ijicutenant, VVm. H. Allen; he has serv- ed with me upwards of 5 years: and to his unremitted exertions, in dici}>lining the crew, is to be imputed the obvious superiority of our gunnery, exhibited in the result of (his contest. Subjoined is a list of the killed and wounded, on both pidos. Our loss, compared with that of the enemy^ will appear small. Amongst our wounded, you will ob<- serve ilie name of Lieut. Funk, who died a few hour* 13* 150 *^^3E AND PROGRESS OF after the action ; he was an officer of great gallantry and promise, and the service has sustained a severe loss in his death. The Macedonian lost her rnizen mast, fore and main top masts, and main yard, and was> much cut up in her hull ; the damage sustained, hy this ship, was not such as to render her return into port necessary; and, had I not deemed it important that we should see our prize in, should have continued our cruise. With the highest, &c. STEPHEN DECATUR. lAst of killed and wounded, on board the United Stales.. Killed — Privates - - 5 Wounded — 1 Lieut, and 6 privates - - 7 Total, killed and wounded, - - 12 On hoard the Maoedonian^. Kitted, ... - 3is the most impressive eloquence. The fortune of battle had placed one gallant hero in the hands of an- other; a.id they steadfastly looked at each other with those kind of fjclings which would be displaced by any descriptio.!. The aflfible grac(i of Co.n.u. Decatur, put the galla!it Garden as much at ease as a con"|uered hero coild be placed in the hour of defeat. He had left his shi[) almost a complete wreck, and cojld discov- er but little of the elfects of the severe conflict in the frigate that had so eflectually conquered her. The Macedoni m, when she struck, was in a state little better than that of the Guerriere, Java, and Peacock ; the last of which sunk even before the whole crew could be ta- ken out, and the two others were abandaucJ by the captors and sunk. But the Jnjjjry done to the ship is forgoUcn when the flaughtcT made amongst the crew is considered. An oiFiccr of Ihc frigate United States, besides communica- ting many other interesting particulars, thus expressed hiinsclf : — " After securing our prisoners, I was sent on board (he prize to assist in fitting her out, which we did in a (c\v days under jury-masts. I assure you the scene she exhibited just after the action, was dis- tressing to humanity. Fragments of the dead were d'la- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 1^3 tribnled in every direction — (he deck? covered with blood — one coiitinued agonizing }cll of tlie unhappj, wounded victims : — a scene so horrible of my fellovr creature?, 1 assure 3'ou, depiivcd me very much of the pleasure of victory." * Commodore Decatur arrived safe wilh his prize at New London, on the 4th of December, 1812, where he w'as hailed by the citizens with the warmest expressions of enlhusi'istic joy. After despatching Lieut. Hamil- ton to Washington with the flag of the ftiacedonian, and *It will ')?» r^nollecteil th;it t'le o;ni;i;il repn"t state* th# killed on .loiiril the Mu' eiloruMU to b2 36— woiiii 16.1—03 f'lfty-llir^ of ths wounded died a'terwarJs of tlieir wounds ; nisikingSD in the whole; — more lives tliiin were lo-'t t)y tlie Aniericiiiis in all their bnltles with the 'Irii'idiiaiis! Arid, what x'lll astonish every reader, who hai act, like the writer, critically examined every olficiid report (o as- ;ertiiin the fact — thi? loss of human lives on hoavd the Macedoniau, by instant death (r wounds which proved mortal, was °;reater than that of tlie Americans in every one of the aciiims helween single jhips, where victories were won ; and al-o in the victory upon Lake Erie, duriis;; tlie war witli Great Britain! Eqiia'ly astonishing is it that this loss is otdy s'x less t!iaii that sMsia:ne ! hy the Essex, of 33 juns, in the unparalleled coiiti»i-t with the IVi^;ate Pitcehe of 36 — and sloop of war Chernh, of 2S— of the President 44, with the Ma- jestic (razee) fri^i'tes End\niion Pom>inr, Tenedus. nnd brig; De»- patch - and of the Argus of 18, with the Pe'ic.:n of 21 guns ! — * The following is an extract from the .Muster Pcoll of the Macedo- ciian, when captured by com m. Decatur. '' Christopher l)()du:e, .Amer can, ageil 32, prest hy the Thisbe, 1h1» Dedaigneuse, shi^ined in the Macednni.in July 1., liJlO Peter Jdhnsnn, American, aged 3'2, prest by the Dedalus, entered August -4, 1810. John Alexntilor, of Cape Ann, aged 29, prest by the Dedalus, en- tered August 2.',, 18 10. C. Doljjhin. of Connecticut, aged 22, prcst by the Narnur, late Co- res, entered August 4, 1810. Major Cook, of Baitimors. age 1 27, prest by tlie Royal Willinai. late Mercury, entered Sept. ](), 1810. William Thomiison, of Buston. aged 20, prest at fj'sbon, entered Jan. 10, 1811, drowned at sea in hoarding an Amercan! John Wall IS. .American, as:ed 23, prest by the Triton, entered Feb. 16,1811, killed in action in the Macednnian ! John Card, American, age 1 27, prest by the North Star, entered April 13, 1811, kdled iu action in the Macedonian 1" 154 RISE AND PROGRESS OF receiving the thanks of the Mayor, Aldermen and Com- mon Couneil, he partook of the honours of a splen(hd ball, and hastily prepared to conduct his prizes to New York. On (he 8th of January, 1013, Lieut. Hamilton announced the arrival of the (lag of the Macedonian at Washington. It was upon a brilliant occasion, in the midst of a splendid ball, given in honor of the ofiicera of the navy, generally, and to celebrate the memorable reception of the flag of the British frigate Gucrriere. When the flag of the Macedonian was announced by Lieut. Hamilton, it is impossible to expi'css the sensa- tions tha|^ilcctritied the whole asst^mbly ; but when thej saw th(^J3ritish banner borne trium[)hantly through the hall, and presented to Mrs. Madison, a rapturous scene of enthusiastic joy ran through the hall, and gladdened every heart. These scenes at Washington were no sooner closed, than the city of New York presented a new theatre of action. F-lere, by a fortuitous concur- rence of events, the heroic conquerors of the Gucniere, the Frolic, and the Macedonian, once more joined their hearts and their hands in naval ff.llowshi[). The corpo- ration of the city of New York prepared a splendid en- tertainment, in honour of their guests. "A capacious hall,'' says the author of the Life of Decatur, " was colonaded with masts of ships, and the flags of all the world were suspended upon them. Upon each table was a miniature ship, displaying the ' star-sjiangled ban- ner' of America. An area of al)out 20 by 10 feet, was filled with water, and a miniature of the United States frigate was floating in it. A mainsail, 33 by IG feet, was suspended in the rear of the artihcial lake, upon which was painted the American Eagle, holding in his beak a scroll with these words, ' Our children are theproperty of unr Countri/.''^ One beautiful transparency repre- eentcd tb.e American Eagle, holding in his mouth thre« medaliions. Upon on-- was inscribed 'Hull and th« * Toast by CommoJore Decatur's father. THE AMERICAN NAVY. I55 Guerriere,' on another, 'Jones and the Frolic,' on an- other, ' Decatur and the Macedonian." Another splen- did transparency represented the frigate Constitution taking the Guerriere in a blaze, August 19th, 1812; the frigate United Slates taking the Macedonian, Oct. 25th, 1812; the Wasp taking the Frolic, Nov. 18th, 1812. Upon displaying these inimitable representations, the whole company expressed their feehngs by nine animat- ed cheers." V \ " The corporation of the city of New York, also gave to the whole crew of the frigate United Stales a splendid dinner, in the same hall in which Commodore Decatur dined. The decorations were precisely as just describ- ed, excepting the take in which the miniature frigate wafted, which was filled with grog^ but produced not the least excess amongst these well disciplined sailors. I'hc crew exceeded 400, and were neati}' dressed in bluejackets and trowsers, scarlet vests, and glazed hats. As they marched from the frigate to the city hotel, re- iterated applauses were given by the citizens. The splendour of the hall — the miniature lake and frigate — and above all, the transparencies of the victories of the United States, Constitution, and Wasp, carried their astonishment almost to delirium. The boatswairt'a whistle kept them in perfect order, and ' Yankee Doo- dle,' from the inimitable band of the Macedonian, in- spired them with ardent patriotism. After dinner, the boatswain thus answered Alderman Vanderbilt's elegant address. '•'In behalf of my shipmates, I return our sincere thanks to the corporation of the city of New York, for the honour which they this day have done us. Rest as- sured, Sir, that it will be ahoays our wish, to deserve the good opinion of our countrymen." Three hearty cheers, from the whole crew, evinced their approbation of the boatswain's sentiments.' They then drank to thi« toast, so perfectly in character with American tars : "' American shipa, all over the oceaa." 156 I^l^E AND PROGRESS OF At this time, Commodore Decatur and his accomplished Lieutenant, W. il. Alien, entered the ivall. The pres- ence of the Commodore heightened their previous rap- ture. He gave as a toast : "'Free Trade and no impressments." vrhich was received with an enthusiasm peculiar to sail- ors. He communicated to them the request of the managers of the Theatre, that they would attend in the evening: and the wliole pit was appropriated for their accommodation. The Commodore addressed them nearly in these words — ' Sailors ! — Your orderly and decorous conduct this day, gives me high satisfaction. Continue it through this evening ; and convince the hospitable and patriotic citizens of New York, that you can maintain the same order in the midst of amusements as you have done, when sailing upon the ocean and con- quering the enemy.' it was answered by the well known and respectful salute of sailors." CHAPTER XI. J^aval War Continued. On the 13th, of Nov. naval operations commenced npon lake Ontario under very favorable auspices. AFFAIR ON LAKE ONTARIO. Sackeil's Harbor, \3th Nov. 1812- I arrived here last evening in a gale of wind, the pi- lots having refused to keep the Lakes. On the 8th, I («\\ in with the koyal George, and chased her into the THE AMERICAN NAVY. I57 Bay of Quanti, where I lost sight of her, in the night. In the morning of the 9th, we again got sight of her, ly- ing in Kingston channel. We gave chase, and follow- ed her into the harbor of Kingston, where we engagedher and the batteries, for one hour and forty-five minutes. I had made up my mind to board her ; but she was so well protected by the batteries, and the wind blowing directly in, it was, deemed imprudent to make the at- tempt at that time ; the pilots also refused to take charge of the vessels. Under these circumstances, and it being after sun-down, I determined to haul otTj and renew the action the next morning. We beat up, in good order, under a heavy fire from the Royal George and batteries, to 4 mile point, where we anchored ; it blew heavy, in squalls, from the we^^tward, during the night, and there was every appearance of a gale of wind : the pilots became alarmed, and I thought it most prudent to get into a place of more safety — 1 therefore deferred renewing the attack, upon the ships and forts, until a more favorable opportunity. — At 7, A. M. ou fhe 10th, I made the signal to weigh, and we beat out of a very narrow channel, under a very heavy press of sail, to the open Lake. At 10, we fell in with the Gov. Simcoe, running for Kingston, and chased her into the harbor ; she escaped by rOnning over a reef of rocks, under a heavy fire from the Gov. Tomkins, the Hamil- ton, and the Julia, which cut her very much : all her people ran below, while under the fire of these vessels ; the Hamilton chased her into 9 feet water, before she hauled off. In our passage through the bay of Quanti, I discovered a schoonerat the villagcof Armingston, which we took posession of, but finding she would detain u?, (being then in chase of the Royal George) 1 ordered Lieut. MTherson to takeout her sails and rigging, and burn her, v/hich he did. We also took the schooner Ma- ry Hall, from Niagara, at the mouth of Kingston Plar- bor, and took her with us, to our anchorage. The next morning, finding she could not beat through the 14 15S I^ISE AND PROGRESS OF channel with us, I ordered the sailing master, in the j Growler, to take her under convoy, and run down past I Kingston, anchor on the east end of Long-Island, and wait for a wind, to come up on the east side ; 1 was also in hopes, that the Rojal George might be induced to follow, for the purpose of retaking our prize; but her j commander was too well aware of the consequences, to | leave his moorings. We lost, in this affair, one man killed^ and three slightly wounded, with a few shot through our sails. The other vessels lost no men, and received but little injury in their hull and sails, with the exception of the Pert, who^e gun bursted in the early part of the action, and wounded her commander badly, and a midshipman, and three men slightly. Mr. Arun- del, who refusexl to quit the deck, although wounded, was knocked overboard, and drowned, in beating up to our anchorage. The Royal George must have received very considerable injury, in her hull, and in men, as the gun vessels, with a long 32 pounder, were seen to strike her, almost every shot ; and, it was observed, that she was reinforced with troops, four diflerent times, during the action. 1 have great pleasure in saying, that the officers and men, on .board of every vessel, behaved with the utmost coolness, and are extreinciy anxious to meet the enemy on the open Lake ; and as long as 1 have the honor to command such officers and men, I can have no doubt of the result. — 1 think I can say, with great propriety, that we have now the command of the Lake ; and that we can transport troops and stoics, to any pai t of it,without any risk of an attack from tlie enemy. Al- though the whole of his naval force was not collected at Kingston, yet, the force, at the difTerent batteries, would more than counterbalance the vessels that were absent ; it was thought, by all the officers in the squadron, that the enemy had more than 30 guns, mounted at Kings- ton, and from 1000 to 1500 men. The Royal George, protected by this force, wasdriv- en into the inner harbor, under the protection of the THE AMERICAN NAVY. I59 nausquetrj, by the Oneida, and 4 small schooners, fitted out as gun-boats. I have the honor to be &;c. ISAAC CHAUNCEY. The Hon. P. HAMILTON. Sec''i/ of Navy, In the month of Oct. Commodore Bainbridge, in the frigate Constitution, put to sea from New York, accom- panied by the sloop of war Hornet, Capt. Lawrence, to join Capt. Porter in the Essex, and form a cruising squadron against the British whale fisheries in the south Fca and western Pacific ; but the junction failed, and Porter proceeded alone on his cruise. On the 29th of Dec, the Constitution of 44 guns. Commodore Bain- bridge, fell in with and captured the British frigate Java, Capt. Lambert, of 44 guns, off the coast of Brazil, after an action of 50 minutes. The Java lost 69 killed and 301 wounded. The Constitution lost 9 killed and 25 wounded. CHAPTER XII. General Operations Jlgainst Canacia. Formidable preparations were now in ibrwardnes!, against Canada. One army was assembled under the command of general Harrison, governor of Indiana, cal- led the north-western army. Another under the com- mand of general Stephen Van Rensellaer, at Lewistown,, called the army of the centre, and another under the command of general Dearborn, at Plattsburg, called the army of the north, 160 RISE AND PROGRESS OF In the course of the general operations against Cana- da, this autumn, the Americans surprised and took twro valuable fur ships, u[)onlake Erie, and brought oii' one, valued at 100,000 dollars. This successful enterprise, kindled fresh ardor in the breast of the American troops, and they pressed General Van Renscllaer to lead them against the enemy. The general gratified their wishes and on the I 2th of October, detached about 1000 men, under the command of Colonel Solo- mon Van Rensellaer, who crossed over the river Niag- ara, and eiTcctcd a landing upon the Canada shore, at Queenstown. Colonel Van Rensellaer was severely wounded upon his (irst landing, but kept the liekl at the ijead of his brave troops, where he was soon joined by Coionel Scott, with his artillery, and the British retired before the victors. The troops at Buffalo and Lewis- town, were put in motion at tlie same time, to be ia readiness to cross over and support the action. Colonel Van Rensellaer was now reinforced, w;th regulars and militia, and General Brock advanced to the combat, with a strong reinforcement of regulars and Indians, and the battle became (ierce and bloody ; but the British recoiled. Stung with chagrin and mortifica- tion. General Biock rallied his troops to the charge ; but he fell, mortally wounded, in the heat of the action, and his troops again recoiled. General Van Rensellaer, at this critical moment crossed over to secure the victory ; but the enemy were again reinforced, and returned to the charge, and were again repulsed. At this eventful inoment, when the American troops were exhausted with the fatigues of the day, and anx- iously expecting the volunteers to cress over, and se- cure the victory they had gained, General Van Ren- scllaer, impatient, of their del ly, crossed over in person, to lead on the reserve ; but to his inexpressible disap- pointment and mortification, they refused to follow, up- on constitutional grounds. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 161 During this parley, the British were again reinforced, and again rallied to the combat, to revenge the death of their brave General Brock, and to wipe off the disgrace of the day. The conflict was renewed, and raged, with such violence, that the Americans were overpowered ; about sixty were killed, 100 wounded, and 1000 taken prisoners. Had the volunteers followed their General, the victory of the day would, most probably, have been complete, and the whole aspect of the campaign chan- ged. BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN. Copy of a letter from Major General Van Rensellaer, of the New York militia, to i^Aajor General Henry Dearborn, transmitted bj the latter, to the Department of War. Head Quarters, Lewistozvn^ October 14, 1812. SiR, As the movements of the army under my command, since I had last the honour to address you on the 8th inst. have been of a very important character, produ- cing consequences serious to many individuals ; es- -tablisiiing facts actually connected with the interest of the service, and the safety of the army ; and as T stand prominently responsible for some of these consequen- ces, T beg leave to explain to you sir, and through you, -to my country, the situation and circumstances, and the reasons and motives which governed me ; and if the result is not all that might have been wished, it is such, that when the whole irrouful shall be reviewed, I shall cheerfully subuiit myself to the judgement. of my coun- try. In my letter of the 8th inst. I apprized 30U, that a crisis in this campaign was rapidly advancing, and that (to repeat the same words,) " the blow must be soon struck, or all the toil and expense of the campaign go for nothing ; and worse than nothing, for the whole wili be tinged with dishonor."" 14* les IlI^5E AND PROGRESS Of Under such impressions I had, on the 5th inst. writ- ten to Brig. Gen. S;nylh, of the U. States forces, re- questing an interview with him, Major Gen. HaD, and the coinmandants of the U. States' regiments, for the purpose of conferring upon the suhject of future opera- tions. 1 wrote Major Gen. Hall, to the same purport; on the I 1th, 1 had received no answer from Gen. Smyth ; but m a note to me of the 10th, Gen. Hall mentioned that Gen. Smyth had not then agreed upon any day for consultation. In the mean time, the partial success of Lieut. Elliott, at Black Rock, (of which, however, I have received no oflicial information) hegan to excite a strong disposition in the troops to act ; this was expressed to me through various channels in the shape of an alternative ; that they must have orders to act ; or at all hazards thcj would go home. I forbear commenting here upon the obvious consequences to me, personally, of longer with- holding my orders under such circumstances. i had a conference with , as to the possibilitr of getting some pcrsoii to pass over to Canada, and oi)- tain correct information. On the morning of the 4th he wrote to me that he had procured the man who bore his letter to go. over ; instructions were given him, he .passed over and' obtained such information as warranted an immediate fjltack. This was confidentially commu- nicated to several of my fii-st officers, and produced great zeal to act ; inore especially, as it might have a controlling effect upon the movements at Detroit, where it was supposed General Brock was gone, with all the force he dared spare from the Niagara frontier ; the. beat preparations in my power were therefore made, to dislodge the enemy, from the heights of Queenstown, and possess ojrsclves of the village, whei'e the troops -might be sheltered from the distressing inclemency of the weather. — Lieut. Col. Fenwick's flying artillery, and a detachment of regular troops under his command, THE AMERICAN NAVY. 103 verc ordered to be up in season from fort Niagara ; or- iers were also sent to Gen. Smyth, to send down from Buffalo, such a detachment of his brii^ade, as existing :ircumstances in that vicinity might warrant ; the attack A'as to have been made at 4 o'clock on the morning of he nth, by crossing over in boats, from the old ferry. >pposite i\v^ heights •, to avoid any (imbarrasment in ',rossing the river, (which is here a sheet of violent ed- iies,) exjicrienced boatmen were procured, to take the joats from the landing below, to the place of embarka- ation ; Lieut. Sim was considered Ihf ntan of greatest ?kill for this service ; he went ahead, and, in the extreme darkness, passed the intended place far up the river, and heio, in a most extraordinary manner, fr.stened his boat ^o the shore, and abandoned the detachment. In this Tont boat, he had carried nearly every onr, which waa prepared for all the boats : in this agonizing dilemma stood ofiicers and men, whose ardour had not been cool- ed by exposure, through the night, to o.ie of the most tremendous N. East stoi-ms, which continued unabated for twenty-eight hours, and deluged the whole camp : fhe approach of daylight extinguished every prospect of success, and the detachment returned to camp. Col. Van Rensellaer was to have conunanded the detach- ment. After this result, I had hoped the patience of the ':roops would have continued until. 1 couid submit the plan, suggested in my letter of the 8th, that 1 might act under, and in conformity to the opinion which might b« then expressed ; but my hope was idle : — the previously excited ardour seemed to have gained new heat front the late miscarriage — the brave were mo)tifjed to stop fhort of their object, and the timid thought laurel? half won by the attempt. Viewing the affairs at Buffaloe as yet unsettled, J had immediately couutermanned the march of Gen. Smyth'/i brigade, upon the failure of the fnst expedition ; but having now determined to attack Queeustown, I eeut i 64 RISE AND PROGRESS OF new orders to Gen. Smyth, to march ; not with a view of his aid in the attack, (for I considered the force de- tached suflicient) but to support the detachment, should the conflict be obstinate and long continued. Lieut. Col. Christie, who had arrived at 4 mile creek, had, late in the night of the first contemplated attack, gallantly offered me his own and his men's service, but he got ray permission too late : — he now again came forward, had a conference with Col. Van Rensellaer, and begged that he might have the honor of a command in the expedition : the arrangement was made ; Col. Van Rensellaer was to command one column of 300 militia, and Lieut Col. Christie a column of the sam« number of regular troops. Every precaution was now adopted, as to boats ; and the most confidential and experienced men to manage them. At an early hour in the night, Lieut. Col. Chris- tie marched his detachment, by the rear road, from Ni- agara to camp : at 7 in the evening, Lieut. Col. Strana- han's regiment moved from Niagara falls ; at 8 o'clock. Mead's ;at 9, Lieut. Col. Blan's regiment marched fro.in the same place — all were in camp in good season. Agreeably to my orders, issued on this occasion, the two columns were to pass over together ; and, as soon as the !)eights shoiild be carried, Lieut. Col. Fenwick**! flying artillery was to pass over; then Major Mullany''i detachment of regulars, and the other troops, to follow In order. At dawn of day the boats wei"e in readiness, and thr troops coinmenced embarking under the cover of a commanding battery, mounting 2 eighteen pounder?, and '2 sixes. The movement was soon discovered, and a brisk fire of musquetry was poured from the whole line of the Canada shore. Our battery then opened to sweep the shore ; but it was, for some mmutes, too dark to direct much fire with safety. A brisk cannon- ade was now opened upon the boats, from three difler- «nt batteries ; our battery returned their fire, and o«- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 165 t;asionally threw grape upon the shore, and was itself served with shells from a small mortar of the enemy's. Col. Scott, of the artillery, by hastening his march from Niagara falls, in the night, arrived in season to return the enemy's tire with 2 six pounders. The boats were somewhat embarrassed by the ed- dies, as well as with a shower of shot ; but Col. Van Rensellaer, with about one hundred men, soon effected his landing amidst a tremendous fire, directed upon him from every point ; but to the astonishment of all who witnessed the scene, this van of the column advanced slowly against the fire. It was a serious misfortune to ;hc van, and indeed to the whole expedition, that in a few minutes after landing, Col. Van Rensellaer received four wounds; a balJ passed through his right thigh, en- tering just below the hip bone —another shot passed through the same thigh, a little below ; the third through ;he calf of his left leg, and a fourth contused his heel, rhis was quite a crisis in the expedition ; under so se- vere a fire, it was difficult to form raw troops. Br sOnic mismanagement of the boatmen, Lieut. CoL i^hristie did not arrive until sometime after this, and ivas wounded in the hand in passing the river. Col. ^'^an. Rensellaer was still able to stand ; and, with great presence of mind, ordered his officers to proceed, and ;torm the fort : this service was gallantly performed, md the enemy driven down the hill in every directiot). 5oon after this, both parties were considerably reinfor- :ed, and the conflict was renewed in various places: nany of the enemy took shelter behind a stone guard- louse, where a piece of ordnance was' now briskly erved. I ordered the fire of our battery directed up- )n the guard-house ; and, it was so effectually done, hat, with eight or ten shot, the fire was silenced. The ;nemy then retreated behind a large store-house ; but, n a short time, the rout became general, and the ene- ny's fire was silenced, except from a one gun battery, o far down the river as to be out of the reach of our >66 ^ISE AND PROGRESS OF heavy ordnance, and our light pieces could not eilence nf. A number of boats now passed over unannoyed, except from the one unsilenced gun. For some time after I had passed over, the victory appeared complete ; but, in the expectation of further attacks, I was taking measures for fortifying my camp immediately : the di- rection of this service I committed to Lieut. Totten, of the engineers ; but very soon the enemy were reinfor- ced by a detachment of several hundred Indians, from Chippewa — they commenced a furious attack, but were promptly met, and routed by the rifle and bayo- net. By this time I perceived my troops were embark- ing very slowly ; 1 passed immediately over, to acceler- ate their movements ; but to ray utter astonishment, I found that, at the very moment when complete victory was in our hands, the ardor of the unengaged troops had entirely subsided. I rode in all directions — urged men, by every consideration, to pass over ; but in vain. Lieut. Col. Bloom, who had been wounded in action, returned, mounted his horse, and rode through the camp ; as did also Judge Peck, who happened to be here, exhorting the companies to proceed; but all in vain. At this lime a large reinforcement from Fort Ceorge were discovered coming up the river. As the battery on thfc hill was considered an important check against their ascending the heights, measures were im- mediately taken to send them a fresh supply of ammu- nition, as 1 had learnt there were only left twenty shot, for 18 pounders. The reinforcements, however, ob- liqued to the right fi'om the road, and formed a junction with the Indians, in the rear of the heights. Finding, to my infinite mortification, that no reinforcement would pass over — seeing that another severe conflict would soon commence ; and knowing that the brave men on the heights were quite exhausted, and nearly out of ammunition, all I could do was to send them a /resb supply of cartridges. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 167 At this critical moment, I despatched a note to Gen. Wadsworth, acquainting him with our situation — leav- ing the course to be pursued much to his own judgment, with assurance that, if he thought best to retreat, 1 would send as many boats as I could command, and cover his retreat by every fire I could safely make : — but the boats were dispersed ; many of the boatmen had fled, panic struck, and but a few got olF. But my note could but have little more than reached Gen. Wadsworth, about 4 o'clock, when a severe and obsti- nate conflict commenced, and continued about half an hour, with a tremendous fire of cannon, flying artillery, and musquetry. The enemy succeeded in reposses- sing their battery, and gaining advantage on every side ; the brave men who had gained the victory, exhausted of strength and ammunition, and grieved at the unpar- donable neglect of their soldiers, gave up the conflict. I can only add, that the victory was realty won — but lo.^t for the want of a small reinforcement ; one third of the idle men might have saved all ! I cannot, in justice, close this, withouf expressing the very great obligation I am under to Brit^, Gen. Wadsworth, Col. Vaii Rcnsellaer, Lieut. Col. Christie and Fenwick, and Capt. Gibson, Many others have also behaved most gallantly. As I have reason to be- lieve that many of our troops fled to the woods, with the hope of crossing the river, I have not been able to learn the probable number of killed, wounded, and prisoners : the slaughter of our troops must have been very considerable, and the enemy have suflered severe- ly ; Gen. Brock is amon^ their slain, and his aid-de- eamp mortally wounded. I have the honor to be, &c. STEPHEN VAN RENSELLAER, Major Gen. Major General DEARBORN. i^- )68 RISE AND PROGRESS OF Gen. Van Rensellacr soon after retired from th« ♦ommand, and was succeeded by Gen. Smith. CHAPTER XIII Operations against Canada continued. On the 21st of November, the enemy commenced a desperate attack upon fort Niagara, which was repelled with unusual tirmness and bravery. DEFENCE OF FORT NIAGARA. To Brigadier General Smyth, commanding the army of the Centre. SfR — I Jb^g leave to inform you, that on the morning of the 21st Nov. at 6 o'clock, a heavy cannonading opened upon this garrison, from all the batteries at, and in the neighborhood of fort George, which lasted, with- out intermission, until after sun-down. They had 5 detached batteries ; 2 mounting 24 pounders, 1 mount- ing a 9 pounder, and 2 mortar batteries ; one ten and a half, and the other five and a half inch — the batteries tiring hot shot, which set some of our buildings on fire- But, from the extraordinary vigilance of the officer* and men, particularly Major Armistead, of the U. S. corps of engineers, whose indefatigable exertions were extended to all parts of the garrison, the fires were got under, without being observed by the enemy. Our garrison was not as well provided with artillery and animunition, as I could have wished ; however, the batteries opened a tremendous fire upon them, in re- turn, with hot sho', admirably well directed. Screrail THE AMERICAN NAVY. 169 tirnc5, during the cannonading, the town of Newark was in flames ; but was extinguished by their engines, as also the centre building in fort George. Their nness- bouse, and all the buildings near it, were consumed. Capt. M'Keon, commanded a 12 pounder, in the S. E. block-house, and distinguished himself, by his usual gallantry and skill. Capt. Jacks, of the 7th regiment, militia artillery, commanded a 6 pounder in the north block-house ; and, together with a part of his own com- pany, though placed in a situation most exposed to the tire of the enemy, maintained their position like vete- rans. Lieut. Reese, of the 3d Regiment, artillery, had the command of an 18 pounder, on the S. E. battery, which was pointed at a battery, en barbette, mounting a. ?4 pounder, and also at Fort George ; several well di- rected shot were made from this gun, which proved the skill of its commander. About 10 o'clock, Lieuten- ant Rees had his shoulder bruised, by a part of the par- apet falling on him ; which, though it did not materially injure him, obliged him to retire : and Capt. Leonard, o( the 1st regiment, artillery, at that moment arriving, he took the command of this battery, during the remain- der of the day. Lieut. Wendel, of the 3d regiment artillery had the command of an 18 and 4 pounder, on the west battery ; and Doctor Hooper, of Capt. Jack"'s company of militia artillery, had the command of a 6 pounder, on the mess-house. Of these gentlemen, and their commands, I cannot speak with too much praise ; they distinguished themselves highly ; and from their shot all of which were hot, the town of Newark wa? repeatedly fired, and one of the enemy's batteries si- lenced ior a time. An instance of very extraordinary bravery, in a fe- male, (the wife of one Doyle, a private in the U. States artillery, made a prisoner at Queenstown) I cannot pass 3ver : — during the most tremendous cannonading I have :ver geen, she attended the 6 pounder, on the old mess- \5 170 K.I3E AND PROGRESS OF house, with the red hot shot, and showed fortitude equal- ling the Maid of Orleans. Lieuts. Gansevoort and Harris, of the 1st regiment* United States artillery, had the command of the salt battery, at Youngstown, mounting one 18 and a 4 jioun- (ier; these two guns played upon the garrison of fort Ceorge and the buildings near it ; from every observa- tion 1 could make during their fire, 1 am happy to say, ihey meriled my warmest thanks, for (heir skill in the service of these guns. Lieut. Harris, from his 4 pounder, sunk a schooner, which lay at their wharf ; — these two officers, and their men, in the warmest part of the can- nonading, having fired away all their cartridges, cut up their flannel waistcoats and shirts, and the soldiers their tiowsers to supply their guns. — I cannot say too much in praise of all (lie officers and soldiers of the artillery, immediately under my observation, in this garrison; they merit the thanks and esteem of their country, for the defence of it, and I believe it never sustained so sharp and continued a bombardment. The enemy threw more than 2000 red-hot balls into it, and a number of shells, amounting to 180, only one of which did injury to our men. Lieut. Col. Gray com- manded (he artillery ; the unremitting attention paid to his duty, proved him an ofiicer, whose zeal and science do honor to himself and country ; to this gentleman I feel much indebted, for the manner in which he acquit- ted himself. To the oflicersof my regiment, (particularly Captain Milligan) and the soldiers who assisted the artillery, and those em ployed in extinguishing (he fires, and carrying off the killed and wounded, I am also much indebted — thejr inierit my warmest (hanks. To Dr. West, of the garri- •on, Dr. Augam, of the I4(h regiment, U. States In- fantry, and Dr. Craig, of the 22d regiment, U. States infantry, 1 offer my thanks ; they were employed, du- ring the entire day, in the most critical duties of their professiou. THE AMERICAN NaVY. 171 Our killed is 4. Wounded, 7 — total 11.— From the numbers carried off (which wo saw) from the enemy 's batteries, I presume many more were killed and woun- ded, on their side. Only two of the above men were killed by the enemy's shot ; the others by the burstinjj of a 12 pounder, in the S. K. battery. GEORGE MTEELEY, LkuL Col. Commanding Fort Niagara* Brig. Gen. Smyth. General Smyth reconnoitered the position of the ene- my, and made great preparations to cross over and re- new the combat on tlie shores of Canada. He accor- dingly issued a proclamation, calling for volunteers to join in the enterprise, and actually assembled his troops upon a given day, (November 23th) to embark upon the expedition against the enemy. The van of the army crossed over, and finding the enemy ready to receive them, they retired from the fire of their batteries, and returned ; leaving a detachment of about thirty men, who had effected a landing, to fall into their hands. Such was the resentment of the oflicers and troops generally, at (his dastardly failure, that general Smyth -was constrained to renew the attempt; and general Por- ter, of the New-York volunteers, took the command of the van. — December 4th. The troops were generally embarked and ready for the onset ; but genei'al Smyth, at this interesting moment, when all hearts were alive to the ob ect before them, abandoned the enterprise, for the season, and the troops retired into winter quai^ ters. Such was the mortification and resentment of the ar- my, thatgeneral Smyth thought it necessary to challenge general Porter, to vindicate his courage, and then to withdraw from the command. ] 72 RISE AND PROGRESS OF ARMY PROCEEDINGS. Copy of a Despalch, from Brij. Gen. Smyth, fo Maj. Gen. Dear- born, transdiitted to the Secretary of War. dated Camp, near Buffalo, 4th Dec. 1812. S-iR — The troops, under my commanc], having been ordered to hut themselves for the winter, it becomes mj dtity to report to jou the proceedings had here, since 1 took command on this frontiei,. On or about the 26th of October, I ordered Ihat 20 scows sliould be prepared, for the transportion of caval- ry and artillery, and put the carpenters of the army upon that duty. By the 2Gth Nov. ten scow* were completed ; and, by bringing the boats from Lake On- tario, the number was increased to seventy. I had issued an address, to the men of N. York; and, perhaps, 300 volunteers had arrived at Buifalo. I pre- sumed that the regular troops, and the volunteers, un- der Colonels Swift and M'Clure, would furnish 2,300 men, for duty; and, of Gen. TannehilPs brigade, re- porting a total of 1,650, as many as 413 had volunteer* ed to cross over into Canada. I deemed myself ready " to cross with 3000 men at once," according to your or- ders. Preparatory thereto, on the night of the 27th Nov. I sent over two parties ; one, under Lieut. Col. Boerstler; the other, under Capt. King, with whon» Lieut. Angus, of the navy, at the head of a body of seamen, united. The first mentioned party was to capture a guard, and destroy a bridge, about 5 miles below fort Erie ; the second party were to take, and render useless the ene- my's batteries, and some pieces of light artillery. The first party made some prisoners, but failed to destroy the bridge. The second party, after rendering unser- viceable the light artillery, separated, by some misap- prehension. Lieut. Angus, the seamen, and part of THE AMERICAN NAVT. I73; the troops returned, with all the boats, while Capt. King, Capt. Morgan, Capt. Sproul, Lieut. Houston, and about sixty men, remained. Capt. King, notwithstand ing, with those under his command, advanced to the en- emy's batteries, attacked and took two of them in suc- cession, rendered unserviceable the cannon, and took a number of prisoners. In descending the Niagara some distance, two boats were found — on board of which- Capt. King sent his prisoners, all his officersj and half his men ; his high sense of honour would not allow him to quit the remainder — he was captured with them. Orders had been given, that all the troops in the neighborhood, should march at revalie, to the place of embarkation. A part of the detachment, sent in the night, having returned, and having excited apprehen- sions for the residue, about 250 men, under Col. Win- der, put off. in boats, for the opposite shore ; a part of their force had landed, when a force, with a piece of artillery, appeared: — a retreat was ordered, and Col. Winder's detachment suffered a loss of 6 killed, and 20 wounded ; of whom, six were officers. The general embarkation.commenced,as the troops arrived; but, this being the tirst time the troops had embarked, the whole of the scows were occupied by about one third part of the artillery; while about 800 regular infantry, some- thing upwards of 200 twelve month's volunteers, andy perhaps, 200 of Um^c militia who had volunteered their services for a few days, occupied all the boats that were ready. The troops, then embarked, moved up the stream, to Black Rock, without sustaining loss from the enemy "s fire. It was now the afttrnoon, and they were ordered to disembark, and dine. The enemy showed a force, estimated at five or six hundred men, drawn up in a field, at some distance from the river ; and had one piece of artillery, said to be a 9 pounder, ready to fire on our troops. There remained, unembarked, a part of the artillery ; a few cavalry ; the volunteers, under Col. M'Clure — 15* 174 RISE AND PROGRESS OF amounting, on that day, to 340 men ; a detachment from Gen. TannehilTs brigade ; (number unknown, and little to be relied on,) there were also sundrj crowds, who mijjht have followed the army — if it wa« successful. Recollecting your instructions, " to cross with 3000 men at once," and to consult some of my principal offi- cers, in "all important movements," I called for the field officers, of the regular and twelve months volun- teers, embarked ; Col. Porter not beiny; found at the moment, Capt. Gibson was cailcd, as the next senior officer of artillery. These questions were put: — "la it expedient now to cross over ? Is the force, we have, iufficient to conquer the opposite coast ?'' The first question was decided in the negative, by Colonels Par- ker, Schuyler, Winder, Lieut. Colonels Boerstler and Coles, and Major Campbell. Col. Swift, of the volun- teers, alone gave an opinion for then crossing over. The second question was not decided ; — Col, Parker, Col. Schuyler, Lieut. Col, Coles, and Major Campbell, were decidedly of opinion that the force was insuffi- cient; — Colonels Winder and Swift, Lieut. Col. Boerst- ler, and Capt. Gibson, deemed the force sufficient. — I detennined to postpone crossing over, until more com- plete preparation would enable me to embark at once, according to your instructions : tlieji^t day was 5])ent in such preparations, and the troops were ordered to be again at the place of embarkation, at B o'clock on the morning of the 30th November, On their arrival, they were sent into the adjacent woods, there to build fires, and remain until 3 oVlock in the morning, of the 1st of December, when it was intended to put ofl' two hours before day-light, so as to avoid the fire of the en emy'a cannon ; in passing the position which, it was be- Heved they occupied below, to land above Chippewa, assault that place, and, if successful, march through Qucenstown, to fort George. The Contractor was cal- led oa, to furnish rations, for 2500 men, for four davi ; THE AMERICAN NAVY. 171 "wlicn it was found, he could furnish the pork, but not the flour; sixty barrels were required, and only thirty furnished. The embarkation commenced^ but wat delayed by circumstances, so as not to be completed until after day-light — when it was found, the regular infantry, 688 men, the artillery, 177 men, Col. Swift'i volunteers, about 230, six companies of Federal Vol- unteers, amounting to 276 men, about 100 militia, of Col. Dobbin's regiment, and a few men in a boat with Mr. P. B. Porter, Contractor's agent, who was to pilot the enterprize, had embarked ; the whole on board, without the commissioned officers, being 1500 men ^ and it was now two hours later than the time fixed oa for setting out. There were some groups of men, not yet embarked: they were applied to, requested, and ordered, by the Brigade Major, to get into the boats ^ they did not. He estimated their number at 150 — it was probably great- er. It then became a question, whether it was expedient to invade Canada, in open day-light, with 1500 men; at a point where no reinforcement could be expected for some days. I saw that the number of regular troopi was declining rapidly ; I knew that on them chiefly, I was to depend. 1 called together officers, commanding corps of the regular army. Col. Parker beii^.g sick, those pre?r:it were Col. Porter, of the artillery, Col. Schuyler, Col,. Winder, and Lieut. Col. Coles. I put to them thia question: — "Shall we proceed ?■" They unanimously decided that we ought not. — I foresaw that volunteers, who had come out for a few days, would disperse. Several of them had-,- on the evening of the 25th, broken their muskets, because they had not seen a bat- tle ; I foresaw that the number of regular troops would decrease ; the measles has affected them generally ; th« constant use of fresh meat had produced dysenteries, uad they were row in teats, in the iivonth of Decemb«r^ 1 76 RISE AND PROGRESS OF I informed the officers, that the attempt to invade Can- ada would not be made, until the army was reinforced, and directed them to withdraw their troops, and cover them with huts immediately. The volunteers, and neighboring people, were dissatisfied, and it has been in the power of the contractor's agent to excite some clam- or against the course pursued; he finds the contract a losing one, at this time, and would wish to see the army in Canada, that he might not be bound to supply it. 1 am sorry that the situation of the force, under my command, had not been such, as to make the propriety of a forward movement to all. Circumstanced as we were, I have thought it my duty to follow the cautious counsels of experience, and not, by precipitation, to add another to the list of our defeats. You will perceive my motives, by my letter of the- 30th Oct. wherein 1 said — " I would cross in three <3ays, if I had the means ; without them, it would be in- justice to the nation and myself to attempt it — I musl not be defeated' 1 have the honor, Szc. ALEXANDER SMYTH, Brig, Gen. Maj. Gen. DEARBORN. €HAPTEf{ XIV. General Operations against Canada Continued^ Previous to these operations on the northern fron- tier, the Indians committed such depredations and mur- ders on the north western frontiers, as deeply wounded the pride, and excited the resentment of the states o( Kentucky and Ohio. They roused to the contest, ai volunteers, and rallied round the standard of General THE AMERICAN NAVY. 177 Harrison, in such number?, that he was constrained to dismiss several whole regiments, as supernumeraries. General Harrison, in September, sent several de- tachments of those vohmteers, into the Indian countrj, to relieve such posts as were in immediate danger from savage war, and desperate attacks ; particularly fort Harrison, upon the Wabash, which Captain Taylor wa« then defending with desperate valor. ATTACK ON FORT HARRISON. Letter from Z. Taylor, commanding^ Fort Harrison, (In Territory.) to General Harrison. Dite.d, Fart H:trriso7i, Scpteinber lOlh, 1812. Sir, On Thursday evening, the 3d inst. after retreat beat- ing, four guns were heard to fire in the direction where two young men (citizens who resided here.) were makit^ hay, about 400 yards distant from the fort ; I was im- mediately impressed with an idea that they were killed by the Indians, as the Miamies or Waes had that day in- formed me, that the Prophet's party would soon be here for the purpose of commencing hostilities ; and that ther had been directed to leave this place, which they were about to do. I did not think it prudent to send out at that late hour of the night to see what became of them ; and their not coming in, convinced me that I was right in my conjecture ; I waited until 8 o'clock next morning, when I sent out a corporal, with a small party, to find them,jif it could be done without running too much risque of being drawn into a ambuscade : he soon sent back to inform me that he had found them both killed, and wished to know my further orders ; I sent the cart and oxen, and had them brought in and buried ; they had been each shot with two balls, scalped and cut in the most shocking manner. Late in the evening of the 4th inst, .Joseph Lenar, and between 30 and 40 Indiaui, 178 RISE AND PROGRESS OF arrived from Prophet's town with a white flag, among whom were about 10 women, and the men were com- f)o?ed of chiefs of the dilferent tribes that compose tho Prophet's party. A Shawone man, that spoke good Enghsh, informed me that old Lenar intended to speak to me next mor- ning, and try to get something to eat ; at retreat beating,! examined the men's arms, and found them all in good order, and completed their cartridges to 16 roimds per man — as 1 had not been able to mount a guard of more than 6 privates and two non-commissioned officers, for lome time past, and sometimes part of them every other day, from the unhealthiness of the company, I had not conceived my force adequate to the defence of this post, should it be vigorously attacked, for some time past; »s 1 had just recovered from a very severe attack of the fever, I was not able to be up much through the night after tattoo, I cautioned the guards to be vigilant, and ordered one of the non-com.inissioned officers, (as th« centinels could not see every part of the garrison,) io walk around the inside, during the whole night, to pre- vent the Indians taking any advantage of us, provided they had any intention of attacking us. About eleven o'clock I was awakened by the firing of the centinels ; I «prang up, ran out and ordered the men to their posts, when my orderly scrjant, who had charge of theblock- Jiouse, called out that the Indians had tired the lower block-house-, which contained the property of the con- tractor, which was deposited in the lower part, the up- per having been assigned to a corporal and 10 privates, as an alarm post; the guns had began to fire pretty smart- ly from both sides — I directed the buckets to be got ready, and water brought from the well, and the fir« •extinguished immediately, as it was hardly perceivable at that time ; but from debility, or some other cause, the men were very slow in executing my orders, the word appeared to throw them all into confusion, and by the time they had got the water, and broke open lb* THE AMERICAN NAVY. 17^ i5oor, (he fire had communicated to a quantity of whia- kej ; and in spite of every exertion we could make use :)f, in less than a moment, it ascended to the roof, and bafled every effort we could make to extinguish it. Ai that block-house adjoined the barracks that make part of the fortifications, most of the men immediately gave themselves up for lost, and I had the greatest difficulty in getting any of my orders executed, and sir, from the raging of the fire, the yelling and howling of several hun-.. tired Indians, the cries of 9 women and children who had taken shelter in the fort, and the desponding of so many of the men, (which was worse than all,) I can as- sure you, that my feelings were unpleasant, indeed there were not more than 10 or 15 men able to do a great deal, the others being either sick or convalescent, and to add to our misfortunes, two of the stoutest men of the fort, and that I had every confidence in, jumped Ihe picket and leit us. But my presence of mind did not for a moment forsake me ; [ saw by throwing oflf part of the roof that joined the block-house that was on fire, and keeping the end perfectly wet, the whole row of buildings n)ight be saved, and leave only an entrance of 18 or 20 feet for the Indians to enter after the house was consumed ; and that a temporary breast-work might be erected, to prevent even their entering there. I convinced the men that this could be accomplished, and it appeared to inspire them with new life, and never did men act with more firmness or desperation ; those that were able, (while the others kept up a fire from the other block-house and the two bastions,) mounted the roofs of the houses, with Doctor Clarke, at their head (who acted with the greatest firmness and presence of rnind, the whole time the attack lasted, which was eight hours under a shower of bullets,) and in a moment threw off as much of the roof as was necessary, this was done with the loss of one man only, and two wounded, neither of them dangerously, the man that was killed •was & little deranged, and did not get off the house u« 1 80 RISE AND PROGRESS OF sooa as directed, or he would not have been hurt ; and although the barracks were several times in a blaze, the men used such exertions, that they kept it under and be- fore day light, raised a temporary breastwork as high as a man's head, althou:^h the Indians continued to pourin a heavy fire of ball, and an innumerable quantity of ar- rows, during the whole time the attack lasted, in every part of the parade. 1 had but one other man killed, nor any other wound- ed inside the fort, and he lost his life by being too anx- ious ; he got into one of the gallies in the bastions and fired over the pickets, and called to his comrades that he had killed an Indian, and neglecting to stoop down, in an instant he was shot dead ; one of the men that jumped the picket, returned an hour before day, and running towards the gate, begged for God^s sake it might be opened ; I suspected it to be a stratagem of the In- dians to get in : as I did not recollect the voice, I direc- ted the men in the bastion where I happened to be, to shoot him, let him be who he would, and one of them fired at him, but fortunulcly he ran up to the other bas- tion, where they knew his voice, and Doctor Clarke di- rected him to lie down close to the pickets behind an empty barrel that happened to be there, and at daylight I had him let in ; his arm was broke in a most shocking manner, which he says was done by the Indians, and which 1 suppose was the cause of his returning. The otherman they caughtabout 120 yards from the garrison, and cut him all to pieces. After keeping up a constant fire, until about six o'clock the next morning, which wo began to return with some effect after day light, they removed out of the reach of our g(ms ; a party of them drove up the horses that belonged to the fiti/cJis here, and as they could not catch them very readily, sliot the whole of them, in our sight, as well as a number of their hogs; they drove otT the whole of the cattle which amounted to G5 head, with the public oxen. I had the vacancy iiiicd up before night, (which wai oc- THE AMERICAN NAVT. igj casioned by the burning of the block-house,) with a strong row of pickets, which I got by puHing down the guard house. We lost the whole of our provisions, but Bjust make out to live upon green corn until we can get a supply, which I hope will not be long. I believe the whole of Miamies or Waes, were with the prophet's party, as one chief gave his orders in that language, which resembled Stone-eater's voice, and I believe Ne- gro-legs, was there likewise; a Frenchman here under- stands their different languages, and several of the Waes that have been frequently here, were recognized by the soldiers next morning ; the Indians suffered smartly, but ivere so numerous as to take off all that were shot ; they ".ontinued with us until the next morning, but made no further attempt on the fort, nor have we seen any thing aiorc of them since. Z. TAYLOR. His Ex. Gov. Harrison. (Captain Taylor received a Majority for his bravery in the above atfair.) In those expeditions, generals Hopkins and Tupper. mth colonels Campbell and Russell, distinguished, themselves, in giving relief and security to the forta and frontier generally. CHAPTER XV. General operations against Canada^ eontiniMd. Soon after these movements, general Winchester de- ached a strong party, from fort Winchester, under the jommand of colonel Lewis, to give assistance to the tillage of Frenchtown,upon the river Raisin. Colonel Lewig, with his 500 Kentucky, volunttters and regulars, 16 182 RISE AND PROGRESS OF reached the Raisin, on the 18th of January, 1813; and by a bold and decisive nnovement, attacked, routed and dispersed the enemy. General Harrison, having arived at fort Winchester, at this time, sent forward general Winchester, at the head of 200 men, to support his detachment, and take the command. He arrived safe, and encamped for the night, contiguous to the fortified camp of colonel Lewis ; but the enemy collected his forces, and, supported by a strong reinforcement, on the night of the 22d, commen- ced a desperate attack upon the camp of general Win- chester, killed and took the whole party, together with the general and colonel Lewis. This opened the way for an attack upon the fortified camp ; but a firm resis- tance, and desperate conflict ensued, until about 1 1 o'- clock, then a parley commenced. The enemy prolFer- an honorable capitulation, if the party would surrender prisoners of war; but threatened savage vengeance if they refused. His arts prevailed ; the whole detach- ment laid down their arms, and submitted as prisoners of war. General Proctor violated his engagements, and gave up the prisoners to indiscriminate massacre as well as cruel savage torture ; and the wounded were the next day, to the number of sixty, all consumed in the general conflagration of the village. To attempt to paint the horrors of this scene, would exceed the powers of my pen ; language would fail ; humanity stand appalled, and even Brittania herself would blush at the deed. WINCHESTER'S AFFAIR. Copy of a letter from Brig. Gen. Winchester, (now a prisoner of War,) to the Secretary of War. Maiden, January '23, 1813. Sir, A detachment from the left wing of the N. W. Armj Mnder my command, at Frenchtown, on the river Rai- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 183 «in, was attacked on the 22d inst, by a force, greatly su- perior in number, aided by several pieces of artillery. The action commenced at the dawn of day ; the pick- et guards were driven in, and a heavy (ire opened on the whole line, by which a part thereof was thrown in- to disorder ; and, being ordered to retire a small dis- tance, in order to form on more advantageous ground, ! found the enemy doubling our left flank, with force and rapidity. A destructive fire was sustained for some time ; at length, borne down by numbers, the few of us that re- mained, with the party that retired from the lines, sub- mitted. The remainder of our force, in number about 400, continued to defend themselves, with great gallantry, in an unequal contest, against small arms and artillery, until I was brought in as a prisoner, to that part of the field occupied by the enemy. At this latter place, I understood that our troops were defending themselves, in a state of desperation, and was informed by the commanding otficer of the enemy, that he would afford them an opportunity of surrender- ing themselves, prisoners of war ; to which 1 acceded. I was the more ready to make the surrender, th^t, un- less done quickly, the buildings adjacent would be im- mediately set on fire, and that no responsibility would be taken for the conduct of the savages, who were then assembled in great numbers. In this critical situ- ation, being desirous to preserve the lives of a number of our brave fellows, who still held out, I sent a flag to them, and agreed with the commanding officer of the enemy, that they should be surrendered, prisoners of war, on condition of being protected from the savages, allowed to retain their private property, and having their side-arms returned to them. It is impossible for me to ascertain, with certainty, the loss we have sustained in this action, from the impracticability of knowing the mimber who made their escape. J 84 RISE AND PROGRESS OF Thirty-live officers, and about 487 non-commissioned officers and privates,- are prisoners of war — our loss, in killed, is considerable. However unfortunate may seem the affair of yester- day, I am flattered by a belief, that no material error is chargeable upon myself, and that still less censure is deserved by the troops I had the honor of command- ing- With the exception of that portion of our foro dated Fort George, U. Canada, 1 1 th Feb. 1813. Sir, The first charge which my troops received, on the 22d ult. at the river Raisin, was from the 41st regiment of British regulars ; out of 300 of these troops 30 fell dead on the field, and about one hundred wounded were removed from the ground. It is impossible to say ho\T many of the Canadian militia, and his majesty's allies, fell ', but the number must have been very great, asthej were exposed for 4 hours to a continued and heavy fire from our musquets and rifles, our men being behind a breast-work. The action had endured about a quarter of an hour, when the right division of our troops, who were less secured by a breast-work, and exposed to a heavy fire from a body of Indians and militia, who had THE AMERICAN NAVY. 1 85 possessed themselves of some out-houses within their reach, were obliged to retreat from their lines in the en- campment, for the purpose of occupying ground less exposed. This retreat being discovered by the enemy,, the whole Indian force, together with a portion of the militia bore down upon them with redoubled violence, and prevented, by their superiority of numbers, and the severity of their fire, the practicability of ever again form- ing this portion of our troops in order of battle. It was from this division that our principal loss was sustain- ed, few indeed having escaped. Every effort, in vain, was employed to form them in some order of action, as affording the only means of either repelling the pursu- ers, or regaining the temporary breast-work, from be- hind which, the remaining part of our'troops still gal- lantly defended themselves ; but every exertion was in vain employed, and the very few who survived, of the party, surrendered as prisoners to the enemy.. Our loss, in this action, will be ascertained by the list herewith enclosed. Among the killed, I have to lament several brave and valuable ofhcers, some of whom had distinguished themselves in the action of the evening of the 18th, and fell on the 22d,_while unavailingly engaged in rallying the troops, who retreated in disorder from the lines. Among tlwse the loss of Col. John Allen and Major Elijah M'Clannahan, is to be particularly re- gretted, also Capt. John H. Woolfolk, one of my aids- dc-camp ; their exertions were unsuccessful^ notwith- standing every possible exertion was employed ; they bravely fell in dischai^e of their respective duties While I regret the fate of those who bravely fell upon this occasion, I should do injustice to pass over, without notice, the few partakers in their danger, who were fortunate to survive them. To Lieut. Col. William Lewis, who commanded on the 18th, and to Capt. John Overton, my aid-de-camp, who attended my person on the field, my thanks are particularly due, for their prompt and willing exertion, during every period of the 16* )86 RISE AND PROGRESS OF conflict. To the officers and soldiers, who bravely maintained their ground in the temporary^fortifications, too much praise cannot be bestowed. Assailed by numbers greatly superior, supported by six pieces of ar- tillery, constantly employed, they gallantly defended with small arms alone, for near four hours of constant battle. No troops ever behaved with more cool and determined bravery ; from the commanding officer down to the private soldier, there was scarce a single abandonment of duty ; and at the last, when their am- munition was nearly exhausted, and surrounded by the enemy, greatly superior in number and the means of war, surrendered with a reluctance rarely to be found upon similar occasions The officers commanding in the breast-work, and who deserve particular notice, if distinction could easily be drawn, were Majors Benja- min Graves and George Madison ; Captains Hightower. Hart, Williams. Cholier, Scbree, Hamilton, Keleby. Bledsoe, Ballard, and James ; Brigade-major Jame» Garrard, Adjutant John M'Calla, and Qr. Master Pol- lard Keen ; they defended themselves to the layt, with great gallantry, and merit my warmest gratitude, as well as the highest praise of their country. With sentiments of the highest respect, Lc. J. WINCHESTER, Brig. Gen. U. S. A. Hon. Sec. at War. Our toss in killed and missing is 397 — the wounded behall go from here to Upper Sandusky, and shall tsike my station at Delaware, or Franklinton, until the troops are assembled. Gen. Clay, who commands at the Rapids, is a man of capacity, and entirely to be re- kied upon. I have (he honor, i^c. WM. H. HARRISON. Bou. J. ARMSTRONG, S«c''y of War. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 193 GENERAL CLAY'S REPORT. Copy of a letler from Gen. Clay to Gen. Harrison. Camp at Fort Meigs, May — , 1813. Sir, On the 51h instrnt. about 8 o^'clock, A. M. descen- ding the Miami, of the lake, about midway of the Ra- pids, with 1 203 of the Kentucky troops, in eighteen flat bottomed boats, 1 was mot by Capt. Hamilton, and a subuUern, who delivered tne (as he said) the oi"ders of Maj. Gen. Han-ison, to the following effect : " You must defach about 800 men from your brigade^ who will land at a point I will s-how, about one, or one and a half miles above the fort, and I will conduct them to the British battel ies, on the left bank of the river — they must take possession of the enemy's cannon, spike them, cut down the carriages, and return to their boats," observing that the British force, at their large batteries, was inconsiderable ; but that their main force was at the old garrison, about one and a half miles below, on the same side of the river — " the balance of the men, un- der your command, must land on the right bank, oppo- site the tirst lauding, and will tight their vi'ay, through the Indians, io the fort'' — observing that the route thus to be taken would be shown by a subaltern officer there, in company with Captain Hamilton, who would land the perouge at the point on the right bank at which the boats would land. The order of descending the river in boats, was (he game as the order of march, in line of battle, in solid column, each officer taking position according to his rank. Col Dudley, the eldest Culonel, led the van, and in this order, the river had been descended. As soon as Captain Hamilton had delivered these orders, being in the thirteenth boat from the front, I directed him to proceed immediately to Col. Dudley, and ordcF 17 194 RISE AND PROGRESS OF him to takelhe men in the 12 front boats, and execute Gen. Harrison's orders, on the Icfl bank of the river ; and post his (Cai-t. Hamilton's) subaltern on the right hank, to conduct myself, with the men in the six rear boats, to the fort. I ordered the five boats in the rear to fall in a line, and follow me. High winds, and the rapidity of the current, drove four of the rear boat* Athore, in the attempt to follow on according to order, where they remained a short time ; sufficient, however, to detain (hem one half, or three fourlhs of a mile in 'lie rear. — To land, according to order, I kept close along tlie right hank, until opposite Col. Dudley's land- Hijg ; there 1 fouiid no guide left, to conduct me to the fort, as Captain Hamilton had promised. I then made iji attenirjt to cross the river, and join Col. Dudley ; hut, from the rapid current on the falls, I was unable to land on the point with him. Being nearly half way across the river, and the waves running too high to risque the boat, then driven down the current sidewise, veered about, and rowed the best way we could, to save the boats. ]\1y attempt to cross the river, to Col. Dud- Icy, occasioned ail the boats, (I presume in the rear of me,) and which were then out of hailing distance, to cross over, and hind with Col. Dudley. Having been defeated in a landing on the left, we then endeavored to effect one on (he right, even without a guide ; but, Uefore a landing could he etlected, we received a brisk fire from the enemy on shore, which was returned, and kept up on both sides ; and I was, in this unavoidable situation, compelled to make to F. Meigs, with no other force than about 50 men on board, (the other boats being still in the rear) and to receive the enemy's (ire, until we ftrrived under the protection of the fort. Col. Boswell'i command (excejtt the men in my boat, having landed, to join Col. Dudley, were, as 1 have been informed, ordered, by Captain Hamilton, immediately to embark, and land on the right hand shore, about a mile ..bovc the fort, and pre jiare to light his way through to thf^ THE AMERICAN NAVY. 19i garrison. The Colonel embarked, landed, as he con- ceived, at the proper point, pursuant to Captain Hanr»- ilton's order, and was forming his men in order of bat- tle, when he was met by Captain Shaw, and ordered lo march into the garrison, at open order, the safest route. When my own boat landed, we were met bj two men, who took charge of the boat, as we understood, to bring her under the protection of the fort batteries ; believ- ing our baggage to be thus made safe, we forbid our ser- vants to carry any portion of it ; but loaded them with cannon balls, which they bore to the fort. Our baggage was, however, taken by the Indians, in a very short time after we left the boat. ][\ receiving the orders of Capt. Hamilton, 1 asked if he had brought spikes, to , when the Mon- tague, 74, hove in sight, and chased me into the harbor ; THE AMERICAN NAVT, 197 but, night coming on, I woro, and stood out to the southwards Knowing that he had left Rio Janeiro, for the express purpose of relieving the Bonne Ci(o\ennc, and the Packet (which I had also blockaded H days, and obli- ged her to send her mail to Rio in a Portuguese smack,) 1 judged it most prudent to shift my cruising ground, and hauled by (he wind to the westward, with a view of cruising o(r Pernatnbuca, and, on the 4th of Febr(;ary, captured (he English brig Resolution, of 10 guns, from Rio Janeiro, bound to Maranham, with coirce, jer- ked beef, flour, fustic, and butter, and about 2.3,000 dol- lars in sj)ecic. As she sailed dull, and I could ill spare hands to man her, 1 took out the money and s^el her on iire. I then ran down the coast for Maranham. and cruised there a short time; from thence run otl" Surri- nam. After crisisitig otl" that coast from the 15th until the 22d Fchruar} , without meeting a vcssti, I stood for' Demarara, with an intention, should 1 .not be fortunate on that station, to run tlirough the W, J. on my way to the U. States ; but on the 24th, in the inorning, 1 dis- covered a brig to leeward, to which I gave chase ; run into quarter less four, and not having a pilot, was obli- ged to haul olF the fort, at the entrance of Demarara river, beaiing S. W. distant two and a half leagues,. Previous to giving up the cliase, 1 discovered a vessel at anchor, without the bar, with English colours flying, apparently a brig of war. In beaiing round Car- obana bank, in order lo get to her, at half past 3, P. M.. 1 discovered another sail on my weather quarter, edging down for us — at 4, 20, she hoisted English colours,, at which time we discovered her lo be a large man of war brig — beat to quarters, and cleared ship for action, and kept close by the wir.d, in order, if possible, to get the weather-guagc — at 5, 10, iinding I could weather the enemy, 1 hoisted American colours, and tacked — at 5, 25, in passing each other, exchanged broadsides, within balf pistol shot. Observing the enemy in the act ofi" 17* 198 RISE AND PROGRESS OF wearing, I bore up, received his starboard broad«iHr, run him close on board on the starboard quarter, and kept up such a heavy and well-directed fire, that in leaa than 15 minutes she surrendered, (being totally cut to pieces) and hoisted an ensign union down from his fore ri^jging, as a signal of distress. Shortly after, her main mast went by the boaid — despatched Lieut. Shubrick on board, who soon returned with her 1st Lieut, who re- ported her to be his B. M. late brig Peacock, comman- ded by Capt. "William Peake, who fell in the latter part of the action ;that a number of her crew were killed and wounded, and that she was sinking fast, she having then six feet water in her hold — despatched the boats imme- diately for the wounded, and brought both vescis to an- chor. Such shot-holes as could be got at, were then plugged, guns thrown overboard, and every possible ex- ertion used to keep her afloat, until the prisoners could be removed, by pumping and bailing — but without ef- fect, as she unfortunately sunk, in five and a half fath- oms water, carrying down 13 of her crew, and three of my bravo fellows, viz. John Hart, Joseph Williams, and Hannibal Boyd. Lieut. Conner and Midshipman Coop- er, and the remainder of my men, employed in remov- ing the prisoners, with difficulty saved themselves, by jumping into a boat that was lying on the booms, a« she went down. Four men, of the 13 mentioned, were so fortunate as to gain the fore-top, and were afterward* taken oflf by our boats. Previous to her going down, four of her men took to her stern boat, that had been much damaged during the action, who, 1 sincerely hope, reached the shore ; but, from the heavy sea running at that time, the shattered state of the boat, and difficulty of landing on the coast, I am fearful they were lost. — I have not been alJe to ascertain, from her officers, the exact number of killed. Capt. Peake, and 4 men, were found dead on board ; the Master, one Midshipman, Cftrpenter and Captain's Clerk, and 29 men wounded, m;hip made signals, and borp up her consort, then about ten mile, to leeward; we bore up after her, and set lower top-mast, top-gallant and royal studding sails, in chase ; at half past 4, carried away our main royal-mast; took in the sails, and got another prepared. A t5, com- menced firing on the chase from our two larboard bow guns ; our shot falling short, ceased firing : at 1-2 past 5, (inding it impossible to prevent their junction, cleared ship for action, then about 4 miles from the two ships : at 40 minutes past 5, they passed within hail of each other, and hauled by the wind on the starboard tack, hauled up their courses, and prepared to receiveus : at 45 minutes past5,they made all sail close hauled bj the wind, in hopes of getting to windward of us : at 55 minutes past 5, linding themselves disappointed in their object, &: we were closing with them fast, they shortened sail, & form'- cd on a line of wind, about half a cable's length of each other : at 6, having them under command of our bat- tery, hoisted our colours, which was answered by botk thips hoisting English ensigns: at 5 minutes past 6, ranged up on the starboard side of the sternmost ship, about 300 yards distant, and commenced the action by broadsides, both ships returning our lire with great spiri for about 15 minutes; then the fire of the enemy bet 19* 222 ^ISE AND PROGRESS OF ginning to slacken, and the great column of smoke col- lected under our lee, induced us to cease our fire to as- certain their positions and conditions : in about three minutes, the smoke clearing avvny, we found ourselves abreast o( the headmost ship, the stearnmost ship luffed up for our larboard quarter ; we poured a broadside in- to the headmost ship, and then braced aback our main and mizen top-mast ship, and then braced aback our main and mizen topsails, ad backedastern under cover of the smoke, abreast the sterumost ship, when the action was continued with spirit and considerable eHect, until 35 minutes pest 6, when the enemy's fire again slacken- ed, and we discovered the headmost bearing up; filled our topsails, shot ahead, and gave her two stern rakes ; we then discovered the sternmost ship wearing also ; wore- s-hip immediately after her, and gave her a stern rake; she lufled to on our starboard bows, and gave us her lar- board broadside : we ranged up on her larboard quar- ter, within hail, and were about to give her our star- board braodside, when she struck her colours, fired a lee gun, and yielded. At 50 minutes past 6, took pos- session of his majesty's ship Cyane, Capt. Gordon Fal- con, mounting 34 guns. At 8, filled away after her consort, which was still in sight to leeward. At 1-2 past 8, found her standing towards us, with her starboard tacks close hauled, with top-gallant sails set, and col- ours flying. At 5 minutes past 8, ranged close along side to windward of her, on opposite tacks, and ex- changed broadsides — wore immediately under Jher stern, and raked her with a broadside : she then crow- ded all sail, endeavored to escape by running — hauled on board our tacks, eet spanker, and flying jib in chase. At 1-2 past 9, commenced firing on her from our star- board bow chaser ; gave her several shot, which cut her spars and rigging considerably. At 1 0, finding she could not escape, fired a gun, struck her colours, and yielded. We immediately took possession of his ma- jesty's ship Levant, Hon. Capt. George Douglass, THE' AMERICAN NAVY. 225 iiounting 21 guns. At 1 A. M. the damages of o'lr rig- ing were repaired, sails shifted, and the ship in fighting ondition. linutes of the chase of the U. S. frigate Constitution, by an Enghsh squadron of three ships, from out the harbour of Port Praja, Island of St. Jago: — Commences with fresh breezes and thick foggy weath- r. At 5 minutes past l^, discovered a large ship hrough the fog, standing in for Port Praya. At 8 min- ites past 12, discovered two other ships astern of her, .Iso standing in for the port. From their general ap- )earance supposed them to be one of the enemy'i quadrons, and from the little respect hitherto paid bj hem to neutral waters, I deemed it most prudent to put o sea. The signal was made to the Cyane and Levant o get under way. At 1 2 minutes past 1 2, with our top- lails set, we cut our cable and got under way, (when ;he Portuguese opened a fire on us from several of their latteries on shore) the prize ships following our mo- rons, and stood out of the harbour of Port Praya, close ander East Point, passing the enemy's squadron about 5un-shot to windward of them ; crossed our top gallant jrards, and set foresail, mainsail, spanker, flying jib and top-gallant sails. The enemy seeing us under way, tacked ship and made all sail in chase of us. As far ae we could judge of their rates, from the thickness of the weather, supposed them two ships of the line and one frigate. At 1-2 past 12, cutaway the boats towing astern — first cutter and gig. At 1 P. M. found our sail- ing about equal with the ships on our lee quarter, but, the frigate lufRng up, gaining our wake, and rather drop- ping astern of us ; finding the Cyane dropping astern and to leeward, and the frigate gaining on her fast, I found it impossible to save her if she continued on the course, without having the Constitution brought to ac- 224 K.I3E AND PROGRESS OF tion by their whole force. I made the signal at 10 min- utes past 1, to her to tack ship, which was complied with. This manoeuvre, I conceived, would detach one of the enemy's ships in pursuit of her, while at tlie same time, from her position, she would be enabled to reach the anchorage at Port Praya, before the detached ship could come up with her ; but if they did not tack after herj^it would afford her an opportunity to double their rear, and make her escape before the wind. They all continued in full chase of the Levant and this ship ; the ship in our lee quarter firing -broadsides, by divis- ions — her shot falling short of us. At 3, our having dropped the Levant considerably, her situation became (from the position of the enemy's frigate) similar to the Cyane. It became necessary to separate also'from the Levant, or risk this ship being brought to action to cov- er her. I made the signal at 5 minutes past 3 for her to tacki which was complied with. At 12 minutes past 3, the whole of the enemy's squadron tacked in pursuit of the Levant, and gave up the pursuit of the ship. This sacrifice of the Levant became necessai-y for the pres- ervation of the Constitution. Sailing Master Hixon, Blidshipman Varnum, one boatswain's mate, and 12 men, were absent on duty in the 5th cutter, to bring the cartel bri;r und'er our stern. AyECDOTF.S. The Cionslil'ition is so deservedly a favorite with the public, that a few anecdotes of her last cruise will not be uninteresting. The modest, plain letter of Capt. Stewart, with the accompanying extracts from the log- book, has given the clearest official accounts of the ac- tion. The masterly manffiuvering of his ship so as to prevent either of the enemy's ships from raking him. and the final capture of them both, in such a neat and workmanlike manner, the prompt decision at Port THE AMERICAN NAVY. 025 Praya, when in 7 minutes after the British sqnadron were first discovered, the whole of the ships had cut their ca- bles and were at sea; tlie judgment in the time of giv- ing orders to the prizes to tack, which secured the Cyane first, and afterwards the Constitution, speak for Lhcmselves, and are fully appreciated by the public. It should not be forgotten, that this same Cyane engaged- a French 44 gun frigate last year, and kept her at bay, till a ship of the line eame up and captured her; and a fiivr years since in the bay of Naples, that she engaged A frigate, a brig of 44 guns, and 5 gun boats, and beat Ihem off. for which Capt. Benton, who commanded her, ivas knighted ; yet, with the known skill of Britsh offi- cers, this same vessel, and a sloop of war of the largest class, with full crews of picked men, were captured by in American frigate, after a short action. But it is not only to skilful ollicers that praise is due ; to be successful, they must be aided by brave and ex- cellent seamen. The crew of the Constitution were ill yankee seamen, as docile and obedient to the ordin- ary discipline of the service, as they were intriped in action. It w^onld be easy to mention a number of an- ecdotes of the heroic character of our common sailors. There are two in this action that are particularly strik- ing. /A man by the name of Tobias Fernell, of Ports- iBOuth, had his arm shattered by a ball ; after the sur- geon had amputated it, when he had taken up the arte- ries, and before the dressing was completed, the cheers 3n deck w^ere heard for the surrender of the Cyane ; the brave fellow twitched the stump from the surgeon, and waved it, joining the cheers ! He is since dead. Another, John Lancey, of Cape Ann, was brought be- low, one thigh shattered to pieces, and the other se- rerely wounded; the surgeon said to hinij " my brave fellow, you are mortally wounded ;" " yes, sir, I know it, I only want to hear, tliat the other ship is struck." Soon after the cheers were given for the surrender of the Levant; he raised his head, echoed the cheer, and 22G KISE AND PROGRESS OF expired a minute after. The wounds were generally <^cverc , and much credit is due to the skill and human- ity of Mr. Kearney, tiie surgeon, for saving so many of ihe wounded. " ""The Cyane was first discovered at the distance of three or four leagues; the Levant, Capt. Douglass, the senior, being to the leeward. The (irst signal from the Cyane was, that it was an American sloop of war ; afterwards, when they came within four miles of the Constitution, and the course was so altered, that she discovered her broadside, she made a signal that it was a heavy American frigate, superior to one of them, but inferior to both. The signal from the Levant to her consort was to join company. The Constitution was not able to prevent their Junction. The action was in- vited on the part of the Constitution, by firing a signal shot across the bow of the Cyane. The two ships cheered, and fired their broadsides ; after receiving both she returned it, and such was the eagerness of the men to fire, that when the word was given, they discharged the whole broadside, at the same instant. In commen- cing the action, there was perfect silence on board the Constitution — the cheers were returned' when the ships surrendered. The weight of shot, fired by the British ships, was superior by about 90 pcwnds, taking their shot at their nominal weight, though it was found, on weighing some of the English shot, that came on board, that tliey weighed full 321bs. while the American of the same*rate weighed only 29Jb.; the action was so close, that their Carronadds had their lull power. One of their shot came through the side of the ship, killed one and wounded four men, and lodged in the galley; an- other killed two men in the waist, went through a boat in which two tigers were chained, and lodged yi the head of a spar in the chains. In the action of the Guerriere the Coi,istitu(ion was hulled three times; in that of the Java, four times ; and in this engagemen*^, thirteen times. The British ships were fully ollicered, and THE AMERICAN NAVY. 227 nianned with picked men, and fired better than thej have usually done in their engagements with our ships. During the chase by Sir George Collier's s(pjadron, when the Cyane was ordered to tack, all the three ships kept after the Constitution and Levant. After sufK- cient time had been allowed to the Cyane to make her escape, as none of the enemy pursued her, orders were given to the Levant to tack. The Leander, Sir George Collier, who was the most astern, then made signal to the Acasta to tack, and the Newcastle, Lord George Stewart, to continue the chase. The Acasta sailed fas- ter tlian the Constitution, and was gaining on her: the Newcastle about the same rate of sailing, and the latter iired several broadsides, but the shot fell short from one to two hundred yards. After the other ships tacked, the Newcastle made a signal that her fore-top-sail rard rvas sprung, and tacked also. The British officers on board, who had expressed the most perfect confidence that the Constitution would be taken in an hour, felt the greatest vexation and disappointment, which they ex- pressed in verv emphatic tcjnis. The Levant ran into port so f ? io run her jib-boom over the battery ; the Aca'-'^d and Newcastle came in, and, though her colours vv^ere hauled down, fired at her a number of times. They were obliged to hoist and lower their colowrs twice ; yet not a gun was fired from the Levant. Lieut. Ballard, who commanded, had ordered his men to lay OH the decks, by which they all escaped injury, though considerable damage was done to the town. It seemed unnecessary for two heavy frigates to fire into one sloop of war, who neither did nor could make any resistance. After the escape of the Constitution from this squadron, till she arrived at the Brazils, the greatest watchfulness was necessary. With a very diminished crew, she had CMi board 240 prisoners, and the number of British offi- cers was more than double her own. It is known, that sailors are apt to be supei-stitious. Ijieut. HoiTman had a fine terrier, who was a orcat fa- 2 is I^ISE AND PROGRESS OF vourite on board the ship : when he was tKansferred to theCyane, he took the dog w^ith him. At Port Praya, the dog, being much attached to Old Ironsides, jumped over to swim to her. A boat was lowered down from the Constitution to try to save him ; but the poor anim- al was drowned. The sailors then said, that they should have a fight, or a run in twenty-four hours. The next morning the British squadron hove in sight. This was not likely to lessen their belief of omens. At Maranhum all the principal people asked leave to visit the Constitution. They had heard much of her, and had been told by the English, that she was a ship of the line. They were requested to examine and count her guns, which they found to be 52, as she carried two less than her former cruise. The American cliarac- ter was most highly respected at Porto-Rico, VtJ'eie a boat was sent in. The governor made the most earn- est entreaties, that the ship-woubl come into port, thut he might see her, and oHtred er'^ry kind of refresh- ment, and expressed the highest regard for our coun- try. How much has our little iir^w dff the north end of the island of Tristan d' Acuna, a 20 230 RISE AND PROGRESS OF sail was seen to the southward and eastward, steering to the westward, the wind fresh from S. S. W. In a few minutes, she had passed on to the westward so far that we could not see her for the land. I immediately made sail for the westward, and shortly after getting in sight of her again perceived her to bear up before the wind. I hove to for him to come down to us. AVhen she had approached near, I tilled the main-top-sail, and con- tinued to yaw the ship, while she continued to come down, wearing occasionally to prevent her passing under our stern. At 40 minutes past 1 P. M. being within nearly musket shot distance, she hauled her wind on the star- bi>ard tack, hoisted English colours, and fired a gun. We immediately luffed to, hoisted our ensign, and gave the enemy a broadside. The action being thus com- menced, a quick and well directed fire was kept up from this shi^, the enemy gradually drifting nearer to us, when at 55 minutes past l,he bore up apparently to run us on board. As soon as I perceived he would certainly fall on board, I called the boarders so as to be ready to repel any attempt to board us. At the instant every officer and man repaired to the quarter-deck, when the two vessels were coming in contact, and eagerly pres- sed me to permit them to board the enemy •■> but this I would not permit, as it was evident from the com- mencement of the action, that our fire was greatly su- perior both in quickness and in effect. The enemy's bowsprit came in between our main and mizzen rigging, on our starboard side, affording him an opportunity to board us, if such was his design ; but no attempt was made. There was a considerable swell on, and as the gea lifted us ahead, the enemy^s bowsprit carried away our mizzen shrouds, stern davits, and spanker boom, and he hung upon our larboard quarter. At this mo- ment an ofticer, who was afterwards recognized to be Mr. M'Donald, the 1st lieutenant and the then com- manding oiiiccr, called out that they had surrendered. 1 directed the marines musketry-men to cease firing, and THE AMERICAN NAVY. 231 ;vhile On the tatlril, asking if they had surrendered, I re- :eived a wound in the neck. The enemy just then got :!ear of us, and his foremast and bowsprit being both jone, and perceiving us wearing to give him a fresh ^roadside, he again called out, that he had surrendered. [t was with difficulty I could restrain my crew from fir- nginto him again, as he had certainly fired into us af- ;er having surrendered. From the firing of the first run, to the last time the enemy cried out he hadsurren- lered, was exactly twenty-two minutes by the watch. She proved to be his Britannic Majesty's brig Penguin, "nounting sixteen 32ib. carronades, two long 125, a 121b. carronade on the topgallant fore castle, with a «wivel on the capstern in the tops. She had a spare 3ort forward, so as to fight both her long guns of a side, she sailed from England in. September last. She was shorter upon deck than this ship by two feet, but she lad a greater length of keel, greater breadth of beam, ;hicker sides, and higher bulwarks than this ship, and ivas in all respects a remarkably fine vessel of her class. Phe enemy acknowledged a complement of 132; 12 af them supernumerary marines from the Medway 74, [•eceived on board in consequence of their being order- ed to cruise for the American privateer Young Wasp. They acknowledge also a loss of 14 killed and 28 ivounded ; but Mr. Mayo, who was in charge of the prize, assures me, that the number of killed was cer- tainly greater. Among the killed are Capt. Dickenson, who fell at the close of the action, and the boatswain ; among the wounded are the 2d lieutenant, purser, and two midshipmen. Each of the midshipmen lost a leg. VVe received on board, in all, 1 18 prisoners, 4 of whom bave since died of their wounds. Having removed the prisoners, and taken on board such provisions and stores as would be useful to us, I scuttled the Penguin, this morning, before day light, and she went down. As she was completely riddled by our shot, her foremast and bowsprit both gone, and her mainmast so crippled 232 RISE AND PROGRESS OF as to' be incapable of being secured, it seemed inadvis- able, at this distance from home, to attempt sending her to the United States. This ship did not receive a single round shot in her hull, nor any material wound in her spars ; the rigging and sails were very much cut ; but having bent a new suit of sails, and knotted and secured our rigging, we are now completely ready in all respects, for service. We were 8 men short of a complement, and had 9 up- on the sick list the morning of tl;e action. Enclosed is a list of killed and wounded. I lament to state, that Lieut. Conner is wounded dangerously. I feel great solicitude on his account, as he is an ofiicer of much promise, and his loss would be a serious los» to the service. ft is a most pleasing part of my duty to acquaint you, that the conduct of Lieutenants Conner and Newton, Mr. Mayo, acting Lieut. Brownlow of the marines, Sail- ing Master Romney, and the other oflicers, seamen, and marines, I have the honor to command, was in the highest degree creditable to them, and calls for my warmest recommendation. I cannot indeed do justice to their meiits. The satisfaction which was ditfused throughout the ship, when it was asceitained, that the stranger was an enemy's sloop of war, and the alacrity with which everyone repaired to his quarters, fully as- sured me, that their conduct in action would be marjc- ed with coolness and intrepidity. I have the honor to be vour obedient servant, J. BIDDLE. Loss on board the Hornet, 1 killed and 1 1 wounded. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 233 Extract of a letter from an officer on board the sloop of war Peacock, off Tristan d'Acuna. Jpril 10, 1815.^ The Hornet separated in chase, two days out, and we fell in, offhere, a few days since. We are delighted to hear of her good fortune — so superior to our own. She had captured,>two days previous, his Britannic Majesty's brig Penguin, after an action of 20 1-2 minutes. The Penguin was fitted out by Admiral Tyler at the Cape of Good Hope, expressly to capture the privateer Young Wasp, who had captured an Indiaman in that neighbor- hood, and landed the prisoners ; and was supposed to have broue;hl her prize here to strip her and refresh. The Penguin was commanded by Capt. Dickenson, a distinguished young man in their chronicles ; and it ap- pears from some of his papers, of respectable connex- ions, and a great favorite in the navy. Admiral Tyler loaned him 12 marines from the Medway, and was very minute in his instructions, and grave to a degree, in his injunctions, upon Dickinson, as to the manner of engaging the privateer : to get close enough was the great desideratum. What a man seeks earnestly he is almost sure to find, and Capt. Dickenson supposed he had the Wasp, when he only saw the Hornet, a vessel considerably smaller in all her dimensions, and decided- ly inferiour in her armament to the privateer. The Hornet on perceiving that the brig bore up for her, laid all aback ; the brig came stern on, lest the Hornet might discover her guns and be oif, and brushing close along «ide of her, fired a gun, and ran up her St. George. An entire broadside from the Hornet, every shot of which told, opened the eyes of John Bull uponayankee man of war ; just what they had been wishing ever since they left England. In 20 minutes the Penguin had her fore-mast over the side — her bowsprit in two pieces — her broadside nearly driven in — 20 men killed, inclu- ding the captain, and one of Lord Nelson's boaUwains, 20* 234 RISE AND PROGRESS OF and 35 wounded, including the 2d lieutenant, 2 midship- men, and master's mate, &c. The Hornet, untouched in her hull, was severely cut up in her rigging, especialij about her main and fbre-top-gallant masts, her mizzea being a vast deal too low for Brittish gunnery — one marine killed, the captain and 1st lieutenant Conner, (severely) and 9 others wounded. The officers of the Penguin ascribed their misfortune entirely to the supe- riority of the men belonging to the Hornet ; and have repeatedly said they would be glad to try it again with her, if the Penguin were manned with such men. Now these gentlemen left England last September, and the prisoners are as stoat, fine looking fellows, a« 1 ever saw. One fact, which is probable, is worth all speculation in such an inquiry. On examining her guns after the action, a 32lb. carrouade, on the side engaged, was found with his tompion as nicely puttied and slop- ped in as it was the day she left Spithcad ! Capt. Dick- enson, towards the close of the fight, told his 1 st lieuten- ant, M'Donald, that " the fellows are giving it to us like hell ; we must get on board ;" and on being asked by Biddle why he did not, as there never had been a better opportunity — he said, " he did try, but found the men rather backward — and so, you know, we concluded to give it up." After M'Donald had repeatedly called out that they had surrendered, and Biddle had ceased his fire, two fellows on board the Penguin fired upon him and the man at the wheel. Biddle was struck on the chin, and the ball passing round the neck, went off through the cape of his surtout, wounded him, however, severely, but not dangerously ; the man escaped, bnt the ruffians did not, for they were observed by two of Biddle's marines, who levelled and laid them dead up- on tiie deck in an instant. THE AMERICAN NaVY. 235 ANECDOTES. In this action a private marine of the Hornet, na- med Michael Smith (who had served under the galiaiil Porter in the Essex) received a shot through the upper partof the thigh, v^'hich fractured the bone, aad nearljr at the same moment had the same iWv^ broken immedi- ately above the knee by the spanker-boom of the Hornet, which was carried away by the enemy's bowsprit, while afoul of her. In this situation, while bleeding upon the deck and unable to rise, he was seen to make exertions to discharge his musket at the enemy on the top-gallant forecastle of the Penguin — this, however, the poor fel- low was unable to accomplish ; and was compelled to be carried below. The officers of the Penguin relate, that, during the action with the Hornet, a 3ilb. shot came in at the after port of the Penguin, on the larboard side carried awaj six legs, killed the powder boy of the division, capsized the opposite gun on the starboard side, parsed through the port, and " sunk in sullen silence to the bottom." ESCAPE OF THE HORNET. Copy of a letter from Capt. Biddle to Com. Decatur. U. S. Sloop Hornet, St. Salvador, June 10, !S15, Sir, 1 have the honour to report, that the Peacock and thi« ship, having continued off Tristan d' Acuna the number of days directed by you in your letter of instructions, proceeded in company to the eastward on the 12th of April, bound to the second place of rendezvous. Noth- ing of any importance occurred to us until the 27th of April, when at 7 A. M. in lat. 38 deg. 30 min. S. and Ion. 33 deg. E. we made a strange sail in the S. E. to 238 RISE AND PROGRESS OF which we gave chase. The wind was from the N. E. by N. and light throughout the day, and by sun-down we had neared the chase considerably. It was calm during the night, and at day-light on the 58th, he was yet in sight. A breeze springing from the N. W. we crowded sail with iteering sails on both sides ; the chase standing totho nortwaid upon a wind. At 45 minutes past 2 P. M. the Peacock was about six miles ahead of this ship ; and observing that she appeared to be suspicious of the chase, 1 took in starboard steering sails, and haul- ed up for the Peacock — I was still, however, of opinion that the chase was an Tndiaman, though indeed the at- mosphere was quite smoky and indistinct, and I conclu- ded, as she was very large, that Capt. Warrington was waiting for me to join him, that we might together go along side of her. At 22 minutes past 3 P. M. the Pea- cock made the signal, that the chase was a ship of the line, and an eneiny. I immediately took in all steering Bails, and hauled upon a wind ; the enemy then upon our lee-quarter, distant about 8 miles. By sun-down I had perceived, that the enemy sailed remarkably fast, and was very weatherly. At 9 P. M. as the enemy was gaining upon us, and as there was every appearance that he would be enabled to keep sight of us daring the night, I considered it ne- cessary to lighten this ship. I therefore threw over- board 12 tons of kentledge, part of our shot, some of our heavy spars, cut away the sheet anchor and cable, and atsrted the wedges of the masts. At 2 A. M. the ene- my being rather before our lee-beam, I tacked to the westward ; the enemy also tacked, and continued in chase of us. At day light On the 29th, he was within gun-shot, upon our lee-quarter. At 7 A. M. having hoisted Englislf colours, and a rear admiral's flag, h« commenced firing from his bow guns. As his shot went over ui, r cut away the remaining anchor and cable, threw overboard the launch, six of our guns, more of «»orshot, and every heavy article that was at hand; THE AMERICAN NAVY.^ 237 he enemy fired about thirty shot, not one of which took jffect, though most of them passed over us. While he vas firing, I had the satisfaction to perceive, that we lowly dropt him, and at 9 A. M. he eeased his fire. At 1 1 A. M. the enemy was again coming up with us- now, therefore, threw overboard all our remaining ;uns but one long gun, nearly all our shot, all our spare pars, cut away the top-gallant fore-castle, and cleared ivery thing otf deck, as well as from below, to lighten is much as possible. At noon the enemy again com- nenced firing. He fired many shot, only three of which :ame on board ; two striking the hull, and one passing ■brough the jib. It is, however, extraordinary, that jvery shot did not take effect ; for the enemy, the sec- )nd time he commenced firing, was certainly within hree quarters of a mile of the ship, and the sea quite imooth. I perceived from his sails that the effect of his fire ivas to deaden his wind, and at 2 P. M. the wind which lad previously, and greatly to our disadvantage, backed :o the southeast, hauled to the westward, and freshened ip. At sun-down the enemy was about four miles istern. The wind was fresh, and we went at the rate )f nine knots throughout the night. We saw the ene- ny at intervals through the squalls during the night, and it day light, on the 30th, he was about 12 miles astern, jtill in chase of us. At 30 minutes after 9 A. M. he .ook in steering-sails, reefed his top-sail and hauled to :he eastward, and at 1 1 he was entirely out of sight. During the chase the enemy appeared to be very crank, and I therefore concluded he must have been lightened while in chase of us. I did not at any time fire our stern chasers, because it was manifest that the enemy injured his sailing by his firing.' As we had now no anchor, no cable, no boat, and but one gun, there was of course an absolute necessity of re- linquishing our intended cruise ; and as in our then con- dition, \t would have been extremely hazardous on ac- 238 RISE AxND PROGRESS OF count of the enemy's cruisers, to approach our own" coast, I considered it most advisable to proceed for this port. I arrived here ycvterday, and on my arrival I re- ceived information of the peace between the United States and Great Britain. Permit me to state, that it was with the most painful reluctance, and upon the ful- lest conviction that it was indispensable, in order to pre- vent a gicater misfortune, that I could bring my mind to consent to part with my guns ; and I beg leave to re- quest, that you will be pleased to move the honourable secretary of the navy, to call a court of inquiry to inves- tigate the loss of the armament of this ship. It will be very satisfactory to me to have such an investigation. I have the honour to be, respectfully, your obe't serv't, J. BIDDLE. Com. DECATUR. Narrative of the escape of the Hornet from a British 74, after a chase of 42 hours — extracted from a private journal of one of the officers on board the Hornet. U. S. Ship Hornet, off the'Cape of Good Hope, May 9, 1815. April ^1, 1815 At 7 P. M. the Peacock made a signal for a strange sail, bearing S. E. by S. We im- mediately made all sail in chase. Friday 28lh com- menced with light breezes and pleasant weather, all sail set in chase ; at sun down we had neared the stranger considerably, when it fell perfectly calm, and remained so during the whole of the night ; the stranger ahead, and could just discei'n his top-sails out of the water. At day light the sail not to be seen from the deck ; at 5 A. M. a breeze sprung up from the N. W. we immediately crowded all sail, in order if possible to get sight of the chase again ; soon after descried him standing to the northward and eastward on a wind. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 239 Saturday 29th, at 3-4 past 2 P. M.- the Peacock was bout 10 miles ahead of the Hornet; we observed Capt. Varrington approaching the stianger with much precau- ion ; we therefore took in all our larboard steering- ails, set the stay sails, and hauled up for the Peacock, till under the impression the sail in sight was an En- ;lish Indiaman, and from the apparent conduct of the ommander of the Peacock, we were under the im- »ression (as the ship looked very large) that Capt. W. vas waiting until we came up with him in order to lake a joint attack. At|half past 3, the Peacock made he signal, that the chase was a line-of-battle ship, and .n enemy ; our astonishment may easily be conceived 5 ve took in all steering-sails and hauled upon the wind, •ringing the enemy upon our lee-quarter, and about 3 eagues distant ; the Peacock on his weather bow and pparently not more than 3 miles from the enemy. At un-down the enemy bore E. 1-2 S. the Peacock E- by 'f. We soon^perceived the enemy sailed remarkably ast, but the Peacock left him running off to the east- t^ard. The enemy continued by the wind and evident- Y chase of us, at 6, loosed the wedges of the lower nast ; at 8, we discovered the enemy weathered upon IS fast, and that there was every appearance he would, f not come up with us, continue in sight all night. It vas thought necessary to lighten the ship ; at 9 we cut wav the sheet-anchor, and hove overboard the cable, a [uantity of rigging, spars, &;c. At half past 9, scuttled he wardroom deck to get at the kentledge, hove •verboard 90 pieces, weighing about 50 tons. At 2 A. ki. tacked ship to the southward and westward, which he enemy no sooner discovered, than he tacked also. U day-light he was within shot distance, on onr lee- [uarter ; at 7, he hoisted English colours and a rear idmiral's flag at his mizzen-top-gallant masthead, and lommenced firing from his bow guns, his shot over- eaching us about a mile. We therefore comment ;ed again to lighten the ship, by cutting away our re- 240 RISE AND PROGRESS OF maining anchors and throwing overboard the cable, cut up the launch and hove it overboard, a quantity of provisions with more kentledge, shot, capstcrn, spars, all rigging, sails, guns, and in fact every heavy article that could possibly tend to impede the ship's sailing. The enemy continued (o fire very heavy and in quick succession; but his British thunder could neither terri- fy the yankee spirit, diminish yankee skill, nor compel us to show him the yankee stripes, which must have ir- ritated him excessively. None of hi^ shot as yet had taken efTect, although he had been firing for near 4 hours incessantly, his shot generally passing between our masts. We thought at this period we discovered that we were dropping him, as his shot began to fall short ; this stimulated' our'^allUnt crew^ to fresh exertion. At 1 !■, his firing ceased, and the breeze began to freshen ; we discovered the enemy was again coming up with ua fast, which induced a general belief he had made some alteration in the trim of his ship. At meridean squally and fresh beezes, wind from the westward. Sundy (30th) fresh breezes and squally, the enemy still gaining on the Plornet ; at 1 P. M. being within gun-shot dis- tance, he commenced a very spirited and heavy fire with round and grape, the former passing between our masts, and the latter falling all around us. The enemy fired shells, but were so ill directed as to be perfectly harmless. From 2 to 3, threw overboard all the muskets, cut- lasses, forge, Szc. &.c. and broke up the bell — also cut up the top-gallant fore-castle. It was now our capture appeared inevitable — the enemy 3-4 of a mile on the lee-quarter, pouring in his shot and shells in great num- bers all around us — continued to lighten the ship, by heaving every thing overboard that could either be of ■crvice to the enemy, or an impediment to the Hornet's •ailing. The men were ordered to lay down on the quarter-deck, in order to trim ship, and facilitate the thip's sailing. At 4, one of the shot from the enemy THE AMERICAN NAVY. 241 struck tlie jib-boom, another struck the starboard bul- wark. just forward of the gangway, and a third struck on the deck forward of the main hatch, on the larboard side, glanced off and passed through the foresail. At 1-2 past 4, we again began to leave the enemy, and to appearance, by magick — set the laiboard lower steering sail, the wind drawing more aft. At 5, the enemy's 5hot fell short. At 6, fresh breezes — the enemy hull down in our wake. At 7, could just see his lower steer- ing sail above horizon — from 8 to 12, descried him at intervals, with night glasses. At day light, discovered the enemy astern of us, distant 5 leagues. At 9 A. M. the enemy shortened sail, reefed his top-sail, and hauled upon a wind to the eastward, after a chase of 42 hours. During this tedious and anxious chase, the wind was variable, so as to oblige us to make a perfect circle round the enemy. Between 2 and 3 o'clock yesterdav notaperson on board had the most distant idea that there was a possibility of escape. We all packed up our things, and waited until the enemy's shot would compel us to heave to and surrender, which appeared certain. Never has there been so evident an interposi- tion of the goodness of a Divine Father — my heart with gratitude acknowledges his supreme power and good- ness. On the morning of the 28th it w^as very calm, and nothing but murmurs were heard throughout the ship, as it was feared we should lose our anticipated prize — many plans had been formed by us for the dis- posal of our plunder. The seamen declared they would have the birth deck carpeted with East India silk, ISjtupposing her an Indiaman from India ; while the offi- cers, under the impression she was from England, were making arrangements how we should dispose of the money, porter, cheese, &c. &c. Nothing perplexed us more than the idea that we should not be able to take out all the good things before we should be obliged to destroy her. We were regretting our ship did not sail faster, as the Peacock would certainly capture her first, 21 242 R-l-E AND PROGRESS OF and would take out many of the best and most valuable articles befoie we sbould get u|) — (this very circum- , stance of our not sailing as fast as the Peacock, saved us j in the tirst instance from inevitable capture, for W'hen \ Capt. W. made the signal for the sail to be an enemy i of superiour force, we were 4 leagues to windward.) We all calculated our fortunes were made, but alas, ""we caught a Tartar." During the latter part of the chase, when the shot and shells were whistlintj about our ears, ' it was an interesting sight to behold the varied counte- nances of our crew. They had kept the deck during all the preceding night, employed continually in lightening the ship, were excessively fatigued, and under momen- tary expectation of falling into the hands of a barbarous and enraged enemy. The shot that fell on the main deck, (as before related) struck immediately over the head of one of our gallant fellows, who had been woun- ded in our glorious action with the Penguin, where he was lying in his cot, very ill with his wounds ; the shot was near coming through the deck, and it threw innu- merable splinters all around this poor fellow, and struck down a small paper Atnerican Knsign, which he had hoisted over his bed — destruction apparently stared us in the face, if we did not soon surrender, yet no officer, no man, in the ship shewed any disposition to let the enemy have the poor little Hornet. Many of our men had been impressed and imprisoned for years in their horrible service, and hated them and their nation with the most deadly animosity ; while the rest of the crew, horror-struck by the relation of the sutl'erings of their ship-mates, who had been in the power of the English, and now equally flushed with rage, joined heartily in ex- ecrating the present authois of our misfortune. Capt. Biddle mustered the crew, and told them he was pleased with their conduct during the chase, and hoped still to perceive that propriety of conduct which had always marked their characlor. and that of the American tar generally ; that we might soon expect to be captured, THE AMERICAN iNAVY. 243 &c. Not a drv eye was to be seen at this mention ot capture ; the rug','ed hearts of the sailors, like ice before the sun, warmed by the divine power of sympathy, wept in unison with their brave commander. About 2 o'i^lock, the wind, which had crossed us, and put to the test all our nautical skill to steer clear of the enemy, now veered in our favour (as before stated) and we left him. This was truly a glorious \ ictory over the hor- rors of banishment and the terrors of a British floatmg dungeon. Quick as thought, every face was changed from the gloom of despairto the highest smile of dehght, and we began once more to breathe the sweets of liber- ty tlie bitter sighs of regret were now changed, and I put forth my expression of everlasting gratitude to him, the supreme Author of our being, who had thus signally delivered us from the power of a cruel and vindictive enemy. COURT OF INQUIRY. A naval court of inquiry was held by order of the sec- retary of the navy, on board the U. S. ship Hornet, in the harbour of New York, on the 23d of August 1815, to investigate the causes of the return of that ship into port, and" to enquire into the circumstances attending the loss of armament, stores, &c. during her cruise; and the following opinion has been pronounced by the court : The court, after mature deliberation on the testimony adduced, are of opinion, that no blame is imputable to Capt. Biddle, on account of the return of the Hornet in- to port, with the loss of her armament, stores, &;c. and that the greatest applause is due to him for his perse- vW 244 RISE AND PROGRESS OF vering gallantry and nautical skill, evinced in escaping^ under the most disadvantageous circumstance, after a long and arduous chase by a British line-of-battlc ship. SAMUEL EVANS, Prcst. HENRY WHEATON, Special Judge Advocate. CHAPTER XIX. General Operations Continued. LOSS OF THE ARGUS. About the 1st of June, the United States, brig Argu.*?, captain Allen, sailed for France, with the x\mericaa minister, Mr. Crawford, ard from thence on a cruise in- the British channel, where her success led the British government to despatch several frigates to check her career. The Argus fell in with one of those frigates^ the Pelican, and after a sharp action of forty-seven min- utes, was captured and carried into port. Captain Al- len fell, mortally wounded, at the first broadside; his- lieutenant, soon after, and his wheel being shot away, the brig became a wreck ; yet she maintained a brave and obstinate conflict until all resistance became inelTec- tual, then surrendered— August I4lh, 1813. The loss upon both sides, was nearly equal. British Official Account. The British official account of the capture of the U. S. brig Argus, on the 14th of August, has been received. In that account, the Pelican, which took the Argus, states the force of the two vessels, as follows, viz : — Ar- THE' AMERICAN If A VT. 2^45 5US, eighteen 24!b. carronades, and two I2's — 1 27 men. Pelican, sixteen 32 pouriders, and three 6's — 1 16 men. — The action lasted 43 minutes. The American loss tvas 30, killed and wounded ; that of the British 6. On the 5th of September, the United States brig En- terprise, of sixteen guns, Captain Burrows, fell in with, tnd captured his Britannic majesty's brig Boxer, of eighteen guns, captain Biythe, after an action of forty ive minutes. The Enterprise lost nine, the Boxer forty ire, both captains fell in the action.. CAPTURE OF THE BOXER. Copy of a letter from Lieut. Ed, R. M'Call, of the U. S. Brig- Eaterprize, to Capt. Isaac Hull, dated U. S, BrigEnterprize, Portland,! th Sept. 1313. Sir, In consequence of the unfortunate death of Lieut. Commandant William Burrows, late commander of this vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint you with the result of our cruise. — On the morning of the 4th, weighed anch-or, and swept out, and continued our course to the eastward. Having received information,^ of several privateers being off Manhagan, we stood for that place; and, on the following morning, in' the bay near Penguin-point, discovered a brig getting un- der way, which appeared to be a vessel of war, and to which we immediately gave chase : she fired several guns, and stood for us, having four ensigns hoisted. Af- ter reconnoitering, and discovering h^er force, and the nation to which she belonged, we hauled upon a wind, to stand out of the bay ; and, at 3 o'clock, shortened tail, tacked, and run down, with an intention to bring her to-close action. At 20 minutes past 3, P. M. when within half pistol shot, the firing commenced from both.^, 21* 246 RISE AND PROGRESS OF and, after being warmly kept up, and with some mn- noeuvering, the enemy hailed, and said they had surren- dered, about 4, P. iM. — their colours being nailed to the masts, could not be hauled down. She proved to be his B. M. brig Boxer, of 14 guns, Samuel Blythe, Esq. commander, who fell in the early part of the engage- ment, having received a cannon shot through the body ; and, I am sorry to add, that Lieut. Burrows, who had gallantly led us to action, fell, also, about the same time, by a musquet ball, which terminated his existence in eight hours. The Enterprize suffered much, in spars and rigging ; and the Boxer both in spars, rigging, and hull, having many shots between wind and water. It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr. Til- linghast, 2d Lieutenant, were I not to mention the able assistance I received from him, during the remainder of the engagement, by his strict attention to his own di- vision, and other departments ; and the officers and crew, generally : 1 am happy to add, their cool and de- termined conduct have my warmest approbation and applause. As no muster-roll, that can be fully relied on, has come into my possession, I cannot exactly state the number killed, on board the Boxer ; but from infor- mation received from the officers of that vessel, it ap- pears that there were between 20 and 25 killed, and 14 wounded. On board the Enterprize, there was 1 kill- ed, and 13 wounded, among whom was Lieut. Burrows, (since dead,) and Midshipman Warters, mortally. — Sixty-six prisoners. I have the honor, tSrc. EDWARD R. M'CALL, Sen. Officer. Isaac Hull, Esq. Comg. Naval Officer, on the Eastern station. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 247 CHAPTER XX. * General operations of the War continued. British War continued — General operations upon the Sea board — against Canada, Louisiana, <^c. — Peace. Early in the spring of 1813, a British squadron enter- d the Delaware baj, under the comnnand of Admiral Jeresford, and commenced their operations on the American sea board, and Lewistown suffered severely, "kdmiral Cockburn, at the same time, with his squadron, ;ntered the Chesapeake, where he committed the most ruel ravages ; Frenchtown, Havre-de-Grace, Freder- cktown, Georgetown, and Norfolk, all felt the ruthless land of the marauders, and several of those places vere wholly destroyed. Admiral Warren made an unsuccessful attack upon "raney Island — June 24, (near Norfolk.) The next lay the enemy made a descent upon Hampton, and ;ave it up to indiscriminate plunder, licentiousness and )rutality ; such brutality as was never alleged against L savage, and such as would make a savage blush. During these operations, three American frigates vhich had been blockaded in the port of New- York, nade their eseape through the souiid, and were chased ntothc port of New-London, where they were blocka- led through the remainder of the war. The enemy attempted to bombard Stonington. about ■his time ; but the borough was so valiantly defended, ;hat it suffered very little damage. General Dearborn, who had succeeded General Smyth, in the command of the northern army, com- menced his operations early in the spring of 1813, to ::arry the war into Canada. He detached general Pike, with 2000 men, to make a descent umon York, and 248 lilSE AND PROGRESS OF seize on the naval and military stores, as well as the ves- sels on the stocks. General Pike embarked his troops.on the 25th of April, crossed over the lake, and executed his commis- sion promptly. The enemy were driven from their redoubts, and general Pike had halted hi? troops to give them a moment's repose, when he was astonished by the explosion of a terrible magazine, which over- whelmed his troops with a shower of stone, timber, &ic. that killed and wounded more than two hundred men. The indignation of the soldiers soon recovered them from their surprise, and rallied them again to the charge. — Their brave general animated their courge, as he lay expiring under a severe contusion from the awful explosion with this solemn charge : '■' Revenge the death of your general.'''' Colonel Pease led on the tioops to the conquest of York, without further opposition, and the town surren- dered by capitulation. The enemy lost about 750 men in killed, wounded and prisoners, and the American loss in killed and wounded did not exceed 300. It is recorded of York, " that a human skull was- found in the hall of the assembly, placed over the mace of the speaker." General Dearborn secured the stores, prisoners, &C.. and abandoned the place. BATTLE OF YORK. Copies of letters from Major General Dearbora, to the Secretary t>i War, dated Htad-Qnarters, York^ Capital of U. G. April 27, 1813—8 o'clock, P. M. Sir, We are in full possession of this place, after a sharps conflict, in which we lost some brare officers and boI- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 049 diers. Gen. Sheaffe commanded the British troop*, militia and Indians, in person. — We shall be prepared to sail for the next object of the expedition, the first fa- vourable wind. I have to lament the loss of the brave and active Brig. Gen. Pike. I am, &c. IT. DEARBORN. Hon. J. Armstrong. Head-Quarters, Yorlc^ Capital of U. C. .^/?n7 28, 1813. Sir, After a detention of some days, by adverse winds, we arrived at this place yesterday morning, and at eight o'clock commenced landing the troops, about three miles westward from the town, and one and a half from the enemy's works. The wind was high, and in an un- favorable direction for the boats, which prevented the landing the troops at a clear held, the scite of the an- cient French fortTarento ; it prevented, also, many of tli^ armed vessels from taking positiwis, which would nave, most effectually, covered our landing — but every thing that could be done was effected. The riflemen, under Major Forsyth, first landed, un- der a heavy fire from the Indians, and other troops. General Sheaffc con)mandedin person : he had collect- ed his whole force in the woods, near the point where the wind compelled our troops to land ; his force con- sisted of 700 regulars and militia, and 100 Indians. Major Forsyth was supported as promptly as possible ; but the contest was sharp and severe for nearly half an hour, and the enemy were repulsed by a number far in- ferior to theirs. As soon as Gen. Pike landed with 7 or 800 men, and the remainder of the troops were pushing for the shore, the enemy retreated to their works. Our troops were now formed on the ground, originally intended for their landing, advanced through a* $.50 I^ISE AND PROGRESS OP a thick wood, and af(er carrviriir one battery by assault, \vere movkig in column? toward? the main work; when within CO rods of this, a tremendous explosion took [>iace, from a magazine prcvionslj prepared, and vvhicli threw out such immense (juantities of stone, as most se- riously to injure our troops. 1 have not yet been ablw to collect the returns of the killed and wounded : but our loss will, I fear, exceed 100; and among these, I have to lament the loss of that brave and excellent oiVi- cer. Brig. Gen. Pike, who received a contusion from a large stone, which terminated his valuable life within a few hours. — Previouslj' to this explosion, the enemy had retired into town, excepting a party of regulars, to the number of forty, who did not escape the shock, and were destroyed. Gen. Sheatfe moved olfj with the regu- lar troops, and left directions with the commanding ofli- cerof the militia, to make the best terms he could. In the mean time, all further resistance, on the part of the e[>emy, ceased ; and the outlines of a capitulation were agreed oii. As soon as I learned that Gen. Pike had been wound- ed, I went on shore ; to the General, I had been indtfc§d to confide the immediate attack, from a knowledge that it was his wish, and that he would have felt mortified had it not been given to him. Our loss in the morning, and in carrying the first bat- tery, was not creat ; perhaps 40 or 50 killed and wounded, and of them a full proportion of officers. — Notwithstanding the enemy's advantage in position, and numbers, in the commencement of the action, their loss was greater than ours, especially in officers. I. am under the greatest obligations to Com. Chaun- cey, for his able and indefatigable exertions, in every possible manner which could give facility and effect to the expedition ; he is equally estimable for sound judg- ment, braverv and industry ; the government could not have made a more fortunate selection. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 251 Unfortunately the enemy's armed ship, Prince Re- cent, left this place, for Kingston, a few days before we irrived. A larjj;e ship, on the stocks, and nearly plank- ::d up, and much naval stoics, w^ere set tiie to by the sncmy, soon after the explosion of the magazine ; a con- riderable quantity of military stores, and provisions, re- nain, but no vessels tit for use. We have not the means of transporting the prisoners, ind must, of course, leave them on parole. 1 hope we shall so far complete what is necessary to ^e done here, as to be able to sail to-morrow for Niaga- a. whither I send this, by a small vessel, with notice to 'Jen. Lewis, of our approach. I have the honor, &lc. H. DEARBORN. Hon. Sec. War. TRANSPORTATION OF TROOPS TO ^"ORK. Lopy of a letter from Commodore Chauucej', lo tiie Secrelary of llip Navy. U' S. Ship Madison, at anchor. Of York, 28th. ^prll, 1813. Sir, Agreeably to your instructions, and ariangeii:ients, made with Major-General Dearborn, 1 took on board ihe squadron, under my command, the General and suite, and about 1700 troops, and left Sackctt's Harbor 5n the 2.5th inst. for this pbce. W^e arrived here yes- terday morning, and took a position about one mile to the south and westward of the enemy's [jrincipal fort, and as near the shore as we could, with safety to the vessels. The place tixed upon, by the Maj. Gen. and nivself, for landing the troops, was the scite of the old French fort, Taranta. The debarkation commenced about 3 o'clock, A. M. and was completed about 10 ; 252 RISE AND PROGRESS OF the wind blowing heavy from the eastward, the boats fell to leeward of the position fixed upon, and were, in consequence, exposed to a galling fire fronn the rneniy who had taken a position in a thick wood, near where the first troops landed ; however, the cool intrepidity of the ofticers and men, overcame every obstacle. Their attack upon the enemy was so vigourous,that he fled in every direction, leaving a great many of his kil- led and wounded upon the field. As soon as the troops were landed, I directed the schooners to take a posi- tion near the forts, in order that the attack upon them, by the army and navy might be simultaneous. The schooners were obliged to beat up to their position, which they did in very handsome order, under a very heavy fire from the enemy's batteries, and took a posi- ion within about 600 yards of their principal fort, and opened a heavy cannonade upon the enemy, which did great execution, and very much contributed to their Jdnal destruction. The troops, as soon as landed, were formed under the inunediate orders of Gen. Pike, who led, in a most gal- lant manner, the attack upon the forts, and after having carried two redoubts, in their approach to the principal work, (the enemy having previously laid a train,) blew up his magazine, which, in its effects upon our troops, was dreadful, having killed and wounded many; and among the former, the ever to be lamented Brig. Gen. Pike. His death, at this time, is much to be regretted, as lie had the perfect confidence of the Major-Gcneral ; and his own activity, zeal, and experience, make hig loss a national one. I n consequence of the fall of Gen. Pike, the command of the troops devolved, for a time, upon Col. Pierce, who soon after took possession of the town. At about 5, P. M. the American flag was substituted for the British, and, at about 4. our troops were in quiet poi- session of the town. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 253 As soon as Gen. Dearborn learnt the situation of Gen. ike, he landed, and assumed the command. — I have le honor of euclosin-j; a copy of the capitulation, which as entered into, and approved bj General Dearborn, ad myself. The enemy set fire to some of his principal stores, jntaining large quantities of naval and military stoics, ( well as a large t^hip, upon the stocks, and nearly fin- hed. The only vessel found there, is the Duke of loucester, undergoing repairs; the Prince Regent left jre, on the 24(h, for Kingston. We have not yet had return made of the naval and military stores, conse- lently can form lo correct idea of the quantity, bnt ive made arrangements to have all taken on board, at we can receive — (he rest will be destroyed. 1 have regret the death of Midshipmen Tompson and Hatfield, id several seamen killed ; the returns from the differ- it vessels have not yet been made. I cannot speak in too much praise of the cool intre- dity of the officers and men, generally, under mj >mmand ; and I feel myself particularly indebted to e officers commanding vessels, for their zeal in sec- tdiogall my views. I have the honor, &c. ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Hon, W. JONES. On board the squadron, there were 4 killed, and 8 auuded — total, I'i, TERMS OF CAPITULATION. Qtered into, on the ^Vth of April, 1813 for the surrcn- der of the town of York, in Upper Canada, to the Army and Navy of the United States, under the com- mand of Maj. Geo. Dearborn, and Commodore Chauncey. 22 254 RISE AND PROGRESS OF That the troops, regular and militia, at this post, and tlve naval officers and seaman, shall he surrendered pris- oners of war — the troops regular and militia, to ground their arms, immediately on parade, and the naval offi- cers and seaman be immediately surrendered. That all public stores, naval and military, shall he immediately given up, to the commanding officers of the army and navy of the United States ; all private prop- erty shall be guaranteed to the citizens of the town of York. That all papers belonging to the civil officers, shall be retained by them ; — that such surgeons, as may be procured to attend the wounded of the British regulars, and Canadian militia, shall not he considered prisoners of war. That 1 Lieut. Colonel, 1 Major, 13 Captains, 9 Lieu- tenants, 1 1 Ensigns, 1 Quarter-master, 1 Dep. Adj. General, of the militia, 19 sergeants, 4 corporals, and 204 rank and file ; of the field train department, 1 ; of the provincial navy, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Midship- men, 1 Captain's Clerk, 1 Boatswain, 15 naval artifi- cers. Of his majesty's regular troops, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant-Major ; and of the royal artillery, 1 Bombard- ier, and 3 Gunners, shall be surrendered as prisoners, of war, and accounted for in the exchange of prisoners, between the United States and Great Britain. (Signed) G. S. MITCHELL, Lieut. Col. 3d, A. U. S. SAML. S. CONNER, Maj. and Aid to Gen. D. WM. KING, Major, 15 U. S. Infantry. JESSE D. ELLIOT, Lieut. U. S. Navy. W. CHEWITT, Lieut. Col. comg. 3d Reg. Y. M. W. ALLEN, Maj. 3d Reg. York Militia, F. GAURREAli, Lieut. M. Dpt. Our loss was, 14 killed in battle, and 38 by the explo- sion — 32 wounded in battle, and 222 by the explosion ; total, killed and wounded, 306. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 555 FURTHER ACCOUNT. s tract of a letter from Maj. General Henry Dearborn, to the Secretary of War, dated J^iagara, May 3d. As nearly as I have been able to ascertain, the loss of le enemy, in the late affair of York, amounted to 100 illed, 200 prisoners, and 300 wounded. I have not sen able to ascertain, precisely, the amount of militia j*^ on their parole ; I presume it could not be less than )0. There was an immense depot of naval and mili- ry stores. York was a magazine for Niagara, Detroit, c. and, notwithstanding the immense amount which as destroyed by them, we found more than we could ring off. Gen. Sheaffe's baggage and papers fell into y hands. The papers are a valuable acquisition. A CALP was found in the Executive and Legislative ouncil Chamber, suspended near the speaker^s chair, in )mpany with the mace. H. DEARBORN. CHAPTER XXI. General Operations Continued. On the 22d of May, the general embarked his army id proceeded against the British forts on the Niagara, nder cover of Commodore Chauncey's fleet. General ewis led on the troops to victory and conquest, du- ng the illness of General Dearborn. The British forts, id more than 500 Canada militia, surrendered prison- rs of war. The Americans lost 39 killed and 1 1 1 woun- 256 RISE AND PROGRESS OF ded. The next day the British blew up fort Eric, and fill rem:rMiing fortifications, and returned to the head of Burlington bay. TAKING OF FORT GEORGE. Copies of letters from Commodore Chauncej, to the Secretary of tb« Niivy. U. S. Ship Madison, Niagara River, 11 th May, 1813. firR, I am happy to have it in nny power to say, that the American fla;^ is flying upon fort George. We were ia quiet possession of all the fort* at 12 o'clock. 1 have the honor, &c. I. CHAUNCEY. U. S. S. Mulison, 2QthMciy 1813. ' Sib, AgrceaWv to arrangements, which I have already had the honor of detailing to you, 1 left Sackett's Har- bor, with this ship, on the 2'2d insl. with about 350 of Col. M'Comh's regiment on board ; the winds being light from the westward, I did not arrive in the vicinity of Niagara, before the 25th ; the other parts of the squadron had arrived, several days before, and landed their troo[)8. The Fair American, and Pert, I had or- dered to .Sackett's Harbor, for the purpose of watching the encmy*3 movements at Kinijston. I immediately had an interview with Gen. Dearborn, for the purpose of making arrangements to attack the enemy, as soon as possible ; and it was agreed, between him and myself, to make the attack the moment that the weather was suc'i as to allow the vessels and boats to approach tha shore with safety.. On the 26th, I reconnoitered the position for laudiog the troops, and at night sounded THE AMERICAN NAVY. 257 the «hore, and placed buoys to sound out the stations jforthe small vcssls. It was agreed, between the Gene- »al and myself, to make the attack the next morning, (as the weather had moderated, and had every appear- ance of being more favorable.) I took on board of the Madison, Oneida, and Lady of the Lake, all the heavy artillery, and as many troops as could be stowed ; the ■remainder were to embark in boats, and follow the fleet. At 3, yesterday morning, the signal was made for the fleet to weigh, and the troops were all embarked on hoard the boats before 4, and soon after Gens. Dear- horn and Lewis came on board this ship, with their suites. It being however, nearly calm, the schooners were obliged to sweep into tl cir positions. Mr. Trant, in the Julia, and Mr. Mix, in the Growler, I directed to take a position in the mouth of a river, and silence » battery, near the light-house, which, from its position, commanded the shore where our troops were to ]and« Mr. Stevens, in the Ontario, was directed to take a po- sition to the north of the light-house, so near in shore as to enfilade t'.ie battery, and cross the tire of the Julia and Growler. Lieutenant Brown, in the Governor Tomp- kins, 1 directed to take a position near to Two Mile Creek, where the enemy had a battery, with a heavy gun. Lieutenant l*ettigrew, in the Conquest, was di- rected to anchor to the S. E. of the same battery, so near in, as to open on it in the rear, and cross the fire of the Governor U'ompkins. Lieutenant M'Pherson in the Hamilton, Lieut. Smith, in the Asp, and Mr. Os- good, in the Scourge, were directed to anchor -close to the shore, and cov«r the landing of the troops ; and to scour the woods and plain, whenever the enemy made his appearance. All these orders were most promptly and gallantly executed ; All the vessels anchored with- in musquet shot of the shore, and in ten minutes after they opened the batteries, they were completely silen- «ed and abandoned. Our troops then advanced in Ihree brigades, the advance led by Colonel Scott, and *)2* 258 RISE AND PROGRESS OF landed near the fort, which had been silenced bj Lieut. Brown. The eneiwj, who had been concealed by a ravine, now advanced, in great force, to the edge of the bank, to charge our troops ; the schooners opened such a well-directed and tremendous fire of grape and canis- ter, that the enemy soon retreated from the bank. Our troops formed as soon as they landed, and jmmediately ascended the bank — charged, and routed the enemy in every direction, the schooners keeping up a constant and well-directed fire upon him, in his retreat to the town. Owing to the wind having sprung up very fresh from the eastward, which caused a heavy sea, directly on shore, I was not able to get the boats off, to land the troops from the Madison and Oneida, before the first and second brigades had advanced. Captain Smith, with the marines, landed with Col. M'Comb's regiment, and 1 had prepared 400 seamen, which I intended to land with myself, if the enemy had made a stand ; but our troops pursued him so rapidly into the town, and fort George, that I found there was no necessity for more force ; moreover, the wind had increased so much, and hove such a sea on shore, that the situation of the fleet had become dangerous and critical. 1, therefore made signal for the fleet to weigh, and ordered thens inti) the river, where they anchored, immediately after the enemy had abandoned fort George. The town and forts, were in quiet possession of our troops at 12 o'clock, and the enemy retreated in a direction toward* Queenstown. Where all behaved so well, it is difficult to select any one for commendation ; yet, in doing justice to Lieut. Macpherson, I do not detract from the merits of others. He was fortunate in placing himself in a situa- tion, where he rendered very important service, in cov- ering the troops so completely, that their loss was tri- fling. Captain Perry joined me, fiom Erie, on the eveoing of the 25th, and very gallantly volunteered hit THE AMERICAN NaVY. 250 services ; and I have much pleasure in acknowledging the great assistance which I received from him, in ar- ranging and superintending the debarkation of the troops ; he was present at every point where he could be useful, under showers of musquetry ; but fortunate- ly, escaped unhurt. We lost but one killed, and two wounded, and no injury done to the vessels. I have the honor, &c. ISAAC CHAUNCEY. FURTHER REPORT. Copies of letterj from Maj. General Dearborn, to the Secretary of War, dated Head-Quarters^ Fort George, U. Canada, Mat/ 27 ^ 1813. Sir, The light troops, under the command of Col. Scott and Maj. Forsyth, landed this morning, at nine o'clock. Maj. Gen. Lewis' division, with Col. Porter's command of light artillery, supported them. Gen. Boyd's brig- ade landed immediately after the light troops, and Gen- erals Winder and Chandler followed in quick succession. The landing was warmly and obstinately disputed by the British forces ; but die coolness and intrepidity of our troops, soon compelled them to give ground in eve- ry direction. General Chandler, with the reserve, (composed of hit brigade, and Col. M 'Comb's artillery) covered the whole. — Com. Chauncey had made the most judicious arrangements for silencing the enemy's batteries, near the point of landing. The army is under the greatest obligations to that able naval commander, for his co-op- eration in all its important movements, and especial- ly in its operations this day. Our batteries succeeded in rendering fort George untenable ; and when the ene- my had been beaten from his positions, and found it ne- ■S60 RISE AND PROGRESS OF cessarj to re-enter it, after firing a few guns, and eettinj fire to the magazines, which soon exploded, he moved off rapidly by dltrerent routes ; our light troops pursu- ed them several miles, The troops having been under arms, from one o'clock in the morning, were too much exhausted for any further pursuit. We are now in possession of foil George, and its immediate depen- dencies ; to-morrow we shall proceed further on. The behaviour of our troops, both ofHcers and men, entitle Ihem to the highest praise ; and the difference in our loss, with that of the enemy, when we consider the ad- vantages his position afforded him, is astonishing : — we had 17 killed, and 45 wounded — the enemy had 90 killed, and 160 wounded, of the regular troops. We have taken ICO prisoners, exclusively of the wounded. Col. Meyers, of the 49th, was wounded and taken pris- oner; of ours, only one commissioned officer was kill- ed — Lieut. Hobart, of the light artillery. Enclosed it the report of Ma'or-General l^ewis. 1 have the honor, &c. H. DEARBORN. Hon. Gen. J» Armstrong. GEN. LEWIS' REPORT. On the Field, 1 o'c/ocA:,. 27th May, 1813.. Dear Sir, Fort George and its dependencies are ours •, the ene- my, beaten at all points, has blown up his magazines, and retired. It is impossible, at this time, to say any thing of individual gallantry ; tliere was no man who- did not perform his duly in a manner which did honor to himself and country. Scott's and Forsyth's com- mands, supported by Boyd's and Winder's brigade*, •ustaioed the brunt of the actioo.. Our loss is trifling v THE AMERICAN NAVY. 56 1 not more than 30 killed, and twice that number wound ed. The enemy has left in the hospital 124, and I sent several on boar! of the fleet. We have also mada about 100 prisoners of the regular forces. 1 am, &c. MORGAN LEWIS. Maj. Gen. Dearborn. FURTHSn PROCEEDINGS. Hiad Quarters, Fori George, Mjij 29th, 1813^ Sir, Gen. Lewis was ordered to march yejterdaj morn ing, with Chandler's and Winder's brigades, the light artillery, dragoons, and riflemen, i:i pursuit of the ene- my, by way of Queenstown. I had received satisfactory information that the >tnemy had made a stand on the mountain, at a place called Beaver-dam, where he had a deposit of provisions and stores; and that he had been joined by 300 regulars, from Kingston, landed from some small vessels, near the head of the lake. I had ascertained that he was calling in the militia,, and had presumed he would confide in the strength of his position, and venture an action, by which an oppor- tunity would be afforded to cutoff his retreat. I have been disapointed. Although the troops, from fort Erie and Chip])ewa, had joined the main body, at Beaver- dam, he broke up yesterday, precipitately, continued bis route along the mountains, and will reach the head of the lake by that route. Lieut. Col. Preston took possession of fort Erie, and its dependencies, last evening ; tht post had been aban- doned, and the maj^azine blown up. I have ordered Gen. Lewis to return, without delay, to this place ; and, if the winds favor us we may yet cut off the enemy's retreat. I was, last evening, hou- 262 RISE AND PROGRESS OF ored with jour despatch of the 15th inst. I have taken measures in rel:ition to the 'J3 prisoners, who are to be put ia close confinement. I have the honor, &c. H. DEARBORN. Hon. J. Armstrong, Sec^ of War. DEFENCE OF SACKETT'S HARBOR. Extract of a letter from Brig. Gen. Jacob Brown, to his Ex. Got. Tompkins, dated SacketOs Harbor, May 29 1815. We were attacked at the dawn of this day, by a Brit- ish regular force, of at least 900 men, (and most prob- ably 1200;) they made good their landing at Horse-Isl- tttju. The eiiemy'a fleet oonsistcd of two ships, 4 schooners, and 30 large open boats. We are complete- ly victorious; the enemy lost a considerable number in killed and wounded, on the field ; among the number, several officers of distinction. After having re-em- barked, they sent me a flag, desiring to have their killed and wounded attended to : I made them satisfied oa that subject — Americans will be distinguished for hu- manity and bravery. Our loss is not numerous, but se- rious from the great worth of those who have fallen. Col. Mill was shot dead at the commencement of the action ; and Col. Backus, of the light dragoons, nobly fell at the head of his regiment, as victory was declaring for us. I will not presume to praise this regiment ; — much gallant conduct on this day, deserves more than praise.' The new ship, and Com. Chauncey's prize, the Duke of Gloucester, are yet safe in Sackett's Harbor. Sir George Prevost landed, and commanded in person. Sir James L. Yeo commanded the enemy's fleet. In haste — Yours, &c. JACOB BROWN. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 263 FURTHER ACCOUNT. Extract of a letter from Gen. Brown, to the Secretary of War, dated SacketCs Harbor^ June 1, 1813. Sir, In the course of the 20th, and during the 28lh and 29th ult. a considerable militia force came in, and were ordered to the water-side, near Horse-Island, on which was Lieut. Col. Mills, and his volunteers. Our strength, at this point, was now 500 men, all anxious for battle^ as far as profession would go. The moment it was light enough to discover the ap- proach of the enemy, we found his ships in line, be- tween Horse-Island and Stoney-point, and, in a few mi- nutes afterwards, 53 large boats, filled with troops, came off to the larger Indian or Garden-Island, under cover of the fire of his gun-boats. My orders, were, that the troops should lie close, and reserve their fire, until the enemy had approached so near that every shot might hit its object. It is, however, im- possible to execute such orders with raw troops, unac- customed to subordination. My orders were, in this case, disobeyed ; the whole line fired, and not without eflect ; but, in the moment while I was contemplating this, to my utter astonishment, they rose from their cover and fled. Col. Mills fell gallantly, in brave, but in vain endeavors to stop his men. I was, personally, more fortunate : — gathering together about 100 militia, under the immediate command of Capt. M'Nitt, of that corps, we threw ourselves on the rear of the enemy's left flank, and, I trust, did some execution ; — It was du- ring this last movement that the regulars, under the com- mand of Col. Backus, first engaged the enemy ; nor was it long before they defeated him. Hurrying to this point of action, I found the battle still raging, but with obvi- ous advantage on our side. The result of the action so glorious for the officers and soldiers of the regular army, v|64 RISE AND PROGRESS OF has already Lecn eommrnicatcd, in my letter of the 29th. Had not Gen. Prevovl retre;\t«.d, most rapidly under the guns of his vessels, he would never have re- turned to Kingston. One thing, in ihis business, is to be seriously regret- ted ; in the midst of ibe conflict, tire wns ordered to be eet to the navy baiTHcks, and stores. 'J his was owing to the infamous conduct of tKoee x\\\o brought informa- tion to Lieut. Cbauiiccy, that llie battle ^^as lost ; and that, to prevent (lie stores 1V( m failing into llie enemy's hands, they must bedeslio^ed. 'I he ei ( ni)'s force con- listed of 1000 picked men, led by Sir George Provost, in person ; their fleet consisted of the new ship Wolf, the Royal George, Prince Regent, Earl Moira, '■2 armed schooners, and their gun and other boats. Of the offi- cers who distinguished lhem?el\(s, \ cannot but repeat the name of Litut. Col. Backus, who, praised be God! yet lives. Captain M'NitTsc onduct was noble ; he well deserves to be [)laccd in the regular aimy. Major Swan, of the army, served as my Ad utant General, and was highly useful. Lieutenant Chauncey is a biave and honorable man ; to him no blame can attach, for what happened at Navy-j)oint ; he was deceived. Lieut. Col. Tuttle was in march for this pest ; but with every f xertion, was unable to reach it. in time to take part in the action ; this is felt, by the Colonel, and every offi- cer in his detachment, as a misfortnr.e. At the moment I am closing this communication, Conimcdore Chaun- cey has arrived with his squadron ; this lenders my long- er etay here unnecessary ; 1 shall, thcrelore, imnaediate- ly return to my home. 1 have the honor, &:c. J. BROWN. Our loss, in tlic above action was 164, killed, wound- ed and missing. 1 lie enemy's loss, according to ha «WD account, in killed and wounded, was 150. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 265 ROYAL PROPERTY CAPTUIJED. Copy of a letter from Com. Isaac Chauncey, to the Secretary of the Navy. U. S. Ship Madison, SacketCs Harbor^ Alh June., 1813. Sir, 'I have the honor to present to you, by tlie hands of Lieut. Dudley, the British standard, taken at York, on the 27th of April last, accompanied by the mace, over which was hung a himan $calp ! These articles w^ere taken from the Parliament-house, by one of my officers, and presented to me. The scalp I caused to be pre- sented lo General Dearborn, who, 1 believe, still has it in his possession. I also send, by the same gentleman, one of the British flags, taken at fort George, on the ?7th of May. I have the honor, &c. ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Hon. W. Jones, Sec. of the Navy. INDIAN DECLARATION OF WAR. [translation.] July^ 1813. DECLARATION OF WAR, BY THE SIX NATIONS. WE, the Chiefs and Councillors of the Six Nations of Indians, residing in the state of New- York, do hereby proclaim, to all the War-Chiefs, and Warriors, of the Six Nations, that war is declared, on our part, against the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. There- fore, we do hereby command, and advise all the War- Chiefs to call forth, immediately, the Warriors under 23 266 RISE AND PROG HESS OF them, and put them in motion, to protect their rights and liberties, which our brethren, the Americans, are now defending. (Signed) BY THE GRAND COUNCILLORS. CHAPTER XXII. General Operations Continued. On the 1st of June, Generals Chandler and Winder were detached with a force of 2600 men, (just double the number of the enemy,) destroy this British force. They advanced to Stormy Creek, to prepare for the at- tack ; but the enemy anticipated tiieir views ; commen- ced a furious attack upon their camp, in dead of nigl»t, and after a severe conflict, carried their two generals in- to captivity. The Americans lost in this action, IG killed, 38 wounded, and 100 missing, including their two generals. The British loss in killed and wounded could never be correctly ascertained, but was supposed to be much greater, as the Americans took 100 prisoners. In this action the Americans were completely sur- prised ; the British rushed to close combat, at the point of the bayonet, and the parties were commixed, in des- perate conflict, linder cover of thick darkness. The two generals, with undaunted bravery, in attempting to rally and form their troops, were surprised and taken by the enemy. Both parties withdrew from the field, and both claim- ed the victory. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 267 Copy of a letter from Major-Genoral Henry Dearborn, to the Secre- tary of War, dated GEN's. CHANDLER AND WINDER TAKEN. spy of a letter from Major-General Hei tary of War, da Head-Quarters^ Fort George, June 6th, 1813. Sir, I have received an express from the head of the lake, this evening, with intelligence that our troops, com- manded by Brig. Gen. Chandler, were attacked, at 2 o'clock this morning, by the whole of the British and Indian forces — and by some fatality ; (thongh our loss did not exceed 30,) and the enemy completely routed, and driven from the field — both Generals Chandler and Winder, were taken prisoners ; they had advanced to as^certain the situation of a company of artillery, when the attack commenced. General Vincent is reported to be among the killed of the enemy. Colonel Clark was mortally wounded, and fell into our hands, with 60 prisoners of the 49th British regiment. The whole loss of the enemy is 250; they sent in atiag, with a request to bury their dead. Gen Lewis, accompanied by Gen. Boyd, goes o!) to take the command of the advanced troops. I have the honor, &c. H. DEARBORN. Hon. Gen. J. ARMSTRONG. HONOR TO THE BRAVE. Copy of a letter from Major-General Henry Dearborn, to the Sec- retary of War, dated Head-Quarters, June 8th, 1813. Sm, I hasten to state to you, that the whole of our ofiicers and men discovered, in the action of the 27th ult. that 268 RISE AND PROGRESS OF readiness and ardor for actian, which evinced a deter- mination to do honor to themselves, and their country. The animating examples, set by Gen. Boyd and Co). Scott, deserve particular mention. T am greatly in- debted to Col. Porter, of the Ii;,^ht artillery; to Major Armistead,of the 3d reg. artillery ; and to Lieut. Tot- ten, of the engineer corps, for their judicious and skil- ful execution, in demolishing the enemy's fort and bat- teries. The officers of the artillery, who had the di- rection of the guns, licnerally, are vevy deserving. I have the honor. &c. H. DEARBORN. Hon. J. ARMSTRONG. Our loss in the above action, was 150, in killed and wounded The enemy's, loss, in killed, wounded, and taken, was 393. FURTHER, OF CHANDLER AND WINDER. Copy of a letter from Mnj. Gen. Lewis, to the Secretary of War. J^agara, June 14, 1813. Sir, You will perceive, by the enclosed copy of orders, marked L that Gen. Dearborn, from indij'position, has resigned his command, not only of the Niagara army, but of (he district. I have doubts whether he will ever again, be (it for service. He has repeatedly been in a state of convalescence, but relapses on the least agita- tion of mind. In my last, I mentioned the unfortunate circumstan- ces of the capture of our two Brigadiers, Chandler and Winder; the particulars are detailed in the report of Col. Burn, which he gives from the best information he could collect ; his corps lay a considerable distance from the scene of active operation, as you will perceive THE 'AMERICAN NAVY. 2e» by the enclosed dia2;ram, which is on a scale of 100 ja?ds to the inch. The light corps, spoken of, were Captains Hindman':?, Biddle's, and Nicholas' compa- nies, of the 2d artillery, serving as infantry. These three gentiemdn, and Capts. Archer and Towson, of the same regiment, and Leonard of the light artillery, are soldiers, who would honor any service ; their gal- lantry, and that of their companions, was equally con- spicuous, on thi? occasion, as in the affair of the 27th ult. A view of Gen. Chandler's encampment will be sutHcient to show, that his disaster was owing to its ar- rangement — its centre being its weakest point, and that being discovered by the enemy, in the evening, received the combined attack of his whole force, and his line was completely cut. The gallantry of the 5th, 25th, and part of the 23d, and light trooj)s, saved the army. Of the 5th, it is said, that, when the day broke, not a man v>as missing ;and, that a part of the 23d, under Major Armstrong, was found sustaining its left tlank } their fire wa^ irresistible, and the enemy was compelled to give way. Could he have been pressed, the next morning, his destruction was inevitable ; he was dispersed in eve- ry direction, atid even his commanding general was mis- »*ing. without his hat or hor«e. I understand lie was found the next nioriiinj,', at a distance of four miles from, the scene of action. f/ieut. M''Chesney''s gallantry recovered a piece of" artillery, and prevented the capture of others :: — he merits promotion for it. On the evening of tb(i 6th of June, I received the or- der No. 4, and joined the army at 5 in the afternoon of the 7th. I found it at ti>e Forty Mile Crtek, 10 miles- in the rear of the ground on which it had been attacked,, encamped on a plain, of about a mile in width, with it& right flank on the lake, and its left on a creek, which: skirts a perpendicular mountain, of a considerable heighfh. — On mv route, I received Nos. 5 and 6,, en- cloced.. 23* 270 RISE AND PROGRESS OF At 6 in the evening, the hostile fleet hove in sight, though its character could not be ascertained with pre- cision. We laj on our arms all night — at dawn of day, struck our tents, and descried the hostile squadron abreast of us, about a nnile from the shore. Our boats, which transported the principal part of our baggage, and camp equipage, lay on the beach — it was a dead calm ; and, about 6, the enemy towed in a large schooner, which opened her lire on our boats. As soon as she stood for the shore, her object being evident, I ordered down Archer's and Towson's companies, with four pie- ces of artillery, to resist her attempts ; I, at the same time, sent Capt. Totten, of the engineers, (a most valu- able officei',) to construct a temporary furnace, for heat- ing shot ; which was prepared, and in operation, in less 30 minutes. Her fire was returned with vivacity and effect (excelled by no artillery in the universe,) which soon compelled her to retire. A party of savges now made their appearance, ou the brow of the mountain, (which, being perfectly bald^ exhibited them to our view,) and commenced a fire on our camp. I ordered Col. Christie to dislodge them, who entered on the service with alacrity — but found himself anticipated by Lieut. Eldridge. the adjutant of his regiment, who, with a promptness and gallantry highly honorable to that young oificer, had already gain- ed the summit of the mountain, with a party of volun- teers, and routed the barbarian allies of tlic defender of the Christian faith; — this young man merits the notice of government. These little affairs cost ns not a man. Sir James L. Yeo, being disappointed of a tragedy, next determined, in true dramatic style, t'^ amuse us with a farce: — an officer, with a flag, was sent to me, from his ship, ad- vising me, that, as I was invested with savages in my rear, a fleet in ray front, and a powerful army on my flank, he, and the oflScers commanding his Britan- nic majeaty'g land forces, thought it their duty to de- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 371 mand a surrender of my army. I answered, that the message was too ridiculous to oierit a reply. No. 7 was delivered to me, at about 6, this morn- ing. — Between 7 and 8 o'clock, the four waggons we had, being loaded first with the sick, and next with am- munition, &c. the residue of camp equipage and bag- gage was put in the boats, and a detachment of 200 men, of the 6th regiment, detailed to proceed in them. Orders were prepared, to be given them, to defend the boats ; and, if assailed by any of the enemy's small vessels, to carry them by boarding ; by some irregulari- ty, which 1 have not been able to discover, the boats put off without the detachments, induced, probably^ by the stillness of the morning. When they had progres- sed about three miles, a breeze sprung up, and an armed schooner overhauled them : — those who were enterprising, kept on, and escaped ; others ran to the shore, and deserted their boats — we lost 12 of the num- ber, principally containing the baggage of the officer* and men. At 10, I put our army in motion, on our return to this place ; the savages, and incorporated militia, hung on our flanks and rear, throughout the march, and picked up a i'dw stragglers. On our retiring, the British army advanced, and, now occupies the ground we left. The enemy's fleet is constantly hovering on our coast, and interrupting our supplies. The night before last, having been advised that they had chased into Eighteen Mile Creek, two vessels laden with hospital stores, &c. 1 detaclied, at midnight, 73 men, for their protection. The report of the day is, though not offi- cial, that they arrived too late for their purpose, and that the stores are lost. 1 have the honor, ( a letter from Major-General Lewis, lo the Secrfetnr/ of War, diitod SachtCs Harbor, July 20, 1813. Our fleet has gone out of the inner harbor, and ap- pearances are in favor of its going to sea, in 48 hours, at farthest. — A little expedition, of volunteers frotn the country, to which, by the advice of Commodore Chaun- cey, I lent 40 soldiers, sailed from hence three days »ince, on board of two small row-boats, with a 6 pound- er, each, to the head of the St. Lawrence, where they captured a fine gunboat, mounting a 24 pounder ; 14 $76 RISE AND PROGRESS OF batteaux, loaded ; 4 oflkers, and 16 men. Two of our schooners have gone out to convoy them in; the pria- oners have been huided, and are coming on, under charge of a detachment of dragoons. I have the honor, &ic. M. LEWIS. FURTHER PROCEEDINGS. Copy of a letter from CommoJore Channcey, to the Secretary of the Navy, duled U. S. S. Gen. Pike, al anchor, off J^iagara, .'Jug. 4, 1813. Sir, After leaving Sackett's Harbor, I stretched over for the enemy's shore, and from tiience stood up the lake. The winds being light, I did not arrive otf this port un- til the evening of the 27th ult. On the 24th, I fell in with the Lady of the Lake, on her return to Sackett's Harbor, with prisoners, from fort Geoige. I transfer- red the prisoners to the Raven, and ordered her to Sack- ett's Harbor ; the Lady of the Lake, I despatched to fort George for guides, for the head of the Jake. (Jen. Boyd having informed me, that the enemy had a considerable dcpotit of provisions and stores at Bur- lington Bay, 1 was doteimined to attempt their destruc- tion. On the 25lh, 1 was joined by the Pert, and on the 27th, by the Lady of the Lakt-, with guides, and C/apt. Crane's company of artillery, and Col. Scott, wiio had very handsomely volunteered for the service. -After conversing with Col. Scott on the subject, it was thouiiht advisable to take on board 250 infantry — which were embarked by C, o'clock next morning, and the fleet inunediately proceeded for the head of the lake ; but, owing to light winds, and calms, we did not arrive to an anchorage before the evening of the 29lb. We sent two parties on shore, and surprized and took some of the inhabitants ; from whom we learned, that the ene- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 277 my had received considerable reinforcements, within a day or two ; and that his force, in the regulars, was from GOO to 800 men. We, however, landed the troops and marines, and some sailors, next morning, and recori* noitered the enemy's position — found him posted upon a peninsula of very high ground, strongly entrenched, and his camp defended by about 8 pieces of cannon. In this situation, it was thought not advisable to attack him, with a force scarcely half his numbers, and without artillery ; we were also deficient in boats, not having a sufBcient number to cross the bay, with all the troops at the same time. The men were all rc-embarked, in the course of the afternoon ; and, in the evening, we weighed, and stood for York — arrived, and ancliored in that harbor, at about 3, P. M. on the 31st ult. — run the schooners into the upper harbor ; landed the marines and soldiers, un- der command of Col. Scott, without opposition ; found several hundred barrels of flour, and provisions, in the public store-house ; five pieces of cannon, eleven boats, and a quantity of shot, shells, and other stores ; all which were either destroyed or brought away. On the 1st instant, just after having received on boatd all that the vessels could take, I directed the barracks, and public stores, to be burnt ; we then re-embarked the men, and arrived at this place yesterday. Four or five hundred men left York, for the head of the lake, two days before we arrived there. A few prisoners were taken ; a part of them were paroled — the others were left at fort George. I have the honor, ire. I. CHAUNCEY. Hon. Sec"'y. Navy. General Proctor at the same time, at the head of a strong party of regulars, Canadians and Indians, at- tempted to surprise fort Meigs, on the Miami of the 24 273 RI5E AND PROGRESS OF lake, and port Siephenson, on the Sandusky, both of which failed ; but at the lattci', the enemy met with de- | feat and disgrace. DEFENCE OF LOWER SANDUSKY. Copy of a letter from Major Croglian, to Gen. Harrison, dateJ, Lower Sandusky, August 5, 1813. I Dear Sir, I have the honor to inform you, that the combined torce of (he enemy, amounting to, at leajt, 600 regulars, and as many Indians, under the immediate command of (len. IVoctor, made its appearance before this place, early on Sunday evening last; and, so soon as the Gen- eral had made such dispositions of his troop?, as would cot off my retreat, (should I be disposed to mak« one,) he sent Col. Elliot, accompanied by Major Chambers, with a flag, to demand the surienderof the fort, as he was anxious to spare the elfusion of blood; which he should probably not have in his power to do, should he be reduced to the necessity of taking the j)Iace by storm. My answer to the summons was, that I was determined to defend the place, to the last extremity and that no force, however large, should induce mc to surrender it. So soon as the flag had returned, a brisk fire was opened upon us, from the gun-boat^, in the river, and from a tivc and a half inch howitzer, on shore, which was kept up with little intermission, throughout the night. At an early hour, the next morning, three sixes, (which had been placed, during the night, within 250 yards of the pickets,) began to play upon us — but with little effect. About 4 o'clock, P. M. discovering that the fire, from all his guns, was concentrated agains-t the N. W. angle of the fort, I became cokfident that his object was to make a breach, aiid attempt to storm the works at that point: i. theiefore< ordered out as many men, as could be em- ployed, for the purpose of strengthening that part — THE AMERICAN NAVY. 2/9 which was so effectually secured, by means of bags of flour, sand, &c. that the picketing suffered liltle or no injury; notwithstanding which, the enemy, about 500, having formed in close column, advanced to assault our works, at the expected point; at the same time making two feints on the front of Capt. Hunter's lines. The column, which advanced against the north-western an- gle, consisting of about 350 men, was so completely en- veloped in smoke, as not to be discovered, until it had approached within 18 or 20 paces of the line; but, the men being all at their posts, and ready to receive it, commenced so heavy and galling afire, as to throw the column a little into confusion ; being quickly rallied, it advanced to the outworks, and began to 1 ap into the ditch ; just at that moment, a fire of grape was opened, from our 6 pounder, (which had been previously arran- ged, so as to rake in that direction,) which, together with the musquetr}^ threw them into such confusion, that they were compelled to retire, precipitately, t) the woods. — During the assault, which lasted about half an hour, an incessant fire was kept up by the en*em/'s ar- tillery, (which consisted of five sixes, ajid a how tzer,) but without effect. My who'c loss, during the siege, was one killed, and seven slightly wonnded. The loss of the enemy, in killed, wounded and prisoners, must exceed 150. One Lieut. Colonel, a Lieutenant, aid 50 Tank and file were found in and about the ditch, deid or wounded ; those of the remainder, who were not able to escape, were taken off, during the night, by the Indians. Seventy stand of arms, and several brace of pistols, have been collected nein- the W0|ks. About 3, in the morning, the enemy sailed down \,he river, leaving be- hind them a boat, containiag cloth '"gi ^J^*! considerable military stores. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the officers, Don-commissioned officer^, and privates, under my com- 280 I^ISE AND PROGRESS OF mand, for their gallantry, and good conduct, during the siege. Yours, with respect, G. CROGHAN, Maj. 17th U. S. Inf. Comg. Governor Huntington, in a letter to the P. Master General, states the force of Maj. Croghan to have beeu but 160 men ! CHAPTER XXV. General Operations Continued. PERRY'S VICTORY. The g^eral movements for the reduction of Cana- da, were now completed ; the fleets on lake Erie and Ontario, were about equal, and ready for action. The American forces under general Harrison, moved to- wards Detroit. An action commenced at the same time, on lake Erie, between the American fleet, under the command of commodore Perry, and the British fleet, under the command of commodore Barclay, Sep- tember 10, 1813. The fleets were nearly equal.* Commodore Barclay, an old, experienced ofticer, in the school of Nelson, had seen much service. Commodore Perry was a young ofticer, and without much experience. Tlie conflict commenced on the part of the enemy, about noon ; the action soon became general and des- perate. Commodore Perry's ship, (Lawrence) being disabled, he changed his flag on board the Niagara, in *The British force consisted of five vessels and 63 guiu. The American force of niae vewels aad64guns. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 281 »n open boat, in the heat of the action, and at once bore down upon tlie enemy ; broke through their line, and the fleets were closely engaged. The action was short and terrible. The whole British squadron surren- dered to commodore Perry. The commodore announced this victory to geneial Harrison, in the following style : "Dear general — VV^e have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs and one sloop. Yours with respect and esteem, O. H. PERRY. September 10th, 1813." fuPlTHbr account. Copy of a letter from Commodore Perry, to the Secretary of tb« Navy. U. States schooner Ariel^ Pat-in-Baij, 3th, Sept. 1813. Sir, In my last, I informed you that we had captured the enemy's fleet, on this lake. 1 have now the honor to give you (he most important particulars of the action: On the morning of the 1 0th instant, at sun-rise, they ■were discovered in Put-in-Bay, when 1 lay at anchor, with the squadron under my command. We got under weigh, the wind light at S. VV. and stood for them ; — at 10, A. M. the wind hauled to S. E. and brought us to windward ; formed ti^e line, and bore up. At 15 min- utes before 1 2, the er.emy commenced firing ; at 6 min- utes before 12 the action commenced on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, owing to their long guns, and its being mostly directed at the Lawrence, I made sail, and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy — every brace and bow line being soon shot away, she became wnt- 24* 282 RISE AND PROGRESS OF manageable, notwithstanding (he great exertions of the- sailing-master. In this situation, she sustained the ac- tion upwards of two hours, within canister distance, until everj^ gun was rendered useless, and the greater part of the crew either killed or wounded. Finding she could no longer annoy the enemy, I left her in charge of Lieut. Yarncll, who, I was convinced, by the bravery already displayed by him, would do what would comport with the honor of the flag. At half past 2, the wind springing up. Captain Elliot was enabled to bring his vessel, the Niagara, gallantly into close action ; I immediately went on board of her when he anticipa- ted my w^ish, by volunteering to bring the schooners, which had been kept astern by the lightness of the wind, into close action. It was with unspeakable pain that I saw, soon after I got on board of the Niagara, the flag of the Lawrence comedown ; although I was perfectly sensible that fhe had been defended to the last, and that to have conti- nued to make a show of resistance, would have been a wanton sacrifice of the remains of her brave crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of lier, and circumstances soon permitted her flag again to be hois- ted. At 45 minuted past '2, the signal was made for " close action ;" the Niagara being very little injured, 1 determine fortify, and wait to receive me. He must have believed, however, that I had no disposi- tion to follow him, or that he had secured my continu- ance here by the reports that were circulated, that the Indians would attack and destroy this place, upon the advance of the army — as he neglected to commence the breaking up the bridges, until the night of the 2d in- stant ; — on that night, our army reached the river, which is 25 mires from Sandwich, and is one of four streams, crossing our route, over all of which are bridges ; and, being deep and muddy, are not fordable for a considera- ble distance into the country : the bridge here, was found entire ; and in the morning, I proceeded, with Johnson's regiment, 'to save, if possible, the others. At the sec- ond bridge, over a branch of the river Thames, we were fortunate enough to capture a Lieutenant of Dragoons, and 1 1 privates, who had been sent by General iVoctor to destroy them. From the prisoners, I learned that the third bridge was btokcn up, and that the enemy had no certain information of our advance ; — the bridge, having been imperfectly destroyed, was soon repaiied. and the army encamped at Drake's farm, 4 miles below Dalson's. — The river Thames, along the banks of which our route lay, is a fine deep stream, navigable for ves- sels of considerable burthen ; after the passage of the bar, at its mouth, there is six and a half feet water. The baggage of the army was brought from Detroit in boats, protected by three gun-boats which Commodore Perry had furnished for the purpose, as well as to cover the passage of the army over the Thames itself, or the mouths of its tributary streams ; the banks being low, and the country generally open, (priaries,) as high as Dalson's, these vessels, were well calculated for that pur- pose. Above Dalson's however, the character of the river and adjacent country is considerably changed ; the former, though stil' deep, is very narrow, and its bank« ijigh and woody. THE AMERICAN NaVT. 289 The Commodore and myself, therefore, agreed upoa the propriety of leaving the boats under a guard of 150 infantry ; «nd I determined to trust to fortune, and the bravery of my troops, to effect the passage of the river. Below a place called Chatham, and 4 miles above Dalson's, is the third unfordable branch of the Thames ; the bridge over its mouth had been taken up by the Indians, as well as that at M'Gregor's mills, one mile above. Several hundred of the Indians remained to dispute our passage, and upon the arrival of the ad- vanced guard commenced a heavy fire from the oppo- site bank of the creek, as well as that of the river. Be- lieving that the whole force of the enemy was there, I halted the army, and formed in order of battle ; and brought up our two six pounders, to cover the party that were ordered to repair the bridge ; a few shot from those pieces, soon drove off the Indians, and ena- bled us, in two hours, to repair the bridge, and cross the troops. Col. Johnson's mounted regiment, being upon the right of the army, had seized the remains of the bridge at the mills, under a heavy fire from the Indians. Our loss, upon this occasion, was 2 killed, and 3 or 4 wounded — that of the enemy was ascertained to be con- siderably greater. A house, near the bridge, containing a considerable number of musquets, had been set on fire ; but it was extinguished by our troops, and the arms saved. At the first farm, above the bridge, we found one of the enemy's vessels on fire, loaded with arms and ordnance stores ; and learned that they were a few miles ahead of us, still on the right bank of the river, with a great body of Indians. At Bowles' farm, 4 miles from the bridge, we halted for the night ; found two other vessels, and a large distillery, filled with ordnance and other valuable stores, to an im- mense amount, in flames ; .it was impossible to put out the fire — two 24 prs. with their carriages, were taken, with a large quantity of ball and shell, of various sizes. The army was put in motion, early on the morning 25 290 RISE AND PROGRESS OF of the 5th. I pushed on, in advance, with the mounted regiment, and requested Gov. Shelby to follow, as expe- ditiously as possible, w^ith the infantry ; the Governor's zeal, and that of liis men, enabled them to keep up with the cavalry ; and, by 9 o'clock, we were at Arnold's mills, having taken, in the course of the morning, two gun boats, and several batteaux, loaded with provisions and ammunition. A rapid, at the river at Arnold's mills, atTords the only fording to be met with, for a very considerable distance ; but upon examination, it was found too deep for the infantry. Having, fortunately, taken two or three boats, and some Indian canoes, on the spot, and obliging the horsemen to take a footman behind each, the whole were safely crossed by 1 2 o'clock. Eight miles from the crossing, we passed a farm where a part of the British troops had encamped the night be- fore, under the command of Col. Warburton ; the de- tachment, under General Proctor, had arrived, the day before, at the Moravian towns, four miles higher up. Being now certainly near the enemy, I directed the advance of Johnson's regiment to accelerate their march for the purpose of procuring intelligence; the oflScer commanding it, in a short time, sent to inform me, that his progress was stopped by the enemy, who were form- ed across our line of march : one of the enemy's wag- goners also being taken prisoner, from the information received from him, and my own observation, assisted by gome of my officers, I soon ascertained enough of their disposition, and order of battle to determine that, which it was proper for me to adopt. I have the honor, herewith, to enclose to you my gen- eral order, of the 27th ult. prescribing the order of march, and of battle, when the whole army should act together; but as the number and description of the troops had been essentially changed, since the issuing the order, it became necessary to make a corresponding alteration in their disposition. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 291 From the place where our army was last halted, to the Moravian towns, a distance of about three and a half miles, the road passes through a beach forest, with- out any clearing ; and, for the first two miles, near to the bank of the river ; at from 2 to 300 yards from the river, a swamp extends parallel to it, throughout the whole distance ; the intermediate ground is dry, and, although the trees are tolerably thick, it is in many pla- ces clear of underbrush ; across the strip of land, its left appuayed u^on the river, supported by artillery, pla- ced in the wood ; their right in the swamp, covered by the whole of their Indian force — the British troops were drawn up. The troops, at my disposal, consisted of about 120 regulars of the 27th regiment, five brigades of Kentucky volunteers, militia infantry, under his excellency Gov- ernor Shelby, averaging less than 500 men ; and Col. Johnson's regiment of mounted infantry, making in the whole, an aggregate of something above 3000. No dis- position of an army, opposed to an Indian force, can be safe, unless it is secured on the flanks, and in the rear ; I had, therefore, no difficulty in arranging the infantry, conformably to my general order of battle. General Trotter's brigade, of 500 men, formed the front line ; his right upon the road — his left upon the swamp •, Gen. King's brigade, as a second line, 150 yards in the rear of Trotter's ; and Chile's brigade, as a corps of reserve, in the rear ofit — these three brigades formed the com- mand of Maj. Gen. Henry ; the whole of Gen. Desha's division, consisting of two brigades, were formed, en potence, upon the left of Trotter. Whilst I was engaged in forming the infantry, I had directed Col. Johnson's regiment, which was still in front, to be formed in two lines, opposite to the enemy ; and, upon the advance of the infantry, to take th« ground upon the left ; and, forming upon the flank, to endeavor to turn the right of the Indians^ 292 RISE AND PROGRESS OF A moment's reflection, however, convinced me, that? from the thickness of the woods, and swampiness of the ground, they would be unable to do any thing on horse- back — and there was no time to dismount them, and place their horses in security ; I, therefore, determined to refuse my left to the Indians, and to break the Brit- ish lines, at once, by a charge of the mounted infantry. The measure was not sanctioned by any thing that I had seen or heard of, but I was fully convinced that it would succeed. The American back- woodsmen ride better in the woods than any other people ; a musquet, or rifle, is no impediment to them, being accustomed to carry them, on horseback, from their earliest youth. I wa» persuaded, too, that the enemy would be quite unpre- pared for the shock, and that they could not resist it. Conformablyto this idea, I directed the regiment to be drawn up in close column, with its right at the distance of 50 yards upon the road; (that it might be, in some measure, protected by the trees, from the artillery,) its left upon the swamp, and to charge, at full speed, as soon as the enemy delivered their fire. The few regu- lar troops, of the 27th, under their Colonel, (Paul) oc- cupied, in columns of four, the small space^between the poad and the river, for the purpose of seizing the ene- my's artillery ; and some, 10 or 12, friendly Indians were directed to move under the bank. The crotchet, formed by the front line, and Gen. Desha's division, was an important point ; at this place the venerable gover- nor of Kentucky was posted, who, at the age of 66, pre- serves all the vigor of youth — ^the ardent zeal, which distinguished him in the revolutionary war — and the un- daunted bravery, which he manifested at King's Moun- tain. With my aids-de-camp, the acting assistant Adju- tant Gen. Capt. Butler ; my gallant friend. Com. Perry, who did me the honor to serve as my volunteer aid-de- camp, and Brig. Gen. Cass, who, having no command, tendered me his assistance — I placed myself at the head of the front line of infantry, to direct the movements of THE AMERICAN NAVY. 293- the cavalry, and give them the necessary support. The army had moved on, in this order, but a short distance, vrhen the mounted men received the fire of the British line, and were ordered to charge ; the horses, in the front of the column, recoiled from the fire ; another was given by the enemy, and our column, at length get- ting in motion, broke through the enemy with irresisti- ble force. In one minute the contest, in front, was over. The British officers, seeing no hopes of reducing their disordered ranks to order, and our mounted men wheeling upon them, and pouring in a destructive fire, immediately surrendered. It is certain that three only, of our troops, were wounded in this charge. Upon the left, however, the contest was more severe, with the In- dians : Col. Johnson, who commanded on that flank of his regiment, received a most galling fire from them, which was returned with great efiect. The Indians, still further to the right, advanced, and fell in with our frontline of infantry, near its junction with Desha's di- vision, and, for a moment, made an impression upon it. Mis excellency. Gov. Shelby, however, brought up a regiment to its support ; and the enemy, receiving a se- vere fire in front, and a part of Johnson's regiment hav- ing gained their rear, retreated with precipitation. Their loss was considerable in the action, and many were killed in their retreat. I can give no s:itisfactory information of the num- ber of Indians that were in the action ; but they must have been considerably upwards of one thousand. From the documents in my possession, (Gen. Proctor's official letters, all of which were taken) and from the information of respectable inhabitants of this territory, the Indians, kept in pay by the British, were much more numerous than has been generally supposed. In a letter to Gen. De Rottenburg, of the 27th inst. Gen. Proctor speaks of having prevailed upon most of the Indians to accompany him ; of these, it ii certain that 50 or 60 Wyandot warriors abandoned him. 25* 294 ^^E AND PROGRESS OF The number of our troops was certainly greater than that of the enemy ; but, when it is recollected that they had chosen a position, which effectually secured their flank which it was impossible for us to turn; and that we could not present to them a line more extended than their own, it will not be considered arrogant to claim, for my troops, the palm of superior bravery. In communicating to the President, through you sir,, my opinion of the conduct of the officers, who served under my command, I am at a loss how to 'mention that of Gov. Shelby, being convinced that no eulogium of mine can reach his merits ; the governor of an in- dependent state — greatly my superior in years, in expe- rience, and in military character — he placed himself under my command ; and was not more remarkable for his zeal and activity, than for the promptitude and cheerfulness with which he obeyed my orders. The Major-Generals, Henry and Desha, and the Brig- adiers, Allen, Caldwell, Chiles, and Trotter, all of the Kentucky volunteers, manifested great zeal and activi- It would be useless, sir, after stating the circumstan- ces of the action, to pass encomiums upon Col. John- son, and his regiment^ — veterans could not have mani. fested more firmness ; the Colonel's numerous wounds prove that he was in the post of danger. Lieut. Col. James Johnson, and the Majors Payne and Thompson, were equally active, though more fortunate. Major Wood, of the engineers, already distinguished, by his conduct at fort Meigs, attended the army with two 6 pounders ; having no use for them in the action, he join- ed in the pursuit of the enemy; and, with Maj. Payne, of the mounted regiment, two of my aids-de-camp, Todd and Chambers, and three privates, continued it for several miles after the troops had halted, and made many prisoners. I left the army before an official return of the prison- ers, or that of the killed and wounded, was made out ; THE AMERICAN NAVY. 295 it was, however, ascertained, that the former amounted to 601 regulars, including 25 officers. Our loss is sev- en killed, and 22 wounded, five of which have since di- ed- Of the British troops, 12 were killed, and 22 wounded ; the Indians suffered most — 33 of thera hav- ing been found upon the ground, besides those killed on the retreat. On the day of the action, six pieces of brass artillery were taken — and 2 iron 24 pounders, the day be- fore ; — several others were discovered in the river, and can be easily procured. Of the brass pieces, 3 are the trophies of our revolutionary war, that were taken at Saratoga and York, and surrendered by General Hull. The number of small arms, taken by us, and destroyed by the enemy, must amount to upwards of 5000 ; most of them had been ours, and taken by the enemy at the surrender of Detroit, at the river Raisin, and at Col. Dudley's defeat. I believe that the enemy retain no other trophy of their victories, than the starid'ardof the 4th regiment ; they were not magnanimous enough to bring that of the 41st into the field, or it would have been taken. You have been informed, sir, of the con- duct of the troops, under my command, in action; it gives me great pleasure to inform you, that they merit, also, the approbation of their country,, for their con- duct — in submitting to tlie greatest privations, with the utmost cheerfulness. The infantry were entirely without tents ; and, for leveral days, the whole army subsisted upon fresh beef, without bread or salt. — Gen. Proctor escaped by the fleetness of his horses, escorted by 40 dragoons, and a number of Indians. I hare the honor, &e. WILLIAM H. HARRISON. Hon. J. ARMSTRONG, Sec'^y Wari 296 RISE AND PROGRESS OF TREATY WITH THE INDIANS. Extract of a letter from Gen. M'Arthur, to the Secretary of War, dated Detroit, October 6th, 1813. On our arrival at Sandwich, my brigade was ordered across the river to disperse some Indians, who were pil- laging the town, and to take possession of thie place. Information was received, that several thousand In- dians had retired a small distance into the woods, with instructions to attack Gen. Harrison's army, on its passage, for the purpose of retarding its progress ; con- sequently, my brigade was left to garrison this place. Since General Harrison's departure, five nations of Indians, viz. — Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottewatamies, Miamies, and Kickapoos, who were but a few miles back, have come in for peace ; and I have agreed that hostihties should cease, for the present, on the following conditions : — they have agreed to take hold of the same tomahawk with us, and to strike all who are, or may be enemies to the United States, whether British or Indians ; they are to bring in a number of their wo- men and children, and leave them as hostages, whilst they accompany us to war. Sonie of them have al- ready brought in their women, and are drawing ra- tions. I have just received a note, from General Harrison, advising, that he had last evening overtaken Gen. Proc- tor's force, and had gained a complete ^ ictory ; all the principal officers were in his possession, except Gen. Proctor; which, no doubt, ends the war in this quar- ter. I have the honor, &ic. DUNCAN M'ARTHUR. Hob. 5ecN/ of War, THE AMERICAN NAVY. 997 CHAPTER XXVII. General Operations Continued, SIR JAMES YEO'S MODE OF FIGHTING. Extract of a letter from Com. Isaac Chauncey, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated On board the U. S. S- Gen. Pike, off Duck Island, Sept. 13, 1813. Sir, On the 7th, at day-Hght, the enemy's fleet was dis- covered close in with the Niagara river, wind from the southward — made the signal, weighed with the fleet, (prepared for action) and stood out of the river, after him. He immediately made all sail to the northward ; we made sail in chase, with our heavy schooners in tow — and have continued the chase, all round the lake, night and day, until yesterday morning, when he suc- ceeded in getting into Amherst-Bay, which is so littla known to our pilots, and said to be so full of shoals, that they are not willing to take me in there. I shall, however, (unless driven from my station by a gale of wind,) endeavor to watch him so close, as to prevent his getting out upon the lake. During our long chase, we frequently got within from one to two miles of the enemy ; but our heavy-sailing schooners prevented our closing in with him, until the 1 1th, off Genesee river ; we carried a breeze with us, while he lay becalmed, to within about three-fourths of a mile of him, when he took the breeze, and we had a running-fight of three and a half hours ; but, by his superior sailing, he es- caped me, and run into Amherst-Bay, yesterday morn- ing. In the course of our chase, on the 1 1th, I got ser- eral broadsides, from this ship, upon the enemy, which must have done him considerable injury, as many of S98 RISE AND PROGRESS OP the shot were seen to strike him, and people were ob- served, over the side, plugging shot holes ; a few shot struck our hull, and a little rigging wa3 cut, but nothing of importance — not a man was hurt. I was much disappointed, that Sir James refused to fight me, as he was so much superior in point of force, both in guns and men — having upwards of 20 guns more than we have, and throws a greater weight of shot. This ship, the Madison, and Sylph, have each a 8chr. constantly in tow ; yet the others cannot sail as fast as the enemy's squadron, which gives him decidedly the ad- vantage, and puts it in his powar to engage me when and how he chooses. I have the honor, &c, ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Hon. W. JONES, (Sec'?/ Navy* THE JULIA AND GROWLER RE-CAPTURED. Copy of a letter from Commodore Chauncey, to the Secretary of th« Navy, dated U. S. S. Gen. Pike, SackeWs Harbor, October 6th, 1813. Sir, I have the pleasure to inform you, that I arrived here this morning with five of the enemy's vessels, which I fell in with, and captured last evening, olTthe Ducks ; these virere part of a fleet of seven sail, which left York, on Sunday, with 234 troops on board, bound to Kings- ton. Of this fleet, five were captured, one burnt, and one escaped. The prisoners, amounting to nearly 300, besides having upwards of 300 of our troops on board, from Niagara, induced me to run into port, for the purpose of landing both. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 999 I have an additional pleasure in informing you, that amongst the captured vessels, are the late U. S. schrs. Julia and Growler ; the others are gun-vessels. I have the honor, &;c. ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Hon. W. JONES, Sec^t/ J^avy. FURTHER PROCEEDINGS. Copy of a letter from Commodore Chauncey, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated U. S. S. Gen. Pike, o^ Magara, October], 1813. Sir, On the'26th ult. it was reported to me, that the ene- my's fleet was in York. I immediately despatched the Lady of the Lake to look into York, and ascertain the fact ; she returned in the evening with the information, that the enemy was in York bay. I immediately pre- pared to weigh ; but, owing to a strong wind from N. N. E. was not able to get out of the river before the eve- ning of the 27th ; and, owing to the extreme darkness of the night, a part of the squadron got separated, and didnot join before next morning, at 8, A. M. On the 28th, the Gen. Pike, Madison, and Sylph, each took a schooner in tow, and made all sail for York ; soon after, discovered the enemy's fleet in York bay, shaped our course for him, and prepared for action ; he per- ceived our intention of engaging him in his position — tacked and stood out of the bay, wind at east. I form- ed the line and run down for his centre : when we had approached within about 3 miles, he made all sail to the southward ; I wore in succession, and stood on the same tack with him, edging down gradually in order to close. At 10 minutes, past meridian, the enemy, finding we 500 I^ISE AND PROGRESS OF were closing fast with him, and that he must either risk an action, or suffer his two rear vessels to be cut off, he tacked in succession, beginning at the van, hoisted his colours, and commenced awell directed fire at this ship, for the purpose of covering his rear, and attacking our rear as he passed to leeward. Perceiving his intention, I determined to disappoint him ; and, therefore, aa soon as the Wolf, (the leading ship,) passed the centre of his line, and a-beam of us, I bore up in succession, (pre- serving our line, for the enemy's centre ;) this manoeu- vre not only covered our rear, but hove him in confu- sion ; he immediately bore away. We had, however, closed so near as to bring our guns to bear with effect ; and, in 20 minutes, the main and mizen top-mast, and main yard of the Wolf was shot away ; he immediately put before the wind — was enabled to out sail most of our squadron ; as it brought all the sail upon one mast, he did not feel the loss of his main and mizen top-mast. I continued the chase until near three o'clock, during which time I was en- abled, in this ship, (with the Asp in tow,) to keep in point-blank shot of the enemy, and sustained the whole tire during the chase. Capt. Crane, in the Madison, and Lieut. Brown, in the Oneida, used every exertion to close with the enemy ; but the Madison having a heavy schooner in tow, and the Oneida sailing very dull before the wind, prevented those officers from clo- sing near enough to do any execution with their carron- ades. The Gov. Tompkins kept in her station ; until her foremast was so badly wounded, as to oblige her to shorten sail. Lieut. Finch, of the Madison, who com- manded her for this cruise, (owing to the indisposition of Lieut. Pettigrew,) behaved with great gallantry, and is an officer of much promise. Capt. Wolsey, of the Sylph, was kept astern by the Ontario, which he had in tow, but did considerable execution with his heavy guns. At 15 minutes before 3, P. M. I very reluctant- ly relinquished the pursuit of a beaten enemy ; the rea- The AMERICAN NAVY. 301 sons which led to this determination, were such as, I flatter myself, you will approve — they were these : At the time I gave up the chase, this ship was mak- ing so much water, that it required all our pumps to heep her free, owing to our receiving several shot so much below the waters edge, that we could not plug the holes from the outside. The Gov. Tompkins with her foremast gone, and the squadron within about 6 miles of the head of the lake, blowing a gale of wind from the east, and increasing, with a heavy sea on, and every appearance of the equinox. I considered, that if I chased the enemy to his an- chorage, at the head of the lake, I should be obliged to anchor ^Iso ; and although we might succeed in driving him on shore, the probability was, (hat we should go on shore also : he amongst his friends — we amongst our enemies ; and, after the gale abated, if he could suc- ceed in getting off one or two vessels out of the two fleets, would give him as completely the command of the lake, as if he had 20 vessels; moreover, he was covered, at his anchorage, by a part of his army, and several small batteries thrown up for the purpose ; threfore, if we could have rode out the gale, we should have been cut up by their shot from the shore. Under all these circumstance, and taking into view the conse- quences resulting from the loss of our superiority on the lake, at this time, 1, without hesitation, relinquished the opportunity, then presenting itself, of acquiring in- dividual reputation, at the expense of my country. The loss sustained by this ship was considerable, owing to her being so long exposed to the fire of the whole of the enemy's fleet ; but our most serious loss was oc- casioned by the bursting of one of our guns, which killed and wounded 22 men, and tore up the top-gal- lant forecastle, which rendered the gun, upon that deck, useless. We had 4 other guns cracked in the muzzle, which rendered their use extremely doubtful. Our main top-gallant mast was shot away in the early 26 302 RISE AND PROGRESS OF part of the action ; and the bowsprit, fore and main-mast wounded ; rigging and sails much cut up, and a num- ber of shot in our hull — several of which were between wind and water ; and 27 men killed and wounded in- cluding those by the bursting of the gun. The Madi- son received a few shot, but no person hurt on board ; the Gov. Tompkins lost her foremast, and the Oneida her main top-mast badly wounded ; we have, however, repaired all our damages, and are ready to meet the enemy. During our chase, one if not two of the enemy's ves- sels were completely in our power — if I could have been satisfied with so partial a victory ; but 1 was so sure of the whole, that I passed them unnoticed; by which means they finally escaped. I have the honor, to be &c. ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Hon. W. Jones, Sec. of the Naw. CHAPTER XXVIII. General Operations Continued. About the 1st of Nov. Gen. Wilkinson took the com- mand of the northern army ; moved his whole force to Sackett's harbour, and from there down the St. Law- rence to Ogdensburg, where he issued his proclamation, and appointed a meeting with Gen. Hampton at St. Re- gis, which failed. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 303 PROCLAMATION. JAMES WILKINSON, Major-General, and Commander in Chief of an Expedition against the Canadas, to the Inhabitants thereof : The army of the United States, which I have the honor to command, invades these Provinces — to con- quer, and not to destroy ; to subdue the forces of his Britannic majesty, not to war against his unoffending subjects. Those, therefore, among you, who remain quiet at home, should victory inchne to the American standard, shall be protected in their persons and pro- perty ; but those who are found in arms, must necessa- rily be treated as avowed enemies. To menace, is unjust — to seduce, dishonorable — yet it is just and humane to place these alternatives, before you. Done at the Head-Quarters of the Army of the United States, this 6th day of November, 1813, near Og- densburg, on the St. Lawrence. JAxMES WILKINSON. By the General's command, N. PINKNEY, Major, and A. D. C. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. From Gen. Wilkinson, to the Secretary of War. Head-Quarters, French Mills, adjoining the Province of Lower Canada, Mvember IG, 1813. Sir, I beg leave to refer you to the journal, which accom- panies this letter, for the particulars of the movements of the corps, under my eommand, down the St. Law- rence, and will endeavor to exert my enfeebled mind to 304 RISE AND PROGRESS OF detail to you the more striking and important incidents, which have ensued my departure from Grenadier Isl- and, at the foot of Lake Ontario, on the 3d instant. The corps of the enemy, at Kingston, wliich followed me, hung on my rear ; and, in concert with a heavy galley, and a few gun-boats, seemed determined to re- tard my progress. I was strongly tempted to halt — turn about, and put an end to his teazing; but, alas! I was confined to my bed — Maj. Gen. Lewis was too ill for any active exertion ; and, above all, I did not dare suf- fer myself to be diverted, a single day, from a prosecu- tion of the views of government. I had written Maj. Gen. Hampton, on the 6th inst. by his Adjutant Gener- al, Col. King, and had ordered him to form a junction with me, on the St. Lawrence, which I expected would take place on the 9th or 10th. It would have been un- pardonable, had 1 lost sight of this object, a moment, as I deemed it of vital importance to the issue of the campaign. The enemy deserve credit for their zeal and intelli- gence, which the active, universal hostility, of the male inhabitants of the country enabled them to employ, to the greatest advantage. Thus, while menaced by a respectable force in the rear, the coast was lined with musquetry in the front at every critical pass of the river, which obliged me to march a detachment, and this impeded my progress. On the evening of the 9th inst. the army halted, a few miles from the head of the Longuc Saut ; In the morning of the 10th, the enclosed order was issued. — General Brown marched agreeably to order, and about noon we were apprized, by the report of his artillery, that he was engaged, some distance below us. At the same time, the enemy were observed in our rear; and their galley and gun-boats approached our flotilla, and opened a tire upon us, which obliged me to order a bat- tery of 18 pounders to be planted, and a shot from it compelled the vessels of the enemy to retire,- together TffE" AMEUrCAN NAVY, 305 with their troops, after some firing between the advan- ced parties. But, by this time, in consequence of disembarking, and re-embarking the heavy guns, the day was so far spent, that our pilots did not dare to enter the Saut ; (eight miles, a continued rapid,) and, therefore, we fell down about two miles, and come to for the night. Early the next morning, every thing was in readiness for motion ; but, having received no intelligence from Gen. Brown, I was still delayed, as sound caution pre- scribed I should learn the result of the atTair, before I committed the flotilla to the Saut. At half past 10, A. M. an oflScer of dragoons arrived with a letter, in which the General informed me he had forced the ene- my, and would reach the foot of the Saut, early in the day. Orders were immediately given, for the flotilla to sail; at which instant the enemy's gun-boats appeared, and began to throw shot among us ; information was brought me, at the same time, from Brig. General Boyd, that the enemy's troops were advancing in column ; I immediately sent orders to him to attack them. This report was soon contradicted ; their boats, however, continued to scratch us, and a variety of reports of their movements, and counter-movements, were brought to me in succession ; which convinced me of their determination to hazard an attack, when it could be done to the greatest advantage ; and, therefore, I resolved to anticipate them. Directions were, accord- ingly, sent, by that distinguished officer. Col. Swift, of the engineers, to Brig. Gen. Boyd, to throw the detach- ments of his command, assigned to him in the order of the preceding day, and composed of men of his own, Covington's and Swartwout's brigades, into three col- umns, to march upon the enemy, outflank them if pos- sible, and take their artillery. The action soon after commenced with the advanced body of the enemy, and became extremely sharp and galling, and with occa- sional pauses, not sustained with great vivacity, in optw 26* 306 RISE AND PROGRESS OF space and fair combat, for upwards of two and an half hours, the adverse lines alternately yielding and advan- cing. It is impossible to say, with accuracy, what was our number on the field ; because it consisted of indefin- ite detachments, taken from the boats, to render safe the passage of the Saut. Generals Covington and Swart- wout voluntarily took part in the action, at the head of detachments from their respective brigades, and exhibi- ted the same courage that was displayed by Brig. Gen. Boyd, who happened to be the senior officer on the ground. Our force, engaged, might have reached 16 or 1700 men; but actually did not exceed 1800; — that the enemy was estimated from 1200 to 2000, but probably did not amount to more than 15 or 1600 — consisting, as I am informed, of detachments from the 49th, 84th and 1 04th regiments of the line ; with three companies of the Voltigeur and Glengary corps, and the militia of the country, who are not included in the es- timate. It would be presumptuous in me to attempt to give you a detailed account of this affair, which certainly reflects high honor on the valor of the American sol- dier; as no examples can be produced of undisciplined men, with inexperienced officers, braving a fire of two hours and a half, without quitting the field, or yielding to their antagonists. But, sir, the information I now give you, is derived from officers in my confidence, who took parts in this conflict ; for, though I was enabled to order the attack, it was my hard fortune not to be able to lead the troops I commanded ; the disease, with which I was assailed the 2d September, on my journev to fort George, having, with a few short intervals of convalescence, preyed on me ever since : and, at the moment of this action, I was confined to my bed, and emaciated almost to a skeleton; unable to sit on my horae, or to move ten paces without assistance. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 307 I must, however, be pardoned for trespassing on your time a few remarks, in relation to the affair : — the ob- jects of the British and American commanders were precisely opposed — the last being bound by instructions of his government, and the most solemn obligations of duty, to precipitate his descent of the St. Lawrence^ by every practicable means ; because, this being effect- ed, one of the greatest diffici'.ties opposed to the Ameri- can arms would be surmour ced — and the first, by duties equally imperious, to retard, and, if possible, to prevent such descent. He is to be accounted victorious, who effects his purpose ! The British commander, having failed to gain either of his objects, can lay no claim to the honors of the day ; the battle fluctuated, and the triumph seemed, at different times, inclined to the con- tending corps ; the front of the enemy were, at first, forced back more than a mile ; and, though they never regained the ground they lost, their stand was perma- nent, and their charges resolute. Amidst these char- ges, and near the close of the contest, we lost a field piece, by the fall of the officer, who was serving it with the same coolness, as if he had been at a parade of re- view ; this was Lieutenant Smith, of the light artillery, who, in point of merit, stood at the head of his grade. The enemy having halted, and our troops being formed again, in battalion, front to front, and the firing having ceased on both sides, we resumed our position on the bank of the river, and the infantry being much fatigued, the whole were re-embarked, and proceeded further down the river, without further annoyance from the en- emy or their gun-boats — while the dragoons, with &re pieces of light artillery, marched down the Canada shore without molestation. It is due to his rank, to his worth, and his services, that I should make particular mention of Brig. Gen. Covington, who received a mortal wound directly through the body, while animating his men, and leading 308 RISE AND PROGRESS OF them to the charge — he fell, where he fought, at the head of his men, and survived but two days. The next morning the flotilla passed the Saut, and joined that excellent officer, Brig. Gen. Brown, at Barnhart's near Cornwall, where he had been instruct- ed to take post, and wait my arrival ; and where I con- fidently expected to hear of Maj. Gen. Hampton's arri- val, on the opposite shore. But, immedtately after I halted, Col. Atkinson, the hispector-General of the di- vision under Maj. Gen. Hampton, waited on me, with a letter from that officer ; in which, to my unspeakable mortification and surprize, he declined the junction or- dered, and informed me he was marching towards Lake Champlain, by way of co-operating in the proposed at- tack on Montreal. This letter, together with a copy of that to which it was an answer, were immediately iubmit- ted to a Council of War, consisting of my general officers, and the colonel commanding the elite, the chief engin- eer, and the Adjutant-General — who unanimously gave it as their opinion " that the attack on Montreal should be abandoned for the present season, and the army near Cornwall should be immediately crossed to the American shore, for taking up winter quarters ; and that this place aflbrded an eligible situation for such quar- ters." I acquiesced in those opinions, not from the shortness of the stock of provisions, (which had been reduced by the acts of God. (because that our meat had been in- creased five days: and our bread had been reduced only two days ; and, because we could, in case of extremity, have lived upon the enemy — but i)ccause the loss of Maj. Gen. Hampton weakened my force too sensibly, to justify the attempt. In all my measures, and movement? of moment, I have taken the opinions of my general of- ficers, which have been in accord with my own. I remained on the Canada shore until the next day, without seeing or hearing from the " powerful force" of the enemy in our neighborhood, and the same day THE AMERICAN NAVY. 309 I reached this position, with the artillery and infantry. The dragoons have been ordered to Utica, and its vi- cinity ; and, I expect, are 50 or 60 miles on their march. You have, under cover, a summary abstract of the killed and wounded, in the affair of the 11th instant, which shall soon be followed by a particular return, in which a just regard shall be paid to individual merits — the dead rest in honor, and the wounded bled for their country, and deserve its gratitude. With perfect respect, &c. JAMES WILKINSON. In the action of the 11 th inst. the American loss was 102 killed, and 232 wounded — total, killed and wound- ed, 334. THE PROPOSED JUNCTION. From General Wilkinson, to General Hampton. H. Q. of the Army, 7 miles above Ogdensburg, Mv 6, 1813. Sir, I address you at the special instance of the Secretary of War, who, by bad roads, worse weather, and ill health, was diverted from meeting me, near this place, and determined to tread back his steps to Washington, from Antwerp, on the 29th ult. I am destined to, and determined on the attack of Montreal, if not prevented by some act of God ; and to give security to the enterprise, the division under your command must co-operate with the corps under my im- mediate orders. The point of rendezvous is the cir- cumstance of greatest interest to the issue of this ope- ration ; and the distance which separates us, and my ig norance of the practicability, of the direct or devious 310 RISE AND PROGRESS OF routes, by which you must march, make it necessary that your own judgement should determine that point. To assist you in making the soundest determination, and to take the most prompt and determined measures, I can only inform you of my intentions and situation, in some respects of first importance; — I shall pass Prescott to night, because the stage of the season will not allow me three days to take it — shall cross the cavalry at Hamil- ton, which will not require a day ; — I shall thence press forward, and break down every opposition, to this riv- er, there to cross the IsJe Perrot, and, with my scows, to bridge the narrow inner channel, and thus obtain foot-hold on Montreal Island, at about 20 miles from the eity ; after which, our artillery, bayonets, and swords, must secure our triumph, or provide us honour- ble graves. Inclosed you have a memorandum of field and batter- ing train, pretty well found in fixed ammunition, which may enable you to dismiss your own ; but we are defi- cient in loose powder, and musquet cartridges; and, therefore, hope 3'ou maybe abundantly found. On the subject of provisions, I wish 1 could give a fa- vorable information ; our whole stock of bread may be computed at about 15 days, and our meat at 20. In speaking on this subject to the Secretary of War, he in- formed me, ample magazines were laid up on Lake Champlain, and, therefore, I must request of you to or- der forward two or three months supply, by the safest route, in a direction to the proposed scene of action. I have submitted the state of our provisions to my general officers, who unanimously agree that it should not pre- vent the progress of the expedition, and they also agree in opinion, if you are not in force to face the enemy, you should meet us at St. Regis, or its vicinitty. I shall expect to hear from, if not see you at that place on the 9th. I have the honor, &c. JAMES WILKINSON. Maj, Gen. HAMPTON, THE AMERICAN NAVY. 3II ANSWER. , From Geu. Hampton to Gen. Wilkinson. Head-Quarters, Four Corners, November 8, 1813. Sir, I had the honor to receive, at a late hour last evening, by Col. King, your communication of the 6th ; and was deeply impressed with a sense of the responsibility it imposed, of deciding upon the means of our co-opera- tion. The idea suggested, as the opinion of your offi- cers, of effecting the junction at St. Regis, was most pleasing, as being most immediate, until 1 came to the disclosure of the amount of your supplies of provisions. Col. Atkinson will explain the reasons,that would have rendered it impossible for me to have brought more than each man could have carried on his back ; and, when I reflected, that in throwing myself upon your scanty means, I should be weakening you in your most vulner- able point, I did not hesitate to adopt the opinion, after consulting the general and principal ofhcers, that, by throwing myself back on my main depot, when all the means of transportation had gone, and falling upon the enemy's flank, and straining every effort to open a com- munication from Plattsburgh to Coghnowaga, or anv other point you may indidicate on the St. Lawrence, I should more effectually contribute to your succcess, than by a junction at St. Regis ; the way is, in many places, blockaded and abatted, and the road impracti- cable for wheel-carriages during the winter ; but, by the employment of pack-horses, if I am not overpower- ed, I hope to prevent your starving. I have ascertained, and witnessed, that the plan of the enemy is to burn, and consume every thing in our advance. My troops, and other means, will be described to you by Col. Atkinson ; besides the rawness and sickness, they have endured fa- 312 RISE AND PROGRESS OF tigues, equal to a winter's campaign, in the late snows and bad weather, and are sadly dispirited and fallen off; but, upon this subject, I must refer you to Col. At- kinson. With these means, what can be accomplished by hu- man exertion, I will attempt — with a mind devoted to , the general objects of the campaign. I have the honor, &lc. W. HAMPTON. His Ex. Maj. Gen. J. WILKINSON. AFFAIR AT CHATAUGAY. Copy of a letter from General W'ade Hampton, to the Secretary of War, dated He ad- Quarters, Four Corners, J\''ov. 1, 1313. Sir — On the morning of the 21st ult. the army com- menced its movement down the Chataugay, for the pur- pose of placing itself in a situation which would enable it to fulfil its parts of the proposed combined operations, on the St. Lawrence. An extensive wood, of 1 1 or 12 miles in front, block- ed up with felled timber, and covered by the Indians and light troops of the enemy, was a serious impediment to the arduous task of opening a road for the artillery and stores. Brig. Gen. Izard, with the light troops, and one regiment of the line, was detached, early in the morning, to turn these impediments in flank, and to seize on the more open country below ; while the army, preceded by a stiong working party, advanced on a more circuitous but practicable route for a road. The measure, as will be seen by the report of Brig. Gen. Izard, which I have the honor to enclose, completely succeeded ; and the main body of the army reached the advanced position, on the evening of the 22d ; the 23d THE AMERICAN NAVY. 313 and 24th were cmplojed in completing the road, and grtting up the artillery and stores. I had arranged, at my departure, under the direction of Major Parker, a Hne of communication, as far up the St. Lawrence as Ogdensburgh, for the purpose of hast- ening to me the earliest notice of the progress of our army down. I had surmounted 24 miles of the most difficult part of the route, and had, in advance of me, seven miles of open country ; but, at the end of that distance, commenced a wood of some miles in extent, which had been formed into an entire abattis, and tilled by a succession of wooden breast-works, the rearmost of which were supplied with ordnance, hi front of these defences were placed the Indian force, and light corps of the enemy ; and, in the rear, all of his dispos- able force. As the extent of this force depended upon his sense of danger on the St. Lawrence, it was a cause of regret that all communications, from yourself or Ma- jor Parker seemed to be at an end. As it was, howev- er, believed that the enemy was hourly adding to his strength, in this position — if free from the apprehension of danger from above, an effort was judged necessary to dislodge him ; and, if it succeeded, we should be in pos- session of a position which we could hold as long as any doubts remained of what was passing above, and of the real part to be assigned us. Our guides assured us of a shoal and practicable ford- ing-place, opposite the lower flank of the enemy's de- fences ; and that the wood, on the opposite side of the river, a distance of seven or eight miles, was practicable for the passage of the troops. Col. Purdy, with the light corps, and a strong body c{ infantry of the line, was detached, at an early hour of the night of the 25th, to gain this ford by the morning, and to commence his attack in the rear ; and that was to be the signal for the army to fall on in front — and, it was believed, the pass might be carried, before the enemy's distant troops could be brought forward to its support. 27 3j. RISE AND PROGRESS OF j had returned to my quarters, from Purdj's column, about 9 o'clock at night, when I found a Mr. Baldwin, of the Quarter-Master General's department, who put into ray hands an open paper, containing instructions to him, from the Quarter-Master General, respecting the building of huts for the army, in Chataugay, below the line. This paper sunk my hopes, and raised serious doubts of receiving that efficacious support which had been anticipated ; 1 would liave recalled the column, but it was in motion — and the darkness of the night ren- dered it impracticable. I could only go forward. The army was put in motion on the morning of the 26th, leaving its baggage, &c. oij^ the ground of encampment. On advancing near tfftfe* enemy, it was found that the column, on the opposite side, was not as far advanced as had been anticipated ; the guides had misled it, and finally failed in finding the ford. We could not commu- nicate with it, but only awaited the at'ack below. — About two o'clock the firing commenced, and our troops advanced rapidly to the attack. The enemy's light troops commenced a sharp fire, but Brig. Gen. Izard advanced, with his brigade — drove him every where be- hind his defences, and silenced the fire in his front. — This brigade would have pushed forward, as far as cou- rage, skill and perseverance could have carried it ; but, on advancing, it was found that the firing had commen- ced on the opposite side, and the ford had not been gain- ed. The enemy retired behind his defences ; but a renewal of his attack was expected, and the troops re- mained some time in their position to meet it. The troops, on the opposite side, were excessively fatigued ; the enterprize had failed in its main point ; and Col. Purdy was ordered to withdraw his column to a shoal, four or five miles above, and cross over. The day was spent, and Gen. Izard was ordered to withdraw his bri- gade to a position, three miles in the rear, to which place the baggage had been ordered forward. The slowness, aiid order, with which Gen. Izard reti- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 3I5 red with his brigade, could but have inspired the enemj with respect ; they presumed not to venture a shot at him during his movement ; but the unguardedness of some part of Purdj's command exposed him to a rear attack from the Indians, which was repeated ^fter dark, and exposed him to some loss ; these attacks were al- ways repelled, and must have cost the enemy as many lives as we lost. Our entire loss, of killed, wounded and missing, does not exceed 50. In its new position, within three miles of the enemy's post, the army en- camped on the night of the 2Gth, and remained until 12 o'clock of the 28lh. All the deserters, of whom there were four, having concurred in the information that Sir George Prevost, with three other general officers, had arrived, with the whole of his disposable force, and lay in the rear of these defences ; and a letter from MajojT Parker, (by express, received on the evening of the 26th,) having informed me that no movements of our army, down the St. Lawrence, had been heard of at Og- densburgh, and for some distance above. The follow- ing questions were submitted to the commanding offi- cers of brigades, regiments and corps, and the heads of the general staff, in a council, convened for the purpose : " Is it advisable, under existing circumstances, to renew the attack on the enemy's position ; and, if not, what position is it advisable for the army te take, until it can receive advices of the advance of the grand army down the St. Lawrence ?" The opinion of the council was expressed in the following words : — " It is the unani- mous opinion of this council, that it is necessary, for the preservation of this army, and the fulfilment of the os- tensible views of the government, that we immediately return, by orderly marches, to such a position, (Chatau- gay,) as will secure our communications with the U. States, either to retire into winter quarters, or to be rea- dy to strike below." In pursuance of this opinion, the army has returned, by slow marches, to this place, and now awaits the orders of the government. Its condition 316 RISE AND PROGRESS OF will be stated by tbe bearer, Col. King, who can give you, upon every point, more full and perfect informa- tion, than could be contained in a written detail. I have the honor, &c. W. HAMPTON. HON. J. ARMSTRONG, Sec'y. War, CHAPTER XXIX. General Operations Continued. Duringthese movements, general McClure evacuated fort George ; set fire to the village of Newark, and re- tired out of Canada. General Harrison had followed up his victory, and proceeded down to join general Wilkinson ; but his movements were so hasty, that he left the whole Niaga- ra frontier uncovered. The enemy availed himself of this ; crossed over and burnt the village of Buffalo, with several others, to revenge the destruction of Newark ; took fort Niagara, and put the garrison to the sword. LOSS OF FORT NIAGARA. Copy of a letter from Gen. M'Clure, of the New- York State troops to the Secretary of War. H. Quarters, Buffalo, Dec. 22, 1013. Sir — I regret to be under the necessity of announcing to you the mortifying intelligence of the loss of Fort Ni- agara. On the morning of the 1 9th inst. about 4 o'clock, THE AMERICAN NAVY. 317 the enemy crossed the river at the Five-mile Meadows, in great force — consisting of regulars and Indians, who made their way, undiscovered, to the garrison, which, from the most correct information I could collect, was completely surprised. Our men were nearly all asleep in their tents — the enemy rushed in, and commenced a most horrid slaughter ; such as escaped the fury of the first onset retired to the old mess-house, where they kept up a destructive fire on the enemy, until a want of am- munition compelled them to surrender. Although our force was very inferior, and comparatively small indeed, I am induced to think that the disaster is not attributable to any want of troops, but to gross neglect in the com- manding officer of the fort, Captain Leonard, in not pre- paring, being ready, and looking out for the expected attack. I have not been able to ascertain, correctly, the num- ber of killed and wounded ; about twenty regulars have escaped out of the fort, some badly wounded. Lieut. Peck, of the 24th regiment, is killed, and it is said three others. You will perceive, sir, by the enclosed general orders, that I apprehended an attack, and made the ne- cessary arrangements to meet it ; but have reason to believe, from information received by those who hav« made their escape, that the commandant did not, in any respect, comply with those orders. On the same morning, a detachment under Major Bennet, stationed at Lewiston Heights, was attacked by a party of savages ; but the Major, and his little corps, by making a desperate charge, efiected their retreat, af- ter being surrounded by several hundred, with the loss of six or eight, who doubtless were killed, among whom were two sons of Capt. Jones, Indian interpreter. The villages of Youngstown, Lewistown, Manchester, and the Indian Tuscarora village, were reduced to aches ; and the inoffensive inhabitants, who could not escape, were, without regard to age or sex, inhumanly butcher- ed by savages, headed by British officers, painted, A 27* 318 RISE AND PROGRESS OF British officer, who is taken prisoner, avows, that manj small children were murdered by their Indians. Major Mallory, who was stationed at Schlosser, with about 40 Canadian volunteers, advanced to Lewistown Heights, and compelled the advanced guard of the enemy to fall back to the foot of the mountain; the Major is a meri- torious officer ; he fought the enemy two days, and con- tended every inch of ground to the Tautawanty creek. In these actions, Lieut. Lowe, 23d regiment U. S. infant- ry, and 8 of the Canadian volunteers, were killed. I had, myself, three days previous to the attack on the Niagara, left it with a view of providing for the defence of this place, Black Rock, and the other villages on this frontier. I came here without troops, and have called out the militia of Genesee, Niagara and Chatauque coun- ties, en masse. I have the honor, &c. GEO. M'CLURE, Brig. Gen. Comg. Hon. J. ARMSTRONG. These movements closed the campaign of the north, and both urmies went into winter quarters. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 319 CHAPTER XXX. A General View of the Southern War. VICTORY OVER THE CREEKS. Copy of a letter from Major General Cocke, to the Secretary of War, dated H. Q. Fort Armstrong, J^ov. 28, 1813. Sir — I have the honor to enclose you a copy of Brig» Gen. James White's detailed report of his excursion to the Hillibee Towns. I am, &;c. JOHN COCKE, Maj. Gen. GEN. WHITE'S REPORT. Fort Armstrong, Jfov. 24th, 1813. Dear General — In mine of the i 9th instant, by Major Outlaw, I promised you a detailed report, respecting the detachment ordered by yoi to the Hillibee Towns, in the Creek nation. In compliance with that promise, I have now the honor to state — That, under your order of the 1 1 th inst. I immediately marched with the mount- ed infantry, under the immediate command of Colonel Burch ; the cavalry, under the command of Major Por- ter ;' and a (ew of the Cherokee Indians, under the com- mand of Col. Morgan — with very short rations for four days only. We continued our march to little Oakfuskie, when we fell in with and captured five hostile Creek warriors, supposed to be spies. Finding no other In- 320 RISE AND PROGRESS OF diaus at that place, we burned the town, which consist- ed of 30 houses. We then proceeded to a town called Genalga, and burned the same, which consisted of 93 houses ; thence we proceeded to Nitty Chaptoa, con- sisting of about 25 houses, which I considered it most prudejit not to destroy, as it might possibly be of use at some future period. From thence we naarched to the Hillibee Town, consisting of about 20 houses, adjoin- ing which was Grayson's farm. Previous to our arri- val at that place, I was advised that a part of the hostile Creeks was assembled there. Having marched within six or seven miles of it, on the 1 7th, I dismounted a part of the force under my command, and sent them, under the command of Col. Burch, with the Cherokees, under the command of Col. Morgan, in advance, to surround the town in the night, and make the attack at day-light, on the 18th. Owing to the darkness of the night, the town was not reached until after day-light — but so com- plete was the surprise, that we succeeded in surround- ing the town, and killing, and capturing almost (if not entirely) the whole of the hostile Creeks assembled there, consisting of about 316, of which number about 60 warriors were killed on the spot, and the remainder made prisoners. Before the close of the engagement, my whole force was up, and ready for action, had it be- come necessary ; but, owing to the wand of knowledge, on the part of the Indians, of our approach, they were entirely killed and taken before they could prepare for any eifectual defence. We lost not one drop of blood in accomplishing this enterprise. We destroyed this village ; and, in obedience to your orders, commence^d our march for this post, which we were unable to reach until yesterday. I estimate the distance, from this to Grayson's farm, at about 100 miles. The ground over which we travelled, is so rough and hilly as to render a^ passage very difficult. Many defiles it was impossible to pass in safety, without the greatest precaution. For a part of the time, the weather was so very wet, being THE AMERICAN NAVY. 321 encumbered with prisoners, and the troops, and their horses having to subsist, in a very great degree, upon such supplies as we could procure in the nation, render- ed our march more tardy than it otherwise would have been. The troops under my command have visited the heart of that section of the Creek nations where the Red Sticks were first distributed. In justice to this gallant band, I am proud to state, that the whole of the officers and men, under the com- mand of Col. Burch, performed their duty cheerfully, and without complaint — that from the cool, orderly and prompt manner in which Major Porter, and the cavalry under his command formed and conducted themselves in every case of alarm, I had the highest confidence in them. Col. Morgan, and the Cherokees underhis com- mand, gave undeniable evidence that they merit the em- ploy of their government. In short, sir the whole de- tachment under my command, conducted in such a man- ner as to enable me to assure you that they are capable of performing any thing to which the same number of men are equal. It gives me pleasure to add, that Mr. M'Corry, who acted as my aid in this expedition, rendered services that to me were indispensable — to his country very use- ful, and to himself highly honorable. I have the honor to be, &c. JAMES WHITE, Brig. Gen. Maj. Gen. JOHN COCKE. 322 ^ISE AND PROGRESS OF GEN. FLOYD^S VICTORY OVER THE CREEKS. Head-Quarters, Gth and 1th Districts. Milledgeville, 1th Dec. 1813. Sir, I have the honor of enclosing to you a copy of the official account which I have just received from Bri- gadier-General Floyd, of an attack made by him on the hostile Indians, and sincerely congratulate your excel- lency on the good conduct and bravery displayed on this occasion by the ofticers and troops of the state in which you preside. I have the honor to be, &c. THOMAS PINCKNEY. His excellency PETER EARLY. Camp xoest of Catahouchie. December, 4, 1813. Majar-General Pinckney, Sir, I have the honor to communicate to your excellency, an account of an action fought the 29th ult. on the Tal- apoosie river, between part of the force under my com- mand and a large body of the Creek Indians. Having received information that numbers of the hos- tile Indians were assembled at Autossee, a town on the southern bank of the Talapoosie, about eighteen miles from the Hickory-ground, and twenty above the junc- tion of that river with the Coosa, I proceeded to it with 950 of the Georgia militia, accompanied by between 3 and 400 friendly Indians. Having encamped within nine or ten miles of the point of destination the prece- ding evening, we resumed the march a few minutes be- fore one on the morning of the 29th, and a^ half past six were formed for action in front of the town. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 323 Booth's battalion composed the right column, and marched from its centre, ^^^atson's battalion compos- ed the left, and marched from its right; Adams' rifle company, and Merriwether's under Lieutenant Hendon, were on the flanks ; Captain Thomas' artillery marched in front of the riglit column in the road. It was my intention to have completely surrounded the enemy, by appuying the right wing of my force on Canlehee creek, at the mouth of which I was informed the town stood, and resting the left on the river bank be- low the town ; but to our surprise, as day dawned, we perceived a second town about five hundred yards be- low that which we had first viewed, and were preparing to attack. The plan was immediately changed — three companies of infantry on the left were wheeled to the left into echelon, and were advanced to the low town accompanied by Merriwether's rifle company, aid two troops light dragoons under the commaud of Cap- tains Irwin and Steele. The residue of the force approached the upper town, and the battle soon became general. The Indians pre- sented themselves at every point,and fought with the des- perate bravery of real fanatics. The well directed fire, however, of the artillery, added to the charge of the bay- onet, soon forced them to take refuge in the out houses, thickets, and copses, in the rear ofthe town ; many it is be- lieved, concealed themselves in caves, previously form- ed for the purpose of secure retreat, in the high bluff of the river, which was thickly covered with reed and brushwood. The Indians ofthe friendly party who ac- companied us on the expedition, were divided into four companies, and placed under tlie command of leaders of their own selection. They were, by engagement en- tered into the day previous, to have crossed the river above the town, and been on the opposite shore during the action, for the purpose of firing upon such ofthe ei> my as might attempt to escape, or keep in check any reinforcements which might probably be thrown in 324 WSE AND PROGRESS OF from the neighboring towns ; but owing to the difiiculty of the ford, and coldness of the weather, and the late- ness of the hour, tliis arrangement failed, and their lead- ers were directed to cross Canleebee creek, and occupy that flank, to prevent escapes from the Tallisee town. Some time after the action commenced, our red friends thronged, in disorder, in the rear of our lines. The Cowetaws, under M'Intosh, and the Tookabatchians, un- der Mad Dog's Son, fell on our flanks, and fought with an intrepidity worthy of any troops. At 9 o'clock the enemy was completely driven from the plain, and the houses of both towns wrapped in flames. As we were then 60 miles from any depot of provisions, and our five days rations pretty much redu- ced, in the heart of the enemy's country, which in a few moments could have poured, from its numerous towns, hosts of its fiercest warriors — as soon as the dead and wounded were disposed of, I ordered the place to be abandoned, and the troops to commence their march to Chatahouche. It is difficult to determine the strength of the enemy ; but, from the information of some of the chiefs, which it is said can be relied on, there were assembled at Au- tosse, warriors from eight towns, for its defence — it be- ing their beloved ground, on which they proclaimed no wliite man could approach, without inevitable destruc- tion. It is difficult to give a precise account of the loss of the enemy ; but, from the number which were lying scattered over the field, together with those destroyed in the towns, and the many slain on the banks of the riv- er, which respectable officers affirm they saw lying in heaps at the water's edge, wliere they had been precipi- tated by their surviving friends, their loss, in killed, in- dependent of their wounded, must have been at least, 200, (among wliom are the Autosse and Tallissee kings, ) and from the circumstance of their making no efforts to molest our return, probably greater. The num- ber of. buildings burnt, some of a superior order for the THE AMERICAN NAVY. 325 dwelling of savages, and filled with valuable articles, is supposed to be 400. Adjutant-General Newman rendered important servi- ces during the action, by his cool and deliberate cour- age. My aid, Major Crawford, discharged, with promp- titude, the duties of a brave and meritorious officer. Maj. Pace, who acted as field-aid, also distinguished him- self; both these gentlemen had their horses shot under them, and the latter lost his. Dr. Williamson, hospital surgeon, and Dr. C!opton, were prompt and attentive in discharge of their duty towards the wounded, during the action. Major Freeman, at the head of Irwin's troop of caval- ry and part of Steele's, made a lurious and successful charge upon a body of Indians, sabred several, and com- pletely defeated them. Captain Thomas and his com- pany, Capt Adams, and Lieut. Hendon's rifle compa- nies killed a great many Indians, and deserve particu- lar praise. Captain Barton's company were in the hot- test of the battle, and fought like soldiers. Captain Myrick, Captain Little, Captain King, Captain Broad- nax, Captain Cleveland, Captain Joseph T. Cunning- ham, and Captain Lee, with their companies, distin- guished themselves. Brigade-Major Sharkleford was of great service in bringing the troops into action ; and Adjutant Broadnax, and Major Montgomery, who acted as Assistant-Adjutant, showed great activity and cour- age. Major Booth used his best endeavors in bringing his battalion to action, and Major Watson's battalion acted with considerable spirit. Irwin's, Patterson's and Steele's troops of cavalry, whenever an opportuni- ty presented, charged with success. Lieutenant Strong had his horse shot, and narrowly escaped ; and Quarter- master Tennel displayed the greatest heroism, and mi- raculously escaped, though badly wounded, after hav- ing his horse shot from under him. The topographical engineer was vigilant in his endeavors to render ser- vice. 28 326 RISE AND PROGRESS OF The troops deserve the highest praise for tiieir forti- tude, in enduring hunger, cold, and fatigue, without a murmur, having marched a hundred and tvt^enty miles, in seven days. The friendly Indians lost several, killed and wound- ed ; the number not exactly known. Captain Barton, an active and intelligent ofticer, (the bearer of these des- patches,) can, more particularly, explain to your ex- cellency, the conduct, movements, and operations of the army. I have the honor, »S:c. JOHN FLOY'D, B. Gen. In the above actions, there were 1 1 killed and 54 wounded. — Brig. Gen. Floyd wounded severely, and Adj. Gen. Newman, slightly. PROCEEDINGS AGANST THE GREEKS. Copy of a letter from Gen. Jackson, of the Tennessee Volunteers, to Gen. Pinckney, dated H. Q. Fort Strothcr, '29ih Jan. 1814. Sir, I had the honor of informing you, in a letter of the 31st ult. forwarded by Mr. M'Candless, (express) of an excursion I contemplated making, still further in the enemy's country, with the new raised volunteers from Tennessee. I had ordered those troops to form a junction with me, on the 10th instant ; but they did not arrive until the 14th. Their number, including officers, was about 800 ; and, on the 15th, I marched them across the river to graze their horses. On the next day I followed, with the remainder of our force — consisting of the artillery company, with one 6 pound- er, one company of infantry, of 48 men, two compan- ies of spies, commanded by Captains Gorden and Rus- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 3Q7 sel, of about 30 men each, and a company of volun- teer officers, headed by Gen. Coffee, who had been abandoned by his men, and who still remained in th« field, awaiting the orders of the government — making my force, exclusive of Indians, 930. The motives which influenced me to penetrate still further into the enemy's country, were many and ur- gent — the term of service, of the new raised volunteers, was short ; and a considerable part of it was expired — they were expensive to the government, and were full of ardor to meet the enemy. The ill effects of keep- ing soldiers of this description idle, and long stationary, I had been made to feel but too sensibly already. Oth- er causes concurred to make such a movement not only justifiable, but absolutely necessary. I had received a letter from Capt. M'Alpin, of the 5th inst. who com- manded at fort Armstrong in the absence of Col. Snodgrass, informing me that 14 or 15 towns of the en- emy, situated on the waters of the Tallapoose, were about uniting their forces, and attacking that place, which had been left in a very feeble state of defence. You had, in your letter of the 25th ult. informed me that Gen. Floyd was about to make a movement to the Tallapoose, near its junction with the Coosee ; and, in the same letter, had recommended temporary excLwr- sions against such of the enemy's towns, or settlements, as might be within striking distance, as well to prevent my men from becoming discontented, as to harass the enemy — your ideas corresponded exactly with my own ; and I was happy in the opportunity of keeping my men engaged, distressing the enemy, and, at the same time, making a diversion to facilitate the opera- tions of Gen. Floyd. Determined by these and other considerations, I took up the line of march, on the 17th inst. and, on the night of the 18th, encamped at the Talledega fort, where I was joined by between 2 and 300 friendly In- dians; 65 of which were Cherokees, the balance 328 R^ISE AND PROGRESS Of Creeks. Here I received your letter of the 9th inst. stating, that Gen. Floyd was expected to nnake a move- ment from Cowetau, the next day; and that, in ten days thereafter, he would estabhsh a firm position at Tuckabatchee ; and also a letter from Col. Snodgrass- who had returned to fort Armstrong, informing me that an attack was intended to be soon made on that fort? by 900 of the enemy : if I could have hesitated before, I could now hesitate no longer — I resolved to lose no time in meeting this force, which was understood to have been collected from New Yorcau, Oahfuskie, and Ufauley towns and were concentrated in a bend of the Tallapoose, near the mouth of a creek, called Emuck- fau, and on an island below New Yorcau. On the morning of the 20th, your letter of the 10th instant, forwarded by IVFCandless, reached me, at the Hillabee creek ; and that night I encamped at Enoto- chapco, a small Hillabee village, about 12 miles from Emuckfau. Here I began to perceive, very plainly, how little knowledge my spies had of the country, of the situation of the enemy, or of the distance I was from them. The insubordination of the new troops, and the want of skill in most of their ofiicers, also be- came more and more apparent ; but their ardor to meet the enemy was not diminished — and I had a sure reliance upon the guards, and the company of old vol- unteer officers, and upon the spies — in all 125. My wishes and my duty remained united ; and I was de- termined to elTect, if possible, the objects for which the e'xcursion had been undertaken. — On the morning of the 21st I marched from Enotachopco, as direct as I could for the bend of the Tallapoose ; and about 2 o'clock, P. M. my spies having discovered two of the enemy, pursued, but could not overtake them. In the evening I fell in with a large trail, which led to a new road, much beaten, and lately travelled. Knowing that 1 must have arrived within the neighborhood of a strong force, and it being late in the day, I determined. THE AMERICAN NaVY. 329 tia encamp, and reconnoitre the country in the night : I chose the best scite the country wouM admit, encamp- ed in a hollow square, sent out my spies and pickets, doubled my centinels, and made the necessary arrange- ments for a night attack. About 10 o'clock, at night, one of the pickets fired at three of the enemy, and kill- ed one — at 1 1 o'clock, the spies, whom I had sent oitt, returned with the information, that there was a large encampment of Indians, at the distance of about three miles ; who, from their whooping and dancing, seemed to be apprized of our approach. One of these spies, (an Indian,) in whom 1 had great confidence, assured me that they were carrying otF their women and chil- dren, and that the warriors would either make their es- cape, or attack me before day. Being prepared at all points, nothing remained to be done but to await their approach, if they meditated an attack ; or to be in rea- diness, if they did not, to pursue and attack them at day light. While we were in this state of readiness, the enemy, about 6 o'clock in the morning, commen- ced a vigorous attack on my left flank, which was vigor- ously met ; the action continued to rage on my left flank, and on the left of my rear, for about half an hour. The brave Gen. Coffee, with Col. Sittler, the Adj. General, and Col. Carroll, the Inspector General,. the moment the firing commenced, mounted their hors- es and repaired to the line, encouraging and animating their men to the performance of their duty* So soon as it became light enough to pursue, the left wing having sustained the heat of the action, and being somewhat weakened, was reinforced by Capt. FerriU's company of Infantry, and was ordered, and led on to the charge by General Coffee, who was well supported bj Col, Higgins and the Inspector General, and by all the oflicers and privates who composed that line. The en- emy were routed at every point ; and the friendly In- dians joining in the pursuit, they were chased abeuttwo aiiles with considerable slaughter. The chase being 28* 330 RISE AND PROGRESS OF over, I immediately detached Gen. Coffee, with 400 men, and all the Indian force, to burn their encamp- ment ; but it was said, by some, to be fortified. I or- dered him, in that event, not to attack it, until the artil- lery could be sent forward to reduce it. On viewing the encampment, and its strength, the General thought it most prudent to return to my encampment, and guard the artillery thither : the wisdom of this step was soon discovered ; in half an hour after his return to camp, a considerable force of the enemy made its appearance on my right flank, and commenced a brisk fire on a par- ty of men, who had been on picket guard the night be- fore, and were then in search of the Indians they had fired upon, some of whom they believed had been killed. Gen. Coffee immediately requested me to let him take 200 men, and turn their left flank — which I accordingly ordered ; but, through some mistake, which I did not then observe, not more than 54 followed him, among whom were the old volunteer officers. With these, however, he immediately commenced an attack on the left flank of the enemy, at which time I ordered 200 of the friendly Indians to fall in upon the right flank of the enemy, and co-operate with the General. This order was promptly obeyed ; and, in the momentof its execu- tion, what I expected was realized. The enemy had intended the attack on (he right as a feint; and, expect- ing to direct all my attention thither, meant to attack me again, and with their main force, on my left flank, which they hoped to find weakened and in disorder — they were disappointed. I had ordered the left flank to remain firm in its place ; and, the moment the alarm gun was heard in that quarter, I repaired thither, and ordered Capt. Ferrill, part of my reserve, to suppoit it. The whole line met the enemy with astonishing intrepi- dity ; and, having given a few fires, they forthwith charg- ed with great vigor ; the effect was immediate and in- evitable — the enemy fled with precipitation, and were pursued to a considerable distance by the left flank, and THE AMERICAN NAVY. 33I the friendly Indians, with a galling and destructive fire. Col. Carrol, who ordered the charge, led on the pur- suit ; and Col. Higgins, and his regiment, again distin- guished themselves. In the meantime. Gen. Coffee was contending with a superior force of the enemy ; the In- dians, who I had ordered to his support, and who had set out for this purpose, hearing the tiring on the left, had returned to that quarter ; and, when the enemy were routed there, entered into the chase. That being now over, I forthwith ordered Jim Fife, who was one of the principal commanders of the friendly Creeks, with one hundred of his warriors, to execute my first order. So soon as be reached Gen. CofTee, the charge was made, and the enemy routed ; they were pursued about three miles, and 45 of them slain, who were found. General Coffee was wounded in the body, and his aid-de-camp, A, Donaldson, killed, together with three others. 'Ha; ving brought in and buried the dead, and dressed the wounded, I ordered my camp to be fortified, to be the better prepared to repel any attack which might be made in the night, determining to commence a return mirch, to fort Strother, the next day ; many causes con- curred to make this measure necessary, as I had not set out prepared, or with a view to make a permanent es- tablishment. I considered it worse than useless to ad* vance, and destroy an empty encampment. I had, in- deed, hoped to have met the enemy the)-e ; but, having met and beaten them a little sooner, 1 did not think it necessary or prudent to proceed any further — not ne- cessary, because I had accomplished all I expected to effect, by marching to their encampment — and because, if it was proper to contend with, and weaken their for- ces still farther, this object would be more certainly at- tained by commencing a return, which, having to them the appearance of a retreat, would inspirit them to pur- sue me. Not prudent — because of the number of my wounded ; of the reinforcements, from below, which the enemy might be expected to receive ; of the starr- 332 RISE AND PROGRESS OF ' ing condition of my horses, they having neither had cane nor corn for two days and nights ; of the scarcity of supplies for my men, the Indians who joined me at Tal- ledega having drawn none, and being wholly destitute ; and because, if the enemy pursued me, as it was likely they would, the diversion in favor of Gen. Floyd would be the more complete and effectual — influenced by these considerations, 1 commenced my return march at half after 10, on the 23d inst. and was fortunate enough to reach Enotachopco before night, having passed, with- out interruption, a dangerous defile, occasioned by a hurricane. I again fortified my camp ; and, having another defile to pass in the morning, across a deep creek, and between two hills, which I had viewed wilh attention as 1 passed on, and where 1 expected I might be attacked, I determined to pass it at another point, and gave directions to my guide and fatigue-men accord- ingly. My expectation of an attack in the morning was increased by the signs of the night, and with it my cau- tion. Before I moved the wounded from the interior of my camp, I had my front and rear guards formed, as well as my right and left columns and moved olF my centre in regular order, leading down a handsome ridge to Enotachopco creek, at a point where it was clear of reed, except immediately on its margin. I had previ- ously issued a general order, pointing out the manner in which the men were to be foruied, ui the event of an. attack on the front or rear, or on the flanks ; and had particularly cautioned the officers to halt, and form ac- cordingly, the instant the word should be given. The front guard had crossed, wilh part of the flank columns -, the wounded were over, and the artillery in the act of catering the creek, when an alarm gun was heard in the rear ; I heard it without surprize — and even with pleasure, calculating with the utmost confidence on the firmness of my troo[)s, from the manner in which I liad seen them act on the 22d. I had placed Col. Car- rol at the head of the centre column of the rear guard ; its right column was commanded by Col. Perkins, and THE AMERICAN NAVY. . 333 its left by Col. Stump. Having chosen the ground, I expected there to have entirely cut off the enenny, by wheeUng the right and left columns on their pivot, re- crossing the creek above and below, and falling in upon their flanks and rear. 'But, to my astonishment and mortification, w^hen the word was given by Col. Carrol, to halt, and form, and a few*guns had been fired, 1 be- held the right and left columns of the rearguard preci- pitately give way ; this shameful retreat was disastrous in the extreme ; it drew along with it the greater part of the centre column, leaving not more than 25 men, who, being formed by Col. Carrol, maintained their ground as long as it was possible to maintain it ; and it brought consternation and confusion into the army — a consternation not easily removed ; and a confusion which could not easily be restored to order. There was then left, to repulse the enemy, the (ew who re- mained of the rear guard, the artillery company, and Captain Russell's company of spies ; — they, however, realized, and exceeded my highest expectations. Lieut. Armstrong, who commanded the artillery company, in the absence of Capt. Deadrick, (confined by sickness,) ordered them to form, and advance to the top of the hill, whilst he and a few others dragged up the six pounder ; never was more bravery displayed than on this occasion : amidst the most galling fire from the en- emy, more than ten times their number, they ascended the hill, and maintained their position until their piece was hauled up, when having levelled it, they poured upon the enemy a fire of grape, re-loaded and fired again — charged, and repulsed them. The most deliberate bravery was displayed by Con- stantine Perkins and Craven Jackson, of the artillery, acting as gunners : — in the huny of the moment, in se- partiting the gun from the limbers, the rammer and pick- er of the cannon were left tied to the limber ; no sooner was this discovered, than Jackson, amidst the galling fire of the enemy, pulled out the ramrod of his musquet, 334 RISE AND PROGRESS OF and used it as a picker, primed with a cartridge, and (ired the cannon. Perkins, having pulled offhis bayon- et, used his musquet as a rammer, drove down the cart- ridge ; and Jackson, using his former plan, again dis- charged her. The brave Lieut. Armstrong, just after the first fire of the cannon, with Captain Hamilton, of E. Tennessee, Bradford and M'Gavock, all fell ; the Lie itenant exclaiming, as he lay, " my brave fellows, some of you may fall — but save the cannon." About this time, a number crossed the creek and entered into the chase. The brave Captain Gordon, of the spies, who had rushed from the front endeavored to turn the left flank of the enemy, in which he partially succeed- ed ; and Col. Carrol, Col. Higgins, and Captains Elliot and Pipkins, pursued the enemy for more than two miles, who fled in consternation, throwing away their packs, and leaving 26 of their warriors dead on the field. I should do injustice to nay feelings, if I omitted to men- tion that the venerable judge Cocke, at the age of 65, entered into the engagement, continued the pursuit of the enemy with youthful ardor, and saved the life of a fellow-soldier, by killing his savage antagonist. In these several engagements, our loss was 20 killed, and 75 wounded — 4 of whom have since died. The loss of the enemy cannot be accurately ascertained — 189 of their warriors were found dead ; but this must fall considerably short of the real number killed — their wounded can only be guessed at. 1 have the honor, &;c. ANDW. JACKSON, Maj. Gen. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 235 EXPEDITION TO THE TALLAPOO SEE. Copy of a letter from Maj. (Jen. Jackson, to Maj. Gen Pinckney. On the Battle Gro^ind, in the Bend of the Tallnpoosee, March, 2Sth,l8U. Sir, 1 feel peculiarly happy in being able to communi- cate to you the fortunate eventuation of my expedi- tion to the Tallapoosee. I reached the bend, near Em- ucfau, (called, by the whites, the Horse-shoe,) about ten o'clock in the forenoon of yesterday, where 1 found the strength of the neighboring towns collected ; expecting our approach, they had gathered in from Oakfuskee, Oakchaga, New Yauca, Hillibees, the Fish-pond, and Eufaulee towns, to the number, it is said, of 1000. It is difficult to conceive a situation more eligible for defence, than they had chosen ; or one rendered more secure, by the skill with which they had erected their breast work ; it was from 5 to 8 feet high, and extended across the point in such a direction as that a force, approaching it, would be exposed to a double fire, while they lay in perfect security behind ; a cannon, planted at one ex- tremity, could have raked it to no advantage. Determining to exterminate them, 1 dctiiched Gene- ral Cotfee, with the mounted men, and nearly the whole of the Indian force, early on the morning of yes- terday, to cross the river, about two miles below the en- campment, and to surround the bend in such a man- ner, as that none of them should escape, by attempting to cross the river. With the infantry I proceeded slow- ly, and in order, along the point of land which led to the front of their breast-work ; having planted my cannon (one 6 and one 3 pounder, on an eminence, at the dis- tance of 150 to 200 yards from it, I opened a very brisk fire, playing upon the enemy with the musquets and ri- fles, whenever they showed themselves beyond it ; this 326 RISE AND PROGRESS OF was kept up, with short interruptions, for about two hours, when a part of the Indian force, and Captain Russell's and Lieut. Bean's companies of spies, who had accompanied General Coffee, crossed over in ca- noes, to the extremity of the bend, and set fire to a few of the buildings which were there situated 5 they ad- ranced, with great gallantry, towards the breast-work, and commenced a spirited tire upon the enemy behind it. Finding that this force, notwithstanding the bravery they displayed, was wholly insufficient to dislodge them, and that Gen. Coffee had entirely secured the opposite bank of the river, I now determined to take their works by storm. The men. by whom this was to be effected, had been waiting with impatience to receive their order, and hailed it with acclamation. The spirit which animated them was a sure augury of the success which was to follow ; the history of warfare, I think, furnishes few instances of a more brilliant attack ; the regulars, led on by their intrepid and skilful com- mander, Col. Williams, and by the gallant Maj. Mont- gomery, soon gained possession of the works, in the midst of a most tremendous fire from behind them ; and the militia, of the venerable Gen. Doherty's brigade, ac- companied then? in the charge, with a vivacity and firmness which would have done honor to regulars. The enemy were completely routed — 557 were left dead on the peninsula ; and a great number of them were killed by the horsemen, in attempting to cross the river ; it is believed that no more than 10 had esca- ped. The fighting continued, with some severity, about five hours ; but we continued to destroy many of them, who had concealed themselves under the banks of the river, until we were prevented by the night. This morning v.e killed 16 which had been concealed. AVe took 250 prisoners, all women and children except 2 or 3 ; our loss is 106 wounded and 2G killed. Maj. M'lntosh, (the Cowetau,) who joined my army with a THE AMERICAN x\AVY. 337 part of his tribe, greatly distinguished himself. When I get, an hour's leisure I will send you a more detailed ac- count. The power of Creeks is, I think, forever bro- ken. I send you a hasty sketch, taken by the eye, of the situation on which the enemy were encamped, and of the manner in which I approached them. I have the honor to be, &;c. ANDREW JACKSON, Mai. Gen. Mai. Gen. THOMAS PINCKNEY, U. S.^Army. CHAPTER XXXI. General Operations Continued. On the 3d of July, General Brown commenced ope- rations by crossing over and surprising fort Erie, which fell an easy conquest, and the next day he advanced to the plains of Chippewa, where he engaged the enemy and gained a signal victory. The victory gave great eclat to the American arms, and diffused a general joy throughout the nation. The Americans lost 60 killed and 248 wounded. — The British lost 133 killed and 320 wounded. 29 338 I^I-E AND PROGRESS OF FURTHER, OF THE BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. Copy of a letter frcim Major-General Brown, to the Secretary of War, dated Head-Quarters, Chippewa Plains, July 7, 1814. Dear Sir, On the second inst. I issued my orders for crossing the Niagara river, and jnade the arraiii^erncnts, deemed necessary, for securing the garrison of (oit Erie. On the 3d, that post surrendered, at b, P. M. Our loss in this allair, was four wounded — 1 have enclosed a re- turn of the prisoners, of the ordnance, and ordnance stores, captured. To secure my rear, I have placed a garrison in this fort and requested Capt. Kennedy, to station his vessels near the post. On the morning of the 4th. Brig. Gen. Scott, with his brigade, and a corps of artillery, was ordeied to ad- vance towards Chippewa, and be governed by circum- stances — taking care to secure a good military position for the night. After some skirmishing with the enemy, he selected this plain, with the eye of a soldier — his right resting on the river, and a ravine being in front. At 1 1 , at night, 1 joined him with the reserve, under Gen. Ripley, our field, and battering train, and corps of artil- lery under Maj. Hindrnan. Gen. Porter arrived, next morning, with a part of the N. Y. and Pennsylvania volunteeis, and some of the warriors of the Six Na- tions. Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy commen- ced a petty war upon our pickets, and, as he was indul- ged, his presumption increased ; — by noon, he showed himself on the left of our exterior line, and attacked one of our pickets, as it was returning to camp. Capt. Treat, who commanded it, retired, disgracefully, leaving THE AMERICAN NAVY. 339 a wounded man on the ground. Capt. Biddle, of the aj'tillery, who wis near the scene, impelled by feelings, highly honorable to him, as a soldier and officer, promptly assumed the command of this picket — led it back to the wounded man, and brought him off the field. I ordered Capt. Treat, on the spot, to retire from the army ; and, as I am anxious that no officer shall remain under my command, who can be suspec- ted of cowardice, I advise that Capt. Treat, and Lieut. , who was also with the picket, be struck from the rolls of the army. At 4 o'clock, P. iVl. agreeably to a plan I had given Gen. Porter, he advanced from the rear of our camp, with the volunteers and Indians, (taking the woods, in order to keep out of view of the enemy.) with a hope of biingin^ his j)ickets, and scouting parties, between his (Ports's) li je of march, and our camp. As Porter mo- ved, I ordered the parties, advanced in front of our camp, to fall back, gradually, under the enemy's fire, in order to draw, him, if possible, uo to oar line. About half past 4, the advance of Gen. Porter's conmiand, met the light parties of the enemy in the woods, upon our extreme left — the enemy were driven ; and Porter ad- vancing near to Chippewa, met their whole column in order of battle. From the cloud of dust rising, and the heavy firing, I was led to conclude that the whole force of the enemy was in march, and prepared for action. I immediately ordered Gen. Scott to advance, with his bri- gade, and Towson's artillery, and met them upon the plain, in front of our camp. The General did not ex- pect to be giatilied so soon, with a field engagement ; he advanced, in the most prompt and officer-like style, and, in a few minutes, was in close action, upon the plain with a superior force of British regular troops. By this time. Gen. Porter's command had given way, and fled in every direction, notwithstanding his personal gallantry, and great exertions to stay their flight. The retreat of the volunteers and Indians, caused the left 340 RISE AND PROGRESS OF flank of Gen. Scott's brigade to be greaOy exposed, Capt. Harris, with his dragoons, was directed to stop the fugitives, behind the lavine, fronting our camp ; and I sent Col. Gardner to order Gen. Ripley, to advance with the 21st regiment, which formed a part of the re- serve — pass to the left of our camp, skirt the woods, so as to keep out of view, and fall upon the rear of the en- emy's right flank ; this order was promptly obeyed ; and the greatest exertions were made by the 21st regiment, to gain their position, and close with the enemy — but in vain -, for such was the zeal and gallantry of the line, commanded by Gen. Scott, that its advance upon the enemy was not to be checked. Major Jessup, com- manding the left flank battalion, finding himself pressed in front, and in flank, and his men falling fast around him, ordered his battalion to "support arms, and ad- vance." The order was promptly obeyed, amidst the most deadly and destructive fire ; he gained a more se- cure position, and returned upon the enemy so galling a discharge, as caused them to retire. By this time, their whole line was falling back, and our gallant soldiers pressing upon them, as fast as possible. As soon as the enemy had gained the sloping ground, descending to- wards Chip[)cwa, and distant a quarter of a mile, he broke, and ran to gain his works ; in this effort, he was too successful ; and the guns, from his batteries, opening immediately upon our line, checked in some degree, the pursuit. At this moment, I resolved to bring up all my ordnance, and force the place by a direct attack, and gave the order accordingly. Major Wood, o{ the corps of engineers, and my aid, Capt. Austin, rode to the bank of the creek, towards the right of their line of works, and examined tlicm. I was induced, by the late- ness of their report, the lateness of the hour, and the ad- vice of Gen. Scott, and Major Wood, to order the tbr- ces to retire to camp. iMy most diflicult duty remains to be performed — 1 am depressed with the fear of not being able to do jus- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 34 1 ticeto my companions in arms ; and apprehensive that some, who had an opportunity of distinguishing them- selves, and promptly embraced it, will escape my no- tice. Brig. Gen. Scott is entitled to the highest praises our country can bestow ; to him, more than any man, am I indebted for the victory of the 5th of July-his brigade has covered itself with glory. Every ollicer and every man ofthe 9th, 92J, 11th, and 25th regiments, did his duty, with a zeal and energy worthy of the American charac- ter. When every othcer stands so pre-eminently high in the path of duty and honor, it is impossible to discri- minate ; but I cannot deprive myself of the pleasure of saying, that Mijor Leavenworth com:nanded the 9th, and 2 Jd ; Mijor Jessup the 25th, and Major M'Neil the 1 llh. Col. Campbell was wounded early in the action, gallantly leading on his regiment. The family of General Scott were conspicuous in the field ; Lieut. Smith, of the 6th infantry, Major of Bri- gade, and L.ieatenants Worth and Watts, his aids. From General Riplev, and his Brigade, I received ev- ery assistance that I gave them an opportunity of reri' dering. I did not order any part of the reserve into ac- tion, until Gen. Porter's command had given way ; and then Gen. Scott's movements were so rapid, and deci- sive, that Gen. Ripk-y could not get up in time, with the 2l3t, to the position as directed. The corps of ar- tillery, under Major Ilindman, were not generally inac- tion ; this was not their fault. Capt. 'Fowson's com- pany was the only one that had a full opportunity of distinguishing itself ; and it is believed that no compa- ny ever embraced an opportunity with more zeal, or more success. A detachment from the 2d brigade, under the com- mand of Lieut. M'Donald, penetrated the woods, with the Indians and volunteers, and for their support ; the conduct of M'Donald, and his command, reflects high honor upon the brigade to which they belong. ^29" 342 RISE AND PROGRESS OF The conduct of Gen. Porter has been conspicuously gallant ; every assistance, in his power to atTord, with the description of force under his command, has been rendered ; we could not expect him to contend with the British column of regulars, which appeared upon the plains of Chippewa — it was no cause of surprise to me, to see his command retire before this column. Justice forbids that I should omil to name my own family, they yield to none, in honorable zeal, intelli- gence, and attention to duty — Col. Gardner, Major Jones, and my aids. Captains Austin and Spencer have been as active, and as much devoted to the cause, as any officers of the army ; their conduct merits my warmest acknowledgements — of Gardner and Jones, I shall have occasion again to speak to you. Major Camp, deputy Quarter-master Genera!, deserves my ' particular notice, and ajiprobation : by his great exer- tions I was enabled to find the means of crossing. Capt Daliba, of the ordnance department, has render- ed every service in his power. The enclosed return will show you our loss, and fur- nish you with the names of the dead and wounded offi- cers — these gallant men must not be forgotten ; our country wall remember them, and do them justice. Respectfully, iic. JACOB BROWN. Hon. Sec. War. In the above action, the enemy had 203 killed, and 95 wounded — 15 prisoners — Total, 303. Those reported under the head of wounded and pris- oners were so severely injured, that it would have been impracticable for them to have escaped. The enemy had the same facilities of carrying their wounded from the field, at the commencement of the action, as our- selves ; and there can be no doubt, from the informa- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 343 tionthat I have received from unquestionable sources, that that they carried from the field as many of their wounded as is reported above in the total. AZ. ORNE, Msst. Ini;. Gen. Our loss was 60 killed— 115 S. 134 B. wounded — 19 prisoners — Total 328. The British official accountof the above action, states their total loss at 514. FURTHER PROCEKDINGS. Copy of a letter from Maj. Gen. Brown, to the Secretary of War, dated H. Q. Queenslown, July 22d, 1814. Dear Sir, On the 29th, the army moved, and encamped in the rear of fort George. Gen. Scott, with the van, had some skirmishing, before the main body came up ; but, as the enemy kept close to their works, nothing import- ant occurred. No force was left in our lear — the heights were abandoned to the enemy, and wc did hope that the movement would have induced him to re- occupy them, or close in nearer to us, so as to bring on an engagement out of his works ; i:i this we were disap- pointed. — The army returned to-day, and found a body of militia and a few regulars, in and about the heights ; Gen. Porter pursued them with his command, and a few regulars, and was so fortunate as to come up with and capture seven ofticers and ten privates — they will be sent to Greenbush. Respectfully, &c. JACOB BROWN. 344 RISE AND PROGRESS OF FURTHER PROCEEDINGS. Copy of a letter from Major General Brown, to the Secretary of War, dated H. Q. Chippewa, Julj/ 25,\8l A. Dear Sir, On the 23dinst. I received a letter by express, from General Gaines, advisini^ me, that, on the 20th, the heavy guns that I had ordered from the Flarbor, to en- able me to operate against forts George and Niagara, were blockaded in that port, together with the rifle re- giment that I had ordered up with them. I had order- ed these guns, and troops, in boats, provided the Com- modore should not deem it proper or prudent to convey them in his fleet, not doubting but that he would have been upon the lake for their protection, and that the enemy would have been driven into port, or captured. As Gen. Gaines informed me that the Commodore was confined to his bed with a fever, and as he did not know when the fleet would sail, or when the guns and forces which I had been expecting, would even leave Sackett's Harbor, I have thought it proper to cliange my position, with a view to other objects. You know how gi'catly I am disappointed, and therefore 1 will not dwell upon (hat [>aiuful subject ; and you can best per- ceive how much has been lost by the delay — and the command of lake Ontario being with the enemy — reliances being placed upon a dilFerent state of things. The Indians all left mc soitie lime since ; it is said that they will return; but this, you will perceive, depends upon circumstances. The reinforcements ordered on, from the west, have not arrived. Yours, respectfully, and trulv, JACOB BROWN. Hon. Sec'^ of War. : THE AMERICAN NAVY. 345 CHAPTER XXXII. General Operations Continued. BATTLE OF BRIDGEWATER. General Brown returned to Qiieenstown, and from thence to the plains of Chippewa, to await the enemy, who was advancing with a strong reinforcement, under General Drummond. ^^ .General Brown, supported by General Scott, met the enemy at Bridgewater, commanded by Generals Drum- mond and Rial] ; a desperate action commenced, and continued, with various successes, until midnight. The Americans carried the held, and the British retired. Generals Brown and Scott, were both wounded in this action, and General Ripley led back the army, the next day, to fort Erie. The loss of the British in this action, was estimated at 860 killed and wounded ; and the loss of the Ameri- cans at about the same number. The whole force en- gaged, was 4000 on the part of the British, and 3000 on the part of the Americans. Few actions have been recorded more bloody than this, for its numbers en- gaged. FURTHER— BATTLE OF BRIDGEWATER. Copy of a letter from Maj. General Brown, to the Secretary of \'tar, beiri": his detailed report of the Battle of Bridgewater, fought Ju- ly 25, 1814. Sir, Confined as I was, and have been, since the last en- gagement with the enemy, I fear that the account I am about to give, may be less full and satisfactory, than, 346 RISE AND PROGRESS OF under other circumstances, it might have been made. I particularly fear that the conduct of tiie gallant men, it was my good fortune to lead, will not be noticed in a way due to their fame, and the honor of our country. You are already apprised that the army had, on the 25th ult. taken a position at Chippewa ; about noon of that day, Col. Swil't, who was posted at Lewistown, ad- vised me, by ex[)ress, that the enemy a[)peared in con- siderable force, in Qiicenstown, and on its heights ; that four of the enemy's fleet had arrived, during the prece- ding night, and were then lying near fort Niagara; and that a number of boats were in view, moving up the streight. — Within a few minutes after this intelligence had been received, I was further informed, by Capt. Denmon, of the Quarter-Master's department, that the enemy was landing at Lewistown ; and that our bag- gage and stores at Sch'osser, and on their way thither, were in danger of immediate capture. It is proper here to mention, that having received advices as late as the 'iOth, from Gen. Gaines that our fleet was then in port, and the Commodore sick, we ceased to look for co-operation from that quarter, and determined to dis- encumber ourselves of baggage, and march directly for Burlington heights: to mask this intention, and to draw from Schlosser a small supply of provisions, I fell back upon Chippewa. As this arrangement, under the increased force of the enemy, left much at hazard, on our side of the Niagara, and as it appeared, by the be- fore stated information, that the enemj' was about to avail himself of it, I conceived that the most effectual method of recalling him from this object, was to put myself in motion towards Queenstown. Gen. Scott, with the 1st brigade, Towson's artillery, and all the drag- oons and mounted men, were accordingly put in march, on the road leading thither, with orders to report if the enemy appeared — then to cull for assistance, if that was necessary. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 347 On the General's arrival at the falls, he learned that the enemy was in force, directly in his front, narrow pieces of woods alone intercepting his view of them : waiting only to give this inforrnation, he advanced upon them ; by the time assistant Adj. Gen. Jories had deli- vered his message, (he action began ; and before the remaining part of the division had crossed the Chippe- wa, it had become close and general between the ad- vanced corps. Though Gen. Ripley, with the second brigade, Major Hindnrian, wi(h the corps of artillery, and Gen. Porter, at the head of his command, had res- pectively pressed forward with ardor, it was not less than an hour before they were brought to sustain Gen. Scott, during which time his command most skilfully, and gallantly, maintained the conflict. Upon my arri- val, 1 found that the General had passed the wood, and engaged the enemy on the Queenston road, and on the ground to the left of it, with the 9th, 1 1th, and 22d re- giments, with Tovvson's artillery — the 25th had been thrown to the right, to be governed by circumstances. Apprehending that these corps were much exhausted, and knowing that they had sulfeied severely, I deter- mined to interpose a new line with the advancing troops, and thus disengage Gen. Scott, and hold his brigade in reserve ; orders were accordingly given to Gen. Ripley. The enemy's artillery, at this moment, occupied a hill, which gave him great advantages, and was the key of the whole position ; it was supported by a line of infant- ry. To secure the victory, it was necessary to carry this artillery, and seize the height ; — this duty was as- signed to Col. Miller, while, to favor its execution, (he. 1st regiment, under the command of Col. Nicholas, was directed to menace and amuse the infantry. To a^y Igreat mortification, this regiment, after a discharge or jtwo, gave way, and rctiea(ed some distance before it Icould be rallied, though, it is believed, the otHcers of the regiment exerted themselves to shorten this distance. — In the mean time, Col. Miller, without regard to this oc- 348 RISE AND PROGRESS OF currence, advanced steadily, and gallantly, to his object, and carried the height, and the cannon. Gen. Ripley brought up the 23d (which had also faltered,) to his support, and the enemy disappeared from before them. The 1st regiment was now brought into line, on the left of the 21st and the detachments of the 17th and 19th, Gen. Porter occupying, with his command, the extreme left — about the time Col. Miller carried the enemy's cannon. The 25th regiment, underMajorJessup, was engaged in a more obstinate contest, with all that remained to dispute with us the field of battle. The Major, as has been already stated, had been ordered by General Scott, at the commencement of the action, to take ground to the right ; he liad succeeded in turning the enemy's left flank — had captured (by a detachment under Captain Ketchum,) Gen. Riall, and sundry other officers — and showed himself again, to his own army, in a blaze of fire, which defeated or destroyed a very superior force of the enemy. He was ordered to form on the right of the 2d regiment. The enemy, rallj'inghis forces, and, as is be- lieved, having received reinforcements, now attempted to drive us from our position, and regain his artillery ; our line was unshaken, and the enemy repulsed ; two other attempts, having the same object, had the same issue — Gen. Scott was again engaged, in repelling the former of these ; and the last I saw of him, on the field of hattle, he was near the head of his column, and gi- ving, to its march, a direction that wou'd have placed him on the enemy's right. It was with great pleasure 1 saw the good oider and intrepidity of Gen. Porter's volunteers, from the moment of their arrival ; but, du- ring the last charge of the enemy, those qualities were co!ispicuous — stimulated by the example set them by tiieir gallant leader, by Major Wood, of the Pennsylva- nia corps, by Col. Dobbin, of New-York, and by their officers generally, they precipitated themselves upon the THE AMERICAN NAVY. 349 fenemj's line, and made all the prisoners which were taken at this point of the action. Having been for some time wounded, and being a good deal exhausted by loss of blood, it became mj wish to devolve the command on Gen. Scott, and retire from the field ; but, on inquiry, I had the misfortune to learn that he was disabled by wounds ; I therefore kept my post, and had the satisfaction of s eing the enemy's last effort i-epulsed — I now consigned the command to* General Ripley. While retiring from the field, I saw and felt that thf victory was complete on our part, if proper measures were promptly adopted to secure it. The exhaustion of the men was, however, such as made some refresh- ment necessary ; they particularly required water — I was, myself, extremely sensible of the want of this ne- cessary article ; I therefore believed it pro^r that Gen. Ripley, and the troops, should return to camp, after bringing off the dead, the wounded and the artillery; and, in this, I saw no difficulty, as the enemy had en- tirely ceased to act. Within an hour after my arrival in camp, 1 was informed that Gen. Ripley had return- ed, without annoyance, and in good order. I now sent for him, and, after giving him my reasons for the meas- ure I was about to adopt, ordered him to put the troops in the best possible condition ; to give to them the ne- cessary refreshment; to take with him the picquetsand camp guards, and every other description of force ; to put himself on the field of battle as the day dawned, and there to meet and beat the enemy, if he appeared — to this order he made no objection, and I relied upon its execution ; — it was not executed. 1 feel, most sen- sibly, how inadequate are my powers in speaking of the troops, to do justice either to their merits, or to my own sense of them — under able direction they might have done more, and better. 30 350 RISE AND PROGRESS OF From the preceding detail, you have new evidence of the distinguished gallantry of Generals Scotland Por- ter, of Col. Miller, and Major Jessup. Of the 1st brigade, the chief, with his aid-de-camp, Worth, his Major of brigade. Smith, and every com- mander of battalion, were wounded. The 2d brigade suffered less ; but, as a brigade, their conduct entitled them to the applause of their country. After the ene- •my's strong position had been carried by the 21st, and detachments of the 17th and 19th, the 1st and 23d as- aumcd a new character — they could not, again, be shak- en or dismayed. Major M'Farland, of the latter, fell nobly at the head of his battalion. Under the com- mand of Gen. Porter, the militia volunteers of Penn- sylvania and New- York, stood undismayed, amidst the hottest fire, and repulsed the veterans opposed to'them. The Canadiln volunteers, commanded by Col. Wilson, are reported by Gen. Porter, as having merited and re- ceived his approbation. The corps of artillery, com- manded by Major Hindman, behaved with its usual gal- lantry. Capt. Towson's company, attached to the 1st brigade, was the first and the last engaged ; and, during the whole conflict, maintained that high character, which they had previously won by their skill and valor. — Captains Biddle and Ritchie were both wounded early in the action, but refused to quit the field ; the latter declared that he never would leave his piece — and, true to his engagement, fell by its side, covered with wounds. The staff of the army had its peculiar merit and dis- tinction — Col. Gardner, Adj. Gen. though ill, was on horseback, and did all in his power ; his assistant. Major Jones, was very active and useful ; my gallant aids-de- camp, Austin and Spencer, had many, and critical, du- ties to perform — in the discharge of which, the latter fiell : — I shall ever think of this young man, with pride and regret — regret, that his career has been so short ; pride, that it has been honorable and distinguished. — The engineers, Majors M'Rea and Wood, were greatly THE AMERICAN NAVY. 35 1 distinguished on this daj, and theirhigh military talents, exerted with great effect ; they were much under my eye, and near my person — and, to their assistance, a great deal is fairly to be ascribed ; I most earnestly re- commend them, as worthy of the highest trust and con- fidence. The staff of Generals Ripley and Porter discovered great zeal, and attention to duty. Lieut. E. B. Ran- dolph, of the 20th, is entitled to notice — his courage was conspicuous. I enclose a return of our loss ; those noted as missing may generally be numbered with the dead. The ene- my had but little opportunity of making prisoners. I have the honor, &c. JACOB BROWN. Hon. J. ARMSTRONG, See. War. Return of killed, wounded and missing, in the above action. — Killed, 171 — Wounded, 570 — Missing, 117 — Total, 858. C. K. GARDNER, Adj. Gen. Return of prisoners, taken from the enemy in the above action, viz. — 1 Major General, (Riall) — 1 Aid (to Lt. Gen. Drummond) — 6 Captains — 11 Subalterns —150 rank and file— Total, 169. AZ. ORNE, Assist. Insp. Gen. The British official account of the above action makes their loss as follows, viz. — Killed, 84 — Wounded. 559 — Missing, 193— Prisoners, 42— Total, 878. (Signed) ED. BAYNES. 352 RISE AND PROGRESS OP BATTLE OF BRIDGEWATER. Copy of a letter from Capt. L. Austin, Aid to Gen. Brown, to the Secretary of War, dated H. Q. Bvffalo, ^dthJuli/, 1814. Ihave the honor of addressing you by desire of Gen- Brown, who is now confined by wounds, received in a severe and desperate engagement with the enemy, on the afternoon and night of the 25lh inst. Our army had fallen back to Chippewa. The enemy, collecting every regiment from Burlington and York, and meeting with no opposition on Lake Ontario, trans- ported, by water, to fort George, troops from Kingston, and even Prescott, which enabled them to bring a force against us, vastly superior, under the command of Lieut. Gen. Drummond and Maj. Gen. Riall. They were met by us near the falls of Niagara, where a most se- vere conflict ensued ; the enemy disputed the ground with resolution, yet were driven from every position they attempted to hold. We stormed his batteries, di- rectly in front, and took possession of all his artillery ; notwithstanding his immense superiority, both in num- bers and position, he was completely defeated, and our troops remained on the battle ground, without any interruption. As, however, both Generals Brown and Scott had received severe wounds — almost every chief of battalion disabled — and our men quite exhausted, it was thought prudent to retire to our encampment; which was done in good order, M'ithout any molest- ion from the enemy — our wounded having first been emoved. Maj. Gen. Riall, with the aid-de-camp of Lieut. Gen. Drummond, and about twenty other, officers, with two hundred privates, are taken prisoners. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 353 The loss, on both sides, is immense ; but no account has yet been returned. The aid, and brigade Major of Gen. Scott, are both severely wounded ; and Capt. Spencer, an aid of Gen. Brown, most probably dead, having received two balls through his body. Both Generals Brown and Scott are on this side, confined by their wounds ; Gen. Ripley commands on the other. General Brown received his wounds at the same instawt during a late part of the action ; but still continued to keep his horse, until exhausted by loss of blood — this, probably, has rendered his wounds more painful thaiA they would otherwise have been. I have the honor, &:c. L. AUSTIN, A. D. Camp. Hob. Sec. War. CHAPTER XXXIIL General Operations Continued, SIEGE AT FORT ERIE. General Drummond advanced and invested the American army in fort Erie ; but finding an obstinate resistance, he attempted to carry it by storm, August 15th. Here the scenes of Chippewa and Bridgewater, were renewed. The enemy were repulsed with great loss. General Brown had now recovered of his wounds and resumed the command, September 2d. General Drummond continued his operations before fort Erie ; stengthened his works and pushed the siege. On the 1 7th, General Brown executed a gallant sortie, lay performing a circuitous march, and surprised the ea- 3Q* 354 RISE AND PROGRESS OF emy upon the flank of his trenches ; charged him in column, and carried his works with a dreadful carnage. More than 800 men fell, on the side of the enemy, and the Americans lost 300. General Drummond raised the siege and retired to Chippewa. BATTLE AT FORT ERIE. Copies of letters from Brig. Gen. Gaines, to the Secretary of War. dated H. Q. Fort Erie, U. C. Aug. 23d, 1814. Sir, Loss of sleep, and constant exposure to the weather, in its various changes, gave me, some days ago, a vio- lent cold, which has put it out of my power to do any thing more than the state of the service here rendered absolutely indispensable ; hence my apology for delay- ing, until this day, my report of the battle of the 15th inst. General Drummond is quietly engaged, in collecting his reinforcements ; his camp appears to be fortified : I attempted to look at it, a few days past, and it cost me a fine young officer, Lieut. Yates, of the 4th rifle re- giment, killed, and Lieut. Kearsley, of that excellent corps, with Lieut. Childs, of the 9th, wounded ; with the loss of some 2 or 3 privates killed, and 5 or 6 wounded. The loss of the enemy, I was unable to as- certain ; he would not leave his defences, and I did not think fit to leave mine at all exposed. Several desert- ers say, that the 6th and 82d regiments arrived last night — if this be true, their strength is about the san)e as it was before the battle of the 15th; their Col. Scott, is dead. About 20 deserters from the De Wat- teville regiment, and some few from other corps, concur THE AMERICAN NAVY. 355 ia the report, that their loss in killed, wounded, and missing, on the 1 5th, was upwards of a thousand. E. P GAINES, B. Gen. Comg. Gen. ARMSTRONG, Sec'y JVar, DETAILED REPORT. H. Q. Left Wing 2d Division, Fort Erie, U. C.Aug. 1814. Sir, 1 have the honor to communicate, for the informa- tion of the department of war, the particulars of the battle fought at this place, on the 15th inst. between the left wing of the 2d division of the northern army, under mj command, and the British forces in the Peninsula of U. C. commanded by Lieut. Gen. Drummond, which terminated in a signal victory, in favor of the United American arms. Our position, on the margin of the lake, at the entrance of the Niagara river, being nearly a horizontal plane, 12 or 15 feet above the surface of the water, possessing few natural advantages, had been strengthened in front, by temporary parapet breastworks, intrenchments, and abattis, with two bat- teries and 6 field pieces. The small, unfinished fort, Erie, with a 24, 18 and 12 prs. form the N. E. — andthe Douglass battery, with an 1 8, and 6 pr. near the edge of the lake, the S. E. angle of our right ; the left is de- fended by a redoubt battery, with 6 field pieces, just thrown up on a small ridge ; our rear was left open to the lake, bordered by a rocky shore of easy ascent ; the battery, on the left, was defended by Capt. Tow- son ; Fort Erie, by Capt. Williams, with Major Trim- ble's command, of the 19th infantry ; the batteries on the front, by Captains Biddle and Fanning ; the whole of the artillery commanded by Major Hindman* Part* of the 1 1th, 9th, and 22d infantry, (of the lat« vcteraa 556 RISE AND PROGRESS Of brigade of Maj. Gen. Scott,) were posted on the right, under the command of Lieut. CoU Aspinwall ; Gen. Ripley's brigade, consisting of the 21st and 23d, defend- •ed on the left ; Gen. Porter's brigade, of the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, with our distinguished ri- flemen, occupied the centre. I have, therefore, omitted stating to you, that, during the 13th and 14th, the enemy had kept up a brisk can- nonade, which was sharply returned from our batteries, without any considerable loss on^our part ; at 6, P. M. one of their shells lodged in a small magazine, in fort Erie, which was fortunately almost empty ; it blew up, with an explosion, more awful in its appearance than injurious in its effects, as it did not disable a man, or damage a gun. It occasioned but a momentary cessa- tion of the thunders of the artillery, on both sides ; it was followed by a loud and joyous shout of the British army, which was instantly returned on our part ; and Capt. Williams, amidst the smoke of the explosion, re- newed the contest by an animated roar of his heavy cannon. From the supposed loss of our ammunition, and the consequent depression such an event was likely to pro- duce upon the minds of our men, I felt persuaded that this explosion would lead the enemy to assault, and made my arrangements accordingly — the annexed pa- per, No. 1. is a copy of Lieut. Gen. Drummond's plau of attack. The night was dark, and, the early part of it, rain- ing ; but the faithful centinel slept not : — one third of the troops were up at their posts. At half past 2 o'clock, the right column of the enemy approached ; and, though enveloped in darkness, black as his design* and principles, was distinctly heard on our left, and promptly marked by our musquetry, under Major Wood, and artillery, under Capt. Towson, Being mounted at the moment, I repaired to the point of at- tack; where the sheet of fire, rolling from Towson's bat- THE AMERICAN NAVY. 357 tery and the musquetry, of the left wing of the 21st in- fantry, under Major Wood, enabled me to see the ene- my's column, of about 1500 men, approaching on that point ; his advance was not checked, until it approach- ed within 10 feet of our infantry ; a line of loose brush, representing an abattis, only intervened ; a column of the enemy attempted to pass round the abattis, through the water, where it was nearly breast deep : apprehend- ing that this point would be carried, I ordered a de- tachment of ridemen and infantry to its support; but having met with the gallant commander, Major Wood, was assured by him that he could defend his position without reinforcements. At this moment the enemy were repulsed ; but in- stantly renewed the charge, and were again repulsed. My attention was now called to the right, where our batteries and lines were soon lighted by a most bril- liant fire, of cannon and musquetry ; it announced the approach of the centre and left colunfins of the enemy, under Colonels Drummond and Scott — the latter was received by the veteran 9th, under the command of Capt. Foster, and Captains Boughton and Harding's companies of New-York and Pennsylvania volunteers, aided by a 6 pr. judiciously posted by Major M'Rea, chief engineer, who was most active and useful at this point — they were repulsed. That of the centre, led by Col. Drummond, was not long kept in check ; it ap- proached, at once, every assailable point of the fort, and, with scaling ladders, ascended the parapet, but was repulsed with dreadful carnage. The assault was twice repeated, and as often checked ; but the enemy, having moved round in the ditch, covered by darkness, added to the heavy cloud of smoke which had rolled from our cannon and musquetry, enveloping surround- ing objects, repeated the charge, re-ascended the lad- ders — their pikes, bayonets, and spears, fell upon our gallant artillerists. The gallant spirits of our favorite, Capt. Williams, and Lieuts. M'Donough and Wat- 358 RISE AND PROGRESS OF mough, with their brave men, were overcome — the two former, and several of their men, received deadly wounds — our bastion was lost. Lieut. M'Donough, being severely wounded, demanded quarter; it was re- fused by Col. Drummond — the Lieutenant then seized a handspike, and nobly defended himself, until he was shot down with a pistol, by the monster who had refused him quarter; who often reiterated the order, " give the damned yankees no quarter." This officer, whose bravery, if it had been seasoned with virtue, would have entitled him to the admiration of every soldier — this hardened murderer soon met his fate : he was shot through the breast by , of the reigiment, while repeating the order, to " give no quarter." The battle now raged with increased fury, on the right ; but on the left, the enemy was repulsed and put to flight; thence, and from the centre, I ordered reinforcements — they were promptly sent, by Brig. Gen. Ripley and Gen. Porter. Capt. Fa'nning, of the corps of artillery, kept a spirited and destructive fire, with his field pieces, on the enemy attempting to approach the fort. Major Hindman's gallant efforts, aided bj' Major Trimble, having failed to drive the enemy from the bastion, with the remaining artillery and infantry, in the forts, Capt. Birdsall, of the 4th rifle regiment, with a detachment of riflemen, gallantly rushed in, through the gateway, to their assistance ; and with some infantry, charged the enemy — but was repulsed, and the Captain severely wounded. A detachment from the 1 lib, 19th, and 22d infantry, under Capt. Foster, of the 11th, were intro- duced over the interior bastion, for the purpose of charging the enemy ; Major Hall, assistant Inspector- General, very handsomely tendered his services to lead the charge ; the charge was gallantly made by Capt. Foster, and Major Hall ; but owing to the narrowness of the passage up the bastion, admitting only 2 or 3 men abreast, it failed : — it was often repeated, and as often checked. The enemy's force in the bastion was,, THE AMERICAN NAVY. 359 however, much cut to pieces, and diminished, by our artillery and small arms. At this moment, every operation was arrested by the explosion of some cartridi^es, deposited in the end of the stone building, adjoining the contested bastion — the explosion was tremendous — it was decisive — the bastion was restored. At this moment Capt. Biddle was ordered to cause a field piece to be posted, so as to enfilade the exterior plain and salient glacis. The Captain, though not recovered from a severe contusion in the shoulder, received from one of the enemy's shells, promptly took his position, and served his field piece with vivacity and etlect. Capt. Fanning's batte- ry, likewise, played upon them, at this time, with great eflfect — the enemy were, in a few moments, entirely defeated, taken, or put to flight, leaving on the field 221 killed, 174 wounded, and 186 prisoners — (581,) in- cluding 14 othcers killed, and 7 vvonnded and prison- ers ; a large portion are so severely wounded that they cannot survive ; the slightly wounded, it is presumed, were carried oflf. To Brig. Gen. Ripley, much credit is due, for the ju- dicious disposition of the left wing, previous to the ac- tion, and for the steady disciplined courage manifested by him, and his immediate command ; and for the promptness with which he complied with my orders, for reinforcement, during the action. Brig. Gen. Por- ter, commanding the New-York and Pennsylvania vo- lunteers, manifested a degree of vigilance and judg- ment, in his preparatory arrangements, as well as mili- tary skill and courage, in action, which proves him to be worthy the confidence of his country, and the brave volunteers who fought under him. Of the volunteers, Captains Houghton and Harding, with their detach- ments posied on the right, and attached to the line, commanded by Capt. E. Foster, of the veteran 9th in- fantry, handsomely contributed to the repulse of the left column of the enemy, under Col. Scott. 360 J^ISE AND PROGRESS OF The judicious preparations, and steady conduct ol Lieut. Col. Aspinvvall, commanding the first hrigade, merit approbation. To Major M'Rea, chief engineer, the greatest credit is due, for the excellent arrangement, and skilful execution of his plans for fortifying and de- fending the right, and for his correct and seasonable suggestions in regaining the bastion. Major Wood, of the engineers, also greatly contributed to the previous measures of defence ; he had accepted the command of a regiment of infantry, (the 21st,) for which he has often proved himself well (jualitied, but never so conspicu- ously as on this occasion. Towson's battery emitted a constant sheet of fire — Wood's small arms lighted up the space, and repulsed five terrible charges, made between the battery and the lake. Brig. Gen. Ripley sptaks in high terms of the officers and men engaged, particularly Captains Mars- ton and Ropes. Lieutenants Riddle, of the 1 5th, (do- ing duty with the 21st,) and Hall ; Ensigns Benn, Jones, Cummings, and Thomas, of the 21st, and Keally and Green, of (he 19th. Major Hindman, and the whole of the artillery under the command of that excellent officer, displayed a de- gree of gallantry and good conduct, not to be surpassed. The particular situation of Capt. Towson,and the much lamented Car)tain Williams and Lieutenant M'Donough, and that of Lieut Watmough, as already described, with their respective commands, rendered them most con- spicuous. The courage aiui good conduct of Lieut. Zantzinger, and Lieut. Chiles, is spoken of in high terms, by Major Hindman and Captain Towson ; as also that of screant-major Dcnhon. Captains Biddle and Fanning, on the centre and right of their entrench- ments, threw the'r shot to the right, left, and front, and aiuioyed the Indians, and light troops of the enemy, ap- proaching from the Avoods. Lieut. Fontaine, in his zeal to meet the enemy, was unfortunately wounded, and made prisoner. Lieut. Bird was active and useful ; ■A THE AMERICAx\ NAVY. 361 and, in fact, every individual of the corps did their du- The detachment of Scott's gallant brigade, consist- ing of parts of the 9th, 11th, and 22d infantry, did its duty in a manner worthy the high reputation the bri- gade had acquired at Chippewa, and at the falls of Nia- gara. The 9th, under the command of Capt. E. Fos- ter, was actively engaged against the left of the enemy ; and, with his aid Lieut. Douglass' corps of bombardiers commanding the water battery, and of that of the vol- unteers, under Captains Boughton and Harding, effected their repulse. The good conduct of Lieuts. Childs, Cushman, and Foote, and Ensign Blake, deserves com- mendation. The officers killed, are Capt. Williams and Lieut. M'Donough, of the artillery — wounded, 6 other subal- tern officers, severely. Lieut. Fontaine, of the artillery, who was taken pri- soner, writes from the British camp, that he fortunately fell into the hands of the Indians, who, after taking his money, treated him kindly — it would seem, then, that these savages had not joined in the resolution to give no quarters. I have the honor, &ic. E. P. GAINES, Brig. Gen. Comg. Hon. J. ARMSTRONG, Sec. War. 31 362 RISE AND PROGRESS OF SORTIE NEAR FORT ERIE. Copy of a letter from Major-General Brown, to the Secretary of War, dated H. Q. Fort Erie, Sept. 10, 1814. Sir, I have the satisfaction to anounce to jou a brilhant achievement, yesterday effected by the forces under my command. A sortie was made upon the enemy's bat- teries — these were carried •, we blew up his principal work, destroyed his battering pieces, and captured 400 prisoners. The enemy resisted our assault with firm- ness, but suffered greatly — his total loss cannot be less than 800 men. In such a business, we could not but expect to lose ma- ny valuable lives ; they were offered up a voluntary sacrifice to the safety and honor of this army and na- tion. I will forward to you the particulars of this splendid affair, with a return of the killed and wounded, in the course of a few days. Very respectfully, &c. JACOB BROWN. Hon. Sec. of War. SORTIE AT ERIE. Copy of a letter from Major- General Brown, to the Secretary of War, dated H. Q, Camp Fori Erie, Sept. 29th, 1814. Sir, In my letter of the 18th inst. I briefly informed you of the fortunate issue of the sortie which took place the day preceding. But it is due to the gallant officers and men, to whose bravery we are indebted for our success THE AMERICAN NAVY. 363 on this occasion, that I should give you a more circum- stantial and detailed account of this affair. The enemy's camp I had ascertained to be situated in a field surrounded by woods, nearly two miles dis- tant from their batteries and entrenchments, the object of which was to keep the parts of the force, which was not upon duty, out of the range of our fire from fort Erie and Black Rock. Their infantry was formed into three brigades, estimated at 12 or 15 hundred men each. One of these brigades, with a detail from their artillery, was stationed at their works, (these being about 500 yards distant from old fort Erie, and the right of our line.) We had already suffered much from the fire of two of their batteries, and were aware that a third was about to open upon us. Under these circumstances, I resolved to storm the batteries, de- stroy the cannon, and roughly handle the brigade upon ■duty, before those in reserve could be brought into ac- tion. On tho morning vC the 17th, the infantry and rifle- men, regulars and militia were ordered to be paraded and put in readiness to march, precisely at 12 o'clock. Gen. Porter, with the volunteers, Colonel Gibson, with the riflemen, and Major Brooks, with the 23d and 1st infantry, and a few dragoons, acting as infantry, were ordered to move, from the extreme left of our position, upon the enemy's right by a passage opened through the woods for the occasion. Gen. Miller was directed to station his command in the ravine, which lies be- tween fort Erie and the enemy's batteries, by passing them by detachments through the skirts of the wood ; and the 21st infantry, under Gen. Ripley, was posted as a corps of reserve, between the new bastions of fort Erie — all under cover, and out of the view of the ene- my. 'About 20 minutes before 3, P. M. I found the left columns, under the command of Gen. Porter, which were destined to turn the enemy's right, within a few 364 RISE AND PROGRESS OF rods of the British entrenchments. They were ordered to advance and commence the action. Passing down the ravine, I judged, from the report of musquetry, that the action had commenced on our left; I now hastened to Gen. Miller, and directed him to seize the moment, and pierce the enemy's entrenchment, be- tween batteries No. 2 and 3. My orders were promptly and ably executed. Within 30 minutes after the first gun Was fired, batteries No 3 and 2, the enemy's line of entrenchments, and his two block-houses, were in our possession. Soon after, battery No. 1 was abandoned by the British. The guns, in each, were spiked by us. or otherwise destroyed, and the magazine of No, 3 was blown up. A few minutes before the explosion, I had ordered up the reserve, under Gen. Ripley ; as he passed me, at the head of his column, I desired him, as he would be the senior in advance, to ascertain, as near as possible, the situation of the troops in general, and to have a care, that not more was hazarded atieadiu-- the sie^ie of P!att>hup;;h, and the de- fence of the po>ts e;)trastevl to my charge. Tne Governor-General of the Canadas, Sir George Prevost, h.iving collected all the disposable force of Lower Canada, with a view of conquering the country as far as Crown-i)oint and Ticoiideroga, entered the territory of the U. States, on the first of the month, and occupied the villaife of Champiain — tliere avowed his intentions, and i.^sued order? and proclamations, tending to dissuade the people from their allegiance, and inviting them to furnish his army with provisions. He immedi- ately bi-gan to impress the waggons, and teams, in the vi- cinity, and loaded them with heavy baggage and stores ; from this. T was persuaded he intended to attack this place. I had but just returned from the lines, where I imd commanded a fine brigade, which was broken up to form the division of Maj. Gen. Izard, ordered to the wert'.vard. Beingsenior officer, he left me in command : and, except the four companies of the 6th regiment, I had not an organized battalion among those remaining : THE AMERICAN NAVY", 377 the garrison was composed of convalescents, and the re- cruits of the now regiments —all in the greatest confusion, as well as the ordnance and stores, and the works in no state of defence. To create an emulation and zeal, among the officers arid men, in completing the works, I divided them into detachments, and placed them near the several forts —declaring, in orders, that each detach- ment, was the garrison of its own work, and bound t» defend it to the last extremity. The enemy advanced cautiously, and by short march- es, and o:ir soldiers worked day and night: so that, bj- the lime he made his appearance before the place, we were prepared to i-eceive him. Gen. Izard named the principal work Fort Moreau ; and, to remind the troops of the actions of their brave co'intrymen, I called the redoubt, on the right, fort Brown ; and that on the left, fort Scott; besides these three works, we have two block-houses, strongly fortifi- ed.^ Finding, on examining the returns of the garrison, that our force did not exceed fifteen hundred men for duty, and well informed that the enemy had as many thousand, I called on Gerations of our militia ; a whole company of the 7Gth regiment was here destroyed — the three Lieutenants, and 27 men, prisoners ; the Captain, and the rest, killed. 1 cannot forego the pleasure of here stating the gal- lant conduct of Captain M'Glassin, of the l.^th regi- ment, who was ordered to ford the river, and attack a party constructing a battery on the right of the enemy's THE AMERICAN NAVlf. 38 i Jme, within 500 yards of fort Brown — which he hand- soiTirly executed, at midnight, vvi(h 60 men ; drove off the working party, consisting of 150, defeated a cover- ing party of the same number — kiUio'i otie otiicer, and G men, in the charge, and W(Hi:idin4 many, .it dusk, the enemv wiMiiirew hi« ariiliery fiorn ihe batteries, and rjiised the .'iege : and. at S, under cover of the night, sent off a!i the heavy bajg.igehecoald (ind trans- port for, and aNo his a'-tillery — at ?, the next morning, the whole army precipitate'y reticated,leavimi the sick a!td wounded to our generosity, and the Governor left a note with i surgeon, re jue^ting the huinaae attention of the commanding Geaerai. Vast 'v.iantitich of pro- vision were lefi. b.;l)i!id, a.id destroyed ; a'so, an im- mense quantity of bomh-shel»s, ca.inon bails, grape «hot, ammunition, ilints, Izc, &c. ; intrenching tools of all sorts, also tents, and marquees. A great quantity has been found in the ponds and creeks, and buried in the ground — and a vast (piantity carried otT by the in- habitants. Such was the precipitance of his retreat, that he arrived at Chazy, a distance of 8 miles, before we had discovered he had gone. The light troops, vol- unteers, and militia, pursued immediately, on learning his flight ; and some of the mou.iled men made prison- ers 4 dragoons, of the 1 9th, and several others of the rear guard. A continued fail of rain, and a violent storm, prevented further pursuit. Upwards of SCO de- serters have come in and many are hourly arrivini^. The conduct of the officers, non-cominissioncd offi- cers, and soldiers, of my command, during this trying occasion, cannot be represented in too high terms ; and I fee! it my duty to recommend, to the particular notice of government, Lieut. Col. Appling, of the 1st rivle corps; Major Wool, of the 29th; Major Totten of the corps of engineers ; Captain Brooks of the ar- tillery ; Captain M'Glassin, of the 1 5th; Lieutenants De Russy and Trescott, of the corps of engineers : J>ietenants Smyth, Mountford, and Cromwell, of the ar 382 RISE ANB PROGRESS ©F ^ tillery ; also, my aid, Lieut. Root, who have disti*- j guished thernseives, by their uncommon zeal and activ- ri ity, aud h;ive been greatly iiistrumeatal in producing the i happy and ylorious result of the siege. j I have the honor, &lc. il ALEX. MACOMB. : The lojs of the enemy, in killed, wounded, prisoners, ' and deserters, since his tirst aupea^a icc, ca mot fall t short of 2,500, incUidiag ma u officers, among whom j i? Colonel Wellington, of the BulFa. L J Return of killed and wounded, on the American side, during the skirmishing and bi)-naardmcnl above dt-sciib- i ed : Killed, 37 — wounded, 66 — missing, 20 — Total, i 1 23. :, The principal officers of the British army, under Sir i ®. Prevo^t, are na neJ by Gen. Macomb in the above account; and the partici.ilar description of forces, how many of each kind, and the aggregate — which amounts i to fourteen thousand. , This action closed the campaign of the North glori- ously, and the armies went into winter quarters. REMARKS. Soon after the declaration of war in 1812, the gov- ernment appointed Lieut. Macdoaough to create, and command a small naval force, upon lako Champlain, for the defence and protection of our northern frontior. The government aud the nation knew the importance of this naval force upon a lake, that had in all former wars become memorable for its naval actions ; they knew and tcltalso, the high trust committed to Lieut. Macdonough, particularly when opposed to a HavaL THE AMERICAN NaVY. 383 itommander of such experience and distinction as Com- nodore Downie. They also knew the chivalrous val- >ur Macdonoughhad displayed, in the naval war of the i'lediterranean, particularly in the destruction of the iigate Philadelphia ; in that unequal contest with the Pripolitan gun boats, a contest so desperate, so bloody,, nd yet so glorious. Although the government and he nation knew this, and had placed the strongest pos- ible confidence in Commodore IVJacdonongh, they also 2lt the delicacy of his situation, and their feelings were live to the crisis before them. But when Commodore lacdonough announced the glorious victory of the 1th of Sept. 1814, all hearts expanded with exultation nd rapture; and were equally at a loss which most to dmire, the triumph of the hero, or the modesty of his fficial report. It is not for me to say that this was one of the most plendid naval actions, ever recorded, when the glori- us victories of Copenhagen, Aboukir and Trafalgar ave added such lustre to the name of Nelson, and the ictory ©f lake Erie to the name of Perry. But thus >uch it may be proper for me to say, that by all tacti- ians it is acknowledged, that, the assailing force has ecidedly the advantage in all contests, whether by ind or sea, and ceteris fraribus, gives him a fair calcu- itioH for success. Let it therefore be understood, that t the victory of Copenhagen, Nelson was the assailant, nd the enemy at anchor in the port, and the same was 'ue at the battle of Aboukir. That at the baUle of Vafalgar, the enemy were under an easy s;^il, before le wind, and Nelson the assailant, when he bore down nd broke their line, to commence the action ; a;id the im© was true of Perry, in the action of lake Erie. But Commodore Macdonough was at anclior in ( ort, nd the enemy the assailant who chose his own time and istance; yet such was the nautical sk.li, and superior- y of naval tactics of Ccmmodoic Pyiiicdoncugh, that 'ith an inferior force he received the assailing enemy, 384 'tl^E AND PROGRESS OF foiled his attack, and brought the flag of his whole squadron to do homage to that of ihc Uriiled Stales. Such a victory ptai'ds alone in the annal? of naval war : it tixed the keystone to the triunij lial arch of Ameri- can naval glory, and added one more laurel to the brow of an American naval hero. CHAPTER XXXVl. General Operations Coiitinued. On the 16th of September, 1814, a small British squadron appeared before fort Bowyer, at Mobile Point, to co-operate with a land force of 100 marines and 400 Indians, in reducing the fortress ; but such was the firmness of Captain Lawrence, that with a garrison of ■ 120 men, he resisted the repealed atlacks of the ene- i my, and obliged him to retire with loss, and abandon '' the enterprise. ' On the 5(h of November, General Jackson marched to Pensaco!a,at the head of a fowe of about 3000 meu, •' to chastise (he Erglifh aiid Spaniards, wlio had kindled > and kept alive, ihe war wilbthe Seminole Indians. Af- ' ter destroyine; their torts and dispersing the British, he returned to Mobile. The marauders of the Chesapeake, when they aban- dooed the enterprise against Baltimore, retired to Ber- muda, where (bey prepared a formidable armament, and mailed to ]>^cw Orleans' with a fleet of sixty sail,' besides transports and barges. Upon the tirst intelli^cnre of this movement. Gener- al Jackion marche*! with liis Vv hole force, to the defence If^ of fh'S key of the wes'crn conriry. On the 2d of De- ' ccmbcr, he reached I^ewOrleans, and hastened his' ) I THE AMERICAN NAVY. 385 preparations to receive the enemy. The citizens, as well as the slaves, united with the troops in the arduous labors of constructing works of defence, and the Gen- eral participated in all their toils. On the 1 2th of December, the fleet of the enemy appeared in the bay of St. Louis, and the American flotilla retired up the river to a more favorable position. Oil the 14th, the enemy conuTienced an attack upon the flotilla, and captured the whole. General Jackson next ordered martial law to be pro- claimed, and the whole miiitia to appear on duty. The legislature made the necessary appropriation, and laid an embargo on ai! the vessels then in port. On the 21st, General Carrol arrived and joined Gen- era! Ja»kson, with 4000 brave Tennes.seeans, (partially armed,) and the Barratarians arrived at the same time, to join in the general defence. General Jackson next ordered all the canals leading to the lake, to be closed ; but the enemy, about 1 2,000 strong, reached the high banks of the river, on the 28th, notwithstanding this precaution, where they halted to tike refre«hu;eit, before they entered tie city, then full in their view. General Jackson assembled his whole force, abont 6000 men, and marched down to meet the enemy ; but did not reach them before dark. Afier reconnoitering their position, he commenced an attack, which surpris- ed the British, and threw ibeiii into disorder; but they soon rallied to the combat, and a sharp rencounter en- sued. A thick fog arose, that rendered it necessary for General Jackson to ^'thdraw his troops, and he re- tired about tvvo miles up the river, and took his stand at his fortified position.* * His lines t-xten led about 1000 yards in front, constructed with bales of cotton, placed -.^'lony the l.M.k of i;a ' ■'^, ccl dt- f...iuf il ':y twelve pieces of o un.. ;>. aoi 600't tneti ; swppdri-^d a!so by a buttery of fifteen guns, on tiie opposite side of the river ; the ditch contained five feet of water. 33 386 RISE AND PROGRESS OF At the dawn of day, the British army (12,000) was in motion, and advanced in cokimns to the combat. General Jackson reserved his tire until the enemy ap- proached within the reach of his grape, he then opened a destructive tire from his artillery, that mowed down their ranks. These were successively closed, and the enem ycontinued to advance, until they came within mus- ket-shot ; the whole lines vomited forth one incessant sheet fif flame from the deadly rifle, which strewed tl e plainV.with indiscriminate slaughter, and threatened tlie whole columns with universal ruin. The enemy broke and fled in confusion, except a small detachment that bravely advanced to the line ; but these all fell, to a man. Stung with indignation, the British ofllicer? ralli- ed their troops, and advanced again to the, charge. Af^ain they were overwhelmed with the fireof the dead- ly rifle, and again they fled ; leaving the field strewed with the carnage of more than 2000 wounded, dead and dying. The General in-chief, sir Edward Pack- enham, together with several other Generals, and an unusual proportion of officers, were among the slain. About 500 were taken prisoners ; total loss of the ene- my, about 3000. The loss of the Americans in this ac- tion, did not exceed 20 killed and wounded, January 8th, 1815. The British who survived, retired on board their fleet ; descended the river, and proceeded to attack fort ^owyer, which they carried, after a brave resistance ; but the return of peace, soon restored it again to the Americans. General Jackson had posted his men ten deep in his lines, under the following orders, viz. 1. To receive the enemy at his approach, with a discharge of grape shot. 2. To reserve the fire of the musquetry until special orders, and then for the front rank only to fire, and pass tlieir rifles to (he rear to be loell disciphned army. Ahhough my forces, as to number, had been increased by the airiva! of the Kentucky division, my strength had received very httie addition — a small portion only of that detachment being provided with arms. Compel- led thus to wait the attack of the enemy, 1 took every measure to repsd it, when it should be made, and to de- feat the ob.ect he had in view. Gen. .Morgan, with the Orleans contingent, the Louisiana militia, and a strong deiach;ne.it of the Kentucky troojis, occupied an in- trenched camp on the opposite side of the river, protect- ed by strong batteries on the bank, erected and superin- tended by Commodore Patterson. In my encampment, every thing was ready for action —when, early on the morning of the 8th, the enemy, after throwing a heavy shower of bombs and Congreve rockets, advanced their columns o!) my right and left, to storm my entrench- ments. 1 cannot speak sutFiciently in praise of llie firm- ness find deliberation, with which m} who'c line receiv- ed their a[)proach — more could not have been exj)ected from velerans, inured to war. For an hour the lire of the small ar.7is was as incessant and se-ere as can be imagined — -ihe artillery too, directed by oiiicers who dis- played e(|ual skill and courage, did great execution: — yet the columns of the enemy continued to advance, with a firmness which refiecis upon them the greatest credit ; twice the cohnnn which approached me, on my left, Vv'as repulsed by the tioops of Gen. Carrol, those of Gen. Coffee, and adivisioii of Kentucky militia — and twice they formed again, and renewe I the'assault. At length, however, cut to pieees, they tied, in confusion, from the field, leaving it covered with their dead and THE AMERICAN NAVY. 393 wounded. The loss, which the enemy sustained on this occasion, cannot be estimated at Icjs than 1500, in kil- led, wounded and prisoners — upwards of 300 have al-.-. ready been d-jlivered over for buria! ; and my men arc still engaged in picking them up, within my lines, and cariyiag them to the point where the enemy are to re- ceive them ; this is in additioii to the dead and wounded whom the enemy have been enabled to carry from the field, during and since the action — and to those who have since died of the wounds ihey have received. — AVc have takt-n about 500 prisoners, upward? of 300 of whom are wounded, and a 44 Louisiana ^ R'tlesnake I . . ?*resident ) Hornet '. Nautilus ( ^Constellation i Wasp f Vixen J Jongress > 36 Brig Adams J Viper - - 12 Chesapeake j Oneida ) Vixen - - 8 ^ssex 1 ^2 Syren - V 16 ^dams I Argus ) APPENDIX. In the introductory remarks, the author attempted to sketch the rise and progress of American commerce, from its origin, down to the rcvokition in 1775, to shew the progressive industry and enterprise of the Ameri- can character, as well as the necessity of a naval force for the protection of their expanding commerce. To give a more forcible impression to that important sub- ject, the author has selected the following commercial statements from Pitkin's Statistics pages 51 — 58 inclu- sive, which will atford the reader a most interesting view of the progressive and expanded character of the connnercial enterpiise of the American people. The reader will here observe, that in a period of two centuries,//wf commerce which commenced in the small furs of the forest, had in 1816 expanded to an amount of more than eighty one million of dollars annually. An instance of con)mercial industry and enterprise un- precedented in the history of nations. APPENDIX. 401 TABLE No. I. •d sumin ary slalemtnl of the value of the exports of the several States and f'errilories, annually, from the 1st of October., 1790, to the 3Qth of Scpteinber, 1816. J^ =* j:; CO g is I "& ^ I TT CO O CD CO ~ OJ O oJ^ lo' ■- —I 3 — ^ C5 — >o oi c: CO •v 00 i^ CO o (M ^ C3 i> — O — O t- C5 1-1 « CO lO ■>< CO t- l^ -O GS( lO ^ t- C-w G< C< QO ^ -< o-5_ -:,i^, C. ■__ CO M CO cTcTofsDi^i-OrH"— r rr '£) tn 3 o -^ 3 o Ci ir; rji c>i lo oj s* c> ^ r-' ->?■ i>r cT lO l^ 0> CO irt ^ -* vo CO -^^O,-"^ so — o o CO t^ C^ lO C-^CS CO Oi O— OCO— CO'S'CCI o oi "T o 00. cj, o CO tr^ oi -j^-^ cT co' aj — r --> C< — O CO — I O 1— I — G-J. 03 CO r^ 1,1^ •-" CD t-'r-T O" I—' lO" ^ 1— ©< CO rr CO O C3 eof CO lo" 0> C7i Oi Ci ■^ ■^ O CO CO lO — OlOCO-^G'^iO'-l ■^ m CO cc in as CO C35 •r 00 rf t^ -o' O lO _ ■<*< o rf O >X &< Ci 00 -^ CO O! CD CO J> CO G^» CO CO O CO CD LO_C2.(XJ. -h'— 't-'co' OJ (M CD CO CO CO 00 c^ LO o lO t^ !?» lo O OS CO d CO •»3., 1^_, '^^ CD^ 0_ 00^ Go'co'o j5 J?, -'ss'^' cc en r- ^ CM c~( CO (T.J CO CO 00 S- '-^ " '^ si" -'oo' ^ in Oi s^ "^ IC lO -^ "^ — r^^CO^OOSCOCi— ' LO CO lO CD TO CI !>. C35 CO rH CO, 'T Ci, O, 00, O, erf" O o' lo" CO CO rT .tT — • I- — O S( -0 -- CO l-O' TT t> lO -^ -< O* i-O 00 30 o CD rr CO 'O 00 IC C*J (J> ^ --3' ^ E i a) o « S 1 ^- , rt s g>^'? s^^g O' o S S 1* S JS r-J Mj-d ^ ^ c = .2 -5 -y <« ,« 34* o Is 402 APPENDIX; TABLE No. ].— Continued. i-'iceo — o — cit^coc^co — i>.coo} o -^ t^ '>' s» ii i>. CO -f 03 -'» t^ i^ — . -0 f ira a> CO C5 o :.; T-< i> J^ o t- --^ v3 — 1 f^J ■"c — to o -^ o cc '^ in • • • CO CTi t^ M o ^ u3 1-?" rf lO CO — "■^' .T t-^ — Oi O CO -4 t^ r,co.3'9 o o — csci CO — CD o^rjoi' iOCTi'^ior>. 22 !>• 1-1 » l^ irt O O -C 1-1 Tt;c-:.Ci -g- O . o CO pH —"to — > 03 — • L.0 C~ C* i-H j^ 1^1 l^ .— ( c- 0";0'-0— t-— OGO'^'^QO-TCOiO Ti* 'N 'V u CliOCOC^t^-JO— — initosi -— ot- — o o r -^ 1.0 ira 'O CO rj J> »-< c ^- r^ «> — CO • • • CM CO t- *-y ^r^'C'Ococc^'rjcocd'fo"'?*'— o C^O 05 ^ Ci — 'Ot-TT— ©»!??- '{^rf — lO — t^ CO — . o> «^i-ir-c-»?»TO irj'*0'*'-C5COco (Jj O Mt-h— o ir^ »n — CO c^ c5 l-< ,'y I -^ oi ~) CO ~ o t- i-o -^ 'o r) CO o 1(0 — < CO OJ t- CO to O J> T-» t~- O 3^ CO O 05 CO iJ^ !>• 1 CO, -^ to CO :a :■< oj -^ uo 7; o CO ':o CO ci^ CO { lO,-^'^'eO'co"'^TcOf-^0■^Tf M o> 0?"*C0 tooocftcooa)'^'*^'^"''^'^''''^'''''^' lO •>* -r CD li CO^ ^ 05 t- 05 CO to C CO CO ^ — co" '*>* t— CO o --^ 2 IS to l^ to CO ,D to CO "O Ol O t- TI" •* Lf5 -^ ioco2^j>. — coosti-^cocDt-oo'a'co OiM i^t^ 0'»— ' "i'-^O i-O'^iO^^COOO uf t>r cT of to^ -- lO oo" oT t — t lo 'I" ■>a" lO iniOc-cOTr'OWcocotoOT'Oi-jO'O lo 03'X)--aocooocot» to — to "* CO :ji '~ 05 1-0 r-j CO -^ l>. lO ■* i> '^ <^ ^ '^ TO O 00 S ^ ON CO CO, CO — t-^COoJrriOOJClliTf •^ coco — t5 C5'S"0» CJS Ct> O 00 OS Ct — CO CO t- lO G^ o 05 co' -I- ■^ ih' to — — c^ •«i< o^ 3j o — ' CO ;3 t* oi t- lo 05 ao30Ctt~'-«(MO*cocoo t- Tj< Lo oj cx) LO {--, 05. o to — C'— .i«'cOC5'<35;-£KGf COOIM"'"*— C0C531 CO — 10 3J CO Oi — 'O of 'O of to" C; 'JO !N 05 c^ Tfi t> CO CJ t^ 00 fN t- CO l>. ,^ 0> CD — . .0 ->) OJ OJ t- CO ->* C3 .0 ^ C>» CD — CO 00 -^ — 05 r^ CO C3 - 10 CO CO CO t~ '* — CO-W- ^ to — 03 'tP CO 05 CO i 03 f- CO 05 — t- — ira 0; CO 21 '^ 2 CO to 5 I Cj f-i r; "^ -i^ = §"«£>- , ? 1. 2 2 o ^ 5?;> S (±i O ^ 3 k; ^a '5 * i-^'o « K ; t3 ^ ^3 f- c' ^ Q> 01 O) ^ 'O •>-• --^ u ^ 2j2 Di'&-d 3 ^ §.5 . a .iP '. 5 aj ^ ■ APPENDIX. 403 TABLE No. L— Continued. loeoTfi^.rj'socoaj'f— o — "* — 00 -d<' W CO — 00 0» O CO -■■ J ^ (m'cO o" 00 ieoeo-Hjo'»"*cocftOJao<^'G^oc>co (N •>* o^ M t- --icot>coco(MO ■O 00 00 ,1—1 lO -^ CO Ci C5 I l^ C^- Qt |OJOJ-'T}.COaiir5CO O t^ C>J ?1 3t lO 33 to ro C — I I-'' 0{ •^ ■>» ^ I '^ t~ ^, o to o t- 30 j> — 70 -^ T-; "* 'o^ o I lo 00 io' oi "0 ^o co" ^ "^ '-'^ '-0 i^ ■^■t3<' -4 ji-iT-a'^'^'~'^ T^ 10 CO — . CO Ci I cj lo 10 •^ i>. CO ■■o 't ira -^ 00 -# '?» •^ irj '?<000l'O'McOXirrr^MJ>'0-OX)"3< . I c^OJ. — _^ 'O J> oi :^.f t>; oj.;3i oj c>! — ■ ■« CO (N -• — 1 CO 'O CO ic ^.^ i.o l>. o< --o LO '-O O O 5J ■» CDf-'*r5(Mr). CN CC> CO CO 00_^ !>.__ — ^C3_ -- CO CO t- t- lO CO o> — 10 oi co' -^f o o co' >o ci CO ojT l0300205~<»COl^OCO'*lOOlTj. ^ lO ^ O lO 05 l^ lO is CO O CO I CO — CO (>> 1 CO oDiNi^cst-coco'Ncoci^io rco ooic-^OJ-^-^iOcoca — OTO ao I S 'i> CO t^ ■* iD C} CO lo 'n C '"O 03 of SJJS JS .2-75 ^' 3 ;^ .Si V 'J o P O .- 3 « H s Bo-3 i 2 ;5> ca ^ S fe fe = « bi Tr^ 5 «- -5 g o' S jc I g •104 APPENDIX. TABLE No. I.— Continued. c^ O) -5 05 o ^5 -3" -p ^ CO — ' V r; o I* -?» 'O ! o t- :d C> l-;_ S-J^ :>J l-__ CO CI !:-;_ ■^ c>^ 3-7':oGT'JOOC5'o ClioCOti— i?<-^ — — o r- CO i-T O r- GC. CO :?' CO :c 'o CT oT l-^ t-^ — CO r-^ O C-^ I G^ S-» CO ':t r -,o Ci ci ■>( — c:: '-o -S-* C5 ::> cj o ?o X CO t- «- — O O !?» c- -:r c» ^ I «-; o o — — r^ ^'^ c:, -;. «0 '-C; CJ, O — 1 GO — O •-^CO 'O to CO lO — CD — • CO TJ O) CO r- in o "cr -o o ^ -J. o '^ CO CJ — • 05 GO so <- ^ -o o s: 'T Oi ^* t~ r? _ CO • • o "* o to ^ o: r- CO t^ -' CTS ■^ CO CO t^ (N {-• '^o C"5 t- -^ O 1— T r- o r5 CO — ^ o :x 0< GO C it-r ") C* CO rr o (^ Q-* ■O CO CO -r lo 05 CO CO 'T 1 iC CD -t lO O ts. CO tv. t~^ 0> K. CO -^ ocot-co^i-eococo^c-. ;oci CO "■« CI ,..1 lO — . i— (,0 CO t~ oj. o .-T CO CO COr-H-T Clri I — t~ CO I- 'O S-' CO O -t" 05 O G^ C2 'O iO c -* CO CO o *■» CO lo "* «■- o — — o -.: I -^ » CO •-;_ 00 C^ '-;. «« t~_^ TO rf — ©J. ^ »~ -- CO CO CO i-O O -- ■* t-^ Oi uO 'O "-^ S^ CO CO I O CO 00 1-0 G-( -JO CO IS* CO O O CO CO <-iO« — '^t~l>.C5 C5 CCOO'^TO ■if i i-o — t- ,— — O t- ^^CO O "fe I a > I ^^ — o -ifi ^ « «;--'"' n - re ^ & S js ui O 4) 0^ 0; X> ?T -H » I (N -^ l~ 53 l-» ~ CO t-;, e» Ci O -^ CO OJ -< C2 O t^ lO i^ CO '-> cs c- 30 ■* -^ ^; 10 l>. O — •* OT -: O ■:)• , -O Ki CW OT lO -J O iCl C^ O -^ -O -JO :£> C5 in i-H o. ii i'*,'^^'^'^,''"", - "3 -"r n "O — , ^,"'',— '/JO . 1-1 ;£ iff 2J — SJ '■'^' ^ ;f o' o — '-3 '^J' -'Oin co S ^ -^ >2 r'"'? S ^ "^ =^ *~ ^ 52 ^ ■-=> =5 «^ ^ 00 «r e-< ci oj'-T 2 o CO CO ^ CO C* r». - 'O _ i^ ^, ^, ^ cj o ;o X) CO CO — -^} .o r> 77 :••< -.< -<• -' ^ ^J.— -3.-0 t- TC^O^i.O^O CJi l^ — -H_ o,^,'-^, ^ ^ 2 2' t^' ^' '^»' ■'=' '^' '^ — '"^' *-' "^' ■^' ^ ^ X) 3 CO ci :^ -, 'j3 CO -ri :c => — o ex '^ --< o ^ J,, -T — , t-* C« LO -^ ^ ~ of r-T — O C5 :^3 X) CO -O CO a lO O O'J — ' '^o >o o 5;j 1-0 "O -rf ^3 o — X) — < -:> C7> 1.0 O* CO "O f- no ri, -^^ .^^ ri, o^ -t^ o^ -o^ o_^ 'o co_ io_ !7>^ co^ i--_^ cq_ o" ^0 1 o' — '' oT *->' 13' 35' t- --o ^5' co' o' o' o" - ^ CO re -jO -i" — t 'O 70 O t- -^ O OS f OJ — . 50 !>. r-l — • •^ o ro , O I- GO •^o '^ Ci o» -o CO o c2 "S" c^ c o E: 5i ^ .'2^ ^ t^cooi-o .ot^-o— ■'© r5-ocos^wCO^ CO c^ CO CO !>• o iq. CO !>•_, —"_, r-^ co_o^o i-^ co_ -^ '^-^ tT oX •"T-o'ic'trr— '— " '-o o't^' W oj r-H C5 c» -T ci o o* CO ;' "-^ cr. o> 'o ri '-O o ■<3' CO 03 o o. i-^ •— cs o^ ca__i:~ t>. * CO r^QO CO CO ^''3'' (O il5 <^ |l.0l-^--.OC0OC-C0O'-0'tC005 rj 32 lO l^ CO CO CO •5' ^' TI< lO '^ CO' "* CO lO C5 ~ O L.O. O "O, C>J, 'jO i_0 rO O. -T, — ^ 1—1^ I ctT — ' t-' \ o' 50 x) ^ ' o' i>.' co" in lo' t»' i^' '-f TO O C^ 'J5 'O ^-i rj --O t- O CO -f -O 'O 'O so '-' CO o co_. o. CO Tf _ ri.1^ cs. oo_ 10 -^^ — ' co" ■^ co' —>'•.X)C0l^ OJ-^C»COC3C0— '— ''JO'3'o co"oj" 03 5-J C^ CO C5 O l^ CO t^ Ir-'*^ -3 t3 "^ n ,5^0 !« 3 ^ s 3 i~ a"°r ,S ^ j: So O ■- ■- V m 5 « £1^-; ? "i § fe ^ ^ o ^ O) I- /^ -r fli /- T5 •— .!i; — ^ i! ^ -^ •- o o «J -= 'i ;= :z fi e 106 APPENDIX. TABLE No. U.— Continued. -:3< lo CJ 05 o •?*_t- rj -o_ -rj*^ 'O io_ c-*^ ?<^ -j3_ rj^ zt^ 'N cq_ cjT •;»' sTco t^'co o?o tF -^irj o ci -o co-Tt-'oo' — — • oi O — 53 '-o CO lO (^ o '-<■>< -r "^o o "1 — CO o T? o — ' •^ c; o — ■T'^ -g" -^ oj_ to -^ -^ '^ " » —' C> t-" '■« CI 'J'* CO -r un ;» 05 — o^ -r CD C3 t^ rj t- r> O O OS '?" t^ t~ lO O «~ -N C^ -O 00 uO -— -^l--^t--MOJ5orLf5COi-00?oT-:fcO u5 — oo5coc>'n— ' (n -^ -^ O -T CC •rf CO t^ O O N. T- t- CO l> CO — ■ O O t- (35^ t-^ * Co' CO ff» t-~ fj t- T)l TJ 0> O TJ O '-I rf y-Tl O '-> --O — Oi — CO O CC •* (- Tj< . <^ 2><_ i-o 'o -rr Tf^ Tp -- GO r-1 CC ',0 "* c< CO t — ^ OS o C5 t~ . j' C2 O O CO 'O -* C73 — 03 — CO o in o o CO -^ G'J_ CO CO LO — . •*_ l~ O Tt"_^ -3^ ■?<, CO l-;_ _ O ~ CO -3>" — < i-o T^ o CO TT c" 05 cc^ rf CO rj" 'f -o" " lo co i-o Oj ro CO o ^ O CO 3^ L-^ O C2 03 'S^ -O 0< .— r-«c5i;j5i:-cc> o a>'''^'*Q.^. <^ C< r- "^ •* CO l(? c.-- CO o _ 00 lO :r» — • ffri lO Tf 'O t- >« ■N ■!0 CO ^ ;»-> •o o t^ -rr Tj< CO rs — r- ,A^' ■?♦ C5 -T "^ .-) rn CO CO c> t- c- •^ o o CO Oi c:; s^ cn 1> CO r-- CO -N •;^■^ r^ ■~« Tf 'O y^ t^' CO t- Oi T— » .^ !S0 CO C5 "1* (Ti ir> CO 05 1-0 ..-1 o " CO to CD CO o> OJ CO to Tf ^,*-, s^ t t~ •^ lO Ml era CO 03 C-3 f^ — . •^o s-i •CO •^ -^f o •o 'O o> CO •cr '?( ^ CO ^i CO t- CT) — CO 05 CO (^ O ^ t~ 40 CO T T o '■O . CO o C" -fi *- (^ -> rj Oi o 1 n CO ro (W T— t r) CO O •T ,-.-• CO *-H rn r— > -1 lO G^ C5 O '„"« — l~ ;o cc c- o o . • • o o '~' c- CO G^ '-' ■^ G« " lO 0< "o 2 2 -^ O ^ 4) 4) fe E »i q a las'--; ° 5 -? 5 = ° 5 *^ -^ »/ 5: — - s S ^ 5 j5 C'-i: T« ',:?;&< Ci s a > v-'O.fS ^ *3 t O -= ■ SJO ?; r/j ;: o ^ :§ APPENDIX. 40" TABLE No. III. \ ^i ^ -rf m iSi r-OOi-lC5LO-^OG< ,rf 1 — n^ O CO G^ lO CS t-C0'^l> G< GO 1 -o o in -^ s^j^ r- OC0in--t~CD— 05 • ^ CO 1 Irt o> i O 05 C^ CO ^ ©< ~ o •- to' '-' tC lO t-' t-^ y^ 1 CO •^ •- C4 — (TJ irj — ■<* -o C-' Ci CO Ol CSi CO •'t CO C T- G-0 o lOOiOOOOCOMo'jTj'^Ci G< o -3> COCDCTJ.Or-CNCOOCO^IOT O 03 CO 1 l-^ CO CO ri 05 CD G^ CO ^ --^ CO CO '^ ■ CO !^' o G-r '--f cT 2f U-? (j^ CO CO O yiT CO 50 o eo t~ CO G^ -• O — 4^ ^ t-. if5 " CO G< 1 "S* i S-" "^' 1 ^ CO C5. 0}_ ®* . . t- 1^ 1 (M -O t^ CO '* t^ r3coO'0«ocooo3cr> -* 1 ®5 t^ — t^ t> -3- '?■ 'MCICOXCJ— * 1-0 CO lO 10 o lO lO 1-1 oJ GO t-*" -:f CO •*' CS 1 '^f - lO G^ - OO 10 o o:. CO CO CO CO LO 1 ^ G^ Ci 0> r-' -^ q. — Gj_ --o t- r^' erf co' gT o G-r ' 1—1 era — ^ ■" r— — I/O tT CO t- OS CO Ci .0 05 03 -T CO wj -O ZC CV Ca? CO •* -^ 05 1-- X) coco — t^-cooc-^ CO CO ;o 00 ^ o -^ O l~ ■•: CO CO I- '.O t^ lo !r~ • • • ^ CT'-ri-r(j^-vf37t^O> -TO-T'-JOCO o" CO 35 :o c t- -^ C3 - <:: c- — LO e< -^ CO CO CO >— lO >— — t~ CC OO (» .— rji ^ , o. n>> Tf r- CO rf o G*" ' * I"- o .—1 ^m ^« — J» CO 'r; CO O O - ^ 3^ CO t- ^-0 u'-, cri C73 t- G-' o '- O O 1- o cc — — LOC■Ocoo:cDC^^- CO 5 00 'T CD -^ — CO — r '.~ CO 00 o^ ■^ aj CO • o o CO t~ CO CO O -^ i-' o o -^ o ©r == "2 co' Ci C-O — o r-. o C2 ci cr. CO .c ~ «0 ^ O ** GO f *- ®* t~ in ci GO 3y -^ — CO r- o. cf^ o O I- CO ^* CO T— — _LO t- >0 O CO X lO ■T- i-O C:> GO CO G^ CO lO O ,— Ci t~ C3 C3 U-; GO G* 00 T? — 03 O Ci ^ — -V o< U"* CO «^ ^• CO r>. Gi Cj, G^ — c ThCOC GOOr-uOGOCO CO GJ. lO O gT 1-0 -- 1-' ci C3~ — t-' 00 -f '0 oT oT t' c- •^ CO 1-H CO LO c:i — G^ 00 O -' — Oi o> O t- ""I ' CO GJ! to 00 1/5 c^ CO CO '^ G^G-* GO GO CO i^ 5^ <^1 CO CO :3 CO ';c CO «3 CD sO C< CO — CO lO CO CO o« 05 -!• -* CO 00 O C3coG: tr 2 ! O C5 "O Ci — o — ' C> Oi r^ O ^ rt -T O C^ "^ •■' t~-, "^ '^ ■rf r^ — GJ -^ CD 1-' "f cT CD lO CM CD -H ^ O o^t-co>-oc^ -fG. 1 a .5 i 5 « ' = c • .3 = •- c _o i Jo s; ^5 ,.2 o -— £: -3 fc 4 a ■^ Qj q; " _C G ^^ -. sr- ? -^.2 :§ ^ ^ IP = 6' ii' a 1 408 APPENDIX. TABLE i^o. lU.—Contmved. ' c: n< >-i O t- re o CD CO CJ r- i-i 00 cr. — «o o 00 c. o cj c, c: (N t-' >- C< Oi —-^ — c. GJ — — c^ s: o ■: CO 1^00 ic GT c". ; ' cc o c, t- ic w lO — in — oj cc -< »^ 00 ;;(?.»;-. o C-. tt n , T— ' lO Ci: "^ "^^ CV ^ O '^> C^ sD r cc' c3 ir: 1— ' o S' f^ ■^ i' i-? -T 'CO— I O-l^ 3^ —1-1 G^ CJ cr. !>• o LO ir: ^s ^ ic — -r? c; 'o i^ t> 'j" o^ "^ ''-i i^ ""•■;. "^ '". '"- ~ 'R 1^. ■^,'". <^^, c^, CD — ' cs LTJ go" i^ i-T o c; fc' c.' c •' oo' co' GV O lO !-• (^ Tf -^ r-^ lt:, OS C. G» TJ< C0_ GV S^ •— '^ s , 5 £' I _ — . 0) o o t 2 2 c & ii ? a) tT c , « cs 52 5 > 'C -S -c ^ '^' a. s si s „ Q, f "^ J ■= ■^^ j^ o oj a; a., a.- =t ._ .— c -, ■^"~ ■— i- C CO CO 127,465 193-798 6,799 521,740 Gl l^ TTCO »^ CO i>- CO t- CO GO ifj^ (N W CJ, T r-l Cv» 1 1 i-T T^-' Lo co' CO u:' (>> C l>. in -— ■«}« m CO 1,0 cc 10 10 (N G< ' ' ■ \^ 1-5 '-'J ©0 00 CO CO G« CO in CO c* SI . m 1 10 ■ »^ ' CO ^ *" G^IO 5' C5 G« 10 r- CO in _ , 1 . " IS ! e it treads in clouds. The situation of the Turk- ish alFairs, even so late as 1812, nnay excite some con- sciousness of a higher order than that of the mere pol- itician. The Ottoman forces had been defeated in ev- ery encounter, and driven across the Danube. There was now but the solitary barrier of a mountain tract, ordinarily crossed in six hours, between the conquerors and Constantinople. The Turkish camp had been ta- ken, and the mob of the city would have been the only army left to the Sultan. Turkey was without an ally, or without one near enough to stand between her and ruin. The Russian army was headed by its favorite chief; that noble old man who was yet to be the more than conquerors, the deliverer of Europe. The Rus- sian government was at last in sight of the realization of all iis snlcnriiH drpatxig j and was pc'iring out its whole infinite strength to take possesion of the Mother City of the Eastern Empire. In a moment, the whole assault was checked, even at tiie foot of the rampart. The French trumpets sounded in the rear of this con- tidcnt and triumphant host. Anew invader had been urged against Russia. A great work was to be done there too. The long arrear of Western blood and blasphemy was to be paid in the Russian deserts, and it was paid with a terrible fulness, beyond the power or the expectation of man. But it stopped the rain that hung over the empire of the Ottomans. The Russian armies were torn back from the prey, like hounds that had already fastened their fangs in its pal- pitating flesh, and been sent to hunt down a still more savage and guiltier victim. The Turks, from broken and almost suppliant enemies, were instantaneously rais- ed into equals and allies, and by the treaty of 1812, were gladly reinstated by Russia in every right and province lost by (he sword. All those are things out of the common eourse of earth. It is an extraordinary thing to see a nation of GREEK REVOLUlION. 419 jarbarians fixed in a Christian land, and that too the nost sacred, the most fondly revered by Christian feel- ngs. It is an extraordinary thing to see a nation utter- y resisting the approaches of that brilliant and produc- ive civilization which absolutely surrounds and urges tself on it in every form ; a stubborn and more tnan ron mass, that lying in the very furnace to which the ncient ruggedness of all European barbarism has given vay, yet refuses to be softened, or purified, or even to be smarmed. It is an extraordinary thing to see an empire, he old and perpetual object of ambition to its greater niliiary neighbours, who have often combined for its poliation, still secure ; feeble in all its parts, yet firm n its whole — unable to advance a foot beyond its own loundaries, yet defying the advance of all others with- n them — with a rebellious populace and a mutinous ar- ny, a short sighted and brutal policy, a King taken rom the Seraglio, and a ministry gathered from the hambles and the streets ; yet making head against the lisciplined strength, the regular resources, the improv- id and combined policy, and the accomplished knowl- idge, military and ministerial, that are to be found Jong the whole immense lines of hostility openly or ecretly arrayed against them. It is an extraordinary hingto see Mahometanism preserved in a portion of Europe, and preserved in its original strictness, blind- less, and ferocity, when it has been superseded, or de- ayed in its original seats, when as a national religion, it las been unsustained by almost any of those forms of )rivi!ege and emolument which seem necessary for the )ermaaence of religion in the conflicting und worldly irgency of human pursuits and professions ; and even vith a vast proportion of its most productive subjects, learly the entire of its tributaries, its merchants, its breign agents, and its manufacturers. Christian. It is m extraordinary thing that a cruel and despotic Do- nination,over whose utter ruin every heart in Europe vould exult — for which not a voice would be raised 4-20 SKETCH OF TFIE from one end to the earth to the other, to whose fall the most patriotic and enlightened philosophy looks as to life from the dead, to the restoration of Asia, to the re- covery of the loveliest region of the globe to knowledge, peace, and religion — shoull be still undiminished, should cover that glorious land, like the mass tlung out from the volcano, the fiery torrt nt checked indeed in its headlong career, but there hardened into incorrigible rock, a huge and sullen heap of sterility, to be nether cultivated nor removed by the power of man. The Greek insurrection assumes to us an aspect of loftier importance from those considerations. What- ever might be our sympathies with the fortunes of a brave and unhappy people, striving with their naked hands to tear off the manacles that have cut them to the soul, we feel a still stronger interest in this gene- rous struggle, from its giving the signal of mightier chan- ges perhaps throughout the whole extent of the civili- zed world. It may be extinguished, and the time, which shall yet suieiy come, maj be thus deferred ; but if it should succeed, it will have made the only actual aggression on the fabric of the Turkish power, the only permanent inroad into that great interdicted desert, it will have stricken the first blow on the Talisman on which is engraved the spell that lias for ages kept the Ottoman throne inaccessible to tJbe hostility of human nature. It is impossible that this godless, corrujit and infidel kingdom should be tolerated but for the j>urp' se of punishing. There have been other criminals, revolt- ers from the faith, abusers of the benevolence of Heaven, on whom the Ottoman hns been brought as the locust, to destroy the living ve^etalioti of their strength and prosperity. The pestilence and famine are the infe- rior agents of wrath, but the time for the cessation of puinshincnt may be as deeply uetermiiied as for its in- fliction ; and then comes the retribution ou the punish- er. Human violence was used in the whole course of GREF-K REVOLUTION. 421 the Jewish Annals for the castigation of the crimes of Israel. The Assyrian idolater was made great for his day by the fall of the chosen people. But when the hour of deliverance was ordained, there was ordained with it the ruin of the instrument of slavery and blood, and Assyria was cast from her golden supremacy, and Babylon was condemned into the haunt of the vulture and the lion forever ! The Geographical division of Greece adopted by the Provisional Government is as follows : — INHABITANTS. Eastern Hellas, containing 80,000 Western Hellas, 70,000 The Morea, 450,000 Cret€ and the Islands, 350,000 Epirus, 400,000 Thessaly, 300,000 Macedonia, 700,000 Total, 2,350,000 Of this population but about one third can be called original Greeks. The rest are Albanians and Turks, with some few thousands of Franks and Jews. The mountainous regions had never been completely redu- ced under the Turks. The horse and scymitar had made them masters of the plain, they became feudal possessors of the territory under the usual tenure, of mil- itary service to the Sultan, and held the remaining Greeks as cultivators and serfs of the soil. But multi- tudes had retreated to the freedom and security of the mountain tracts, and as the Turkish chain became heavier, multitudes flung it off and flew to their free countrymen. The vacaney produced by this flight was partially filled up by forced or voluntary accessions of Christian inhabitants from Albania and Bulgaria. About two hundred years ago, a large emigration of 36 422 SKETCH OF THE Christian Albanians entered Boetia, Attica, and Argoli?, where their languacje is still retained. The Island of Hydra, the seat of the commercial and naval enterprise of Greece, was peopled by this race, and in whatever quarter they settled they have been hardy, active and brave. Another multitude of the original Greeks had pas- sed over into Asia Minor during the last half century. They lied from the increased oppression of the Turks, yet they passed under a Turkish Government ; but it was that of the Kara Osman Oglu family, the singular- ly mild viceroys of the valleys of the Hemus and Cai- cus. There was but little severity in the established trib- utes of the Greeks under even ihe European Turks. The mode of apportioning the rc;nt had been adopted from the usages of the Greek Eni[)ire. A seventh of the produce was set apart for the land-tax. The landlord received half the remainder, or a larger por- tion, according to his supply of seed, stock, and agricul- tural tools. The capitation tax, however exposed to vexations in the eollccting, was comparatively trivial ; it was levied on every Christian, but it seldom amount- ed to more than two pounds sterling for each family. But the real grievances remained behind ; the Turk was privileged to compel the Greek peasant to sell his produce for the public use, of either the Sultan, or the local government, at whatever price the mercy of his tyrant pleased. There were perpetual demands of contributions in money orkind ; soldiers were quarter- ed on them •, they were compelled to supply labour for the pubhc works. This system of harassing and plun- der was carried through the whole government, and the peasants were reduced to the lowest privation. In all conquests the inhabitants of the open country pay a heavy price for the luxuriance of the plain, and in the levels of Thessaly and Eubcea, Bceotia and Macedonia, the peasantry lived under the sword. In the mountain GREEK REVOLUTION. 423 districts, the Morea, and the country south of Mount JEitna, the Turks were more reluctant to settle, and the rehgious houses retained a portion of their former lands. A curious tenure preserved the rights of some other Greeiis even in the more exposed territory. It had been the old custom of the Asiatic sovereigns to set apart cities and districts for the peculiar provision of their queens or households. The custom has been re- tained by the Sultans, and lariie districts of the more fer- tile parts of Greece belonged to the Sultanas, or to the Harem in general, or even to the Mosques. The ten- antry in possession were comparatively secure, and the exactions were comparativel}' mild. The gentleness of female influence was felt in even this system of ty- ranny ; and the coinplaints of the Gre .'c who supplied the toilets of the Harem were seldom neglected by his imperial mistress. Tiie Greek of the Islands was still less subject to injury. In the ^Egean, excepting in por- tions of the Islands nearest the Asiatic shore, Rhodes, Cos, and Lesbos, the Greeks paid only the land-tax and capitation. But on the whole this memorable people was in the most distressed state of any Chrisl!P.:i cr.tion. Neither life nor property was their own. Their gov- ernment was tyranny, their revenue was extortion, their law was the sword ; they lived under the heel of a barbarous dominion, haughty from its nature and its creed. In the freedom and security of our country, we possi- bly cannot conceive the long misery of life passed un- der the wild caprice and perpetual irritation of Turkish tyranny — the exposure of the deepest and dearest in- terests of our blood and being to brutal passion or ma- lignant power ; the bitter and constant fear that the fruits of a life of labor would be sacrificed to the ava- rice of some insolent slave, raised into sudden authority by his superior villany, and sent forth to live by plunder and tread down every hope of honor and prosperity in the land. God forbid, we say in the sincerity of our 424 SKETCH OF THE souls, that this should last, even if the subject nation were but a step above the beasts that perish ; even if ihere were no seed of manliness among them ; if, in the long series of ages, they had never given proof of a no- ble thought, or an action vi^orthy of human nature. — God forbid that man bearing his image, however hu- miliated, and defiled with the dust of slavery, should not at length clear away the stain ; that the day of op- pression should not have an end, and the lash and the fetter at length cease to resound in this mighty dungeon ; or still more, that England, the very throne of Christian- ity and Freedom, should not be the first to command this merciless desolation of gallant hearts and Christian faith to be at an end ; and if her remonstrances should fail in the majesty of justice, and by the high privilege of her power, delegated for sueh things, finally wring the scourge from the hand of the godless oppressor. But that this unfortunate people are eminently wor- thy of the interference and interest of enlightened Eu- rope, we have evidences of the most sufficient kind. Of this order is Colonel Leake, ^ho from his official, residence, his professional rank, and his peculiar study of the people and language, is undeniable authority. This officer tells us, in his late very interesting Memoir,* that " though the condition of the peasant is, on the whole, miserable, he is in general industrious, much at- tached to his family, anxious for tlic education of his children, and equal if not superior, in intelligence, to the peasantry of the most civilized countries of JEurope." He proceeds to tell us, that this distinguished charac- teristic of the ancient Greeks is retained by their de- scendants of every condition in a degree so striking as to attract the attention of all strangers, even of those most disposed to think harshly of the Greeks : that among the most uncultivated and ignorant of this unhappy people, even in those provinces where the Turkish ty- *Historical outline of the Greek Revolution. By W. M. Leake. GREEK REVOLUTION. 425 ranny would have been almost enough to extinguish the heart and understanding of man, the stranger is forced to acknowledge " the curiosity, ingenuity, keenness, and elocution of their famous forefathers, and the natural effect of which upon the present race was an extreme impatience of their present condition." " Not a trav- eller from Europe could pass without exciting the hope that some interference in their favor was in contempla- tion ; and he never failed to hear from them many bit- ter reproaches against us for allowing our fellow-Chris- tians to remain enslaved under the yoke of infidels/' Colonel Leake attributes a large portion of the mis- representations of the Greek character to the route pursued by the ordinary tourists. Individuals accus- tomed to the indulgences of eivilized countries, are sud- denly plunged into the privations and inconveniences of a depressed and poor state of society ; or they coaie with romantic notions borrowed from antiquity ; or to avoid the common hazards of travel through the moun- tain countries, where the true people are to be alone found, they make a party of pleasure through the beaten track of Athens, the islands, the Asiatic coast the plain of Troy and Constantinople : a road where, of course, travellers are as much the accustomed prey as upon other frequented roads, and where extortion is the natu- ral lesson. " Their journey is concluded before they have acquired a sufficient knowledge of the language to form any impartial estimate of the national character and they come in contact chielly with those ciassess up- on which the long subjection to the Turks has had the greatest elFect ; such as persons in authority under the government, or otherwise in Turkish employ — ser- vants, interpreters, the lower order of traders, and gen- erally the inhabitants of those towns in which the Turkish population has a great preponderance of num- bers." " It is obviously not in those situations, but in the more unfre^ueited islands, aal on the continent of 36* * 426 SKETCH OF THE European Greece, where the Turks do not form the tenth part of the population, that the inquiry ought to he made, whether any of the ancient talents and vir- tues of the Greeks have survived the centuries of Mus- sulman oppression which supervened upon the debase- ment caused by Byzantine despotism, weakness and su- perstition. In such an inquiry, it would be further necessary to distinguish between the inhabitants of the plains and those of the mountains ; for those two class- es have been placed in very different circumstances ever since the estabhshment of the Ottoman power in Greece." The Turkish oppression has been so directly the source of the chief defects in the character of the Greek of our day, that in exact proportion as that fatal influ- ence is enfeebled, so rises the national character. Its nature is elastic, and it springs up even in every mo- mentary removal of the pressure ; but its true displays are to he found where the Turk dares not come. The most remarkable contrast to the inhabitants of the plains is to be found in those Islands of the iEgean, " where there are no Turkish inhabitants ;" and in the mountainous parts of Crete,of Laconia, Arcadia, ^Etol- la, Locris, Epirus, Thessaly, and Macedonia. Here the Greeks bear " the most striking resemblance," in both their virtues and vices, to their illustrious ances- tors — " industrious, hardy, enterprising heroic ; ar- dently attached to their homes and country ; living on little, or lovers of wine and gaiety, as the occasion prompts ; sanguine, quick, ingenious, imitative.'" The picture has its dark side — " Vain, inconstant, envious, treacherous, and turbulent." This picture is not from the hand of an enthusiast ; the stains are too faithfully marked. But we must remember, that these defects would be the natural qualities of any people leading the distracted and uncertain life of the Greeks — even in his strongest place of security, pent up amid wild tracts of barren country, shut out from general communica- GREEK REVOLUTION. 427 tioo, condemned to the habits of the hunter and the marauder, hable to annual inroads of a merciless ene* my, and from his cradle to his grave, either the spoil or the antagonists of the oppressor. Poverty, suspicion, loneliness — the inclemency of the elements- — a life of hazard — flight or attack — what original constitution of virtue could have attained its true stature ? There is not a national character under Heaven that would not have hardened and darkened under this perpetual rude- ness of fortune. That the Greek retains any qualities entitling him to rank among men, is the phenomenon the powerful evidence of what illustrious qualities he may yet show forth, when miserj and shame shall cov- er him no more, and he shall be called to take his arm- ed stand in the great field, where nations struggle for more than the glory of the sword. The true author of the Greek insurrection was Ali Pasha. This man's ambition, intercourse with Euro- peans, and fierce and oriental catastrophe, have thrown all the circumstances of his life and character into pub- lic knowledge. His birth was honourable among his barbarian countrymen ; he was the descendant of a long line of warrior robbers, lords of some of those small districts into which a mountain country is naturally di- vided. — A remote ancester, and robber, Muzzo, had made himself master of Zepeleni, a town on the left bank of the Voiussi. Mouktar Bey, Ali's grandfather, was a distinguished soldier, and slain at the seige of Corfu. Veli Bey ,^ the youngest of Mouktai'ssons, and father of Ali, had been Pasha of Delvino, but, driven from his Paschalik, and reduced to his origin lordship, he died of grief. At this period Ali was but fourt^a*. He had been born at Zepeleni, in 1748. The death of his father exp<>sed the town to the rapacity of all the surrounding clans. Khamco, his mother, a true barba- rian heroine, instantly threw aside the distatf, sword in hand rallied the dependants ofjthe family, and repelled the invaders. In one ' of tbese attacks, she and her 4- •%^ -_;.-. .\-A- 423 SKETCH OF THE daughter Shunitza were taken prisoners by the people of Gardiki, who treated them with the indesirable in- sults of a robber's victory. They were released at the end of a month by ransom ; but the insult sunk deep into Ali's spirit, and he treasured it for almost half a century, till it was wiped away in the blood and ashes of Gardiki. Ali had all the restlessness and craft of the savage, mingled with the rapacity of the robber, and the native activity and bravery of the Greek mountaineer. From the age of sixteen he was a soldier and a plunderer, continually engaged in brief expeditions against the neighboring tribes, carrying off cattle, or making de- scents among the richer population of the valleys. Success and defeat were for awhile alternate, but at length he w5^s on the point of ruin. An attack near the sources of the Chelydnus had been followed by the total dispersion of his wild troop, and Ali fled alone to Mount Mertzika, so reduced that he was compelled to pledge his scymitar to buy barley for his horse. He made the attempt again with a force of six hundred men, and was again beaten. Khamco, for whom he liad always felt a singular homage, had commanded him, in almost the words of the Spartan mother, "Never to come back but dead, or a conqueror." Ashe gather- ed the remnant of his soldiers from this disastrous field, he went into the ruins of a church, near Valera, to rest and think over what was to be done. There, in his agitation, he stood, unconsciously, striking his stick in- to the ground. It at last struck uj)oii something that returned a sound. — He dug up the spot, and, to his as- to<4ishment. found a box tilled with gold coin. He had now found the true way to the barbarian victory. It would be a tine juncture for the pencil to seize upon the figure of this mountain warrior at the moment; the countenance lighted up with the wild exultation and fiery foresight of the whole long career of triumph, that burst upon him in the discovery. The accessories, too. GREEK REVOLUTION^, 42y of the picture would be powerful. The military equipments, staiaed and purpled by toil and battle ; the sacred ruin round him, with its broken altars and weedy columns ; the remnant of his defeated troops covering the hill side; the brilliant mountains and sky of Greece above all. With this treasure, Ali raised an army of tvro thou- sand men, renewed the campaign, swept the enemy be- fore him, and returned to Zepeleni, a conqueror, never to be repulsed again from the way to sovereignty. On his triumphant return, he, by force or persuasion, induced his mother to resign Zepeleni. — The heroine retired to the Harem, Vy'here she soon after died. Ali now furnished with the means of indulging his natural impulses, indulged them to the utmost, and became the mostrenowned among the marauding chieftains of the hills. He threw troops into the principal passes of the chain of Pindus, and was thus master of the whole traffic of Thessaly and Macedonia. Merchants, cara- vans, public convoys, all fell into the hands of this young and enterprising lord of the " robbers." The slow vigilance of the Turkish government was at length roused, and Kourd Pasha, the Dervindji Pasha, or "Governor of the passes," the officers appointed to protect the communications, were ordered to crush the less licensed plunderer. But All's dexterity evaded an open encounter, with the Sultan, and the attack which was to have been his ruin, ended in an alliance with the Pasha, and a marriage with the daughter of the Turk- ish Governor of Argyro Castro. A succession of mountain conquests rapidly raised him into higher no- tice, until the next " Governor of the Passes'' found it the wiser policy to make Ali his deputy. The old craft of the Greek was not forgotten. The deputy, instead of extinguishing the Kelphts, sold licenses for plunder to the amount of 150,000 pastrees. The story reach- ed Constantinople. 'J'he Pasha was recalled, and be- headed ijp,r his neglect or corruption. Ali, still dexte- % 430 SKETCH OF THE rous and fortunate, bribed the ministers, and at once es- caped punishment and fixed an interest in the Seraglio. His character as a leader was now distinguished, and he was summoned to the command of a body of Abanians in the war with Russia. — AH had now first come within the circle of European politics, and his ambition was suddenly awakened to the more brilliant object of independent power. The purpose of Rus- sia was to assail Turkey at once on the north and south, to penetrate to Constantinople by an army from Mol- davia and a fleet from the Mediterranean. To detach the Albanian chieftain became important. The cap- ture of one of his nephews gave an opening for his correspondence with Potetnkin, and it seems authenti- cated that there was twofold conspiracy, by which Potemkin, at the head of the Russian army, was to make himself sovereign of Constantinople, and to confer on Ali the kingdom of Epirus. But the war ceased in the midst of Russian victories. Potemkin, the most powerful subject in the world, sunk into shade, proba- bly fi'om the detection of his designs, and Ali's (Irsarr. vanislied for the time. Yet Itis sagacity saw where his own strength and the weakness of Turkey lay ; and from that period he kept np a correspondence with Russia until he was master of Epirus without its aid ; and if he had nothing to fear from its hostility, he had nothing to hope from its friendship. Human nature may justly shrink from the mingled ferocity and cunning, the contempt of faith, and the fu- rious passions, that characterise the career of this me- morable barbarian. But it is impossible not to be struck by the dis[)lay of vigorous and original ability, that throws a kind of sullen splendour over his whole gloomy and precipitous track. His purpose from the beginning is power ; he is repeatedly baffled, but he rises again from the ground with fresh resolutions ; he hunts his prey through every difficulty with the fierce stanchness of a bloodhound. 'J'rcachcry and valor, .r GREEK REVOLUTION. 43I )ribery and generosity, are alike unsparingly his instru- nents ; where craft and labour will carry him through, 16 is perfidious without measure ; but when he cannot vind round the rock, he tries some bold expedient, he )lasts the rock, and finally makes a royal road to the hrone. By his conduct at the head of the Albanians, Ali had gained eminence as a soldier with both the Russian and Furkish armies. His reward was a Pashalik of two ails. He chose his new province with that political 3ye whose keenness never failed him. He was appoint- ed to the government of Triccala in Thessaly. This ippointment showed at once the habitual blindness of ;he Porte in its remoter possessions, and the unwearied sagacity of its new favorite. Triccala was chosen with the skill of a first rate tactician. By its position on the Great Passes between Western Greece and Constanti- nople, it threw the corn trade into its viceroy's hands. It equally intercepted the commerce of the disiricts of Joannian and the whole mountain country of the west. Ali was in fact master of Thessaly, the most productive province of Greece ; and by the same step was raised within sight of the sovereignty of the whole western dominions of the Ottoman. He now lost no time in the consummation of his bold project. The Beys in the neighborhood of Joannina, wheth- er from their native turbulence, or, aS is equally proba- ble, excited by his intrigues, had burst into sudden tu- mult. Assassination, robbery, and open conflict, raged through the country. The people groaned under the multitude of petty tyrants, and grew ripe for the au- thority of one. In the midst of the perpetual sound of battle and misery, Ali's trumpets were heard from the hills^.; The civil conflict ceased, for the rival Beys Iknew that when he advanced all were equally a prey. I They joinedtheir troops, and fought a fierce battle with 'the invader at the head of the Lake of Joannina. The discipline of Ali's Albanians broke their irregular 432 SKETCH OF THF: force, and after a long struggle, they were utterly de- j feated, and driven into the city. But it was among the characteristics of this extraordinary man never to run ' an unnecessary hazard. The walls of Joannina, gar- risoned by a dispirited army, would probably have been mastered by his troops, however untrained to sieges. ' But he had a more secure, though a more circuitous ' way to victory. — By threats and money he formed a party in the country, and induced them to send a dcpu- 'I tation to Constantinople, proposing him for the gov- ' ernment. The Beys, aware of the mission, instantly pent to deprecate the appointment. They succeeded. All's talents had already rendered him formidable at ^ Constantinople, and his deputation returned with a ] Firman, commanding him to the bitter measure of * withdrawing from the prize already within his grasp, ] and even disbanding his army. Nothing could have been more anxious than the alternative. Resistance vi'ould have been rebellion and ruin, soon or late. The ^ dismission of his troops would have been, on the Ottoman ] principles, probably followed by the loss of his head. ^ Bot by an act of morethnn Punic skill, lie evaded this . formidable dilemma, and actually triumphed. He had received intelligence of his failure, and of the Firman, from an agent who had rode some days in advance of ' the deputation of which he was one. The agent was immediaiely sent back to rejoin it. The deputation ' was received in pomp by the Beys, who advanced be- yond the gates of Joannina, to receive the Sultan's ' order with becoming homage. It was solemnly open- ed in the assembly, each Bey first touching it with his ' forehead in token of that submission of life and death, ' w hich is due to the will of the great King of the Mos- ' leans. To the astonishment and alarm of all, the Fir- ^ man declared Ali lord of the Pashalik of Jonnina ! ^ This daring forgery was instantly exclaimed against; but the forger was not a man to leave time for the growth of opposition- He instantly marched upon the GREEK REVOLUTION. 433 :iiy, now thronged with his partizans, augmented by hose who either believed the reahty of the Firman, or ooked for some personal advantages from the known profusion of the invader. All's conduct in this crisis vas politic ; he lavished money on his friends and the )opulace ; he disclaimed all revenge, and pledged him- elf to the protection and advancement of the Beys, vho still continued in the territory. His chief oppo- lents had fled to the hills on the entrance of his army, md all was peace and popular acclamation. Yet, in he midst of this public revel, he provided against a re- verse with the coolness of a veteran politician. He narched a strong force into the citadel, and thus placed nmself out of the power of public change. But Gon- itantinople was still to be propitiated. Without loss )f time, he sent a deputation of the principal in- habitants to the Porte, bearing his own account of the ransaction, and bearing the still more irresistible argu- nent with a Turkish Ministry, of large means of cor- 'uption. It was felt too, that he was now in possession >f a power which it must take a war to break down ; he policy of the Porte, furious and vindictive as it is, las always been to temporise until it can destroy ; uid the Pashalik was finally confirmed to its dexterous ind daring usurper. Ali was now a King in all but the name, and his king- dom extended over a number of provinces that still touch us with noble classical recollections. The Pa- shalik of Joannina comprehended Locris (Ozolae.) /Etolia, Acarnania, Thesprotia, Molossia, Chaonia ; and among the towns of those provinces were Actium, where the Empire of the Roman world was once decided ; and Dodona, the great central oracle of ancient super- stition. And this was the achievement of a barbarian,' unfurnished with the knowledge of politics of civilized states ; probably unable to read or write ; imsustained by alliance ; and forced to fight his way foot by foot under severities of fortune worse than the storms of 37 434 SKETCH OF THE his own inclement skies, and still more perilous, under the remorseless and subtile jealousy of the Ottoman. The great scale of European ambition — the magni- tude of the triumph — the magnitude of the means, throw exploits like those of Ali among his mountain tribes into the shade. But (throwing morality out of the question,) in the innate materials that constitute the superiority of the man as the conqueror and the ru- ler : — in the distant and eagle-eyed vision which he fixed on his purpose from the beginning ; — in the re- sistless activity of his pursuit ; — the inexhaustible dex- terity of his intrigue ; and still more, in that unhesita- ting turn, from the most creeping subterfuge to the fiercest and most daring violence, the singular mixture of the wiliest eraft that belongs to cowardice, with the boldest risk that makes the charaoter of heroism ; Ali, Pasha of Joanuina, has had in our time neither equal nor rival but one — Napoleon, Pasha of the European world. The Russian and Austrian alliance now issued in a war against Turkey. A secret treaty had been framed between Catherine and Joseph the Second, during the celebrated progress to the Crimea in 1787, for the dis- memberment of European Turkey. The strength of the attack was to have been thrown on the western frontier ; agents were despatched to prepare the Greeks ; engineers in disguise took plans of the coun- try ; and the people were taught to look up to Austria as their natural protector. The Turks, impatient of insults, struck the first blow, and plunged into the war. They lost Belgrade and Ockzakow ; but one of those * interpositions which have so often and so signally saved the Porte, stopped the tide of Russian conquest ; the Emperor Joseph died ; Potemkin's views of sovereign- ty transpired, and Catherine, probably alarmed at trea- son so near the throne, suddenly checked her long pre- dicted march to Constantinople. GREEK REVOLUTION. 435 AH had been commanded to join the Vizier with his Albanians, but he had gained his object. Hazard was now misplaced, and he had other views than those of mingling his blood with the nanneless carnage of a Turkish field. He is said to have seen scarcely more than even the smoke of the Russian outposts, when he returned to his dominions to indulge in safer conquests for the aggrandizement of his personal power. To be master of the whole Western Greece, was the grand object of his ambition. He attacked the Suliot tribe in 1791, and it is one among the many instances of the power to be found in poverty and valour, that those mountaineers resisted, and often defeated, the trained troops and regular and vast resources of the great Pasha. But twelve years of battle and privation, an extraordinary period for either attack or defence, at length wore out the brave population ; and the remnant of the Suliot palikars, which had never exceeded three thousand soldiers, was reduced to capitulate in Decem- ber 1803, on the terms of emigrating where they pleas- ed. The conditions were atrociously violated, and the greater part of this valiant tribe were slain on the road to the coast. Some passed into the Russian service, and formed an Albanian battalion. During this entire period Ali was exerting his restless sagacity in balancing between the various European in- terests that were alternately springing up along his bor- ders. The victories of Napoleon made the Pasha a partizan of France for the time. The possession of the Ionian Isles by the Russians instantly converted him in- to a sworn friend of the Autocrat. The battle of Leip- sic, and the hoisting of the British flag in Corfu, chai^ ged his policy once morej and his great passion was aiH intimate alliance with the Lords of the Seas. DifticiiKf as it was to steer through those opposing interests, Ali continued his perilous navigation, perpetually obtaining some personal advantage ; till he had placed himself in a state of power, which wanted only virtue to have 436 'SKETCH OF THE made him monarch of Greece, in scorn of Emperor and Sultan. Mis knowledge of the Porte, and the skill with which he baffled its perpetual machinations against him were admirable. In the campaign against Paswau Oglu, the Grand Vizier summoned Ali to meet him in full divan, for the purpose ofreceiying some signal hon- or for his services. The Pasha well knew what fatal honor the Porte would have conferred on a subject so prosperous. But policy compelled him to attend the divan. He approached the Vizier's tent, but it was at the head of six thousand of his Albanians. The Vizier received this formidable guest with well-dissembled courtesy,, and Ali returned to his quarters in open tri- umph, and secret scorn. Another memorable instance of his eluding the ven- geance of his suspicious court occurred in 1812. He had seized the neghbouring Pasha of Delvino, and flung him into prison, where he soon died, and it was presumed, of hunger. Ali had long been obnoxious to the Porte, and he doubtless felt that this new murder would not be for- gotten in the register of his crimes. His expedient to prove himself the victim of evil reports, was incompara- ble. Ibrahim Pasha, an old rival, had fallen into his hands, and after some time had disappeared. Some ob- scure circumstances, made the report of his murder universal. Information of it had reached the Porte, and even the French Consul had sent the intelligence by a courier to Constantinople. The Porte instantly des- patched a public officer to Joannina, commissioned to make inquiry into the assassination, and probably, as is the established Turkish custom, to bring hack the head of the offender. On his arrival and introduction to Ali, ^he Pasha was all astonishment, and bade the officer ♦follow him. He led the way to an inner apartment, where to the utter surprise of the Turk, he showed him the supposed victim, sitting surrounded by oriental lux- ury, in the midst of his family. Ali now triumphed in his turn. The refutation of all previous charges was C4REEK REVOLUTrOiY. 437 of course included in the falsehood of this. The Ca- pidgi Bashi returned to Constantinople, secured by ijribes, and carrying with him the means of confirming :he Pasha's interest at court ; and Ali was more firmly seated than ever ! The British tourists through Greece have given us a nore familiar knowledge of the habits and resources of his extraordinary man, than Europeans had hitherto )btained of any of the Turkish governors. It is hon- )urable to the intelligent curiosity of our countrymen, hat they alone should have, through all the opposing lifficulties of distance, the ocean, and, more formidable han both, the war, obtained for us within these few years I more complete knowledge of Continental Greece, and ts sovereign, than had been acquired by the whole mul- itudeof the French and German literati, military offi- ;ers, or diplomatists, though planted on the very fron- ierofhis dominions, embarked in pubUc relations with lis government, and even in some instances resident in lis capital. How little do we know even now of the Purkish governments in the interior ; from the borders •f Hungary to the Black Sea ! Paswan Oglu fought the 'orte for twenty years of our time, and the sound of he cannon of Widdin was scarcely beyond the ears of he Austrian?, yet his history was left in almost the ob- curity of an Arabian tale. Even of the half-Christian trovinces of Moldavia and Wallachia, constantly as they^ vcre the seat of European battle and diplomacy, and onstantly pervaded by French, Russian, and German gents, the only intelligible account has been given a ew years since, and that by an Englishman. Of the ast line of country lying on a parallel from the western routier of Turkish Croatia to the shores of the Euxine, ncluding Bosnia, Servia, and Bulgaria, we are almost otally ignorant, though they run along the edge of the Austrian kingdom of Hungary. Of the whole mighty nass of country lying to the southward from the Dalma- ian frontier, and known by the barbarous names of 37* 438 SKETCH OF THE Herzegovinia and Rumelia, we are acquainted vnih scarcely more than a few miles inward from the Medit- erranean. To the Englishman, distance, loss of time, and ignorance of the language, must be serious obsta- cles to the inquiry. To the German, those must nearly vanish, overlooking, as he does, the immense region be- low, and able, by his various faculties, to traverse the whole country in little more than the time of the voy- age from England. It is impossible to doubt, that there must be found in this huge and magnificent territory a vast unopened volume of hum'an nature — fine qualities, however crushed by suffering and situation ; curious pictures of superb Oriental caprice, mingled with the rugged virtues and bold defiance of the dweller among the deserts — the human mind, in that mingling of degra- dation and nobleness, which characterizes barbarian life — society, under that strange aspect of prodigal lux- uriance, and abject privation, that belongs to the do- minion of the Turk, and which, whether in the gold purple of the Pasha, or the nakedness of his vassal, makes one of the most striking contemplations of the philosopher. Ali's career was now about to close. Without penetrating into the deeper sources of the moral, we are often compelled to observe, how near the complete possession of human objects is to a change of prosperity. A Plutarch would have given this pros- perous old man eloquently down to us as the parallel to Croesus or Polycratcs. But AH deserved his fall. His career had been one continued progress of perfidy ; even the proverbial treachery of the Porte had been outrun by the dexterous duplicity of the Greek ; yet while his genius was thus engaged, he might have been almost forgiven. But he loved blood. His havoc among his own gallant mountain tribes was merciless ; his violation of all treaties with their remnant, was worse than barbarian, for savage life does not reject the principle of honour. The heart of a^ll but a tiger in hu> GREEK REVOLUTION, 439 man shape must have shrunk at the sight of the catas- trophe of Zalongo, where, we are told, that a crowd of women and children flying from the ambush into which the Suliot exiles had been betrayed, and finding no re- source but death from the insults and horrors of their pursuers, the mothers first Hung their children down the rocks, and then joining hands, and screaming out some of their v/ild songs, whirled round and round in a dance of despair and madness, till they trod on the edge of the precipice, and all plunged below. His slaughter of the Gardikiote had the stern and re- lentless perseverance, and the unsparing execution of a spirit of darkness. He had laid up his resolution of ven- geance for forty years. But it never slept. When his time of power came, he at length attacked the Gar- dikiotes in their citadel. They defended themselves like men who had no alternative but victory or ex- tinction; but, after baffling the first besiegers, a large force was poured in, which •carried the walls. The greater part of the tribe perished sword in hand ; but their conqueror's vengeance was not yet glutted. The prisoners to the number of seven or eight hundred, were led to a large Khan 00 the frontier of their district. There they were murdered. Their bodies were left above ground, and the gate way of the Khan, their sep- ulchre, was walled up, with the inscription, the solemn Oriental curse, written on its front. — " Tivus perish all the enemies of Ali's house !" Gardiki itself was level- ed with the ground, and the fierce command issued, that " it should never again become the place of human be- ings." It is a striking evidence of the love of gain, compatible with the most atrocious cruelty, that in the midst of this sweeping slaughter, the Pasha seized upon an expedient for raising money, which would perhaps have escaped any other sagacity than his own. The Gardikiotes had extensive commercial dealings with Greece. He seized their books, declared himself the general representative of the dead, and in the name of 440 SKETCH OF THE the very men whose bodies were reeking under his scymitar, compelled payment of the money due to them to the last piastre. In 1819, AH made his final acquisi- tion of territory. The retreat of the unfortunate Par- giunotes left him without an enemy or a spoil. He was now at the summit of his ambition, and was master of Continental Greece, "from the Attic boundary of Par- nes, to the rugged mountains of Illyricum."* The obscure rumours of a despotic court assign vari- ous causes for the immediate fall of this formidable chief- tain. But his notorious assumption of power, was suffi- cient to have numbered him among those offenders whom the Porte marks for the dagger. Turkey must see with bitterness the Ionian Isles torn from her grasp, even though in the hands of her most honorable ally. — The open intercouse of the Pasha with the government of the Isles, and the knowledge, that in the event of a war with England, he would instantly sacrifice his alle- giance for sovereignty and English connexion, migh have hurried the blow. The Sultan Malimoud, too, is a reformer ; and the state of the European provinces might well have called for some of that fierce enci'gy which has not spared even the troops of his capital. — But the immediate cause is said to have been that gree- diness for gold which has from the beginning disgraced and stimulated the Ottoman sword. The palace of Topeleni had been burned down, whether by accident, or by the more probable means of some attempt at plimdor. One of the Pasha-s hoards was discovered in the ruins. The story of his immense wealth, of itself sure to bringdown wrath on the pos- sessor, was urged by an old enemy, Ishmahel pasha, at the Seraglio. Ali had grown avaricious with age, and perhaps contemptuous of (he Sultan, with increased power. He had diminished the amount of his bribes, and it was determined in the Divan, that he was ripe *Hughes' Travels. GREEK REVOLUTION. 441 for the bow-string. Ali received at once the double and alarming intelligence, that his enemy was nomina- ted Capigi Bashee, or Imperial Messenger, and that his second son Veli,\vas removed from the important Pa- shalik of Thessalj to the inferior one of Lepanto. Ali was now seventy-eight, but he had lost neither his early arts, nor his early activity. His first step was to send two Albanian horsemen to stop the Capigi's mission. They rode up to his door, under pretence of delivering a letter, and as he came to the window, fired at and wounded him. They were hotly pursued : one was ta- ken sixty miles from Constantinople, examined, and af- ter confessing the name of his master, was hung before the Seraglio gate. Tlie Divan instantly issued an or- der for vVli to attend before " the golden threshold of the gate of Felicity, within forty days, on pain of the wrath of the Brother of the Sun and Moon, and Light of all the princes of the earth." A curse of excommu- nication was pronounced by the Mufti, and the more ef- fective instrument of an army was set in motion, with Ismael Pasha at its head, declared Pasha of Joannina ! The old tyrant now felt retribution coming on him in a flood. At another time of life, he might have easily broken the attack even in Constantinople. But ava- rice had extinguished his prudence ; and it had even en- feebled the haughty courage of the famous chieftain of the Albanians. He wavered in his declaration of open war, and was undone. A variety of bold schemes cros- sed his mind, and he was said to have been once on the point of calling himself a Christain, taking the title of King of Greece, and summoning all the tribes to the ren- ovation of their old glorious name. Yet he had the means of resistance which might have encouraged a less sanguine spirit to defy the feeble and tardy power of the Porte. He had no less than twenty- live fortresses equipped and garrisoned. He had se- venteen thousand of the bravest soldiers of the empire n the field, and one of the most difficult countries of the 442 SKETCH OF THE world for his grand fortification. The defeats of the Ottoman troops in their advances through the defiles of the Pashalik, during the six years of war since, have i showed how formidable must have been their defence with a gallant and native army to guard them. But the cruelty and perfidy of the Pasha had alienated all his people ; the " true honor, and troops of friends," were not to be found in the circle of his hazardous and pollu- ted councils. As the Turkish armies ascended through the passes, all resistance melted away, like the snow un- der their feet ; the Albanians, instead of defending their mountain ramparts, where a few hundred men might have given over the whole Turkish hosts to the wolves and vultures, came down and joined them. Omer Bri- oni, the favorite officer of Ali, carried over his whole division to the enemy. The towns opened their gates, even his own family fled or surrendered, and Ali saw himself, without a shot being fired, reduced to the soli- tary fortress of Joanuina. Still he retained the means of making a desperate and even a successful resistance. The castle and for- tress mounted two hundred and fifty pieces of cannon ; it was garrisoned by eight thousand Albanians, and pro- visioned for four years. The lake on which it stood was an additional entrenchment, and it was secured by a squadron of gunboats. But the war was now pressing close upon him, and he had the mortification of seeing his city of Joanuina pillaged and set in a blaze under his eyes. He had the still keener mortification of hearing the shouts of the Ottoman army for his old enemy Isma- el, as, on the 20th of August, 1820, he rode into the city yet burning, and was proclaimed Pasha ! Ali furi- ously answered the proclamation by a heavy fire from all his cannon. Of ali warlike nations, the Turks are the feeblest in the attack of fortified places. But, for the destruction of a rival, the new Pasha urged his troops to extraordin- ary vigour, and before the winter, upwards of five thou- GREEK REVOLUTION. 443 and bombs had been thrown into the place. Disaffec- ion, andihe habitual fickleness of the Greek soldiery, k^ere, now, however working for the besieged. The evies retired to the hills, or quarrelled in the camp ; k^inter set in and the passes became impervious through now, or were blocked up by Odysseus, that bold but lubious partizan who has since figured so largely in the )atriotic war. If Ali, in these hours of his fate, was gratified by the all ofa puissant enemy, the Porte indulged him with it in he dismissal and disgrace of Ismael Pasha. Despotism md democracy meet in their revenge on the unlucky ; md the only distinction between Constantinople and re- jublican Paris, was that the defeated general of the Furk sometimes escaped with life ; guillotine was more )rofnpt and unfailing. The delays of the seige of Joan- lina had overthrown Ismael's credit at court ; and Kourchid Pasha was ordered to take upon him the des- perate enterprise of reducing the "Old Lion," as Ali was termed with scarcely Oriental exaggeration. But this den was not to be entered by such hunters as could be found within the dominions of the Turk, and the war lingered through the greater part of IS'il. — But an accident accomplished what might have been hopeless to force. In July, a fire had broke out in the castle of Joannina. It had spread to the magazines of provision ; and in a wasted country, and in the pres- ence of the enemy, the loss was irreparable. Kourchid Pasha returned with a large additional force, and in No- vember it was announced that all was ready for the as- sault. The failure of provisions, and the evidence of increased activity in the besiegers, disheartened the gar- rison, who now saw no prospect but of dying by famine or the Turkish artillery. Desertion took place, and the garrison was soon reduced to six hundred men. A still more alarming omen occurred, in the desertion of the chief engineer, Baretta, a Neapolitan, who increased the value of his treachery by directing the guns of the 444 SKETCH OF THE besiegers to the more vulnerable points of the castle. The island of the lake was soon after seized by a Turk- ish flotilla. Kourchid, now in sight of triumph, and stimulated by the immense wealth still buried in the fortress, pressed the siege with tierce vigour, until Ali was forced to abandon all the lower fortress, and shut himself up in the citadel with but sixty soldiers. Still the great prize of the war eluded the grasp of the Otto- man general. The countless gold of the " Old Lion" was in the citadel, covered with barrels of gunpowder, and the whole treasures, castle and besiegers, might have been blown into the air at the moment of the storm. Ali's character, old as he was, forbade the idea that, if he were pressed, he would die, but sword in hand and in the midst of some fierce act of revenge. Kour- chid shrank from this extremity, ordered the assault to be stayed, and tried the slower, but not less fatal, way of negotiation. The last hours of Ali have been variously narrated ; but the most authentic account is thus given by Mr. Waddington, as the " Official Statement of the Turkish Secretary of State to the British Minister, Lord Strang- ford.'' Ft is worth preserving, even as a curious in- stance of a Turkish state paper. " Kourchid Pasha sent his Silikdar to Ali to propose to him to surrender at discretion ; to restore that part of the citadel which he possessed, and to consign his treasures to this otiicer; for such appeared, in the ex- tremity to which he was reduced, the only rational de- termination for him to adopt. He added, that he knew that a report had been spread, that Ali had resolved in case he should be thrown into despair, to set fire to the powder and blow up himself, his treasures, and all those who surround him ; but that his threat did not frighten him, and tliat if Ali did not decide immediately, he would come himself and apply the torch. Ali Pasha replied to the Silikdar, that he was well assured that, in GREEK REVOLUTION. 445 his situation, there was no other choice, and that he was determined to surrender as soon as he should be as- sured of his hfe. " The Silikdar undertook to carry his answer to his master ; and returned soon afterwards to inform him, in the name of Kourchid Pasha, that the fulfilment of his request depended exclusively on the Sultan ; that the Pasha would willingly give him his good offices with his Highness ; but that he could not do it with any hope of Success, unless Ali should previously deliver up all he possessed ; that he proposed to him, consq|ttent- ly, to elTect the surrender of the fort, the treasures, of the stores, &c. &;c. and to retire and await the arrival of the resolution of the Sultan in the small island on the lake near the citadel. " Ali Pasha asked time at first to reflect on the de- cision which he should make. At last, after several conversations with the Silikdar, he consented to leave the citadel ; and he retired into the island with all his little troop, with the exception of one of his trusty friends, with whom he agreed on a signal, which would instruct him whether he was to set fire to the powder, or give up all that was intrusted to his care to the officers of Kourchid Pasha. " The Silikdar received Ali Pasha in the island at the head of an equal number of men with that which ac- companied the vizier. They paid him all the honor due to his rank ; and, after having been treated for several days by Kourchid Pasha with the greatest res- pect, Ali had confidence enough to order the surrender of all that he had left in the citadel. They immediate- ly made haste to transport the powder into a place of safety. •' Directly afterwards, AH Pasha requested, that one of his officers, who commanded a small party of a hun- dred men in the environs of Joannina, might be per- mitted to join him in the island. Kourchid Pasha con- sented to this, but sent at the same time a detachment, 38 446 SKETCH OF THE composed of an equal number of meo, to keep Ali'? troops in awe. " Different Pashas of inferior rank had been several times to visit Ali. On the 13th day of the moon Dje- mazial Awvvel, (the 5th of February,) Mohammed Pa- sha, governor of the Morea, offered to procure for Ah every possible comfort, naming particularly provisions. Ali replied to this offer, that he desired nothing more than a supply of meat ; he added, however, that he had still another wish, though his unwillingness to olfend thel|firuples of religion forbade him to give utterance to it. ^ceing pressed to name it, he owned that it was wine that he wished for, and Mohammed Pasha promised that he should receive it. The conversation continued for some time in the most friendly manner, till at last Mohammed Pasha rose to take leave. Being of the same rank, they rose at the same moment from the sofa, according to the usual ceremony ; and, before leaving the room, Mohammed Pasha bowed profoundly. Ali returned the compliment : — but at the instant of his in- clination. Mohammed executed the will of his sove- reign ! and put him to death, by plunging a poinard into his left breast. He immediately quitted the apartment, and announced that Ali had ceased to exist. Some men of Mohammed's suite then entered, and divided the head from the body. The former having been shown to the Sultan's troops, as well as to those who had em- braced the rebel's part, a strife followed, in which seve- ral men were killed. But the minds of the people were soon calmed, and all discord was appeased by shouts of " Long live Sultan Mahmoud, and his Wzer Kourchid Pasha !" Thus perished Ali, by an act of the basest treachery, not palliated by even any supposed necessity, but exe- cuted in the mere savage love of craft and murder, that makes, and has always made the passion of the Turk. The conquest was already secure — the old man was on the verge of the grave — the separation of his revolt GREEK REVOLUTION. 447 from the general Greek cause had long been complete. But no triumph gratifies the Turk in which he cannot dip his perfidious dagger. It must be an indulgence to every feeling of honour and humanity, that this infa- mous act produced nothing but the fruits of disappoint- ment. The treasures were wasted on the subsequent disastrous campaigns of the Ottoman ; they may have even tempted the Divan into those precipitate campaigns which sacrificed so many thousand Turks in the great defiles between Eastern and Western Greece. The Pushalik of Joannina was scarcely more Turkish in the hands of Omer Vrionis, the new Albanian Pasha. The Divan actually lost in Ali the man, who of all oth- ers, if reconciled to the Porte, would have been the most effectual guard of Western Hellas against the insurrec- tion ; and the only return for all the sacrifices, was the barbarian joy of seeing (February 1822) the head of an old man of eighty blackening over the gate of that Acel- dema, the Seraglio. hi this conception we are strengthened by the testi- mony of that intelligent observer Col. Leake, who re- marks, " that though Ali may have thwarted all those measures of the Porte which tended to reduce his au- thority, and in general those which did not originate with himself, or transmitted a larger sum to Constanti- nople, in the shape of presents to persons in power, than in that of tribute to the imperial treasury ; and, in the latter respect, he may never have sent as much as would satisfy the wishes of government, neverthcles, it ii probable, that the Porte, during his reign, was more truly master of Greece than it had ever been before ; and that it derived, upon the whole, as much revenue from the country. While it is certain, that by leaving Ali to oppose the armed Greeks to one another, and to suppress the spirit of revolt by the military strength of Albania, it most effectually secured itself against the bad consequences of foreign intrigues among the Chris- tian subjects of European Turkey ; that the conqentra- 448 SKETCH OF THE tion of power in All's hands was the best protection which the empire could possess on a frontier, where it was at one time endangered b)- the power of France, not less than the north-eastern side was menaced by the encroachments of Russia. Affairs, in fact, became less favorable to the future influence of the Porte after his fall, than they had been under Ali, or than they would have been under the government of his sons." The death of Ali had been preceded by that of his sons. They had strangely given themselves up to the Turks at an early part of the contest, under promise of personal safety. Ali heard of this feeble act with, as may be presumed, a burst of scorn and indignation ; and, declaring that they were unworthy of him, pro- nounced his soldiers to be " thenceforth his only chil- dren." The captives were taken to Asia, and fixed in temporary governments, probably with some expecta- tion that they might influence their father's war. But the imperial dagger thirsted for their blood; and in a few months, under pretence of carrying on a corres- pondence with the Pasha, they were murdered. This man's career arrests the eye from its vividness, singularity, and success — from its bringing into the regulated and formal presence of our latter age, the barbaric pomp, eecentrick grandeur, and fearful and precipitous catastrophes of the feudal times, — and last and most striking, from its being the summoner to the great insurrection which is now shaking the throne of the Sultan. If the Greek war can be traced to the in- fluence or act of man, the trumpet that called its spirit from the tomb was the lips of Ali. But the more remote causes are worthy of memory. In the latter half of the eighteenth century, the Greek islanders, and the other nations bordering on the Medi- terranean and black Sea, had been led to engage in commerce to a considerable extent. The advance of the Russians on the north-east, and their zealous patT ronage of the Greek merchants, had excited a strong GREEK REVOLUTIOI«'. 440 inclination to those pursuits of which commerce is the parent. The knowledge of modern languages, general literature, and an acquaintance with the policy of the leading countries of Europe, were rapidly making way among the hitherto fettered and ignorant minds of the Greek population. It has been providentially decreed, that, of all the stimulants to freedom, the most energetic, as the no- blest, should be the enlightening of the public mind. The Greek advanced, the Turk was stationary. The Greek youth were studying in the foreign universities, or travelling through the continent, or mingling in the active and engrossing concerns of political life in Aus- tria, Russia, and more than either, in France, in her hour of dazzling and storm excitement ; while the op- ulent Turkish youth were enervating their understand- ings in the listless and licentious round of the most self- indulgent life on the globe. Some of the most enter- prising foreign officers were Greek, — some of the most dexterous diplomatists, particularly of Russia, were Greek, — some of the most extensive commercial hous- es Germany were Greek, — and it is to be recorded, as a striking proof of how much the vices of the national character are due to the national misfortunes, that the Greek Houses were proverbial for honourable dealing. In the universities, the Greek students were remarka- ble for acuteness and brilliant facility of acquirement, and scarcely less for that comeliness of countenance and form, which seem equally the stamp of nature on, the ancient land of genius and beauty. The return of those classes of intelligent and manly minds to their fallen country, must have filled them with indignation. The utter ignorance of the Turk — his savage ferocity and brutal arrogance must have made their souls burn within them. The time was of itself pregnant with thoughts of illustrious change. It is remarkable that the first open attempt at awaking the Greek nation to a sense of their slavery, was almost si- 38* 450 SKETCH OF THE multaneous with the commcncment of the French Revolution, when it was still comparatively fruitless, and France and Europe were alike dazzled by the ris- ing splendours of that flame which was harmlessly to consume all abuses of kings, and all injuries of nations, but which so soon turned into resistless and fatal confla- gration. In all the great public changes, there must be a mul- titude of strong circumstances, to each of which men will attribute the origin of the change, according to their opportunities of judging. — There is no instance of a great catastrophe originating in a single motive, nor in one individual. The mighty stream which is to de- vastate or revive the prosperity of empires, is not to be fed from a solitary fountain. Yet if among the earliest sources of the Greek struggle, we should fix upon the efforts of one man, that one would be the celebrated Rhiga. The man's character, acquirements, and pursuits, comprehended, by a striking coincidence, those of all' the classes to which have been attributed in these pages the final outbreak of the insurrection. He was a merchant, a philosopher, and a poet. His personal hazards, and the fearless intrepidity with which he en- countered them in his noble course, showed what he might have been at the head of his army. Rhiga was a Thessalian,born in 1760; he travelled in his youth, and completed his education in various countries of Europe. He finally became a merchant ; and from his connexion with German houses, took up his resi- dence in Vienna. There he devoted the chief part of his leisure and his wealth to the revival of literature in Greece. He made, with the assistance of some sci- entific men, a map of Greece on a large scale, which is to this day looked as the most valuable, and which, when we consider the extreme suspiciousness and diffi- culty of the undertaking in a country freely traversed only by robbers, and domineered over by the Turk, is GREEK REVOLUTION. 451 a wonder of perseverance, ability, and zeal. He form- ed a literary union of the most intelltgent of his coun- trymen residing in Vienna ; and in combination with them, translated into the Romaic some of the chief modern works which touched on the antiquities th« original fame, and the opening prospects of their coun- try. But his highest service was one which he shared with no associate — the composition of a number of empassioned poems and songs adapted to national mu- sic, and which are sung to this day. — It was almost a crowning honor due to this brave and brilliant mind, that it should become an object of the fiercest wrath to the Ottoman, and that Rhiga should perish the martyr of liberty, as he had lived the hero and the bard. But it is to the endless dishonour of a christian court, that he should have been delivered into the hands of the barbarians. The Turkish envoy at Vienna was order- ed formally to demand him as a subject of the Porte. The demand was nominally refused. But Rhiga was privatel)' enjoined to quit the city. There may be some palliation for this act, discoverable in the mena- cing nature of the time. It was in 1792. The French Revolution was already turning to that aspect of ferocity and blood which deepened hour by hour until it tlireatened the existence of civilized society. The phenomenon which in its rise might have been hailed by the philosopher and the philanthropist as the omen of new productiveness and beneficent splendour, had sud- denly assumed a broader disk, and seemed rushing down with augmented fires to wrap the world in conflagra- tion. The seizure of the Royal Family of Franc-e, under the pretext of their liberty, surrounded the name with terror and suspicion ; and the songs of Rhiga for th« freedom of his aggrieved country, startled the Austrian ministers as the echo of French Jacobinism. He was finally compelled to leave Vienna ; and from that period his fate is obscure. But it is certain that he per-- 452 SKETCH OF THE ished bj a premature and violent death. Whether by compulsion or treachery, he took his way towards the Danube. It has been said, that he was about to pass that river, he and his little escort of friends were pur- sued by a troop of Turkish cavalry ; that they fought, and after a long resistance, finding that escape was im- possible, struck their daggers into each others bosoms. Another and more probable statement is, that Rhiga was arrested by the Turkish authorities, and carried to- wards Constantinople ; that on the way, an order was received to put him to death, and that he was thus base- ly and cruelly murdered. But his spirit lived in his songs ; and the modern Myrtaeus — a name given to him by his countrymen — a name itself a glorious monument — has sharpened many a sword against the national oppressor. His " Confed- eration of Seven," formed from the more zealous of his associates, was the first effort of combined council in the cause, and has probably served as the model for all that have followed. The next burst of light came from the north. — Rus- sia had been the old protector of the fugitive Greeks, as instruments of that future conquest which has haunted her dreams since the days of the first Peter. Mauro- kordato, one of the exiled Hospodars of Moldavia, formed in 1802 the plan of a Greek Association. Its ostensible object was the general instruction and liter- ary advancement of Greece. But the ground on which he stood must have filled his eye with projects of a bolder ambition. The hope of conciliating his pow- erful protector, personal aggrandizement, and the growing passion of his country for its independence, all lay in the prospect beneath the exile's feet ; and nei- ther his penetration nor his principles were of a nature to shrink from the deepest result of his enterprize. — But in 1814, death broke up his plans, and the associa- tion seemed to have withered away. GREEK REVOLUTION. 453 It is with the liberty of nations as with the day ; its first advances are scarcely distinguished from the night ; even the lights of the darkness must perish before the true morning — the stars must never fade before sun- rise. Maurokordato was scarcely in his grave when a new confederation started into shape and vigor. Tha success of German secret unions, formed towards the close of the French war, had excited the Greeks resi- dent in Germany and the north. The enthusiastic and mysterious tone of this warlike free-masonry accorded with the Greek imagination; and the oath of the con- federacy was an extraordinary compound of aspirations after political change and personal morality, solemn principles of government, and fantastic ideology. The " oath" declared, in the presence of the true God, that the associate would never betray its secrets, nor ever acknowledge to acquaintance or friend a knowledge of them. That he would nourish in his heart an irrecon- cilable hostility to the tyrants of Greece — that he would ever be a virtuous man ; tolerate in religious matters ; the counsellor of the ignorant ; the support- er of the feeble ; the healer of the sick ; the general reverencer of the tribunals and goverment of the coun- try in which he lived — that he would increase the soci- ety by all obvious means, &:c. ; and, finally, that, "by his sacred and suffering country, her long endured tor- tures, the bitter tears shed during so many hundred years, and the future liberty of Greece, that he conse- crated himself wholly to her service ; her honor to be henceforth the front of his thoughts, her glory the im- pulse of his enterprize, and her triumph the reward of his toils and his blood." This singular oath was accompanied by the customa- ry symbols of the German Secret Asssociations ; pri- vate signs of mutual recognition ; cyphers for their correspondence, and others of the frivolous yet suspi- cious formalities of these assemblages which may be so easily turned to the purposes of public disturbance. A 454 SKETCH OF THE jj;eneral fund was established, and deposited in the hands of Greek houses in the Crimea — agents were des- patched through Europe, and particularly through Greece; but it was obvious from the position of the Etairist Committee, and the location of their fund, that Russia was felt to be the grert support, and that it was from the Russian frontier that the torch was to be flung, which was to set the Greek discontents in an inextin- guishable blaze. In this state of things, an insurrection commenced in 1820, Jn Wallachia, under the direction of Theodore, a native of the province, who put himself at the head of sixty or seventy adventurers, and proclaimed liberty to Wallachia. The flame caught so rapidly, that in a short time Theodore found himself at the head of about fif- teen hundred men. The spirit spread into the adjoin- ing provinces, and in the month of March, the gallant Greek Ypsilanti, who sprang from an illustrious line of Grecian ancestors, proclaimed liberty to Moldavia. — The people rose in arms, flocked in crowds to his stand- ard, and marched to Wallachia, to support their breth- ren. At the same time another insurrection commen- ced in Moldavia, at Galatz, on the Danube, and the pa- triots marched to support Ypsilanti. The Sublime Porte took the alarm, and threatened a general massacre of the Greeks at Constantinople, in order to overawe the insurrection. Such was the spirit of the Greeks, that before the month of iVlarch, 1821, had terminated, an insurrection had commenced in the Morea ; and Germanus, Arch- Bishop of Patras, put himself at the head of about S,000 patriots, who drove the Turks into the citadel of Patras. The Senate of Calamata assembled at the same time, and issued their proclamation to their countrymen, cal- ling upon them to rise in the majesty of themselves, and protect the cause ; also upon the Turks, promising them peace and safety, provided they would remain GREEK REV0LUTI0%'. 455 tranquil. They also addressed foreign nations in justi- fication of their views and measures, and called upon them to lend their aid in support of suffering humanity, struggling in defence of her dearest rights. At this eventful moment, Jussuf Selim, Lieut, of Churshid, Pasha of the Morea, commenced an attack upon Patras, carried it by assault, and put to the sword about 800 Greeks, of all ages, and both sexes. This roused the Greeks to the contest, and Gregory, a monk, like Peter, the hermit, of old, erected the standard of the cross, and rallied his countrymen to the contest- — In a few days he assembled at Corinth several thousand men. The principal Islands of Greece caught the flame, and roused to the contest, with their fleets and priva- teers ; and even Novlina, a heroine, to revenge the death of her husband, who had been murdered by the Turks, titted out three vessels at her own expense, and took the command in person. This zeal upon the wa- ter gave a general support to the patriot cause. Pending these movements in Greece, the Emperor of Russia, by his influence, effected a counter-revolution in Wallachia and Moldavia, and the insurrection was crashed in those provinces. CHAPTER 11 General Operations Continued^ SUMMARY VIEW About the 1st of April, 1821. the Turks at Constanti- nople clamored against the government, and caused the Grand Vizier to be displaced ; and the mob put to death 456 SKEf CH OF THE Gregory, the Patriarch of the Greek Church, because he had not suppressed the insurrection in the Morea, and his body was thrown into the Bosphorus. On the same day the Bishop of Ephesus and the Prelates were put to death. Such was the rage of the populace and the alarm of the Porte, that ten days had not elapsed before the new Grand Vizier was deposed and executed, and the Sultan called upon the whole empire to rally to the contest, and suppress the insurrection. Large bodies of troops were assembled and marched towards the provinces of Wallachia and Moldavia, which so alarmed the Russian minister at the Porte, that he re- monstrated, and a long negotiation ensued. The Em- peror of Russia assembled a strong force in Bessarabia, to watch the motions of the Turks, and continued the negotiations ; the dispersed insurgents of Wallachia and Maldavia kept up a predatory war; but Ypsilanti, their chief, was seized and imprisoned in Austria, where he suffered a long confinement. The Greeks assembled their forces in the Morea, and strengthened their fleet ; and the war raged by sea and land through the summer, with great severity, and even cruelty ; but the Greeks were generally successful. In the month of November the Greeks called a con- vention to frame a constitution, which was completed and published on the 1st of January, 1822; and Prince Alexander Mavrocordato was chosen President of the Executive Council of Five. The Greeks next estab- lished printing presses ; commenced the circulation of newspapers, and began to coin monay, levy taxes, &c. All Greece had now rallied to the contest. The Sublime Porte assembled a strong force, under the command of the Pacha Churshid, in Albania, with orders to penetrate into the Morea, by the isthmus of Cprinth, where he was to be supported by the Turks by the way of the gulf of Lepanto. The Greeks anticipated these movements, and de- feated the whole plan, by cutting to pieces the several GREEK REVOLUTION. 457 divisions before they formed the proposed junction at the isthmirs of Corinth. The Turks, enraged at the success of the Greeks, , seized on the island of Scio, or Scios, which contained a ; population of about 150,000 Greeks, with a college, in ; C very llourishing situation, and enjoying an extensive ■ trade. They razed the city, and murdered or carried \ away captive the whole Greek population, under the *■ most distressing displays of cruelty and barbarity. To > avenge this wanton, savage act, the Greeks entered the | harbor of Scios, with two fire ships, and destroyed the Turkish admiral's ship, with her commander and crew, and one other ship of the largest class, with her crew, consisting in the whole of more than 1 000 men. The news of this event threw Constantinople into high commotion ; the Divan was torn with feuds ; the people were in confusion, and the Janizaries rose in re- bellion. The Sultan ordered a large body of troops, stationed without the city, to march in and quell the in- surrection ; a bloody contest ensued ; but the Janiza- f ries were overpowered and subdued, and the survivors \ were led to immediate execution. ' In the month of July the Turks concentrated their forces, and commenced an attack upon the Morea, by sea and land. They entered the isthmus, took the city of Corinth, about the first of August, and penetrated to Argos, where they were met by the Greeks ; an action commenced ; the Turks were routed, and their Lieut. General was slain. Churshid, their general, made a hasty retreat out of the Morea ; his soldiers deserted his standard in such numbers, that it was with the great- est ditiiculty he could recover his former position in Thessaly, which closed the operations of his army for this year. The Turks, upon the island of Cypress, rose upon the Greeks, and put to death more than 40,000, with the most cruel barbarity ; razed the churches, and laid '.vaste the country for more than 40 square leagues. — ^t| 39 ' ' 453 SKETCH OF THE I They attempted the same in Candia or Crete ; but the 1 Greeks opposed them successfully, and kept their I ground. Pending these movements, the Turkisli admiral at- tempted to return with his fleet within the Dardanelles, hut the Greeks pursued and overtook them otF Tcmcdos, commenced another attack with fire ships, and set fire to tlie admiral's ship, which blew up, with the destruc- tion of the admiral and crew, without the loss of one (ireck. I'his event gave a new shock to the capital, and in connexion with the unpopular measures of the Porte, caused a general insurrection, and the city was repeat- edly on firt. The Vizier was deposed, a.td his head ta- ken off, and Churshid passed through the ceremony of the bowsti'ing. 7'he Greeks at the same time seized on Athens and Napoli de Romani, the strong holds of the Turks in Greece. 'J'hus closed the year 1822. At the commencement of the year 1823, the Turks held no fortresses of any importance in the Morea, ex- cept Patras and the Castle of Corinth. The plan of the campaign for this year was the same as that of the last. The first movement of the land army was an attack upon Missolonghi, in Livadia, near the entrance of the gulf of Lepanto. The Turks com- menced an attack on the 6th of January, but were de- feated with great loss. They attempted to move east- ward towards the isthmus of Corinth, but were opposed by the Greeks, at the river Aspropotamo. with such suc- cess, that the whole of the Albanians withdrew from the army, and the Seraskier, or general, was unable to make any important movements. At this time the new elections in Greece commenced, and the elective body met at Astros in the month of April. Mavrocordato declined a second election, and Mavromichalis was chosen president, and John Orlando was chosen j)resident of the senate. GREEK REVOLUTION. 459 At this time an insurrection of the Greeks commenced at Mount Pelion, and upon the eastern shore of the gulf of Volo. The Seraskicr put his army in motion to suppress it, but the Greeks made a manful resistance, and maintained their ground. At the same time the Capudin Pasha, or admiral of the Turkish fleet, sailed from Constantinople, with sev- enty ships of war, and thirty transports. And about the first of Junehe appeared otT the island of Negropon:, and landed a strong force, drove the Greeks from th(; island, and penetrated into Attica, as far as Athens ; but they were soon obliged to retire to Negropont, to de- fend their possessions ihere. The Seraskier, Mahmct Ali, put his army in motion towards the Morea ; and the Capudin Pasha moved with his fleet towards the gulf of Lepanto ; but the Greeks annoyed the Turks so successfully on their march, that the Seraskier halted at the convent of St. Luce, where the Greeks overtook him, routed and dis- persed his army, and rioted in the spoils of the Turkish camp. The Seraskier with his fugitives escaped to Carpenitza. In the mean time, the Suliote chief, Marco Bozzaris, fell upon an army of 5000 men, which the Turks had landed atCondyla, to act in concert with the Seraskier, and cut them to pieces, took them prisoners, or dispers- ed them as fugitives. The Greeks now began to collect their troops iii force, in order to attack the Turks at Carpenitza ; but finding the place too strong, they abandoned the plan, and listened to the following purpose of Bozzaris. " I have with me 340 brave Suliotes, and will at their head, enter the Turkish camp, with no other arms than our sabres and pistols. Do you present yourselves la force, at ditferent points, and commence your fire, when we are recognized, so as to distract the Turks ; and if you second me. we will seize the Pasha, alive or dead/' 4 GO SKETCH OF THE This measure was adopted with much applause, and immediate preparations were made for its execution. — At midnight, Bozzaris took an additional force of 100 chosen men, and forming the remainder of the troops into four divisions, he marched oti" his detachments for the conflict, with this address : " My friends, if we scatter, you will be sure to find me round the tent of the Pasha.'' The adventure succeeded ; the Turks were surpri- sed and routed ; the Pasha was taken by Bozzaris him- self ; but in the very act, the hero fell mortally wound- ed ; was borne otr by his brave companions in arms, and as he expired, thus addressed them : " My friends, to die for liberty is a pleasure, not a pain. Freedom is never acquired but by great sacrifi- ces. 1 die content, because I have contributed to the independence of my country." The Pasha was slain Jn the conflict. The Capudin Pasha attempted to seize upon the isl- and of Skiatho, near the gulf of Vola, but failed, which closed the operations of this campaign. CHAPTER HI. SUMMARY VIEW— 1824. This year the war opened upon Greece with more formidable preparations than those of any former year. The Turkish fleet was greatly augmented by a powerful fleet from Egypt, and threatened the destruction of the Greeks ; but their valor rose in proportion to the danger that pressed upon them, and they u^et their enemies firmly and valiantly. The capture of Ipsara by the GREEK REVOLUTION. 461 Turks, and its recapture by the Greeks, will fulJy show the spirit and success of the parties. The scenes ot Scios were renewed at Ipsara. The Turks became masters of the island on the 4tli of July. The Ipsarists killed more than 20,000 of the enemy before they were overpowered and taken. On the 23d of July, the Greeks reinforced their tleet, and made a descent upon Ipsara, and retook the island, with a terrible slaughter. The whole Turkish garrison fell in the tield, or were put to the sword, amounting to more than 2000 men. The Greeks at the same time attacked the Tui'kish fieet, and took or destroyed 55 gun-boats, eight sloops, a corvette, and three frigates. — Total loss of the Turks in the capture and re-carjiure of Ipsara, is estimated at 23,000 men. The Greeks were equally successful against the Egyp- tian fleet, and against the land army of the Turks, that was marching upon Athens. Extract of a letter from the Minister of the United States, at the Court of Great Britain, to his friend in VVashing^tou. " Permit me to congratulate you upon the success of the Greeks. They have been victorious in every en- gagement, both by sea and land. They nov\^ command the Dardanelles. By an account I have lately read, 550 Greeks fought 8000 Turks, at Hermopyke, from 8 o'clock in the morning till6 at night, leaving more than 700 Turks dead upon the tield of battle, besides the wounded, and lost but few themselves — not 20. ft seems as if the Almighty favored them. '"' The most important news is from Greece to which, of course, our columns must be principally devoted this evening. In addition to the accounts contained in the English papers, an arrival at Boston from Smyrna, has brought us letters from our valued correspondent at that place, as late as the 25th of July. With bleeding 39* 462 SKETCH OF THE hearts our readers have already perused some partial de- tails of the fall'of Ipsara. Our correspondent has fur-, nished a more particular and interesting account of that bloody and treacherous affair. But the gloom pro- duced by this intelligence, is in a very considerable de- gree dispelled by advices of the subsequent naval suc- cess of the Greeks, and the recapture of Ispara. This gratifying news is positively asserted by our correspon- dent, and is mentioned in a letter from an American Gentleman in Smyrna, of July 22, to the Editors of the Daily Advertiser, and is also mentioned in letters re- ceived and published at Boston. The only circum- stance that casts a doubt upon it, is the fact stated by Capt. King, who arrived at Boston, and who asserts " that on the 26th, when he passed Ispara, the Turkish fleet was then off that Island." But there was evident- ly some mistake in this matter, as we have a letter from Constantinople of the 22d of July stating that " the Captain Pasha had returned to Mytelene to land his wounded, and to repair four frigates which cannot keep the sea.'' In addition to this, the accounts of the Greek successes, is published in the Grecian Gazette extraor- dinary, and the news had caused great rejoicings among the Greeks who had ordered Te Deums to be sung. It appears from this paper, that all the Grecian vessels had gone from the other islands to assist the Ipsariots, and that this fleet after having been to Caso, and saved that isle where there was equally brave resistance, by the Casiots against the Turks, returned to Ipsara with their fleet of upwards of 80 sail, where the Turkish fleet was beaten with the loss of three vessels sunk and the fleet put to flight. But we will proceed with our Smyrna correspondence, and follow it wi^th s'jch partic- iialars as we may find most important in the London pa- pers. The Turks having commenced an attack on the land batteries at Samos, a Greek fleet, consisting of about 20 Ipsariot brigs inc. under Admiral Aposlolina, fortu- GREEK REVOLUTION. 463 nately arrived in time to succor the island. The fore- most ships of the Turkish fleet consistinf:; of a razee, frigates, &;c. having got well in with the land, in the channels, a Greek brig passed under the stern of the razee, and did her considerable damage ; and escaped without much injury. By this time several other ves- sels were engaged ; when the Greeks brought up four tire ships, which, taking the advantage of a favorable time, they launched on the razee, a frigate of 50 guns, and two sloops of war, with unexampled boldness ; and steered their little barques with such precision, thnt in a moment the two sloops of war were in a blaze. The one launched on the razee went down before it reached. The Turkish vessels were immediately in confusion, and crowded all sail before the wind to escape. The fire ship directed against the frigate did not come up with her till she had got before the wind," and a chase commenced, during which time a heavy fire was kept up from the frigate's chasers ; but the fire ship sailing- swift came up, and run her bows into the stern of the frigate, and in a few moments she was in a blaze,' and blew up with a terrible explosion. The rest of the fleet escaped into Boudroun. A braver and more daring action it is believed does not exist on record. The brave, noble, and generous Constantine Canari, com- manded the fire ship that burnt the frigate which carri- ed 55 guns : was a first rate ship, and was crowded with troops. I saw her in Smyrna a short time since. It was estimated that from 15,000 to 20,000 Turks perished before Samos. GREEK NAVAL VICTORY— OFFICIAL. After we had compelled the enemy to retreat in a shameful manner in the two first attempts to approach us, he yesterday made a third attempt, v/ith all his ships of war to the number of 22. The combat commenced at half past 10 A. M. The enemy first approached 104 SKETCH OF THE with all his large vessels, and then with the smaller ones. As we had not yet prepared our tireships, we or- dered only IG vessels of Hydra and Spezzia, which had just arrived with an Hydriot fire ship, and a vessel of (Japtain Canaris, which had also just arrived, to oppose tfiein. The combat was obstinate on both sides, and the tactics of our Hydriots and Spezziots were displav- ed in a most brilliant manner. Our tire ships accom- panied by our vessels, sailed against the ships of the en- emy and threw them into complete disorder, obliginu them to retire with disgrace, much farther than in their two formei' attempts. You may easily conceive with what courage this hap- py result inspired our men, and on the contrary, how discouraging it was for the enemy, and principally Coi those troops which had been collected on the mountains of Asia Minor, and were now witnesses to the defeat of their fleet. But a more signai.victory awaited the Greek fleet ! This morning we saw the enemy make an approach to- wards us with the wind in his favor. We immediately ordered all our fire ships to set sail, accompanied by diirerent ships of war. About 10 A.M. the fire ship commanded by Captain Demetrius Zapli, approached a frigate of the first rank oflTCapc Saint Maria, and grap- [)!ed her. There was a slight breeze, and the frigate, helped in some manner by it and towed by four galleys, escaped the danger which threatened her, and our fire ship did not succeed ; but it aubrded an opportunity to the brave Captain Canaris to go against the same frig- ate in the tireships, which he himself commanded, and he succeeded towards eleven o'clock, A. M. in grap- pling her whilst in full sail. In a short time she was in flames, and the tire having penetrated to the powder magazine, soon blew her up, and the sparks and pieces of wood, which flew on all sides, not only destroyed all who were on board, to the number of 600. but several GREEK REVOLUriON. 465 on the neighboring coasts, and burned nearly 20 trans- ports, which were in readiness to transport the troops to Samos. CHAPTER IV. GENERAL SUMMARY— 1825. The Sublime Porte made early preparation to pros- ecute with rigour, the war against the Greeks in 1325. He placed great dependence on the co-operation of the Pasha of Egypt, who put in requisition all the resour- ces of his dominions, and took the field in person. On the 8th of May the Pasha appeared ofT Nava- rino with a fleet of 100 vessels ; 60 of which were ships of war, and 40 transports. He entered the har- bour on the 12th, and landed a strong force ; but the Greeks were prepared to receive him. During the night the Greeks attacked the fleet of the Pasha with fire ships, and succeeded in capturing the whole. On the same day, the Greeks attacked with fire ships, the Turkish Meet in the harbour of Modon, consisting of 40 ships of war, and transports, and destroyed the whole. Such European vessels as were in the harbour of Modon escaped to Zante, without their anchors, and otherwise much damaged by the conflagration. The fortress of Navarino, after a long and obstinate resistance, was forced to capitutate to Ibrahim Pasha, on the 23d of May, for want of provisions. The gar- rison (12,000 men) marched out with baggage, and ev- ery thing except their arms. The naval operations of this year, were particularly glorious to the Greeks ; and their naval heroes gained fresh laurels by their many brilliant achievements. 1f,C ^ SKETCH OF THE The success of the Greeks by land have been ahno=t uninterrupted, and had they possessed an undivided uni- - )n, and a government of energy and decision, they ^ubtless might have continued the defence of Navari- i). and^ preserved the place; but fuihng in those two points, they vv^ere constrained to sutfer Navarino to fall into the hands of the enemy. The capture of this strong hold was a triumph to Ibrahim, worth the labors of a whole campaigr, because it covered his army through the winter, and enabled him to open the cam- })aign the next season, to the best possible advantage. EXTRACT. Yesterday I had an audience with Mavrocordatos. 1 was accompanied to the i-:lace by Col. Jarvis. The Prince received me with much politeness, and expres- sed his satisfaction at the conduct of our government, in regard to the interest it takes in the sulferings of Greece. He asked me many questions, in reference to tJie views which were entertained by the Americans of the character of the Greeks. To ail his questions I endeavored to give as correct answers as possible. I told him that all the exertions, which the diiferent com- mittees were making in America, were for the liberty of Greece ; and that it was my opinion that nothing furtlier would be done by the Americans, if the Greeks should consent to accept of a foreign King. He repli- ed that nothing but a foreign force would ever place them under a King. 1 told him I was willing to bear arms in Greece as long as there was a prospect of her being (rcc, but no longer. With this I'eply he appeared to he well pleased ; told me to make myself acquaint- ed with the language as soon as possible ; and that I should have a station of some importance in the army. While we were consulting, a Courier arrived with news of a recent victory, gained by sea, over the Turks. There were two engagements. The nrst took place .iboiitthe dth of November, between the Islands of Sa- GREEK REVOLUTION 467 mos and Nicaria ; the second in the channel of Can- dia, between Candia and the Inland of Caso. The fleet of the Pacha of Egypt has been entirely defeated and dispersed. Seven ships of v/ar were burned or sunk, and 12 transporsts taken, most of which were under European colors. On board these transports were 1200 Egyptian soldiers, all of whom fell into the hands of the Greeks. The Greek victory at Navarin, over a part of the Egyptians, is amply confirmed. Ibrahim Paslia is in the neighborhood of Modon, and, as all agree, in a very cri- tical situation. There was indeed a report of anothei- battle. An English vessel from Modon bound to Odes- sa, had stopped at Constantinople, the master of which reported that lie was an eye witness to the defeat of the Egyptian army of 10,000 men, v/hich was almost anni- hilated. The storjMvas contradicted by some masters of French vessels arrived from the neighborhood of Mo- don. But on the other hand, a letter fiom Aucsbnrgh states, that at the departure of the courier from Trieste, a rumor prevailed of a bloody battle having been fought in the environs of Modon, in which the Egyp- tians were signally defeated, and part of tliem had laid down their arms. Porahim Pasha is said to be among the prisoners of war. The probability, therefore, is, that there has been another engagement. Reschid Pa- sha seems entirely to have failed in his attempt to pen- etrate the Morea, and thus create a diversion in favor of the Egyptian chief. His conduct has been such, that he has caused a civil war to breakout against the Turks in Epirus, and rendered the Albanians once more hos- tile to the SuUan. It is said he has been compelled to shut himself up in the castle of the lake of Janina. — Every thing indicates that the Albanians and Hellenists will make common cause against the Turks, and thu* materiallv aid the Greek cause. In the mean time tiie Bey of Egypt is endeavoring to send succors to his son at Modon. A division of the Egyptian fleet, consisting 4G8 SKETCH OF THE of 3 frigates, 13 brigs, 20 corvettes, and 20 transport vessels, sailed on the 4th of March for the Isle of Can- dia ; but a few days after, being overtaken by a violent tempest, they returned into the port of Alexandria greatly damaged. The crews, as well as the troops on board, immediately dispersed themselves, and hastened to regain their homes. This event put the Viceroy in- to such a rage, that he ordered the heads of several na- val officers to be cut off. CHAPTER V. .GENERAL SUMMARY— 1S2G. The campaign of 1C2G was opened with more formi- dable preparations on the part of the Turks, than eith- er of the former. The Pasha of Egypt (Ibrahim) moved from Navarin, at the opening of the season, and as he advanced into the Morea, laid waste the country with fire and sword. On the 20th of March, after four suc- cessive assaults, he carried the strong fortress of Misso- longhi ; but the Greeks fought bravely and desperately. All the garrison (1400) were killed, and a great number of women and children drowned in the neighboring lakes. Before the first attack, the garrison were redu- ced to four ounces of bread a day per man. They took the sacrament, and recited the burial service, then re- tired to their posts, determined to sell their lives as dear as they could. Before the last attack, the garri- son was reduced to 427 fighting men. The Turks were aided by French officers, or they could not have taken the place. Ibrahim Pasha, it is stated, had given orders to kili ail the prisoners, nd even unarmed peasants, in order GREEK REVOLUTION. 469 to complete the number of six thousand heads and pairs of ears, that the SuUan had ordered him to send to Con- stantinople. It appears that he could not make up this number at Missolonghi. Ibrahim continued his ravages in the Morea, and the strong fortresses of Napoli de Romania and Tripolizza fell into his hands ; and the same barbarities followed as at Missolonghi. The siege of Athens commenced in form about mid- summer, and was conducted with vigor and cruelty ; but the Greeks were firm and determined in their de- fence. In the month of September, the garrison com- menced a successful sortie, drovg the Turks from their entrenchments, with great slaughter, and plundered and destroyed their camp. But the Turks recovered the shock, and renewed the siege until November or De- cember, and then raised the siege, and withdrew. FALL OF MISSOLONGHI. The heroic defenders of Missolonghi have ceased to live ! Reduced to 1 ,400 men, who were reduced to four ounces of biscuit, they saw, till the 17th of February, the storm gathering which was to swallow them up ; the Egyptians, directed by Europeans, among whom there were unhappily some frenchmen, having at that time completed the pontoons, by means of which they were to cross the shallows, to attack Missolonghi on the side of Mavri Aliki, at which point there were no fortifica- tions, because the lagoon defended the town on that side. On the 18th, the enemy examined the ground, and the Turkish fleet having re-appeared at Procopan- istos, at the entrance of the Gulf of Missolonghi, there was every reason to expect an attempt to storm. From that day every individual prepared himself for death ; and from the 19th to the 21st of February, all the Christians celebrated their obsequies. The Bishop Jo- 40 470 tKETCH OF THE seph administered the sacrament to them, and, the ser- vice for the dead having been recited, every one repair- ed to his post. From the 22d to the 25th, all was tranquil in the camp of Ibrahim, and the enemy beti,an in the night to place his pontoons. Two hours after sun-rise the Eu- ropean engineers had succeeded in approaching within lOOtoises of the town, and shouts announced the attack. Two lines of pontoons ending at the same point joined, the cannon of the christians began to roar, the firing of the musketry commenced, and at eleven o'clock two pon- toons having been destroyed the barbarians retired in disorder. Acclamations and cries of joy announced to the inhabitants of Miss* longhi the triumph of the Cross. The 26th of February Ibrahim, having united all his forces, made a second attack, but without success. On the 2d of March, in a third attack, the barbarians made themselves masters of the head of the causeway, and from that moment, the pontoons having been united at that point, the destruction of the Christians, who had only 427 able to fight, was considered inevitable ; yet no thought of surrender entered any body's mind, and no mouth pronounced the word capitulation : every one seemed only to think of selling his lit'e dear. At length, on the 8th of March, (20th of March, new style,)"the last hour of the Christians sounded. At ten o'clock the Turks had taken Missolonghi by storm, the Bishop Jo- seph had been burnt by a slow fire, all the men had been put to the sword, and the number of corpses of drowned women and children choked up the lagoons. The fatal assault on Missolonghi, it appears, was made by a force of 20,000 men, 185 cannons, and 48 mortars. The majority of the garrison was killed, and the ^lace in ruins before it surrendered. The Gover- nor of the citadel blew it up with 2,000 Turks. The writer of the letter of which this is an extract, was one of 3,000 who fought their way out of the garrison. Up- wards of 4,000 Greeks were destroyed. GREEK REVOLUTION. 471 Missolonghi has fallen. The heroic city, which for eighteen months had defeated the power of the Infidels and repulsed 82 attacks, was taken by storm on the 10th. Poor St. Aubyn fell on the occasion, but he di- ed nobly. On the 8th, while we were rejoicing for our late victory, Ibrahim having been reinforced by 7000 troops, arrived before the place, and again summoned us to surrender, promising favorable conditions, which be- ing refused, a sharp affair took place, the result of which was that he fell back, having lost 700 killed, 200 wounded, 400 prisoners, 4 pieces of cannon, and two standards. On the 9th he returned with 20,000 men, and a formidable train of artillery, surrounding the town on all sides. We had only 7,000 men to oppose to him, and those worn out with fatigue, but all resolved to conquer or die. In the evening we received the Sacrament in the church of St. Sophia, and marched to our posts, from which (ew returned. At 12 o'clock the enemy opened a tremendous fire from 185 cannons and 40 mortars, which continued, without intermission, till 10 o'clock next morning, when the walls became a heap of ruins. The enemy then vigorously attacked us in four direc- tions, and after two hours' fighting, forced their way in- to the town. The conflict was now raging in the most deadly form. The streets were choked with the dead and wounded, whilst the blood was running in streams. The slaughter of the Turks was excessive, as every house was a complete fortress, and the ground disputed at the point of the bayonet, inch by inch. Our gallant French volunteers did wonders. Three times, headed by our brave and lamented St. Aubyn, they charged and drove back the enerny with great loss, taking a number of prisoners ; but in making a fourth and desperate at- tack, our gallant St. Aubyn was shot in the breast, and died in my arms, beggini^ me with his last breath, to die rather than yield. 472 SKETCH OF THE In the mean time the Governor defended himself with heroic obstinacy, in the great Church, but the doors be- ing forced, and most of his men killed or wounded, he sprung the mine, which destroyed both that and the cit- adel, overwhelming himself and two thousand Turks in one tremendous ruin. The enemy having now entire possession of the hard fought town, we collected about 300 of the brave fellows who had fought so well, and after a hard contest, we succeeded in cutting our way out. leaving them in possession of a heap of ruins whicii I have learned, has cost Ibrahim nine thousand of his best troops in the last attack alone. 1 joined General Gourasonthe 12th, with 2,300 men, 150 prisoners, six cannons, and nine standards taken from the enemy du- ring the last fatal attack. We brought the body of St. Aubyn off with us, which will be interred to day with military honours. I received three slight wounds, but am now fast recovering. On the 22d April, about six o'clock in the evcnTng, Caraiscachi having reached the tops of the mountains Carasora, with about 500 of his men, they rtred a vol- ley, as a signal to the rebels of Missolonghi, of having come to their assistance. The garrison of Missolonghi having decided to retire from that place, they made the necessary preparations, and hoped to succeed without being perceived by our troops ; and about three hours Ji^akev dark, they directed the two Chieftains Macri and Becacello to make a sortie with 800 men, and to at- tempt to gain possession of one of our batteries, situated on the sea shore leading towards the Convent, which was manned by the Arabs. They did this in the view, that after having taken possession of the battery, they might open the way to the remainder of the garrison and their families, and escape unperceived. More than a thousand women and children, who were unwilling longer to remain in the town, followed these two chief- tains, armed and dressed as males with the hope of be- ing able to make good their flight ; having reached the GREEK REVOLUTION. 473 ; battery, they were not able to stand against the continu- ed fire of the Arabs, and attempted by flight to reach the .i mountains without being discovered by our comman- i ders ; but in this they were disappointed, for Rumely ] Valsey, and his brother Morea Valsey Pacha, had taken every precaution when they saw the flashes of the mus- : ketry discharged by the men under Caraiscachi, feeHng ' convinced from the reports of the prisoners respecting , the want of provisions in the town, that a flight would be attempted, and had not failed to reinforce our troops at the diilerent foi-ts, and to lineall the country at the ' foot of the mountains with regular and irregular troops, infantry and cavalry. j " The above mentioned chieftains in their flight to j the mountains were thus met by our troops, and in ther • hopes of relieving themselves of their superfluous loads,) ' and escaping, they put to death 800 women and chiI-{ dren, (as unable to keep company with them,) and fledl up to the mountains, crying oat to each other to save' • themselves as well as they could. ; *' The remainder of the Greeks, who waited in Mis- ; solonghi until the capture of our battery, observed that ; their two chieftains had taken flight, and got so alarm- • ] ed and confused that they abandoned their posts. Four ■ hundred of them shut themselves up in the wind-mill, ' and above 500 others took refuge in their different h^t-^i teries on the shore; the rest dispersed themselves in i parties of tens and twenties, and were all put t© death by the continued firing which was kept up. ^ " Oar troops observing the confusion of the rebels, > rushed in, part by sea and part by land, and took pos- , *< session of the fortifications, and as a signal of their success, set fire to them in different places. At this time, many women and children, who were without protection, in order to escape being taken by our peo- ple who were coming up to them, ran to the ditches and: drowned themselves. 40* 474 SKETCH OF THE " Our troops having received orders to subdue the town that night, and to put to the sword all they might nneet with, rushed into the town of Missolonghi, and either took prisoners or destroyed all whom they found. Many women and children were taken prisoners. The 500 Greeks who were above mentioned as hav- ing shut themselves up in the batteries on the shore, were then attacked, and after considerable tiring, in the space of two hours were all destroyed. After this, none were left, except the 300 who were shut up in the wind-mill. These were assaulted by our people, and the rebels (most of them officers) ob- serving their imminent danger, set fire to their gunpow- der and blew themselves up." " The destruction of the rebels has been unexam- pled — their numbers killed in the town are reckoned at 2 1 00 Killed at the foot of the mountain, 500 Taken alive in different parts (men,) 1 50 Women killed, 1300 Women and children drowned, 800 Women and children taken prisoners, 3400 Total 8250. CHAPTER VI. GENERAL SUMMARY -1827. The Turks commenced their operations this year, for the subjugation of Greece, with more formidable preparations than ever they had done before. Ibrahim drew into his service, from Egypt, greater forces, by sea and land, than those of the last year, and tke cause GREEK REVOLUTION. 475 of the Greeks became so desperate, as to unite the three great Christian powers of Europe, Great Britain, France, and Russia, in a coalition treaty for the sup- port and protection of Greece, signed at London, July 1. Theresuitof this treaty has been an armed cornbi- ucd squadron, which entered the Archipelago in the month of September, and attempted to check and sup- press the ravages of Ibrahim by an armistice, until a treaty could be amicably settled with the Sublime Porte; but when they found this to be impracticable, the allies entered the port of Navarino, on the 20th of October, and in one of the most memorable naval actions on re- cord, succeeded in destroying the whole Turkish fleet, which consisted of more than 60 sail, of all classes. " The affair at Navarino was known at the Seraglio on the 29th, and so exasperated the Sultan, that no one dared to go near him for twelve hours. The Reis Ef- fendi,at length, on the 3dof November, sent for thedro- gomans of the three powers, and appeared in a state of consternation which cannot be described. Without speaking to them of the consequences of the affair, he asked them the reason of such a breach of faith, and dismissed them, after giving an evasive answer, with forced composure, adding this remarkable declaration, " The Porte deeply regrets having listened for a mo- ment to the insinuations and promises of the three am- bassadors. Their presence at Constantinople is indif- ferent to the Porte. No advice will be given either to go or stay. They are at liberty to determine what they shall do. The Sultan has resolved to break off all in- tercourse with them." BATTLE OF NAVARINO. London Gazette Extaordinar^, ) Admiralty Offices, J^uv. 10, 1827. I Despatches, of which the following are copies or ex- tracts, have been this day received at this office, ad» 47G SKE rCH OF THE dressed to John Wilson Crokey, Esq. by Vice Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, K. C. B. Commar.der in Chief of his Majesty'-j ships in the Mediterranean :— His Mnjesty''s ship Asia, in the Port of Mivarino. October 21, 1827. Sir, I have the honor of informing his Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral, that my colleagues, Count Heyden and Chevalier de Rigny, having agreed with me that we should come into this port, in order to induce Ibra- him Pasha to discontinue the brutal war of extermina- tion, which he has been carrying on since his return here from his failure in the Gulph of Patras, the com- bined squadrons passed the batteries, in order to take up their anchorage, at about two o''clock yesterday af- ternoon. The Turkish ships were moored in the form of a crescent, with springs on their cables, the larger ones presenting their broadsides towards the centre, the smaller ones in succession within them, filling up the intervals. The combined fleet was formed in the order of sail- ing in two columns, the British and French forming the weather or starboard line, and the Russian the lee line. The Asia led in, followed by the Genoa and Albion, and anchored close alongside a ship of the line, bearing the flag of the Capitana Bey, another ship of the line, and a large doubled banked frigate, each thus having their proper, opponent in the front line of the Turkish fleet. The four ships to windward, part of the Egyp- tian squadron, were allotted to the squadron of Rear Admiral de Uigny; and those to leeward, in the bight of the crescent, weie to mark the sections of the whole Russian squadron ; the ships of their line closing those of the English line, and being followed up by their own frigates. The French frigate Armide was directed to GREEK REVOLUTION. 477 place herself alongside the outermost frigate, on the left hand entering the harbour ; and the Cambrian, Glasgow, and Talbot next to her, and abreast of the Asia, Genoa and Albion ; the Dartmouth and the Mus- quito, the Rose, the Brisk, and the Philomel were to look after the six fire vessels at the entrance of the har- bour. I gave orders that no gun should be fired, un- less guns were first fired by the Turks; and those or- ders were strictly observed. The three English ships were accordingly permitted to pass the batteries to moor, as they did with great rapidity, without any act of open hostility, although there was evident prepara- tion for it on board all the Turkish ships ; but upon the D;irtmoMth sending a boat to one of the fire vessels, Lieut. G. VV. H. Fitzroy and several of her crew were shot with musketry. This produced a defensive fire of musketry from the Dartmouth and the La Sygene, bearinf;; Ihe flaji of Rear Admiral de Rigny, 7'hat was succeeded by a cannon shot at the Rear Admiral from one of the Turkish ships, which of course, brought on a return, and thus, very shortly afterwards, the battle became general. The Asia, although placed alongside of the ship of the Capitaia Bey, was even nearer to that of Moharem Bey, the commander of the Egyptian ships ; and, siuce his ships did not fire at the Asia, although the action was begun to windward, nei- ther did the Asia fire at her. The latter indeed sent a messenger, " that he would not fire at all," and there- fore no hostility took place between our two ships, for some time after the Asia had returned the fire of the Capitana Bey. In the mean time, however, our excellent pilot, Mr. Peter Mitchell, who went to inteiprct to Moharem my desire to avoid bloodshed, was killed by his people in our boat alongside. Whether with or without his or- der I know not ; but bis ship soon afiervvards fired into the Asia and was consequently effectually destroyed by the Asia's fire, sharing the same fate as his brother Admi- 478 SKETCH OF THE ral on the starboard side, and falling to leeward a mere wreck. These ships being out of the way, the Asia be- rame exposed to a raking lire from vessels in the sec- ond and third line, whicii carried away her mizen mast by the board, disabled some of her guns, and killed and wounded several of her crew. This narration of the proceedings of the Asia would probably be equally ap- l)licablc to most of the other ships of the other fleet. The manner in which the Genoa and Albion took their stations was beautiful : and the conduct of my brother Admirals, Count Heyden, and the Chevalier de Rigny. throughout, was admirable and highly exemplary. Captain Fellows executed the part allotted to him perfectly, and with the able assistance of his little but brave detachment saved the Syrcne from being burnt by the fire vessels. And the Cambrian, Glasgow, and Talbot, following the fine example of Captain Hu- gon, of the Armide, who was opposed to the leading frigate of the line, elFecually destroyed by their oppon- ents, and also silenced the batteries. This bloody and destructive battle was continued, with unabated fnry, for four hours, and the scene of wreck and devastation which presented itself at its termination was such as has been seldom witnessed. As each ship of our opponents became efFectually disabled, such of her crew as conid escape from her, endeavoured to set her on fire, and it it is wonderful how we avoided the effects of their suc- cessive and awful explosions. It s impossible forme to say too much for the able and zealous assistance which I derived fVom Capt. Cur- zon throughout this long and arduous contest ; nor can 1 say more than it deserved for the conduct of Com- mander Baynes and the ollicers and crew of Asia, for the perfection with which the (ire of their guns was di- rected ; each vessel in turn, to which her broadside was presented becanie a complete wreck. His Royal High- ness wtll be aware, that so complete a victory by a few, however perfect, against an excessive number, howev- GREEK REVOLUTION. 479 er individually inferior, cannot be acquired bnt at con- siderable sacritice of life ; accordingly I have to la- ment the loss of Capt. Bathurst, of the Genoa, whose example on this occasion is well worthy the imitation of his survivors. Capt. Bell commanding the Royal Marines of the Asia, an encellent officers, was killed early in the action, in the steady performance of his du- ty ; and 1 ha\ e to mourn the death of ]Mr. William Smith, the Master, admitted for the zeal and ability with which he executed his duty, and beloved by all for his private qualities as a man. Mr. Henry S. Dyer, my Secretary, having received a severe contusion from a splinter, 1 am deprived temporarily of his valuable assistance in collecting and keeping up the general re- turns and communations of the squadrons ; I shall therfore retain the in my ofHce Mr. E. J. T- White, his tirst Clerk, whom I had nominated to succeed the pursers of the Brisk. I feel much personal oblii^ation to the Hon. Lieut. Col. Craddock, for his readiness, during the heat of the battle, in carryir»g rny orders and messages to the different quarters after my Aides de Camp were disabled ; but I will beg permission to re- fer his Royal Highness for further particulars of this sort to the details of the killed and wounded, a sub- ject which it is painful for me to dwell upon : when I contemplate, as I do with extreme sorrow, the extent of our loss, I console myself with the reflection, that the measure which produced the battle was absolnfely ne- cessary for obtaining the result contemplated by the Treaty, and that it was brought on entirely by our op- ponents. When I found that the boasted Ottoman word of hon- or was made a sacrifice to wanton, savage devastation, and that a base advantage was taken of our reliance upon Ibrahim's good faith, I felt a desire to punish the otTenders. But it was my duty to refrain, and refrain 1 did ; and I can assure your Royal Highness, that I would still have avoided this disastrous extremity, if 480 SKETCH OF THE other means had been open to me. The Asia, Genoa, and Albion, have each suffered so much, that it is my intention to send them to Enghind as soon as they shall have received the necessary repairs for the voyage. The Talbot, being closely engaged with a double-bank- ed frigate, has also suffered considerably, as well as others of the smaller vessels; but I hope their defects are not more than can be made good at Malta. The loss of men in theTurko-Egyptian ships must have been immense, as his Royal Highness will see by the accom- panying list, obtained from the Secretary of the Cap- itana Bey, which includes (hat of two out of the three ships to which the English division was opposed. Cap- tain Curzon having preferred continuing to assist me in the Asia, I have given the charge of my despatches to Commander Lord Viscount Ingestre, who, besides hav- ing had a brilliant share in the action, is well compe- tent to give his Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral any further particulars he may require. 1 enclose, for his Royal Highness's further informa- tion, a letter from Captain Hamilton, descriptive of the proceedings of Ibrahim Pasha, and the misery of the country which he has devastated — a protocol of a con- ference which 1 had with my colleagues, and the plan and order for entering the port, which I gave out in con- sequence. I have the honor to be, Sic. (Signed) E. CODRINGTON, Vice Admiral, PROTOCOL. The Admirals commanding the squadrons of the three i'owers which signed the Treaty of London, hav- ing met before Navarino, for the purpose of concerting the means of effecting the object specified in the said Treaty, viz : an armistice de facto between the Turks GREEK REVOLUTION. 481 and the Greeks have set forth in the present protocol the result of their conference. Considering that after the provisional suspension of hostihties to which Ibrahim Pasha consented in his con- ference of the 2ath September last, which, the English and French Admirals, acting likewise in the name of the Russian Admiral, the said Pasha did the very next day violate his engagements by causing his fleet to come out, with a view to its proceeding to another point in the Morea : Considering that since the return of that fleet to Nav- arino, in consequence of a second requisition addres- sed to Ibrahim by Admiral Codrington, who had met him near Fatras, the troops of this Pasha have not ceased carrying on a species of warfare more destruct- ive and exterminating than before, putting women and children to the sword, burning the habitations, tearing up trees by the roots, in order to complete the devasta- tion of the country : Considering that, with a view of putting a stop to the atrocities which exceed all that has hitherto taken place, the means of persuasion and conciliation, the represenations made to the Turkish Chiefs, and the ad- vice given to Mahomet Ali and his son, have been treat- ed as mockeries, whilst they might, with ©ne word, have suspended the course of so many barbarities : Considering that there only remains to the Command- ers of the allied squadrons the choice between three modes of fulfilling the intentions of their respective Courts, namely : 1st. That continuing, throughout the whole of the winter, a blockade, difficult, expensive, and perhaps useless, since a storm may disperse the squadrons, and afford to Ibrahim the facility of conveying his destroy- ing army to different points of the Morea and the isl- ands. 2dly. The uniting the allied squadron in Navarino itself, and securing by their permanent presence, the 41 432 SKETCH OF THE inaction of tlie Ottoman fleets ; but which mode alone leads to no termination, since the Porte persists in not changing its system. 3dly. The proceeding to take a position with the squadrons in Navarino, in order to renew to Ibrahim propositions which entering into the spirit of the Trea- ty, were evidently to the advantage of the Porte itself. After having taken these three modes into considera- tion, we have unanimously agreed that this third mode may, without effusion of blood and without hostilities, but simply by the imposing presence of the squadrons, produce a determination leading to the desired etfect. We have in consequence adopted it and set it forth in the present protocol. October 18, 1827. (Signed) EDWARD CODRINGTON, Vice x^dmiral and Commander in Chief of his Bri- tannic Majesty's ships and vessels in the Mediterra- nean. LOUIS, COUNT DE HEIDEN, Rear Admiral of his imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias. H. DE RIGNY, Rear Admiral, commanding the squadron of his Most Christian Majesty. Extract of a letter from Captain Hamilton, of his Ma- jesty's ship Cambrian, to Vice Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, dated Kitries, the 18th Oct. 18 27. 1 have the honour of informing you that I arrived here yesterday morning in company with the Russian frigate Constantine, the Captain of which ship had pla- ced himself under my orders. On entering the Gulph we observed, by clouds of lire and smoke, that the work of devastation was still going on. The ships were anchored otf the pass of Ancyre, and a joint let- ter from myself and the Russian Capfain was despatch- ed to the Turkish commander, a copy of whieh I en- GREEK REVOLUTIONS 483 close ; the Russian and English ofTicers, the bearers of it, were not allowed to proceed to head quarters, nor have yet received any answer. In the afternoon, we, the two Captains, went on shore, to the Greek quarters, and were received with the greatest enthusi- asm. The distress of the inhabitants driven from the plain, is shocking ! — women and cl^iidren dying every moment of absolute starvation, and hardly any having better food than boiled grass ! I have promised to send a small quantity of bread to the caves in the mountains, where these unfortunate wretches have taken refuge. It is supposed that if Ibrahim remains in Greece, more than a third of its inhabitants will die of absolute starvation. As the squadron of the Allied Powers did not enter Navarino, with a hostile intention, but only to renevv to the Commanders of the Turkish fleet propositions which were to the advantage of the Grand Seignor himself, it is notour intention to destroy what ships of the Otto- man navy may yet remain, now that so signal a ven- geance has been taken for the first cannon shot which has been ventured to be fired on the allied flags. We send, therefore, one of the Turkish Captains, fallen into our hands as a prisoner, to make known to Ibrahim Pasha, Mouharem Bey, Tahir Pasha, and Capitana Bey, as well as to all the other Turkish Chiefs, that if one single musket oi- cannon shot be again fired on a ship or boat of the Allied Powers, we shall imme- diately destroy all the remaining vessels as well as the forts of Navarino, and that we shall consider such new act of hostility as a formal declaration of the Porte against the three Allied Powers, and of which the Grand Seignor and his Pashas must sufTer the terri- ble consequences. But if the Turkish Chiefs, acknowledging the ag- gression they have committed by commencing the fir- ing, abstain from any act of hostility, we shall resume those terms of good understanding which they have 4 Si SKETCH OF THE themselves interpreted. In this case they will hsive the \vljte flag hoisted on al! the forts before the end of this day. We demand a categorical answer, without eva- sion, before sunset. Signed by the English, French, and Russian Admi- rals. His Britannic M'lje.^tif'^s Ship v'i.v ,"•<'. Mnririth^SdOct. 1824. Monsieur L'Arniral — When your Excellency did nie the ho!ior of volunta- rily placing yourself and the Russian squadron under my command, you gave me a right to jndge of your con- duct in that situation by making mc in a great measure responsible for it. I take advantage tlicn of that right to say, that I contemplated your way of leading your squadron into battle on the 20tii \\'\i\\ the greatest pleas- ure, t'nat nothing can exceed the good management of the ships under your special direction, and that mv having had you under my ordi^rs in that bloody and de- structive engagesnent, will be one of the proudest events of my life. I have (he honor to be, &c. (Signed) EDWARD COOKING TON. To his Excellency, Rear Admiral Count Heiden, A:'.. '^1^7.