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NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 AFFAIR OF QUEENSTOWN: 
 
 IN THE WAR OF 18 1 2. 
 
 WITH A REVIEW OF THE STRICTURES ON THAT EVENT, 
 
 IN A BOOK ENTITLED, "NOTICES 
 
 OF THE WAR OF 1812." 
 
 By SOLOMON VAN RENSSELAER. 
 
 NEW-YORK: 
 
 LEAVITT, LORD & CO., 180^ BROADWAY. 
 BOSTON : CROCKER & BREWSTER. 
 
 1836. 
 

 Cfriuy 
 
 p 
 
 Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1836, 
 
 BT LEAVITT, LORD & CO. 
 
 In the Clerk's Office for the Southern District of New-York, 
 
 DEC 30 1915 
 
 H. LUDWIG, PRINTER, 
 72, Ve8e.v-3lrtt;l, N. Y. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The apology for this publication, if any is needed, 
 may be found in that law of a soldier's nature, which 
 prompts him to repel a base attack on the reputation of 
 the brave and the deserving, in the same spirit with 
 which he would meet an assault on a military post or 
 position, which had been committed to his own special 
 keeping. He flies irresistibly to the rescue of his com- 
 rade, when in danger, and he is always ready to thrust 
 himself in, to receive any blow which he sees aimed at 
 his beloved commander. The law of resistance is all 
 the stronger, when he finds himself worthy to be 
 honoured with the personal notice of the common ene- 
 my, and involved in a common peril with those with 
 whom he stands in the relation of an intimate military 
 connection. 
 
 A book, entitled "Notices of the War of 1812," has 
 lately been ushered before the public, which seems to 
 have been specially devoted to the work of detraction and 
 calumny. It would have received an appropriate dedi- 
 cation, " To the spirit of all evil." It comes to us in 
 the guise of history, but care has been taken to work 
 up in its constitution, just truth and principle enough 
 to disguise the poison infused into it, without, in the 
 least degree, diluting its strength, or weakening its 
 virulence. It is offered professedly as a medicine,* skil- 
 
 * See the preface to the book, consisting of an extract from Mabbjr. 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 full}^ honeyed over with the appearance of sweet temper^ 
 sensibility, and candour, to make the public beheve it 
 will do them good to take it; while it is, in truth, a 
 deadly compound into which the apothecary has emp- 
 tied his most malignant vials, expressly with a view to 
 the production of as much individual suffering and 
 distress as possible. 
 
 The author of this work is the too celebrated Gen. 
 Jno. Armstrong, a name entitled to the undisputed 
 distinction of being second to only one in infamous no- 
 toriety, out of the host of our revolutionary worthies.* 
 It happened that this man was called, in an evil hour, 
 to assist in the administration of the government, during 
 the arduous and eventful period of our second war with 
 Great Britain. As the head of the war department, he 
 had it in his power to perpetrate the most extensive 
 mischief, not only by his want of capacity, but in the 
 indulgence of an unhappy, restless, and malignant tem- 
 per ; a power which he did not spare to use, at first to 
 the oppression of all individuals whom he honoured 
 •with his enmity, and finally to the disgrace and degra- 
 dation of his country. t That country was fated to 
 
 * Arnold's treason was developed in the midst of the war ; Arm- 
 strong reserved his for the close of it. The success of the design, 
 entertained by the author of the Newburgh Letters, would have been 
 much more fatal to liberty, than would have been the delivering of 
 West Point into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 f His interference witli the plans of General Wilkinson may 
 serve as a commentary on this text. General W. wished to attack 
 Kingston, and there rest for the winter in good quarters, to organise 
 the different departments of the array, build boats, &c. and carry 
 Montreal early in the spring. Thisdelay could not operate against us; 
 as the St. Lawrence opens between the two places before it does below, 
 the attack could have been made before any reinforcements could ar- 
 rive from Europe. If General W. had been suffered to take his course 
 the British fleet at Kingston would have fallen into his hands, and the 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 purchase its release from the hand of this functionary, 
 at no less a sacrifice than the overthrow and sacking of 
 the national capital, by a feeble and insulting foe. Here 
 justice did overtake him ; and, finding that no artifice 
 could suflSce to enable him to throw off the just respon- 
 sibilities of the position he had occupied, he passed into 
 retirement.* 
 
 millions of dollars afterwards expended in ship building for the two 
 lakes would been saved the country ; but the secretary was on the 
 spot and manoeuvered to defeat his plan. It was said he had an eye 
 on the presidency, and if Montreal could be taken that season, it would 
 facilitate his object, for if successful he would have assumed all the 
 credit; as it was, he managed to avoid the responsibility by throwing 
 all the blame on poor Wilkinson, (see General W.'s trial before the 
 court martial at Troy. — 1st. Vol. of his Memoirs) 
 
 * The affair at Bladensburgh occurred under General Armstrong's 
 own immediate supervision as secretary at war. In this case, although 
 an attack had been long apprehended, a much larger force, it is true, 
 than absolutely required for the purpose of repelling it, was collected, 
 but no organization or system of defence having been arranged, our 
 army, composed of the regular cavalry, artillery, infantry, and a large 
 body of militia, were disgracefully routed without a show of fight, 
 except from the gallant Com. Barney, by comparatively a handful of 
 British troops, who were exhausted by the fatigue of a long forced 
 march. Near three weeks before the attack was made upon Washington, 
 I received a letter from an officer of high rank in the army, who writes, 
 " such is the want of preparation for defence at this place, that three 
 thousand men can destroy it." Can it be supposed for a moment that if 
 this Author, the dispenser then of honours and promotions in the army, 
 had identified himself with our troops, "they would have retreated 
 on the apJDroach of the enemy? No never! yet he was among the first 
 to set the cowardly example. If a m.ore manly course had been pur- 
 sued, though driven from the first stand, the road passing over a rolling 
 country skirted by woods, afforded many positions, equally as strong 
 and as admirably calculated for the most effective disposition of the dif- 
 ferent kinds of troops employed, and they might have fallen back from 
 one position to another with equal advantage and have harassed even 
 a larger force of the enemy, so that they never could have reached 
 Washington. But had every effort under this course failed, a few hun- 
 dred men thrown into the Capitol, would have saved the City. The 
 
 A* 
 
▼I JPEEFACEi 
 
 His obscurity in his retreat, and his long silence had 
 made his countrymen half believe that, perhaps, his 
 unhappy temper was now softened, that he was melted 
 under the just rebuke and neglect of the world, and that 
 he was preparing, by an honest use of his pen, an 
 instrument which he had shown himself capable of 
 wielding skilfully, to offer to his country a proof of the 
 sincerity of his repentance, in the composition of some 
 work of high historical value. Rumours even, of his 
 labours in this respect had reached the public ear. It 
 was said, his thoughts were turned exclusively to the 
 times of the Revolution and the earlier scenes of our 
 history , and it was understood that nothing would be 
 published, until he should be beyond the reach of any 
 acknowledgments for the important service he should thus 
 render. His injured but generous fellow-citizens had be- 
 gun, already and by anticipation, to feel that forgiveness, 
 which they only waited the proper occasion to accord 
 and express. These " Notices," however, have effect- 
 ually put this pleasant delusion to flight : it is now seen 
 how differently his retirement has been occupied, — in 
 brooding over thoughts of malice and revenge, — in 
 nursing the energies of that dark spirit w^hich can en- 
 dure nothing bright or pure above him, or around him, — 
 in watching the favourable moment for the discharge of 
 his poisoned arrows, and when he could sate hunself 
 with victims and sacrifices. 
 
 It will be seen that in this work two distinct purposes 
 
 six pounders used by the enemy, could have made no impression upon 
 the walls of this building, while a brisk fire from its windows and from 
 the stone parapet surrounding its roof, would effectually have arrested 
 their progress. The sinie defences might have been made at the Pre- 
 sident's house, flanked as it was by the state and treasury offices on 
 the right, ^nH hy the v/ar and navy on the left. The navy-yard was 
 equally susceptible of defence. 
 
PREFACE. Vii 
 
 are sought to be effected, though by a single blow. 
 The one is to destroy individuals ; the other is to de- 
 grade his country. Neither, alone, would satisfy his 
 capacious and comprehensive malice. The shaft, aimed 
 at persons, which did not pass quite through and reach 
 the bosom of the Republic, would not accomplish the 
 errand whereto it was sent, and, to do him justice, it 
 must be confessed that his selections for this effect have 
 been made with singular skill and felicity. For the 
 most part, and always, unless by a mere error in judg- 
 ment, his attacks have fallen on those, with whose 
 names and reputation the honour and glory of the 
 country were most nearly identified, while his commen- 
 dations, sparingly applied, but designed to help forward 
 his main purpose, have been reserved chiefly for those 
 in whom the country has no interest, but that their 
 names and exploits should be forgotten ; whose celebrity 
 cannot be preserved, but at her expense. 
 
 It is not the design of this publication to meet the 
 whole miscliief of Gen. Armstrong's book, or attempt 
 the vindication of the many worthy men whom it as- 
 sails. It is intended to answer a definite and limited 
 purpose ; to disabuse the public in relation to a single 
 event, one of the most important of the war of 1812, 
 and to rescue one individual at least from the desperate 
 assaults of this hoary calumniator. It is believed that 
 the interests of history Avill be subserved by the relation 
 which will be made. It is time that the celebrated af- 
 fair of Q,ueenstown should be understood, and that the 
 high merits of the citizen general, who conducted the cam- 
 paign of which this affair Avas the chief feature, should 
 be placed beyond the reach and danger of detraction. 
 The possession of all the materials necessary for the 
 
VUl PREFACE. 
 
 complete performance of the task, seemed to impose a 
 corresponding and indispensable obligation. It is not, 
 however, intended to be intimated that the author of this 
 narrative and review is wholly uninfluenced by personal 
 considerations and motives. He purposely embraces the 
 opportunity to do an act of justice to himself, while en- 
 gaged in vindicating both his country and his com- 
 mander; and, in so doing, he is not conscious of even 
 the danger of drawing on the indulgence of the public, 
 beyond what it is accustomed to accord to the honest 
 and characteristic frankness of a soldier. 
 
NARRATIVE, <fcc 
 
 A REauisiTioN having been made by the general 
 government for a body of New- York inihtia, it was the 
 pleasure of Gov. Tompkins to appoint Gen. Stephen Van 
 Rensselaer to take command of the forces which should 
 be raised for the defence of the northern and western 
 frontiers of this State, in answer to that requisition. 
 That officer entered upon his command on the 1 3th 
 of July, 1812, having done me the honour to request my 
 services as his aid. I was anxious to serve my country 
 in the contest in which she was engaged, and I did not 
 hesitate, therefore, to take the situation thus offered me. 
 
 On reaching the Niagara frontier towards the middle 
 of August, the General found his troops scattered along 
 the whole Une of the river, and exposed to be cut up in 
 detail. Having inspected his ground, his resolution was 
 promptly taken to concentrate his forces at Lewiston. 
 Orders to that effect were immediately given. His camp 
 was formed, and the duties of discipline and instruction 
 were entered upon without delay. From the moment of 
 his assuming the command, his position was one of the 
 utmost exposure and danger. He lay within sight of a 
 powerful enemy, separated from him only by a narrow 
 river, for the crossing of which, that enemy possessed ev- 
 ery facility. He had a hne of thirty six miles to guard, 
 and his whole force was considerably less than one thou- 
 
10 NARRATIVE. 
 
 sand merij* many of them without shoes, and all of them 
 clamorous for pay. Of ammunition, there were not ten 
 rounds per man, and no lead. There was not one piece 
 of heavy ordnance in the whole line, and there were no 
 artillerists to man the few light pieces which we possess- 
 ed. Add to this, that the troops could not take or keep 
 the field, for want of tents and covering ; that the medi- 
 cal department, if one could be said to exist at all, was 
 utterly destitute of every thing necessary for the com- 
 fort of the sick or the disabled ; and that there was a- 
 mong the men that entire want of subordination, to say 
 nothing of discipline, which always characterizes raw 
 militia ; and some idea may be formed of the condition of 
 our army. 
 
 The condition of the forces on the opposite bank of 
 the river, was in contrast with ours in every particular. 
 There was a well appointed, and well found army, un- 
 der the most exact discipline, and commanded by skilful 
 and experienced officers. Every important post, from Fort 
 Erie to Fort George, was in a defensible state, and the ene- 
 my had possessed himself of a very commanding position 
 on the heights of dueenstown, which he was rendering 
 every day more secure and formidable. He had, moreo- 
 ver, the mastery of the Lakes, and was at that moment 
 industriously employed in using that advantage to in- 
 crease his numbers, and add to his suppUes at Niagara. 
 
 In this state of things, the armistice which had been 
 concluded between Gen. Dearborn and the Governor 
 General of Canada, was announced to Gen. "Van Rens- 
 selaer, and it became necessary to settle with the com- 
 mander of the British forces opposite to us, terms of an 
 arrangement for the government of the armies on the 
 
 * On the first of September, he had only 691 men fit for duty. 
 
NARRATIVE. 
 
 11 
 
 Niagara, during the continuance of the armistice. The 
 performance of this duty was assigned to me, and a sug- 
 gestion having been made by me to that effect, I had 
 the authority of General Yan Rensselaer to attempt such 
 an arrangement, as, besides securing the objects contem- 
 plated by Gen. Dearborn, might enable us, pending the 
 armistice, to use the waters of the Ontario, as a common 
 and undisturbed highway for the purposes of transport 
 tation. My interview with Gen. Sheaffe, on this mis- 
 sion, was one full of interest. As was anticipated, the 
 terms proposed by me were met not only with objec 
 tions, but at first by an unequivocal refusal to accede 
 to them. The following clause, proposed and insisted 
 on, on the part of the British General, will serve to show 
 how wide of each other were our respective views and 
 interests. " It is moreover to be distinctly understood, 
 that there is not any thing in the foregoing articles, to be 
 construed into granting facilities for the forwarding of 
 troops, stores, (fee, which did not exist before the decla- 
 ration of the armistice, farther than they are to pass un- 
 molested as therein provided, in the mode and by the 
 routes assigned to them prior to the cessation of hostili- 
 ties." The result of a protracted discussion, however, 
 was an agreement which confined the restrictions to the 
 movements of troops, stores, ifec, to the country above 
 Fort Erie, and left such movements elsewhere, entirely 
 unshackled and free. 
 
 The importance of this arrangement has never been 
 sufficiently appreciated. The immediate and pressing 
 necessity for it on our part, was, that without it, the ord- 
 nance and supplies intended for our army, having been 
 collected at Oswego, were not likely ever to reach us ; the 
 roads were impassable, especially for heavy cannon, and 
 the highway of the Lake was beset by a triumphant ene- 
 
12 KARRATIVE. 
 
 my. As soon as the negotiation was successfully com* 
 pleted, an express was despatched to Col. Fenwick at 
 Oswego, to move on with his supplies with all possible 
 expedition. But General Van Rensselaer was enabled 
 to use this advantage for another purpose, of great im- 
 portance to the service. No sooner was the way open, 
 than an express was sent to Ogdensburgh with an order 
 fjr the reniDval of nine vessels from that place to Sackett's 
 Harbour. To this movement was Commodore Chaun- 
 cey indebted for the ascendancy w^hich he for a time 
 was enabled to maintain on the lake, and witiiout which 
 the subsequent descent at Little York could not have 
 been attempted. 
 
 Col. Fenwick had not arrived, when orders were re- 
 ceived from Gen. Dearborn, to put an end to the armis- 
 tice. He was, however, as it turned out, then approach- 
 ing his place of destination, at which he shortly after- 
 w^ards arrived. He was directed, out of abundant cau- 
 tion, to land at the Four Mile Creek, instead of attempt- 
 ing to reach Fort Niagara. As soon as this was efTected, 
 and in the same morning, having been charged with the 
 delivery of the notice termmating the armistice, to the 
 British Commandant, I crossed over from the Fort to 
 discharge the duties of this mission, w hich 1 did in a per- 
 sonal interview with Gen. Sheaffe. 
 
 It will be seen by a reference to the documents collect- 
 ed in the appendix to this Narrative, that from the first, 
 Gen. Van Rensselaer acted on the certain knowledge, 
 that it was e Npected of him to make a descent upon Can- 
 ada at the earliest possible period. He knew that nei- 
 ther the government nor the country was prepared to be 
 satisfied with defensive measures only. Nothwithstand- 
 ing this, the first glance he had of his position, after 
 he reached the frontier showed him at once, that 
 
NARRATIVE, 13 
 
 nothing could be attempted, at least for a considerable 
 period. Indeed his own condition was critical in the 
 extreme, and even his ability to defend himself in case 
 of attack, was more than doubtful. Gen. Dearborn, the 
 commander of this entire district, had been ordered by 
 the Secretary of War, in his instructions of the 1st of Au- 
 gust, to make a diversion in favour of Gen. Hull, at Nia- 
 gara. There was no preparation to do any thing effectual 
 under this order. Before Gen. Van Rensselaer reached 
 the frontier, Gen. Brock was on his w^ay, with a compe- 
 tent force withdrawn from his posts on the Niagara, to 
 meet Gen. Hull, leaving behind him however, aforce abun- 
 dantly sufficient, with the reinforcements they were then 
 receiving, for the protection of the posts he had left, against 
 any attempt which could have been made on them on 
 our part ; sufficient even to have made it quite possible to 
 carry the war to the American side of the river, with 
 every prospect of advantage and success. 
 
 The first relief which Gen. Van Rensselaer experien- 
 ced, was in the arrival of Col. Fen wick, with ordnance 
 and stores, on the 4th day of September, as already relat- 
 ed. Before this, however, and while as yet not a man 
 had appeared to reinforce his numbers, the disgraceful 
 fall of Detroit and surrender of Gen. Hull, had been an- 
 nounced, and Gen. Brock had been actually seen re- 
 turning to this frontier, and conducting along the heights 
 of Q,ueenstown; an American army as prisoners of war. 
 It was not much to be wondered at, that this event 
 " spread great alarm among the inhabitants, and produc- 
 ed strong symptoms of distrust among the troops." 
 
 During the month which succeeded the announce- 
 ment of this event, the condition and prospects of the ar- 
 my were, on the whole, but little improved. There was, in 
 nearly all this time, every reason to expect an attack. 
 
 a 
 
14 narrative; 
 
 Every thing indicated great activity on the British side, 
 and preparation for some signal blow. In the condition of 
 Fort Niagara, it was natural to suppose that that would 
 be the first object. It is believed that an attack was only 
 prevented by the shoio of defence which was set up. 
 The Mess House was unroofed and mounted with can- 
 non, and a Battery was planted on the bank of the riv- 
 er above the Fort, while, in case of a hostile attempt, the 
 safety of the troops was attempted to be provided for, by 
 a new road cut through the woods at a distance from the 
 river, in the rear. 
 
 Early in September, Gen. Yan Rensselaer was advis- 
 ed by Gen. Dearborn, that the enemy was preparing to 
 make an effort to reduce this army to the mortifying sit- 
 uation of Gen. Hull's, and that he must be ready 
 " to make good a sure retreat." The abandonment of 
 the Fort was also expressly recommended, and the fear 
 expressed, that, if retained, it would prove " a trap for the 
 garrison," for examinations had shown that it was utter- 
 ly untenable and indefensible against a serious attack. 
 The importance, however, of maintaining all his posi- 
 tions, led the General to the determination to put forth 
 every effort and energy, to this effect, and to adopt the 
 unalterable resolution to dispute every inch of ground 
 with his adversary, in case of an attempt to dislodge him. 
 The following letters, the one addressed to Gen. Dear- 
 born, and the other to Governor Tompkins, will show 
 in some measure, the condition of things at their date, 
 as well as the opinions and resolution of the Command- 
 ing General. His whole force at this time, was about 
 sixteen hundred men. 
 
NARRATIVE. 15 
 
 Extract of a letter From Major Gen. Van Rensselaer to Major Gen. 
 
 Dearborn. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 17tli September, 1812. 
 
 The situation of my little army is becoming every day 
 more and more interesting, and I believe existing circum- 
 stances would fully warrant me in saying critical. As 
 soon as our operations at and near Fort Niagara indicat- 
 ed a disposition to maintain the garrison, the enemy be- 
 came exceedingly active. New works were thrown up, 
 and old ones modified to meet us at every point. Their 
 works appear now to be all completed, and they are 
 daily receiving very considerable reinforcements of men. 
 Last evening, the Royal George arrived at Fort George, 
 with about two hundred artillerists. About one hun- 
 dred boats, loaded with stores for the British army in Up- 
 per Canada, have lately passed up the St. Lawrence. 
 Two regiments of troops are also on their way up, and I 
 am induced to believe that those lately arrived at Fort 
 George, are detachments from those regiments. The in- 
 formation which you had received on the subject of the 
 enemy's reinforcements and destination, was undoubted- 
 ly correct. Troops are also coming down from Fort Mai- 
 den to Fort Erie. Indeed there can be no possible 
 doubt, that the enemy are very actively engaged in 
 concentrating their forces to act in this vicinity. When 
 the scene of action will open, I know not ; it probably 
 cannot be far distant. Such movements of the enemy 
 have been observed for three or four days past, as have 
 induced many to believe, that the hour of attack was at 
 hand. On the 13th instant, boats were engaged in put- 
 ting a considerable detachment of troops on board a ship, 
 which, at evening, got under way from Fort George and 
 stood out into lake Ontario. It was apprehended that 
 those troops were, that night, to be landed on the south 
 
16 
 
 NARRATIVE. 
 
 side of the lake, in the rear of our guards. The night 
 before last, the enemy moved some boats from the land- 
 ing at dueenstown, down the river. This excited alarm, 
 and late last night a rumour ran through the camp, that 
 the garrison was actually summoned to surrender. I 
 only mention these things to show you what apprehen- 
 sions prevail. Should the enemy attack, I have every 
 reason to believe we shall be very severely pressed ; but 
 so serious will be the consequences of any retrograde 
 movement, or a total abandonment of Fort Niagara, 
 that, upon mature consideration of all circumstances, I 
 have determined to hold, if possible, my present position, 
 and dispute every inch of ground. My force bears no 
 proportion to the duties required; besides, the disci- 
 pline of the troops is not such as to warrant perfect reh- 
 ance, and many of our arms are not fit for action. 
 These are considerations which you, sir, and my fellow- 
 citizens will do me the justice to bear in mind, whatever 
 result may happen. For the application of the means 
 entrusted to me, I hope I shall be able to justify myself 
 to my country. M}^ greatest fear is, that the troops des- 
 tined to reinforce me, will not join me in season. In 
 every calculation heretofore made upon my reinforce- 
 ments, both as to time and strength, I have been disap- 
 pointed. Col. Bloom's reginient, which was reported to 
 me before its arrival, for seven hundred, is but little more 
 than four hundred. 
 
 I am erecting a store-house and magazine upon the 
 high grounds, in the rear of my camp ; but for want of 
 teams, tools, and nails, the work proceeds but slowl}^ • 
 we build with logs, and rive our shingles from bolts of oak. 
 It is with extreme difficulty we can procure teams upon 
 any emergency. The horses of the cavalry and flying 
 artillery are badly supplied with hay, and as for grain 
 
NARRATIVE. 1 7 
 
 they are almost entirely destitute. I have completed the 
 road through the woods, from my camp to the garrison. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to his Excellency Governor Tompkins. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 17th September, 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your packet by Major Noon, who arrived in camp last 
 evening. The duties of the day are too pressing to al- 
 low me the leisure I could wish, to answer your letter 
 particularly. I must, therefore, beg leave to refer your 
 Excellency to my despatch of this date to Major Gener- 
 al Dearborn. I cannot, however, but express the satis- 
 faction I feel at the approbation, which my conduct thus 
 far in the campaign has received. To perform my duty, 
 arduous as it is, is comparatively easy, but to determine 
 what my duty is, in a wide field for action, where every 
 thing is unshaped and uncertain, is often a task of no 
 small difficulty ; I am conscious to myself that I have 
 studied it faithfull}^, and performed to the best of my 
 ability. My situation is growing every hour more inter- 
 esting, perhaps critical. The particulars you wiJl find 
 in my letter to Gen. Dearborn ; but with my little force 
 I shall certainly attempt to hold my position, with full 
 reliance upon your Excellency's assurances, that every 
 effort will be made to support me. A retrograde Tnove- 
 Qiient of this army upon the back of that disaster 
 ivhich lias befallen the one at Detroit^ looidd statnp a 
 stig^na itpon the national character which tiiiie could 
 never loipe aivay. I shall therefore try to hold out 
 against superior force and every disadvantage, until I 
 shall be reinforced. I am happy to learn that the money 
 to pay off the troops is at hand. The information cheers 
 our camp. I announced it in orders this morning ; I 
 
 B* 
 
18 NARRATIVE. 
 
 hope they will soon realize their expectations, for in truth y 
 their wants are many. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 Ilis Excellency Governor Tompkins. 
 
 It will be observed, by reference to other official letters 
 in the appendix, that as late as the 26th of September, 
 the General was informed from Head-Q.uarters at Green- 
 bush, that a strange fatality had pervaded the whole 
 arrangements for reinforcing his post, and apprehensions 
 were expressed that tlie reinforcements would still arrive 
 too late to enable him to maintain his position. The 
 same despatch, however, conveyed the expression of a 
 confident hope, that he would not only be able to meet 
 the enemy, but to carry the war into Canada. It was 
 added that " at all events we must calculate on possess- 
 ing U. Canada before the winter sets in." In truth, the 
 time was now at hand, when, if at all, the long contem- 
 plated blow must be struck, and as the enemy had not 
 brought the war into our camp, it was soon determined 
 to carry it into his own. 
 
 With the arrival of the reinforcements, which were 
 now constantly coming in, the confidence of the army 
 increased to such a degree, that the desire for an oppor- 
 tunity to wipe out the disgrace of Hull's surrender could 
 no longer be restrained. The clamour for activ^e operations 
 became general, and Gen. Yan Rensselaer resolved to 
 gratify his own inclinations and those of his army,b3'com- 
 mcncing ofTensiv^e operations; with this view he arranged 
 a plan to be submitted, and then summoned his princi- 
 pal ofllcers to a council of war. For farther detail as to 
 his situation and views, see his letter to Gen. Dearborn 
 of Oct. 8th, published in Appendix, No. I. 
 
 From the correspondence with Gen. Smyth, in rela- 
 
NARRATIVE. 19 
 
 tion to the subject of his naming an early day when he^ 
 in connection with other general officers, and command- 
 ants of regiments, would meet Gen. V. R. in council, it 
 is plain that his second in command had no cordial dispo- 
 sition to act in concert with him. And in farther confir- 
 mation of the fact, is his letter reporting his arrival from 
 Buffalo, dated 29th Sept. ; in this, although an entire 
 stranger to the country, he goes out of the way to ob- 
 trude his advice upon his commanding officer, touching 
 movements and localities of which he knew nothing.* 
 These will bear out the prevalent opinions of the day, 
 as to his presumptuous conduct ; the cause of that, as 
 well as of his subsequent evasive conduct, is merely a 
 matter of conjecture. It might have proceeded from 
 disappointment in not obtaining full command on this 
 frontier, or it might have been because his fastidiousness 
 could not be reconciled to the idea of being under the con- 
 trol of a militia general. Be it as it may, he was highly 
 censured by all who were aware of his conduct, and 
 many, among whom I was one, were of opinion that 
 coercive measures should be resorted to, to bring him to 
 a sense of his duty ; and perhaps if Gen. Y. R. is cen- 
 surable for any sin of omission while on the frontier, it is 
 for not pursuing this course. But as the season was 
 rapidly drawing to a close, and as he was urged by his 
 instructions to effect something decisive before he went 
 into winter quarters, his situation was one of extreme 
 delicacy. He did not wish to be drawn from the object 
 he had in view, by a controversy with Gen. Smyth — par- 
 •jicularly so, as he knew that the forces which by this 
 time had collected in his own immediate vicinity, were 
 amply sufficient for his purpose. 
 
 * Appendix, No. II. 
 
20 NARRATIVE. 
 
 The plan which Gen. V. R. intended to have sub- 
 mitted to the council in question, and the objects he ex- 
 pected to gain by it, if carried out, are indicated in the 
 following extract of a letter from him to Gen. Dearborn. 
 " That we immediately concentrate the regular force in 
 the neighbourhood of Niagara, and the militia here 
 make the best possible disposition, and at the same time 
 the regulars shall pass from the Four Mile Creek, to a point 
 in the rear of the works of Fort George, and take it by 
 storm. 1 will pass up the river here and carry the heights 
 of Queenstown. Should we succeed, we should effect a 
 great discomfiture of the enemy, hy breaking their 
 line of communication^ driving their shipping from 
 the mouth of this river ; leaving them no rallying 
 point in this part of the country — appalling the 
 minds of the Canadians^ and opening a wide and 
 safe communication for our supplies. We shall 
 save our own land^ wipe aiuay a part of the score of 
 our past disgrace^ get excellent barracks and ivinter 
 quarters., and at least be prepared for an early cam- 
 paign another year. As soon as the result of the 
 council shall be known, I shall advise you of it." 
 
 His want of accommodations against the inclement 
 weather became greater, in the same ratio as his strength 
 increased, until the discontent in consequence, reduced his 
 camp to a state bordering on mutiny. The calls to be led 
 to battle, became more and more urgent and imperious, 
 and the general found himself at last obhged either to dis- 
 miss the troops, or to gratify their wishes. Several days 
 elapsed without having a time specified by General 
 Smyth for holding the council, and the prospect of doing 
 it being as remote as ever, Gen. Van Rensselaer could 
 no longer withhold his orders for offensive measures. 
 The different posts of the enemy having been previously 
 
 1 
 
NARRATIVE. "^ 
 
 examined by various officers of our army, while on offi- 
 cial business there,* our knowledge of his localities, of 
 course, was accurate, and having obtained satisfactory 
 information as to the force stationed at his defences, par- 
 ticularly at those about dueenstown, the general felt 
 himself warranted in making an immediate attack on 
 that place. Accordingly on the 10th October, 1812, 
 thirteen boats, capable of transporting three hundred and 
 forty men with their equipments, were brought down 
 under cover of the night, upon wagons, from Gill Creek, 
 two miles above the falls, and launched in the river at the 
 only practicable spot at the time, at the present, Lewiston 
 ferry. Lieut. Col. Fenwick's flying artillery were order- 
 ed to be up in season from Fort Niagara. Gen. Smyth 
 was also directed to send down so much of his command 
 as could be spared from Buffalo, and the attack was to 
 have been made at 3 o'clock, on the morning of the next 
 day. " Experienced boatmen were procured to take the 
 boats from the landing below, to the place of embarka- 
 
 * On my last visit there, the very day before the action, ^vhile return- 
 ing to my boat, accompanied by Col. Mc Donald and some other offi- 
 cers, attracted by the appearance of a body of Indians a short distance 
 to our lefL, 1 expressed a desire to obtain a nearer view, as I miglit 
 know some of them. This gallant and accomplished officer immediate- 
 ly led the way. On our route we passed two beauiiful brass howitzers 
 of a small size, calculated to be carried on pack-horses, the wheels about 
 as large as those of a wheel-barrow. I remarked, " these, at all events, 
 are okl acquaintances of mine." They had formerly belonged to 
 Wayne's army, and had been left at Detroit, where, as Col. Mc D. stat- 
 ed, they were taken by Gen. Brock and brought down, with a view of 
 being sent to England, as a curiosity. I observed in a jocular manner 
 that I felt partial to those pieces, and we must try to take them back. 
 He replied in the same pleasant humour, that they must try to defend 
 them. Little did he suspect that every thing was arranged to make 
 that trial, or that the next day he and his chivalrous chief were doomed 
 to fall and I to be grievously wounded. 
 
22 
 
 NARRATIVE. 
 
 tion. Lieut. Sims was considered the man of the great- 
 est skill for this service : he went ahead, and in the ex- 
 treme darkness passed the intended place, far up the 
 river, and then in a most extraordinary manner, fasten- 
 ed his boat to the shore, and abandoned the detach- 
 ment. In this front boat he had carried nearly all the 
 oars, which were prepared for the boats. In this ago- 
 nizing dilemma stood officers and men, whose ardour had 
 not been cooled by exposure through the night to a 
 most tremendous north-east storm, which continued 
 unabated for twenty-eight hours, and deluged the whole 
 camp. Col. Van Rensselaer was to have commanded 
 the detachment. 
 
 " After this result, I had hoped that the patience of 
 tlie troops would have continued until I could submit 
 the plan suggested in my letter of the 8th, that I might 
 act under, and in conformity to, the opinion which might 
 be then expressed. But my hope was idle ; the pre- 
 viously excited ardour seemed to have gained new heat 
 from the late miscarriage. The ' brave were too morti- 
 fied to stop short of their object, and the timid thought 
 laurels half won by the attempt.' On the morning of 
 the 12th, such was the pressure upon me from all quar- 
 ters, that I became satisfied that my refusal to act. 
 might involve me in suspicion, and the service in dis- 
 grace."* 
 
 Except in some minor details, the arrangements for 
 another attempt were the same as on the last. The 
 boats were brouglit back after daylight, and left on the 
 shore opposite Queenstown, where they remained the 
 two subsequent days in full sight, and within musket 
 
 * See despatch from G. V. R. of Oct. 14th, to Gen. Dearborn, in 
 Appendix No, II, 
 
NARRATIVE. 23 
 
 shot of the enemy.* The appearance was regarded as 
 a feint, and they became impressed with a belief, tliat 
 they were intended to carry an armament down the 
 river against Fort George. Our operations at and near 
 Fort Niagara, before alluded to,t which they had lately 
 seen { ffected opposite that post, confirmed the belief to 
 such a degree, that their principal force was stationed 
 there ; and when Gen. Brock was afterwards first in- 
 formed of the firing at Queenstown, he declared that it 
 could not possibly be an attack. '• It was nothing more 
 than the war between sentinels."+ To all this, in con- 
 nection with their faith in the impregnable nature of the 
 place, we may ascribe the reason why they were so 
 weakly garrisoned here ; and that they were so, was 
 divulged to us through such sources as unequivocally to 
 justify an attack, and it was decided that it should be 
 made under my direction on the morning of the 13th. 
 
 During the two intervening days, although yet suf- 
 fering under the effects of a fever, by which I had been 
 confined to my bed until near the moment of being 
 called out to lead the first intended expedition, I was 
 constantly employed in personall}^ attending to complete 
 the arrangements for battle, and in instructing the dif- 
 ferent participators in the particular duties to be assign- 
 ed them. 
 
 Mr. Cook, a highly respectable citizen of Lewiston, 
 (father of the Hon. Bates Cook, lately a member of 
 congress, who, if I mistake not, with one or more bro- 
 
 * The Niagara river being but about three hundred and fifty yards 
 wide at this place, a British sentinel was killed at his post by a shot 
 from our side. See Correspondence on this subject in Appendix, 
 
 No. — . 
 
 t See Correspondence with Col. Fenwick, Append*ix, No. II. 
 I See Appendix, No. II. 
 
24 NARRATIVE. 
 
 thers volunteered his services for the occasion), was 
 this time entrusted with the duty of procuring trust- 
 worthy boatmen, at w^iatever expense ; and they with 
 the boats were put under his direction. To Mr. Lovett 
 was committed the management of the fire from the 
 eighteen-gun battery on the heights of Lewiston. This 
 was an important duty. The balls from this battery 
 were to pass over the heads of the assaulting party, in 
 order to reach the enemy in the village of Q,ueenstown. 
 The duty in the result was satisfactorily performed, 
 though at the expense of Mr. L.'s hearing. He never 
 recovered from the astounding effects of his own fire. 
 
 Lt. Col. Christie, who had lately arrived with a rein- 
 forcement of near four hundred regulars, having begged 
 the honour of a command in the expedition,* was ac- 
 cordingly ordered up to Lewiston with three hundred of 
 his men. The remainder were left to guard the boats 
 and stores which he had brought with him, to the 
 mouth of Four-Mile Creek. Three hundred militia-men, 
 who had been in camp several months, and were much 
 superior to the newly recruited regulars in point of disci- 
 pline, together with forty picked men from Capt. Leo- 
 nard's old company of artillery from Fort Niagara, un- 
 der Lieuts. Gansevoort and Rath bone, with all the 
 equipments belonging to their proper line of service, 
 composed the detachment under my own immediate 
 command. An equal number from each of these two 
 detaclnnents, together with the forty artillerists, were to 
 proceed from the encampment, and effect the first de- 
 scent upon the enemy's shore. Lieut. Col. Fenwick, 
 and Major Mullany, were to follow with about five hun- 
 dred and fifty regulars, and some pieces of flying artil- 
 
 ♦ See Col. Fenwick's correspondence, No. II. 
 
lery, and then the militia in order, as fast as the boats 
 could carry them. 
 
 The arrangement, however, was partially deranged^ 
 when we reached the bank of the river. Here the 
 troops were halted ; and while accompanied by my two 
 acting aids, Lush and Gansevoort, I was inspecting the 
 condition of the boats, which, by the way, appeared to 
 be in perfect order, the regulars got possession of the 
 narrow dug way leading down to the water's edge. In 
 this emergency it became necessary either to counter- 
 march part of this force, a movement which we appre- 
 hended might arouse the attention of the enemy, or to 
 fill the boats witli regular troops in the first place, to the 
 partial exclusion of the militia. The latter alternative 
 was adopted, and Major Morrison was ordered to follow 
 with the remainder of the detachment, in the return 
 boats. 
 
 When the troops had embarked, to the number of 
 twenty-five in each boat, I first walked along the line 
 to see that all were ready, and finding they were so, 
 leaped into the one containing the picked artillerists, 
 and gave the word to push off. The order was prompt- 
 ly obeyed. Counterbalancing, in the favouring eddies 
 on either side, the lee-way made in crossing the main 
 current, within ten minutes all the boats, excepting 
 three, struck the enemy's shore without difficulty, at the 
 identical spot aimed at. Having landed, the boats were 
 immediately sent back. The troops were formed, and 
 charged up the bank, where they met the enemy. A 
 short, but severe engagement took place, with heavy loss 
 on both sides ; but we were victorious, and the enemy 
 gave way, and fled towards Queenstown, on our right. 
 The position we occupied cut off their retreat to their 
 main battery on the heights. Finding myself very 
 
 c 
 
26 NARRATIVE. 
 
 much crippled now, by a number of wounds, and with 
 the loss of blood, unable to proceed any farther, I in- 
 quired for Lieut. Col. Christie, but not hearing of him, I 
 directed the troops to fall back a few steps, under cover 
 of a bank, where they were secure from the desultory 
 shots still occasionally pointed at them. In this situation, 
 a pause of some time occurred, while my staff were out 
 in a vain search for my missing second in command. 
 Had he been on the spot, the affair would have pro- 
 ceeded without a moment's delay. But although the 
 business yet to be done was all-important to the success 
 of our enterprise, as long as there were any hopes of 
 Lieut. Col. Christie's arrival, I was unwilling to entrust 
 its execution to such very young men, the highest of 
 whom in rank were only captains, not six months in ser- 
 vice. But he was not to be found ; and as it was now 
 broad daylight, any farther delay was highly hazard- 
 ous ; and I therefore, in an agony of feeling which be- 
 longed to the occasion, directed the troops to incline a 
 httle to the left, and ascend the heights by the point of 
 the rock, and storm the battery, which by this time had 
 opened its fire upon our place of embarkation. Lieut. 
 Gansevoort, being well acquainted with the ground, was 
 ordered to lead the way, at the head of the picked artil- 
 lerists, assisted by Lieut. Randolph. Lieut. Rathbone 
 having fallen mortally wounded at my side ; other troops 
 followed, Major Lush, my other acting aid, bringing up 
 the rear, with orders to shoot down the first man who 
 offered to give way. The noble* young men obeyed 
 my directions, and, in due time, the report of a well- 
 told volley, and the cheering shouts of victory, reached 
 my ear, assuring me of their complete success. 
 
 * For the names of these gallant young men, see Appendix, No. I. 
 
NARRATIVE. 27 
 
 Having thus accomplished the work with two hun- 
 dred and twenty-five men, for which six hundred and 
 forty had been detailed, nothing farther was necessary 
 for the full attainment of the objects of the enterprise, 
 than to secure the advantages gained. Nothing was 
 easier ; but an unfortunate occurrence of adverse cir- 
 cumstances, turned the fortunes of the day against our 
 arms. I could not participate, personally, in the subse- 
 quent events ; and 1 must refer to Wilkinson's Memoirs, 
 with Capt. Wool's report,* and to General Van Rensse- 
 laer's report,t for a statement of them. I may add, as 
 a conclusion of my own observations, however, that it 
 had been anticipated that the enemy might open the fire 
 of a piece of flying artillery, from the village of Q^ueens- 
 town, upon our place of embarkation, as soon as they 
 were aroused to action by our attack. Mr. Lovett's at- 
 tention had, therefore, been particularly directed to this 
 contingency the day before ; and, in compliance with 
 the instructions then received, as soon as there was 
 light enough, he turned the long eighteens of the bat- 
 tery on Lewiston heights upon this spot, in such a mas- 
 terly manner as to drive the enemy out before their bat- 
 tery was carried. The ferry was unannoyed after this, 
 except by the fire of one gun ; but the distance was too 
 great, and the formation of the banks rendered this 
 fire almost ineffectual. I was afterwards told that none 
 of our boats were injured by cannon shot. The artille- 
 rists, who were purposely attached to the storming 
 party, and provided with matches, were to have turned 
 the fire of the battery on Ctueenstown heights upon the 
 village, and particularly upon the lower one-gun bat- 
 tery above alluded to, which was about a mile below, 
 
 * See Appendix I. 1 See Appendix II, 
 
^ NARRATIVE. 
 
 and could not be reached from any other quarter. But 
 some one of the number, in a fit of over-zealous patriot- 
 ism, frustrated the design, by spiking the cannon as 
 soon as captured. 
 
 Priding myself as I do, on the habits acquired under 
 the tuition of Generals Wayne, Wilkinson, and Posey, I 
 am not conscious of ever having neglected the perform- 
 ance of the most minute detail appertaining to my du- 
 ties as a military man. Nor do I recollect of a neglect on 
 this occasion. Selected to lead an expedition on which 
 the result of a whole campaign depended, my reputation 
 was at stake, and my anxiety to give my country a 
 glorious offset to the disaster of Hull rendered me, if 
 possible, doubly vigilant. Every preparation deemed 
 essential was made under my own inspection, and every 
 contingency was provided for a successful issue ; and if 
 the result was unfortunate, it certainly was not on ac- 
 count of any defect, either in the plan of the expedition, 
 or in the arrangements made to carry it into execution. 
 Had Lieut. Colonel Christie, for instance, effected his 
 landing in conjunction with myself, no delay need have 
 been occasioned at the important crisis when I became 
 disabled. The batteries would have been secured be- 
 fore the enemy were prepared to annoy us, and our pri- 
 mary object, an unmolested passage to the reinforce- 
 ments, would have been secured in season. To his fail- 
 ure may mainly be attributed all our disasters. Yet the 
 apology which he makes for it, in his report to Gen. 
 Armstrong, (the loss of a rowlock and an unskilful 
 pilot,) would, in a spirit of charity be deemed sufficient, 
 were it not known that other boats besides his own, were 
 ordered by him to fall back at the same time/ His re- 
 
 ♦ Capt. Lawrence, in one of the three unsuccessful boats, has repeat- 
 edly declared tha^ he fell back by Christie's orders. 
 
NARRATIVE. 29 
 
 turn damped the hitherto irrepressible ardour of the mi- 
 litia; Major Morrison, instead of leading his detach- 
 ment across the river, suddenly found himself taken too 
 unwell for the duty ; and though the dreaded fire on the 
 ferry was now silenced by Mr. Lovett's battery, and the 
 heights were captured, yet the panic had become so gene- 
 ral, that but a small portion of our army could be pre- 
 vailed on to cross. The remainder, to their eternal 
 shame be it said, instead of lending their aid to sustain 
 their gallant brethren in their victorious career, stood 
 passively, and saw them cut up, and captured in the 
 end, by a force amounting to about one-third of their 
 united number. 
 
 Having finished the brief personal narrative of the 
 affair of dueenstown, which it had been my purpose to 
 oflfer, the object of this work now requires, that I should 
 proceed to an equally brief review of those extraordinary 
 " Remarks" applicable to this affair, which, with others 
 of a similar kind to be found in Gen. Armstrong's book, 
 form the distinguishing features of the work, make it 
 characteristic, and mark it for his own. 
 
 No. I. "The false and improbable report of a spy 
 was made the ground-work of the expedition." The re- 
 port of this spy was neither false nor improbable ; it was 
 true, and was corroborated and confirmed by other in- 
 formation already had, in relation to the British force at 
 Queenstown. That he was not mistaken about their 
 numbers, and that the detachment which landed with 
 me was more than enough to overpower them, was ma- 
 nifest in the result. Their whole force at Queenstown 
 proved to be comprised of two flank companies of the 
 49th, a few militia, and Indians. After the foot-hold was 
 obtained, if General V. R.'s army had crossed the river 
 
 c* 
 
30 NARRATlt^E. 
 
 its capacity for contending with the whole of the force 
 of the enemy, is a matter about which no doubt can be 
 entertained. 
 
 II. " Every mihtary enterprize should have some use- 
 ful and important object." " Yet," says our historian, 
 "according to the General's official report, his views 
 w^ere limited, on this occasion, to the expulsion of a small 
 British detachment from dueenstown, and the occupa- 
 tion of that village as winter quarters for his troops." — 
 Now observe the fairness of this bold assertion. General 
 Armstrong knew that the views of General Van Rens- 
 selaer were not thus limited, and no such inference what- 
 ever was authorized to be drawn from any official report 
 of his. It was, indeed, casually mentioned in his letter 
 to the Secretary of War, the day after the battle, that the 
 possession of the village of Queenstown, if taken, would, 
 as an incidental advantage, have afforded to the troops 
 a shelter from the inclemency of the season. And this 
 expression is seized on as indicating and comprehending 
 the whole objects of the expedition, to the exclusion of a 
 despatch, known to General Armstrong, in which these 
 objects were particularly detailed. The following single 
 quotation should cover the historian with shame : — 
 " Should we succeed, we shall effect a great discomfiture 
 of the enemy, by breaking their Hne of communication, 
 driving their shipping from the mouth of this river, 
 leaving them no rallying point in this part of the coun- 
 try, appalhng the minds of the Canadians, and opening 
 a wide and safe communication for our supplies ; we 
 shall save our own land, wipe away part of the score of 
 our past disgrace, get excellent barracks and winter 
 quarters, and, at least, be prepared for an early campaign 
 another year. 
 
NARRATIVE. 2l 
 
 III. " The troops employed, or intended to be employ- 
 ed on this service, were principally militia, and therefore 
 not better chosen than the object itself. Why this was 
 so, is a problem not yet satisfactorily explained. If it 
 originated in an esprit dii corps, or belief of militia effi- 
 ciency, there may be some colour of excuse for the error ; 
 but if, as reported, the arrangement was made to gra- 
 tify the a?nbition of an individual, the act was not 
 merely injudicious but criminal." There was no choice 
 in the matter. The intention was, to have employed 
 all the disposable force : militia constituted the greatest 
 proportion. The deduction, then, at the commencement 
 of this note, may be ascribed to the wilful misrepresenta- 
 tion of the writer, for he had the official returns before 
 him ; but if it is only to be considered applicable to the 
 first detachment, it is false : for, as already stated, that 
 division contained forty regular artillerists and three hun- 
 dred militia ; the other, three hundred regulars. As to the 
 selection of a leader, Gen. V. R. made it, after due reflec- 
 tion and consultation, and it behoves me not to discuss its 
 propriety : but it may not be amiss to state, that it seems to 
 have met the approval even of the author of the report from 
 which the historian draws so largely for his embellish- 
 ments. He, it appears from this document, though not 
 disposed to waive his rank, yet, in fact, was not disin- 
 clined, and did consent to serve under an officer of esta- 
 blished reputation. The truth is, there was no other 
 officer on the ground who had seen service ; and a 
 glimpse at the incidents of an earlier period of my life, 
 might perhaps be sufficient to show, that General Y. R. 
 believed he had some good reasons for making the selec- 
 tion he did.* 
 
 * When about eighteen years of age I joined tlie army, under the 
 command of General Wayne, as a Cornet of cavalry, and before twen- 
 
32 NARRATIVE. 
 
 IV. " If it be necessary to pass an army over a large 
 and rapid river, demonstrations should never be omitted. 
 
 ty was promoted to the command of a troop. In the action of the 20th 
 August, 1794, I received a wound through my lungs, which was at first 
 considered, by the surgeons, to be mortal, but which my youth and 
 strong constitution surmounted. How I acquitted myself, the de- 
 spatches from General Wayne to the war-department bear ample tes- 
 timony. Suffering yet from the effects of my wound, and there being 
 no prospect of active service, in March, 1797, I went to Philadelphia, 
 with the intention of resigning my commission. At the war-ofRce I 
 found General Wilkinson. Both himself and Mr. Secretary M'Henry 
 expressed great satisfaction at seeing me. The latter observed, that 
 he intended that day to have written to me : and when informed that 
 I was there with a view to resign, and engage in some other business, 
 he was kind enough to interpose a strenuous opposition, in which he 
 was strongly seconded by the Secretary, on the ground that my ser- 
 vices were required for a delicate, perhaps dangerous duty. I was at 
 once informed, that if I would undertake the enterprise offered me, I 
 should have a blank furlough in my pocket, with the power to fill it 
 up at my own discretion. Such a mark of confidence induced me to 
 consent. I returned, made my arrangements, and, without delay, fol- 
 lowed General Wilkinson to Fort Washington, (now Cincinnati.) 
 Here I found the men of my old troop dismounted. I had not seen the 
 fine fellows since the great battle in which they bore a distinguished 
 part. The meeting was as unexpected as gratifying. I immediately 
 passed over to Lexington, Ky., to facihtate and superintend the purchase 
 of horses to mount my men, and in a few days reported myself and 
 troop ready for duty : when, in compliance with my orders, (see App. 
 order 14,) then received, I proceeded to Knoxville, and remained there 
 until the object for which I had been sent was accomplished. When the 
 conduct of France towards this country rendered it necessary for the 
 general government to augment the army, and when Washington was 
 again called upon to place himself at its head, he sent for me ; and in 
 the presence of Generals Hamilton and Pinckney, questioned me about 
 the state of my wound, and soon after I was appointed a Major of cji- 
 valry. By the law subsequently enacted for reducing this army, two 
 troops of cavalry were retained without a field officer. I, of course, was 
 among the disbanded, but not until after every effort in my favour had 
 been made by Governor Jay, the gallant but ill-used Gen. Schuyler, 
 General Hamilton, and others. — (See Letters, Appendix, 5.) Soon 
 after, I received the appointment of Adjutant General of the militia of 
 
NARRATIVE. ^^ 
 
 provided the extent of your own force will justify de- 
 taching." 
 
 On the occasion of the first intended attack, on the 
 11th October, an exception to this rule occurred. The 
 object was, to surprise the enemy in the night ; and it 
 would have succeeded, beyond all question, if the de- 
 scent had been effected. For the 13ih, sufficient demon- 
 strations were made for the purposes required in the rule. 
 The appearance of our boats at the ferry two full days 
 before the action, was regarded as a feint, intended to 
 mask some other movement, and so it was supposed it 
 would be regarded ; and as already stated, in connection 
 with this, the extension of our works at Fort Niagara, 
 together with the presence of forty additional boats near 
 it, at the mouth of Four-mile Creek, induced the British 
 commander to believe, as it was designed he should, that 
 Fort George was our object; and there, as the result 
 proved, he was fully prepared, but not at aueenstown. 
 The departure of General Smyth and Colonel Scott from 
 their respective posts, at Black Rock and the Falls, was 
 not observed by the enemy until after we had secured a 
 foot-hold on his shore, as they marched in the night. 
 If the remainder of the troops had crossed over, and sus- 
 tained us then, the concentrated forces of all the British 
 o-arrisons could have made no impression upon us. 
 
 this state, under that great and good man, Gov. Jay. This appoint- 
 ment I held during the respective administrations of his successors Go- 
 Ternors George Clinton and Lewis; for nine years during Governor 
 Tompkins's administration, and, though subsequent to the events on 
 which the mention of these facts is intended to bear, for nearly the 
 whole period of Governor Dewitt Clinton's. Now, knowing- all this, as 
 he did, and that I had obtained these marks of consideration and of 
 confidence from such high sources, the question is, Was General V. R, 
 justifiable in selecting me to take the lead in the expedition? And if so, 
 although I do not deny that my ambition was highly gratified by th^Q 
 selection, wherein consisted its criminality ? 
 
34 NARRATIVE. 
 
 y. "Every officer charged with the direction of a mi- 
 litary enterprise, should, before commencing it, assure !-« 
 himself, that the means necessary for that purpose are 
 provided and ready for use." 
 
 Having been confined to my bed previous to the first , 
 attempt, General Wads worth, a brave and meritorious 
 officer, was requested to superintend the movements of 
 the boats. We had forty lying in Gill Creek, the whole u 
 number of which could not be brought down without ili 
 alarming the enemy with apprehensions of an attack at :|. 
 the real point. However, he procured as many as were ', 
 required : and, after the failure of the first attempt, (the ■ 
 causes of which have heretofore been stated,) other effi- 
 cient means were taken to regulate the employment of ' 
 them ; and notwithstanding the allegations of certain 
 individuals, who sought an excuse for their own mis- ' 
 conduct, it is due to Mr. Cook to say here, that his de- 
 partment was well regulated ; and as long as the troops 
 showed a disposition to cross, it was well conducted. If 
 there was any irregularity afterward, the fault was not 
 so much in his boatmen as in his passengers. 
 
 VI. " An army crossing a river in small detachments, 
 and consecutively, exposes itself to be beaten in detail by 
 an enemy much inferior to itself; another important 
 maxim, which on this occasion was forgotten or disre- 
 garded." The enemy were unprepared for an attack, as 
 already fully shewn ; our first detachment proved itself 
 able to master their garrison ; and after the mastery 
 was gained, our boats were abundantly sufficient to have 
 carried over our whole army, (with the exception of such 
 parts as were necessary for the defence of certain posts,) 
 before ten o'clock in the morning. Now the British force, 
 
NARRATIVE. 
 
 36 
 
 under General Sheaffe, did not arrive on the spot until 
 four o'clock in the afternoon, 
 
 VIT. " The place selected for crossing the river was 
 ill-judged." That this stream is " a sheet of eddies," as 
 quoted by Gen. A., is true, no doubt ; and this is the very 
 fact which accounts for the pains taken to secure the 
 services of experienced hoatmeyi : yet any person may 
 realize the ease with which a passage, under the guid- 
 ance of skilful pilots, maybe effected by crossing over the 
 spot in the ferry-boat of the present day. And what if it 
 was commanded by the enemy's batteries ? The bearing 
 of his guns had been examined beforehand, and the whole 
 jCase provided for. Beginning the embarkation under 
 the cover of the night, we had a chance of escaping ob- 
 servation : and even if we had been observed, we were 
 (SOon out of the range of their batteries ; and at the place 
 selected for our landing, nothing but smaU arms could 
 be used against us. 
 
 YIII. " The omission to ascertain, previously to the 
 adoption of the project, the political sentiments of the 
 niilida on the question of invasion, and that of not 
 promptly recalling the advanced corps after having as- 
 certained that point, were errors of great magnitude. — 
 Both measures were entirely within the General's power, 
 and had they been adopted, would either have prevented 
 the enterprise, or have terminated it at a moment when, 
 by the death of Brock and the flight of the enemy, we 
 sliould have had the credit of a victory, instead of the 
 discredit of a defeat. And lastly, nothing could be more 
 ill-judged than the attempt made to withdraw the corps, 
 after it had lost its ascendancy in the field, and when the 
 
36 NARUATIVE. 
 
 means necessary for the passing the river, or of covering 
 the retreat, no longer existed." 
 
 In his despatch of Oct. 14, General V. R. writes— 
 " The partial success of Lieut. Elliot at Black Rock, (of 
 which I have, however, received no official infonT.ation,)jj 
 began to excite in the troops a strong disposition 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, they would go home." The i 
 alternative which Gen. V. R. thought his own reputa- 
 tion and the good of the service required him to adopt, 
 under all the circumstances of the case, was to take the 
 troops at their word, and lead them into action. The 
 attempt on the 1 1th was the consequence. It resulted i 
 in a failure. So far from being damped by this, the Gene-* 
 ral adds, " The previously excited ardour seems to have' 
 gained new heat from the late miscarriage : the brave 
 were mortified to stop short of their object, and the timid 1 
 thought laurels half won by the attempt. On the morn- 
 ing of the 12th, such was the pressure upon me from all 
 quarters, that I became satisfied that my refusal to act 
 might involve me in suspicion, and the service in dis- 
 grace." Now it was known to every officer on the 
 ground, tliat such a state of things existed ; and as the 
 troops were aware that they could not act against the 
 enemy without invading them, in the name of common 
 sense, what stronger evidence of the political sentiments 
 on the question of invasion could be required I I 
 
 At the period of Gen. Brock's fall, and the flight of 
 the enemy, the troops were still crossing, we had a pros- 
 pect of a victorious termination of the enterprize, and no 
 one then supposed the militia would change their minds; 
 of course, the idea of a retreat could not be entertained. 
 
NAERATlVfi. 37 
 
 Gen. V. R. crossed over about this time, leaving direc- 
 tions for the militia to follow : but learning subsequently 
 that he was not obeyed, he returned, with a view of as- 
 certaining the cause, and to expedite their movements. 
 It was then, for tlie first time, he found them recreant 
 to the promises which their late clamour for action im- 
 plied. After trying all the means that human inge- 
 nuity could devise, to arouse them to a sense of their 
 duty, he was obliged to give up the effort in despair. — - 
 He then despatched a note to General Wadsworth, in- 
 forming him of the predicament, and leaving the course 
 to be pursued much to his own judgment ; assured him, 
 if he thought best to retreat, every thing in his power 
 would be done to render the measure as easy and as safe 
 as possible. 
 
 The note, however, reached its destination too late. 
 Reinforcements of the enemy, under Gen. Sheaffe, were 
 by this time near at hand, and very soon our little band 
 of heroes were attacked, and after another obstinate fight, 
 overpowered. The General closes his narrative of the 
 events of this eventful day, thus : — "I can only add, 
 that the victdry was realli/ won^ but lost for want of a 
 small reinforcement ; one-third fart of the idle wen 
 would luwe saved all^ If this presumption is a just 
 one, and it never has been doubted, it furnishes a strik- 
 ing commentary on the masterly judgment displayed 
 in arranging the plan of operations ; for with the facts 
 before us, all will admit that the General had indications 
 enough, to justify him in his dependence upon the sup- 
 port of these " idle nien.^^ 
 
 It has been shown, that we were successful in every 
 important measure, up to the time of Gen. Sheaffe's ar- 
 rival. Now, as we had possession of the main road lead- 
 ing from dueenstown heights through the village to Port 
 
38 NARRATIVE. 
 
 George, over a cleared and flat country, he, (Gen. SheafTe,) 
 Avas obliged to file off when he came near Q,ueenstown, 
 to his right, to the small village of St Davids, which 
 was fom' and a half miles west in the rear of Queenstown. 
 From thence,ascendingthe heights, he had four and a half 
 miles more to march east, in order to give battle to our 
 troops, and recover his battery. Our force would haveout- 
 numbered his, three toone, and if the militia had donetheir 
 duty, his defeat would have been certain. In that case, 
 his retreat would have been cut off ; the distance for him 
 being fifteen miles, for us only six by the direct road, to Fort 
 George.* This post would have fallen without striking 
 a blow, for there were not more than twenty men left in it, 
 under Major Evans, to keep up the cannonade between 
 it and Fort Niagara, and all the objects aimed at, would 
 have been acquired. t 
 
 General V. R. has always been ready to meet an in- 
 quiry into his official conduct throughout this campaign, 
 and has boldly sought it, but none has ever been accord- 
 ed him. Let then the appeal now be made to any 
 practical military man, with the circumstances all before 
 him, as to the correctness of his conduct generally in 
 this affair, and particularly on the occasion when he 
 suggests a retreat to a corps, which he rightly supposed 
 would otherwise be crushed. "Nothing could be more 
 ill-judged than the attempt," in (he opinion of General 
 Armstrong ; but the weight which should be attached 
 to any opinion of his, in which the conduct of either 
 General V. R. or myself is implicated, will stand a bet- 
 ter chance of being justly estimated, when these notes 
 shall have been read. The estimable private as well 
 
 * See Map. 
 
 t Our winter quarters would not have been confined to dueenstown, 
 but to that place and to Newaik, if expedient. 
 
NARRATIVE. 3 9 
 
 as public character of Major General Yan Rensselaer, is 
 known and established throiig"hout the United States. 
 Devoting as he does the remnant of a useful and hon- 
 ourable life, to promote objects of Christian benevolence 
 and charity, it might have been expected that even 
 General Armstrong's malevolence would have found no 
 gratification in intruding upon his retirement and 
 interrupting him, in his benevolent pursuits. 
 
 After the battle of Glueenstown, General Dearborn, 
 professing to be satisfied and pleased with my conduct, 
 told my friends Generals Lewis and Y. R. at Greenbush, 
 that a separate corps would be organized for me, of which 
 they informed me by letter while confined with my 
 wounds at Buffalo ; * but owing to the public defence, 
 which as a man of honour, I found niyself obliged to set 
 up against the political attacks on the conduct and 
 character of General Y. R., who then was a candidate 
 for the governorship against Governor Tompkins, I be- 
 came obnoxious to the dominant party of the day, and 
 the intention was never carried into effect. 
 
 Dr. Eustis, before he resigned as secretary at war, 
 entered my name upon the list for the appointment of 
 Brigadier General. He afterward told me, when in 
 Congress together, that he was astonished that his suc- 
 cessor General Armstrong had not appointed me. 
 
 The present venerable Mayor of Baltimore, General 
 Samuel Smith and the Hon. D. R. Williams, chairman 
 of Committee on Military Affairs in Congress, called to- 
 gether of their own accord, upon the Secretary of War, 
 to urge my appointment in the army. 
 
 * I was taken to this place by a company of Major Mosely's Mili- 
 tia Riflemen — they volunteered to carry me on their shoulders all the 
 wn.y to Albany, 
 
40 NARRATIVE. 
 
 When the much persecuted and unfortunate General 
 Wilkinson was ordered by General Armstrong from 
 New Orleans to take command of the Northern army, 
 he too urged my appointment, but was refused. On 
 his arrival at this place, how^ever, he sent for me and 
 wished me to accompany him to the frontiers. I replied 
 that 1 would willingly do so, if I thought he had the least 
 chance to effect any thing of consequence ; but knowing 
 that the deficiency of almost every necessary article, and 
 the want of a proper organization in any department of 
 the army, w^ould prevent his descent upon Montreal that 
 season, 1 declined. * 
 
 Gen. Harrison, with whom I had served in General 
 Wayne's army, also solicited my appointment, as his 
 second in command in the northwestern army. 
 
 It will be recollected that I never resigned my com- 
 mission in the regular service, but lost it when the army 
 was curtailed ; my claim to promotion, therefore, w^as 
 valid still, whenever any augmentation took place. 
 Besides this, the validity of such claims was admitted 
 in the case of other officers of Wayne's army, and they 
 were promoted accordingly. Harrison, who was a 
 lieutenant when I commanded a troop, was commis- 
 sioned a major-general; Covington, a subaltern in our 
 corps, a brigadier general ; Ball, my cornet, a lieutenant 
 colonel, See. (fee. Yet, the above applications in my 
 behalf — and they were certainly entitled to some con- 
 sideration, on the score of the character of the ap- 
 phcants — were all superciliously denied, on the ground 
 
 * When informed by me of the state of his command, he could hard- 
 ly credit, it for Armstrolftg, in reply to written queries put to him on the 
 subject, had stated every thing to be in complete order, (See "W's 
 memoirs) ; after he had visited his line of posts, however, he wrote me 
 that things were not only as bad as I had represented, but much wont* 
 
NARRATIVE. 
 
 41 
 
 as alleged to Wilkinson and others — that I was too 
 tinpopidar to raise a corps. Where is the evidence 
 of this fact? Was Gov. Tompkins, with whom, 
 unfortunately, I had been at political variance, aware 
 of it when I accepted his invitation, as a member of 
 his own family, to assist him in defending the city of 
 New^-York from an expected invasion.^ Was it in- 
 dicated in the resolution unanimously passed by the 
 council of appointment, to confirm my brevet as Major 
 General, in the mihtia of this state,* or was my election 
 to congress by my neighbours, w^ithout opposition in one 
 instance, and by a triumphant majority in another, any 
 evidence of it 'I No, it only existed in the brain of a 
 calumniator. Gen. Armstrong was at that lime govern- 
 ed by the basest of feelings and motives ; and in the 
 antipathies engendered in times long past, and by cir- 
 cumstances which should be forgotten, is to be found the 
 whole secret of his present peculiar hostihty, both to 
 Gen. V. R. and myself. 
 
 COPY 
 
 *The commander in chief having raised by brevet Solomon Van 
 Rensselaer to the rank of major-general in the miliaa of this state, on 
 account of his distinguished gallantry and public spirit in the military 
 service of his country, and especially during the laie war on the Nia- 
 gara frontier, therefore resolved, that the said Brevet be confirmed, and 
 that a commission be issued to him as major-general accordingly, in 
 the militia of this State. 
 
 DEWITT CLIJNTON, Governs. 
 {Signed,) 
 
 Stephen Barnum, 
 William Ross, ^ Members, 
 
 George Rosecrantz, 
 , Stephen Bates. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
The annexed Letters and General Orders Avill show 
 the difficulties General Van Rensselaer had to contend 
 with ; and the measures he pursued to meet them ; his 
 devotion to the interests of the service, the comfort of the 
 troopsj and the honour of their arms. The Letters 
 which passed after the battle between him and General 
 Sheaffcj rival chiefs as they were, in fame and in cour- 
 tesy, will be read w4th interest and profit. 
 
APPENDIX, No. I. 
 
 Extract from Wilkinson's Memoirs, 1st vol., from page 564 to 531. 
 Major Gen. Dearborn had been placed in the command 
 of the Northern frontier early in 1812, with views to the in- 
 vasion of Canada, but if I am rightly informed, without being 
 furnished with any plan, general or particular, or any indica- 
 tion of the course which might probably be pursued for the 
 direction of his operations. Lake Champlain presented the 
 great military highway to the centre of the enemy's province, 
 and the American settlements at the foot of that lake were 
 remote and exposed; the general therefore judiciously de- 
 termined to take his first position with the regular recruits in 
 that quarter; but in the progress of the campaign, the mis- 
 fortune at Detroit put the western frontier of the State of 
 New York in danger, and in defect of regular troops, the 
 general called on the Governor of the State for a body of 
 militia. This gentleman who distinguished himself as a 
 supporter of the war did not hesitate to comply with the 
 requisition and Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer was 
 selected for the command. The motives for this selection 
 were equivocal, but in relation to the public service it was 
 well judged, because of the amiable disposition, the elevated 
 patriotism, the sound discretion, the solid judgment, inflexible 
 honour and firm resolution of this officer. But Gen. Van 
 Rensselaer was opposed in politics to Governor Tompkins, 
 and had differed also with him in opinion as to the expediency 
 of the war, and at the same time they were rival candidates 
 for the government of the State. In the spirit of the times, 
 when almost every public measure is regulated by interested 
 intrigue ; the suggestion may not bo uncharitable, that thia 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 command was? offered to Gen. Van Rensselaer, in the expec- 
 tation that he would refuse it, and that his refusal would 
 affect his popularity. But this virtuous citizen, although in 
 possession of the first patrimonial estate in America, and in 
 the enjoyment of every blessing which can sweeten domes- 
 tic life, notwithstanding his opposition to the policy of the 
 war, was too sensible of the obligation which he owed to his 
 country and its government, to pause a moment for the course 
 he should pursue. He received the orders of Gen. Dear- 
 born, and commenced his march for the frontier, accompa- 
 nied by Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer, adjutant general of 
 the State of New York, of whom I must be permitted to say 
 a few words. This high-minded citizen soldier, and honour- 
 able man, made his noviciate in arms under my ordei-s as a 
 Cornet of dragoons, more than twenty years before, and at 
 that tender age was distinguished for his coolness and intre- 
 pidity in action. His father had served as a lieutenant colo- 
 nel in the revolutionary war, and fought and bled for his 
 country in the affair near Fort Ann, against the 9th British regi- 
 ment of Infantry, in 1777 ; he had transfused his spirit and pa- 
 triotism into his son, who in my presence during the campaign 
 of 1794, fought with sang froid and bled with complacency. 
 Rising by regular promotion to a troop, he was particularly 
 noticed by General Washington, and raised to the command 
 of a squadron ; but he was among the disbanded at the 
 reduction of 1800; and after that period, although anxious 
 for a military appointment to which he would have done hon- 
 our, his politics, as a good federalist, opposed an insuperable 
 bar to his applications. 
 
 On reaching Utica, General Van Rensselaer was called 
 to Socketts Harbour, by a rumour of the movements of the 
 enemy in that quarter, and from thence after a short halt he 
 proceeded to Ogdensburgh, where Colonel Van Rensselaer 
 projected a handsome enterprize, which failed through the 
 want of a few regular troops ; an armed vessel of the enemy, 
 lay along side a wharf adjoining the British magazines ai 
 
APPENDIX. 5 
 
 Prescott, on the opposite shore. Colonel Van Rensselaer 
 proposed with one hundred and twenty men, to ascend the 
 St. Lawrence four or five miles, after night, cross the river, 
 fall down under the Canada shore, take possession of the 
 buildings and carry the vessel, boarding her by land and 
 water at the same time. Volunteers from the militia, turned 
 for the enterprize at evening roll-call, but at midnight^ they 
 had changed their minds, and as they believed there existed 
 no competent authority to order them beyond the limits of 
 the state, this feasible project was abandoned. 
 
 From Ogdensburgh, General Van Rensselaer returned to 
 the southward and established his Head Quarters at Lewiston, 
 on the Strait of Niagara, whilst General Smyth, of the Con- 
 tinental service, was ordered to take post in the vicinity of 
 Black Rock at the head of the Strait. This association was 
 unfortunate, as the latter gentleman's high military preten- 
 sions, could not be reconciled to the command of a militia 
 general, on his first tour of duty, however respectable as a 
 citizen; and it is presumed this temper produced a spirit of 
 insubordination, repulsive to the harmony and concert which 
 is essential to cordial co-operation, and that the public ser- 
 vice, was sacrificed to personal sensibility. 
 
 The campaign glided away under the tardy levy of regu- 
 ular troops, and the dilatory assembly of the yeomanry; 
 and it was October before General Van Rensselaer found 
 himself in force to warrant of offensive operations. It ap- 
 pears that at this period, his solicitude for his own reputation 
 and more especially the interests of the service, and the 
 honour of the country, determined him to strike at the enemy. 
 Pursuant to this object, on the 5th of October, he, by letter, 
 required a conference with Brigadier General Smyth, and 
 the commanding officers of corps under his immediate 
 orders. He addressed Major Gen. Hall to the same effect ; 
 and after these preliminary steps, on the 8th, he made 
 the following interesting communication to the commander 
 
 in chief 
 
 1* 
 
6 APPENDIX. 
 
 Head Gluarters, Lewiston, Oct. 8ih, 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 It is now nearly three months since, in obedience to 
 the call of my country, I took the field to form and discipline 
 an army, and to shape and direct a campaign on the very 
 extensive frontiers of this state. This service, even in pros- 
 pect, presented innumerable difficulties and embarrassments. 
 Thus far I have met them in that manner vv^hich my own 
 mind justifies and I trust my coujntry will approve. After a 
 general review of our frontiers, my own judgment did not 
 suffer me to doubt that the Niagara river must be the scene 
 of our decisive operations, and I selected this neighbourhood 
 as the place best adapted to our measures, and here en- 
 camped. 
 
 Well knowing that the duties of the station you hold were 
 complicated and embarrassing, I have patiently endured much, 
 that the aflTairs of my department might embarrass you less. 
 The crisis through which I have passed for the last month 
 has been trying indeed ; particulars upon this occasson are 
 unnecessary; but the result has justified my measures and I 
 am satisfied. Yet I am well aware that any merit which 
 may be attached to this negative service, will not satisfy the 
 expectations of my country : to have barely escaped disas- 
 ter, will not be thought enough ; the object of the war re- 
 mains unaccomplished, a new crisis is opening, and as in it, 
 you, sir, as well as I, have a deep stake of responsibility, I 
 shall with great freedom, state to you a number of facts, 
 submittino" my opinions connected with them, and with defer- 
 encc leave the general conclusion to your own judgment ; 
 and as the honour and interests of the United States, your 
 own character and mine, are most intimately connected in 
 the subject of deliberation, I hope and trust it may receive 
 all the attention which its importance merits. 
 
 The United States declared the war. One army has sur- 
 rendered in disgrace, and another has but little more than 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 escaped the reiteration of the blow. The National charac- 
 ter is degraded, and the disgrace will remain corroding the 
 public feeling and spirit, until another campaign ; unless it be 
 instantly wiped away by a brilliant close of this. — A detail 
 of particulars is needless ; you, sir, know service. Our best 
 troops are raw ; many of them dejected by the distress their 
 families suffer by their absence, and many have not necessary 
 clothing : we are in a cold country, the season is far ad- 
 vanced, and unusually inclement; we are half the time 
 deluged with rain. The blow must be struck soon, or all 
 the toil and expense of the campaign go for nothing or worse 
 than nothing, for the whole will be tinged with dishonour. 
 With my present force, it would be rash to attempt offensive 
 operations. I have only seventeen hundred effective men* 
 of the militia on this whole line. The regular troops have 
 nearly all arrived in the vicinity of Buffalo, except Schuy- 
 ler's regiment. The batteaux have not arrived and I learn 
 they very narrowly escaped the Royal George, at the mouth 
 of Genesee river, where she had just cut out the schooner 
 Lady Murray, and a Revenue Cutter. But two or three 
 companies of the Pennsylvania troops had arrived at Buffalo, 
 when I received my last advice from thence. 
 
 Under these circumstances and the impressions necessarily 
 resulting from them, I am adopting decisive measures for 
 closing the fall campaign ; but shall wait your approbation 
 of the plan, and the arrival of a competent force to execute 
 it. I have summoned Major Gen. Hall, Brig. Gen. Smyth, 
 and the commandants of the United States Regiments, to 
 meet me on a consultation ; and I am well aware that some 
 opinions entitled to great respect, will be offered for crossing 
 the Niagara a little below Fort Erie, and pursuing the march 
 down the river. I think this plan liable to many objections. 
 The enemy have works at almost every point, and even an 
 
 * His reinforcements had not then arrived. 
 
8 APPENDIX. 
 
 inferior force miorht hold us in check and render our march 
 slow ; by taking up the bridges at Chippewa, they might 
 greatly embarrass us ; the cleared country is but a mile or 
 two wide ; one flank would be constantly liable to be galled 
 by Indians from the swamps ; for a considerable distance, 
 the rapidity of the current, and the height of the banks ren- 
 der transportation across the river impracticable ; of course, 
 our supplies must follow the line of march, with the trouble 
 and hazard of them every day increasing ; and should the 
 enemy retreat from Gen. Harrison, they would have a dou- 
 ble object in intercepting our supplies ; and by falling on our 
 rear, and cutting off our communication, we might expe- 
 rience the fate of Hull's army. Besides these, and many 
 other objections, there is no object on that side, until we 
 should arrive at the commanding heights of Queenstovi''n, 
 which are opposite my camp. 
 
 The proposal which I shall submit to the Council will be, 
 that we immediately concentrate the regular force in the 
 neighbourhood of Niagara and the militia here, make the 
 best possible dispositions, and, at the same time, the regulars 
 shall pass from the Four-mile Creek to a point in the rear 
 of the works of Fort George, and take it hy storm ; I will 
 pass the river here, and carry the heights of Queenstown. 
 Should we succeed, we shall effect a great discomfiture of 
 the enemy by breaking their line of communication, driving 
 their shipping from the mouth of this river, leaving them no 
 rallying point in this part of the country, appalling the 
 minds of the Canadians, and opening a wide and safe com- 
 munication for our supplies. VVe shall save our own land — 
 wipe away part of the score of our past disgrace, get excel- 
 lent barracks and winter-quarters, and at least be prepared 
 for an early campaign another year. As soon as the result 
 of the Council shall be known, I shall advise you of it. I 
 have received your letter of the 29th ultimo, and shall ac- 
 quaint Mr. Harrison with your direction. I regret the 
 
APPENDIX. 9 
 
 slowness of the mail. I have furnished an escort for it from 
 this to Buffalo. 
 
 With great respect and consideration, &c. 
 
 Stephen Van Rensselaer. 
 Hon. Major Qen. Dearborn. 
 
 From this letter, it will appear to any professional man 
 acquainted with the country, and the circumstances of the 
 enemy at that time, that, although Gen. Van Rensselaer 
 was not a military man, he reasons very much like a sol- 
 dier ; his point of attack was selected with masterly judg- 
 ment, because, from its apparent difficulty it was least sus- 
 pected, when, in fact, the counter currents under the oppo- 
 site shores, and the narrowness of the river,* rendered it the 
 preferable traverse; and as to the plan of the enterprize 
 ivhich he had finally determined on, it was so simple and 
 so perfect, that an act of God alone could have prevented 
 the success, which would have reflected honour on a master 
 of the trade. 
 
 If the reader will cast his eyes over the annexed map, 
 he will perceive General Van Rensselaer's camp at Lew- 
 iston, (B) from whence a road (mm) has been cut by 
 his order, six miles through a wood, to (N), at Four-mile 
 Creek, where sixty batteaux lay equipped for service ; from 
 whence it is four and a half miles by water to Fort George, 
 under a high bank, which conceals the movement until the 
 boats turn the point of Niagara. The ground is so much 
 elevated at Lewiston and Queenstown, that it may be called 
 a mountain; it is an immense platform which overlooks the 
 plain below, until it is terminated by Lake Ontario. Of 
 consequence, every movement from Fort George would have 
 been under the General's eye, as well at that of the officer 
 at Fort Niagara. It was General Van Rensselaer's inten- 
 tion, to have marched General Smyth and one thousand 
 
 * Three hundred and fifiy yards wide. 
 
10 APPENDIX. 
 
 five hundred regular troops, to the mouth of the Four-mile 
 Creek, by the new road (mm,) cut for the purpose, there to 
 have been held in readiness to embark at a minute's notice. 
 Queenstown was then to be attacked ; and as it was guarded 
 by two companies of the 49th regiment, with a party of mi- 
 litia and Indians only, it would have been carried with the 
 battery on the heights, as afterwards happened. These 
 operations, within hearing of Fort George, could not fail to 
 draw forth the garrison to sustain the post of Queenstown, 
 and repel the invaders ; and, as soon as the British column 
 was discovered in motion, General Smyth would have em- 
 barked by a signal, and when it approached Queenstown he 
 would have been ordered by a courier, to proceed to the at- 
 tack of Fort George, which could not have been anticipated 
 more than twenty minutes, and being deprived of its garri- 
 son, resistance would have been vain. In the spirit of these 
 jnemoirs I shall forbear to condemn, except when urged by 
 facts. That so feasible a plan, and one of such importance 
 to the national honour and interests should have failed was 
 to be deplored, and the occasion certainly presented a fair 
 subject for inquiry; because it could not have happened 
 without some fault, which, for the good of the service, 
 should have been ascertained, especially when General 
 Van Rensselaer defied investigation; but the crooked po- 
 licy of a corrupt cabinet will not bear inquiry, except when 
 it is deemed necessary to hunt down obnoxious individuals. 
 
 Disappointed by causes he could not control, in the medi- 
 tated attack on the 11th of October, to which the impatience 
 of the militia had compelled him to assent, before his mea- 
 sures were matured ; and not having heard from Brigadier 
 General Smyth on the 1 1 th, in answer to his note of the 5th ; 
 General Van Rensselar hoped the temper of the troops 
 would allow him time to repeat his summons for a consulta- 
 tion with the most experienced of his ofhcers who lay near 
 Buffalo, with the intention to carry into eiTect his original 
 design ; but the ardour of those under his immediate orders, 
 
APPENDIX. 11 
 
 had been heated by disappointment, and numbers now pro- 
 posed to him the alternative, o[ marching against the enemy, 
 or marching home. In such a dilemma he could not hesi- 
 tate, and on consulting the principal officers of his camp, 
 and finding them earnest for an immediate attack, he deter- 
 mined to carry the works of the enemy on the morning of 
 the 13th, before day ; having the evening before received a 
 reinforcement of three hundred and fifty regular recruits 
 under Lieutenant Colonel Christie, who volunteered his 
 services. 
 
 No fault can be found with the plan of attack, except in 
 the deficiency of transports, which, consisting of thirteen bat- 
 teaux, limited the assaulting party to three hundred non- 
 commissioned officers find privates, and this defect is ascribed 
 to the deficiencies of competent means in the quarter-mas- 
 ter's department. i'lie embarkation was to have taken 
 place on the morning of tiie i3th, before day, in the follow- 
 ing order, viz. Col. S. Van Rensselaer with three hundred 
 militia, Lieut. Col. Christie, with three hundred Regulars; 
 the whole to be commanded by Colonel Van Rensselaer ; 
 Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick and Major Mullany, were to 
 follow with five hundred and fifty regular troops, and 
 some pieces of flying artillery, and then the militia, accord- 
 ing to order. The attacking party was formed in good 
 time, and marched off by files abreast, Lieut. Col. Christie 
 leading the regulars, and Major Morrison the militia. When 
 he arrived at the bank of the river. Col. Van Rensselaer 
 halted the detachment, and descended with Major Lush and 
 Lieut. Gansevoort, who acted as his aids, to see the boats 
 arranged, and formed in two divisions, one for the regulars, 
 and the other for the militia ; as it was intended their em- 
 barkation should be simultaneous, as far as the craft would 
 suffice to receive them : but, in descending the bank by a 
 narrow path, which had been dug out of it, the regular 
 troops got possession of it, to the exclusion of the militia ; 
 and the necessity occurred of countermarching a part of the 
 
1?2 APPENDIX. 
 
 regulars, or embarking the whole, in the first instance ; and 
 to save time, the latter plan was adopted, and Major Morri- 
 son ordered to follow with the militia in the return boats. 
 
 Col. Van Rensselaer had examined the bearings of the 
 enemy's heavy battery, on the mountain at (c,)* and that of 
 one gun below Queenstown, at (L), and perceived that by 
 by crossing the river near the gorge of the mountain, he 
 should in a great measure escape the range of their shot ; he 
 accordingly made his traverse at (o), and landed on a nar- 
 row beach, under a steep bank of forty feet elevation ; but, 
 unfortunately, three of the boats which put off with him, 
 bearing Lieutenant Colonel Christie,! Captain Lawrence, 
 and a subaltern whose name is not known, returned without 
 the orders of Col. Van Rensselaer, and carried back seventy- 
 five of the detachment, which too sensibly impaired his 
 force; hut the retreat of this party produced a most perni- 
 cious effect on the militia, particularly as it made no im- 
 mediate attempt to effect a passage. The natural reflec- 
 tion produced by this spectacle in the minds of the yeo- 
 manry was, " If the regular troops cannot cross the river, 
 surely it cannot be expected of us." Thousands of specta- 
 tors were looking on, and there can be no doubt that the in- 
 cident staggered their resolution. 
 
 The narrowness of the river, without the agency of spies, 
 would necessarily warn the enemy of the movement ; and 
 they were prepared for Van Rensselaer's reception. Their 
 force at Queenstown, when the attack was made, consisted of 
 two companies of the 49th regiment, I suppose one hundred 
 and sixty men, with a party of militia, and a few Indians, who 
 resisted their landing. They ascertained Van Rensselaer's 
 approach by the sound of his oars, and opened their fire from 
 
 ♦ See the Map. 
 
 t Col. Christie whose high standing as an officer placed his courage 
 above suspicion is no more ; but Capt. Lawrence, who lives, and is 
 second to no officer of his grade, alleges, I understand, that he retreated 
 by order of Col. Christie. At all events, no satisfactory reason has 
 been given for the boats not proceeding. 
 
APPENDIX. i^ 
 
 the top of the bank, as soon as they could discern his move- 
 ments, by which Lieut. Rathbone was mortally wounded on 
 board of Col. Van Rensselaer's boat. The landing was effected 
 with two hundred and twenty-five men, who formed under a very 
 warm fire, climbed the bank, and routed the enemy at the point 
 of the bayonet, without firing a shot ; but in this operation En- 
 sign Morris was killed, and Capts. Malcolm, Armstrong, and 
 Wool weij wounded; Col. Van Rensselaer himself was pe- 
 culirdy unfortunate, and, to the accident which befel him, 
 the day's disaster may be partly attributed ; he received one 
 ball in his hip, which passed out at his spine, two in his 
 thigh, one of which lodged, two in his leg, and a sixth con- 
 tused his heel ; he however kept his feet, and the enemy 
 having fled towards the town, he ordered Capt. Wool, the 
 senior officer capable of duty, to ascend the mountain and 
 carry the battery ; giving him a direction for his movement, 
 by which he would avoid the enemy's artillery; placing 
 Lieuts. Randolph and Gansevoort, who volunteered, at the 
 head of the little column, and Major Lush, another volunteer, 
 in the rear, with order to put to death the first man who 
 should fall back. During this time, he had concealed his 
 wounds under a great coat borrowed from Major Lush ; and 
 when the party had filed off before him, no longer able to 
 support himself, he fell to the ground. It was just then clear 
 day-light, and he found himself among the wounded, the 
 dying, and the dead. A crust of bread, and some water, 
 furnished by one of the former, prevented him from fainting. 
 The anguish resulting from his wounds, and every selfish 
 feeling, was silenced by the contemplation of his wounded 
 companions ; but even these lost much of their interest, when 
 put in competition with his anxiety for the safety and suc- 
 cess of the gallant detachment he had ordered to the heights. 
 It pleased, however the great Disposer of events, that this 
 anxiety should be short-lived ; and for the blood he had thus 
 spilled in his country's cause, he was remunerated by the 
 consoling shouts of victory. I had marked the patriot sol- 
 
14 APPENDfJC. 
 
 dier some eighteen years before, when " the callow down 
 had scarce begun to shade his cheek, and call him man," 
 giving earnest of future promise, and asserting claims to fu- 
 ture lame; I beheld him in a gallant charge at the head 
 of his troop, shot through the body and with the blood oozing 
 from his lungs, still smiling with complacency; yet since the 
 days of General Washington, nor the blood of the father, 
 nor the son has found grace in the eyes of the executive ; 
 and amidst thousands of offices which have been indiscrimi- 
 nately lavished on the worthy and the worthless, this faithful 
 citizen and honourable man has not been deemed worthy of 
 attention. 
 
 The sequel of the affair of Queenstown, about which we 
 have heard almost as much misrepresentation and folly as 
 about the battle of Brid^ewater, will be best described by 
 an extract from the official letter of General Van Rensselaer;* 
 and the following report of Capt. Wool will put to rest seve- 
 ral controverted points. 
 
 Buffalo, Oct. 23, 1812. 
 l)ear Sir,— ^ 
 
 I have the honour to communicate to you the circum- 
 stances attending the storming of Queenstown battery on the 
 13th instant; with those which happened previously, you are 
 already well acquainted. 
 
 In pursuance of your order we proceeded round ihe point, 
 and ascended the rocks, which brought us partly in rear of 
 the battery. We took it without much resistance, I imme- 
 diately formed the troops in the rear of the battery, and front- 
 ing the village, when I obsreved Gen. Brock with his troopy 
 formed, consisting of four companies of the 49th Regiment 
 and a ^ew Militia, marching lor our left flank. I immedi- 
 ately detached a party of one hundred and fifty men, to take 
 possession of the heights above Queenstown battery and to 
 
 * See Appendix, JMo. 2. 
 
APPENDIX. 15 
 
 hold Gen. Brock in check, but in consequence of his supe^ 
 rior force they retreated. I sent a reinforcement, notwith- 
 standing which, the enemy drove us to the edge of the bank, 
 when with the greatest exertion we brought the troops to a 
 stand, and ordered the officers to bring their men to a charge 
 as soon as the ammunition was expended, which was execu- 
 ted with some confusion, and in a few minutes, the enemy 
 retreated. We pursued them to the edge of the heights, 
 when Col. Mc. Donald had his horse shot from under him, 
 and himself mortally wounded. In the mean time Gen. 
 Brock, in attempting to rally his forces, was killed, when 
 the enemy dispersed in every direction. As soon as it was 
 practicable, I formed the troops in a line on the heights 
 fronting the village, and immediately detached flanking par- 
 ties which consisted of Captain M'Chesney of the 6th Re- 
 giment, Lieut. Smith and Ensign Grosvenor with a small 
 detachment of Riflemen which had that moment arrived; 
 at the same time I ordered Lieut. Gansevoort and Lieut. 
 Randolph with a detachment of artillery to drill out an 
 eighteen pounder which had been previously spiked, and if 
 possible to bring it to bear upon the village. The wounded 
 and prisoners I ordered to be collected and sent to the guard 
 house. About this time, which was between three and four 
 o'clock in the afternoon, Lieut. Col. Christie arrived and 
 took the command. He ordered me across the river to get 
 my wounds dressed. I remained a short time. Our flank- 
 ing parties had been driven in by the Indians, but Gen. 
 Wadsworth and other officers arriving, we had a short skir- 
 mish with them and they retreated, and I crossed the river. 
 The officers engaged in storming the Battery, were Capts. 
 Wool and Ogilvie ; Lieuts. Kearney, Hugonin, Carr, and 
 Sammons of the I3th ; Lieuts. Gansevoort and Randolph of 
 the Light Artillery, and Major Lush of the Militia. I re- 
 commend to your particular notice Lieuts. Randolph, Carr, 
 
16 APPENDIX. 
 
 and Kearney, for their brave conduct exhibited during the 
 whole of the action. 
 
 I have the honour to be 
 
 Your most obt. humble servt., 
 John E. Wool, 
 
 Capt. 13th Regt. Infantry. 
 Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer. 
 
 The names of the officers who accompanied Col. Van 
 Rensselaer on this hardy enterprise, deserve to be engraved 
 on the scroll of fame, for surmounting obstacles almost insu- 
 perable, in the face of a determined enemy, under a heavy 
 fire, and dislodging and pursuing a superior force, composed 
 of two Companies of the 49th British Regiment, advantage- 
 ously posted, with a body of auxiliary Militia and Indians : 
 It was indeed a display of intrepidity rarely exhibited, in 
 which the conduct and the execution were equally conspicu- 
 ous. Here true valour, so often mistaken for animal 
 courage,* was attested by an appeal to the bayonet, which 
 decided the conflict without a shot. It must not be forgotten 
 that two hundred and twenty-five men accomplished what 
 six hundred were intended to achieve, and the reader will 
 bear in mind, that with the single exception of Col. Van 
 Rensselaer, it was the first military combat in which either 
 men or officers had been engaged. Under all the circum- 
 stances, and on the scale of the operation the impartial sol- 
 dier and competent judge, will name this brilliant affiiir the 
 chef-d'oeuvre of the war. 
 
 * In the American service, temerity is too often taken for bravery, 
 yet the distinction between them is as wide as between blindness and 
 vision. Marshal Saxe wlien a youth was seen to court danger in the 
 battle of Malplaquet, and afterwards at the siege of Bethune in Flan- 
 ders, for which he was complimented by the tribe of courtiers. This 
 drew from Prince Eugene the following wholesome admonitions: "La 
 temerite ne passera pas pour bravour, vous ne devcz pas les confonde 
 car les connoisseur, ne s'y meprendront pas. 
 
APPENDIX. 17 
 
 Yet we heard of no mark of distinction, no honorary pro- 
 motions on the occasion ; the efficacy of Brevets had not 
 then been discovered, nor had it become necessary to cover 
 the disgrace of the cabinet, by raising up idols for the adora- 
 tion of the people ; but if the executive could for a moment 
 have forgotten that Gen. Van Rensselaer vi^as a federalist, 
 and opposed to Gov. Tompkins as a candidate for the go- 
 vernment of the State of New- York, his reluctance to render 
 common justice to the principal actors in this gallant scene, 
 would have been counteracted by the self-evident policy of 
 exhibiting it to the country in its true light— by contrasting 
 it with the melancholy tale of Detroit, thus dissipating the 
 gloom that hung over the soldiery and the country, and 
 shewing them what deeds Americans were capable of per- 
 forming. It is true complete success did not ultimately 
 crown this enterprize ; but two great ends were obtained for 
 the country — It re-established the character of the Ameri- 
 can Army, and deprived the enemy by the death of Gen. 
 Brock, of the best officer that has headed their troops in 
 Canada throughout the war, and with his loss put an end to 
 their then brilliant career. 
 
 I proceed to discharge a pleasing office by stating that 
 the officers who accompanied Col. Van Rensselaer, were 
 Major of Brigade, Lush of the militia, Lieuts. Randolph and 
 Gansevoort, volunteers from the light artillery ; Lieut. 
 Rathbone of the heavy artillery; Capts. Malcolm, Wool, 
 Armstrong, Ogilvie, and Lieuts. Kearney, Sammons, Carr, 
 and Hugonin, and Ensign Morris of the 13th Infantry of 
 whom two were killed and four wounded. The conspicuous 
 gallantry of Lieut. Randolph attracted the attention of the 
 enemy, and excited the admiration of his brethren in arms. 
 
 Things turned out exactly as Gen. Van Rensselaer had 
 anticipated ; Gen. Sheaffe, who succeeded to the command, 
 on finding that the force at Qucenstown had been routed and 
 Gen. Brock killed, stripped Fort George of its garrison, and 
 leaving it in charge of the ordinary guard, marched against 
 
 2* 
 
18 APPENDIX. 
 
 the invaders ; and if a great part of the miUtia had not vio- 
 lated their promise, and abandoned their duty he might have 
 been crushed in fifteen minutes, and the peninsula would 
 have fallen into our hands. In this state of things an expe- 
 rienced officer, on seeing Sheaife advance and file off from 
 the direct route towards St. Davids by (q,qq*) in order to 
 avoid a conflict in ascending the mountain, would have met 
 him at that point where he could have been repulsed with 
 half numbers; or having made the previous arrangement 
 with his officers for the coup as soon as SheafFe had reached 
 St. Davids, he would have precipitated himself upon Fort 
 George by the direct road and leaving the enemy four or 
 five miles in his rear could have taken the place before they 
 could have succoured it, and turned their own guns upon them. 
 A single reflection would have justified the attempt — without 
 retreat, the American detachment could not avoid an action, 
 and by the abandonment of the militia were exposed to de- 
 feat, from which the capture of Fort George alone could 
 save them. If they had failed in the attempt their misfor- 
 tunes would not have been increased ; but the chance was in 
 their favour. — They might gain much, and could lose little. 
 By some persons. Gen. Van Rensselaer was censured for 
 his conduct on this occasion ; but this was more the effect of 
 party animosity, than any just ground of condemnation. In 
 entering upon his command when a rival of the Governor 
 of the state for a succession to the government, he evinced 
 his disinterested patriotism, and exposed himself to great 
 hazard in point of reputation ; for it is a fair presumption, 
 that it was not Gov. Tompkins' intention by the selection to 
 strengthen the interests of his opponent, as this gentleman, 
 with a thousand amiable and generous qualities, could not be 
 expected to commit political suicide. Advocate as I am for 
 the yeomanry of my country, I can find no excuse for the 
 conduct of the militia on that occasion. By imperiously de- 
 
 * See Map. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 IQ 
 
 manding the attack on Queenstown, they virtually pledged 
 themselves to support it. The attack was made, but their 
 pledge remained unredeemed ; it is in vain that we search 
 for the cause. 
 
 The army on the Straits of Niagara could have been as- 
 sembled for offence only : therefore, Gen. Van Rensselaer, 
 in making the attack, fulfilled the obligations of duty, and 
 the views of government. The adjoining return,* taken 
 from the official documents, will show that his force was 
 more than sufficient for the occasion ; and if blameable at 
 all, it was in yielding to the alternative presented to him by his 
 fellow-citizens and fellow-soldiers, before his preparations 
 satisfied his own judgment; yet under the actual circum- 
 stances of the operation, as far as they have reached my 
 knowledge, if the militia had been faithful to their engage- 
 ments, and true to themselves, the whole might have passed 
 the straits before the arrival of the British column under 
 General Sheaffe, whom they might have cut off from Fort 
 George, and captured or destroyed, after which the surren- 
 der of the Fort would have become a matter of form. 
 
 * Return of the troops under the command of Major General Ste- 
 phen Van Rensselaer of the New- York Militia, Head-Gluarters, Lew- 
 iston, October 12th, 1812. 
 
 Brigades. 
 
 Where 
 stationed. 
 
 Total 
 
 present for 
 
 duty. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 Brig. Gen. Miller's, 
 Lt. Col. Jno R. Fenwick's, 
 Lt. Col. P. Swift's, and ) 
 Lt. Col. S. Hopkins's, $ 
 Brig. Gen. Wadsworth's, 
 Brig Gen. Smyth's, 
 Lt. Col. Christie's, 
 
 Lewiston, 
 Lewiston, 
 Bl'k Rock & ) 
 Buffalo, ] 
 Lewiston, 
 Black Rock, 
 Lewiston, 
 
 588 
 550 
 
 386 
 
 1682 
 
 1650 
 
 350 
 
 Militia. 
 Regulars. 
 
 Militia. 
 
 Militia. 
 
 Regulars. 
 Regulars. 
 
 N. B. Having omitted in its proper place, I will here particularize, 
 that it was the grenadier and light companies of the 49th regiment, 
 which opposed Col. Van Rensselaer's landing: they were 175 strong, 
 commanded by Capts. Dennie and Williams, who were both wounded, 
 and had three sergeants and thirty-nine rank and file killed and 
 wounded. This was from an official return taken at York . 
 
APPENDIX, No. IL 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to his Excellency Governor 
 
 Tompkins. 
 
 Ogdensburgh, July 23d, 1812, 8 o'clock, P. M. 
 Sir,— 
 
 On receiving information that Sackett's Harbour was 
 menaced by the enemy, I deemed it expedient that General 
 Brown should repair there ; and, accordingly, he departed 
 from this place early yesterday morning. One reason for 
 my remaining a day or two longer at this post was, to 
 await, and possibly improve the success which might attend 
 a projected attack upon a ten-:;un British schooner which 
 has for several days been lying at the dock in Prescott, op- 
 posite to this place. The proposed attack was concerted 
 by my aid-de-camp, Col. Van Rensselaer, and Col. Bene- 
 dict who commands at this post. Yesterday was spent in 
 preparations. The boarding-boats were ready at 1 o'clock, 
 last night, and the attack was to have been made by land 
 and water, at 3 in the morning. But when every thing was 
 prepared in such manner as to promise complete success, it 
 was discovered with infinite chagrin and mortification, that 
 only sixty-six men would volunteer for the service ! This 
 number being by no means competent, Cols. Van Rensse- 
 laer and Benedict, who would certainly have led the men to 
 action with the most cool and determined bravery, were 
 compelled to abandon an enterprize honourable in itself^ and 
 upon the result of which might have depended the whole 
 command of the Lake and river. 
 
 This promising project having been blasted, and as no- 
 thing further of consequence appeared to demand my longer 
 stay here, 1 was on the eve of my departure at five o'clock 
 
 I 
 
APPENDIX. 21 
 
 this afternoon, when a large armed ship was discovered 
 coming down the river. She has anchored close on shore, 
 on the opposite side of the river, near to the schooner, and 
 appears to be a fourteen-gun ship. Considerable solicitude 
 prevails in this place. It is generally believed that the ves- 
 sels in the harbour are the object of the enemy. The own- 
 ers of the vessels are preparing to scuttle them, or remove 
 them as far out of the reach of the enemy as may be. The 
 troops are busy constructing a fort of timber north of Pa- 
 rish's store, on the best ground for the purpose. But, sir, 
 our very great misfortune is, that we have only two six- 
 pounders. If this harbour is to be protected, it is abso- 
 lutely necessary that I should be immediately furnished with 
 cannon of competent calibre, for the probably approaching 
 emergency. I shall wait your answer by the return of the 
 express, and govern myself accordingly. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 His Excellency Gov. Tompkins. 
 
 From Major General Dearborn to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Head Quarters, Greenbush, July 29th, 1812. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 Sir,— 
 Your situation, I presume, will enable you to ascertain 
 what force the enemy can bring into action against offensive 
 operations on our part at Kingston and its vicinity; and 
 what forces, in addition to those under your command, would 
 be necessary to render offensive operations in that quarter 
 sufficiently sure of success. Any information you can give 
 me on this, and all other points in relation to your com- 
 mand, and on the general state of things with you, and in 
 Upper Canada, is requested ; and it is highly desirable that 
 you afford me the earliest information, from time to time, of 
 any occurrences in your vicinity sufficiently important to 
 be communicated. You will readily perceive the expe- 
 diency of employing suitable characters for obtaining and 
 
23 APPENDIX. 
 
 communicating to you correct information in relation to the 
 enemy's force, and the disposition of the militia, and inhabi- 
 tants generally in the Province. 
 
 Proper encouragement should be given to such persons as 
 you may confide in, for their services in this employment ; 
 and 1 sha] 1 hold myself accountable for any necessary ex- 
 penditures attendant on it. I have not had an opportunity of 
 conferring with Governor Tompkins ; but as he is shortly ex- 
 pected home, I shall soon have the pleasure of a conference 
 in relation to your command, and the situation of the frontier 
 generally. Not being informed of the extent of your com- 
 mand, I have written to the commanding officers at Niagara 
 and Plattsburgh, from the presumption that there might be 
 three distinct commands; but if I am mistaken, I trust no 
 material inconvenience will result from it. Be assured, sir, 
 that your appointment to your present command, your ready 
 acceptance of it, and promptitude in repairing to the fron- 
 tiers, affords high satisfaction to our good citizens, and is 
 peculiarly gratifying to your very, &c. 
 
 From INIajor General Dearborn to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 Head-Gluarters, Greenbush, Aug. 3d, 1812. 
 Major Gen. Van R.ensselaer, or the Comm'g Officer at Fort Niagaia. 
 Sir.— 
 You will please take measures for keeping up a corres- 
 pondence with Gen. Hull, and ascertain his movements by 
 express, or otherwise ; and as he has crossed over to Upper 
 Canada, and taken possession of Fort Maiden, it will be ex- 
 pedient to make every exertion in your power to co-operate 
 with him. If your force will not admit of any strong offen- 
 sive operations, it is highly desirable that such diversions 
 should be made in his favour, as will prevent the enemy from 
 detaching any force from the vicinity of Niagara to oppose 
 the movements of Gen. Hull. I trust you will soon be 
 called to act in a more decisive manner. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 23 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer, lo His Excellency Governor 
 
 Tompkins. 
 
 Buffalo, August 11th, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have to advise your Excellency that I arrived here 
 last evening, and various considerations induced me to adopt 
 measures for obtaining the most satisfactory information 
 respecting the situation of General Hull. Accordingly, I 
 this morning sent my aid-de-camp to Black Rock, having 
 heard that Judge Porter, brother of the Quarter Master 
 General, had lately returned from Detroit. Col. Van Rens- 
 selaer has returned, having had a conference with the Quar- 
 ter Master General, and Judge Porter. The amount of in- 
 formation obtained is substantially this. — That Judge Porter, 
 left Detroit, on the 29th ult. General Hull, was entrenching 
 himself opposite to Detroit: — Fort Maiden was not taken as 
 has been reported;— General Hull's force was eight hun- 
 dred. At Brown's Town, below Detroit are fifteen hundred 
 hostile Indians. Quarter Master General Porter has lately 
 sent several boats with provisions for General Hull; but 
 unfortunately, one boat has been taken by the enemy, and 
 unfavourable apprehensions are entertained for the other 
 boats. It is here, generally believed that detachments of 
 troops have been sent from Fort George, to relieve Fort 
 Maiden; the number remaining behind, I have not been able 
 to ascertain, but shall endeavour to make this an object of 
 early inquiry. It is said that the enemy abound on the op- 
 posite shore, with ordnance, and every munition of war. 
 We are, here, as indeed at all of our posts, lamentably defi- 
 cient in ordnance. The situation of Ogdensburgh, and the 
 necessity of supplying it with heavy ordnance, I have before 
 stated to your Excellency in my letter by express from that 
 place. Every consideration connected with the success of 
 any operations in this quarter, urges me to solicit the earli- 
 est possible supply of heavy ordnance, and seme skilful 
 engineers, and artillerists. Without such aid and supplies, t 
 
34 APPENDIX. 
 
 can hardly conceive how it will be possible for us to achieve 
 any thing of importance, or even defend our posts in case of 
 attacks from the enemy. I shall, to-morrow, proceed on to 
 Black Rock and Lewiston, and make further communications 
 of every incident of moment. 
 
 I have spent a part of this day with Red Jacket, Corn 
 Planter, and a number of other Indians of influence. They 
 very kindly consider me as the messenger of peace and 
 friendship, specially delegated by your excellency. Their 
 professions are unreservedly friendly, and I believe sincere. 
 
 I have this day received a letter from Major General Dear- 
 born, in which he speaks of Fort Maiden as being taken : I 
 have given him such information on the subject as I have 
 here obtained. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 From Major General Dearborn to Major General Hall ; or Com- 
 manding officer, Sic. 
 
 Head Gluarters, Green Bush, Aug. 8, 1812. 
 Major General Hall, 
 Sir, — 
 
 Having received from Sir Geo. Provost, Governor and 
 Commander in Chief of the forces in Canada, by Col. 
 Baynes, his Adjutant General, despatches from England, to our 
 government, of a conciliatory nature ; and a proposition on 
 the part of Sir George Provost, for a mutual cessation of 
 hostilities on the Frontiers, I have so far complied with the 
 proposition, as to agree to direct the respective Commanding 
 Officers on the side of the United States, to confine their re- 
 spective operations to defensive measures until they receive 
 further orders. Similar orders are given to the British Com- 
 manders. You will, tliereforc, confine the operations of the 
 troops under your command to defensive measures until you 
 receive further orders. It being explicitly understood, that 
 if General Hull should continue to act offensively, and any 
 movement of the enemy's troops in your vicinity should 
 
APPENDIX* 25 
 
 take place with a view to offensive operations, it will be con- 
 sidered as an infraction of this agreement and you will gov- 
 ern yourself accordingly. 
 
 I am, sir, &c. 
 
 From Sam. S. Conner, A. D. to Gen. Dearborn, to the command- 
 ing officer at Niagara. 
 Sir,— 
 
 You will please to communicate the enclosed commu- 
 nication which is from the British Adjutant General, to the 
 British commanding officer, opposite Niagara and Detroit, 
 that he may immediately communicate it to Col. Proctor. 
 
 Yours, &/C. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Alajor General Dearborn. 
 
 Head Gluarters, Lewiston, 18 August, 1812, 6 o'clock, A. M, 
 
 Sir, — 
 
 Your letter of the 8th inst., by some mismanagement 
 passed this place in the mail, last evening, on to Niagara, 
 and was sent to me by express from Capt. Leonard at a late 
 hour in the night. I have written General Hull inclosing 
 your letter to him. I have also written General Porter to 
 forward the despatch to General Hull immediately, by some 
 very trusty express. I have written the commanding officer 
 at Fort George enclosing the letters from Adjutant General 
 Baynes to him, and sent my aid-de-camp. Col. Van Rensse- 
 laer, to Niagara, with orders to pass over with a Flag and 
 deliver the letters. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 !Major General Dearborn. 
 
 From Major Gen. Van Rensselaer to Lieut. Col. Myers, 70th RegU 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 18th Aug., 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letter of this date, by your flag of truce. 
 
 When I this morning transmitted to you the two letters 
 
 I 
 
26 APPENDIX. 
 
 from the Adjutant General of the British army, I authorized 
 Col. Van Rensselaer my Aid-de-camp, to make with you 
 the necessary arrangements in relation to the armistice 
 agreed on at Albany. 
 
 In your absence from Fort George, the letters were left 
 without accomplishing the object. But 1 am now ready to 
 send an officer to Fort Niagara, there to meet one whom 
 you may appoint to make such arrangements for the govern- 
 ment of the troops on the lines, as may be proper. In the 
 mean time, it is explicitly understood that any movements of 
 your troops in this vicinity, with a view to act offensively 
 against Gen Hull will be considered an infraction of the ar- 
 mistice agreed upon between Gen. Dearborn and the British 
 
 Adjutant General. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 Lieut. CoL Myers. 
 
 Col. Myers, 70Lh He gt. D. Q. Master Gen. commanding the Niagara 
 District, to Maj. Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Chippewa, 18th Aug., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letter of this date, transmitting one from the Adjutant 
 General of the British army, addressed to Major Gen. Brock 
 or officer commanding Fort George — relative to refraining 
 from all offi^nsive warfare between the troops of his Majesty 
 the king of Great Britain, and the army of the United States 
 of America, until further orders : and taking it for granted, 
 that similar directions have been received by you from Gen. 
 Dearborn, 1 shall strictly conform to those which have just 
 reached me upon the subject : and should you deem any 
 further explanation upon the terms of this armistice requi- 
 site, I will receive such officer as you may be pleased to 
 send to Fort George for the purpose — my duty, however, 
 will not allow of my being there before Thursday ; but from 
 which I trust no inconvenience will arise. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 Major Gen. Van Rensselaer, &c. &c., Lewiston, 
 
APPENDIX. 27 
 
 From Major Gen. SheafFe, to Major Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Fort George, 19th Aug., 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 Having arrived at this Post to assume the command 
 of his Majesty's troops stationed in the Niagara district, I 
 liave the honour to acquaint you that I shall be happy to 
 receive, as speedily as possible, the officer suggested by 
 Lieut. Col. Myers to be sent over, if it meet with your con- 
 currence, or should you prefer it. Brigadier Major Evans, 
 the bearer of this will communicate my sentiments, and ar- 
 range with you the mode of carrying into effect, the order 
 for a cessation of hostilities betwixt the forces of our respec- 
 tive countries, stationed on the line along the Niagara 
 Frontier. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 {Signed) R. H. Sheaffe, 
 
 Major General, &c. 
 Major Gen. Van Rensselaer or Officer commanding United States 
 forces, Niagara District of New- York. 
 
 From Major Gen. Sheaffe to Major Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 CLueenstown, 20th Aug., 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 Brigade Major Evans is directed to repair again to 
 your head-quarters, charged with propositions connected 
 with the armistice, and which I hope will prove perfectly 
 satisfactory to you. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 {Signed) R. H. S. Maj. Gen. commanding 
 H. B. M, Troops, 
 
 Niagara Frontier. 
 Major Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 From Major Gen. Van Rensselaer to his excellency Gov. Tompkins. 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, Aug. 19th, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 After having visited Buffiilo, Black Rock, the Camps 
 at Niagara Falls, and this place, and having by inspection 
 
28 APPENDIX. 
 
 and other means of information satisfied myself of the effi- 
 cient force, the state of discipUne among the troops, the mu- 
 nitions of war at command; the strength, number, and condi- 
 tion of the enemy I should probably have to engage, and all 
 other circumstances connected with my intended operations, 
 I was perfectly satisfied that although some very imperious 
 considerations urged an immediate descent upon Canada, yet 
 that such descent with my present disposable force, would 
 be rashness in the extreme. From Buffalo to Niagara, 
 my force of militia, is less than one thousand ; without any 
 ordnance heavier than six pounders, and but few of them : 
 without artillerists to use the few pieces I have, and the 
 troops in a very indifferent state of discipline ; finding my- 
 self in this truly unpleasant situation, I saw but one course to 
 pursue which was to concentrate the troops scattered on this 
 line, perfect their discipline as fast as possible, and order in 
 such further detachments as might ensure success in my pro- 
 posed operations. Accordingly, on the 15th inst. I issued 
 my order to Lieut. Col. Fenwick at Oswego, to detach and 
 march to this place Major Moseley's battalion of riflemen ; 
 on the 16tli an order to Major Septimus Evans, of Lieut. 
 Col. George D. Wickham's regiment of detached cavalry, 
 for a troop of horse from his squadron : — to Lieut. Col. 
 Henry Bloom of the 19th regiment of the 7th brigade of 
 detached militia to march his whole command : with this ad- 
 ditional force, and such other as I had reason to believe was 
 on the march to this neighbourhood, and as might be called 
 out at short notice, from this and Ontario county, I conclud- 
 ed that the plan which I had adopted might be attempted, 
 unless the enemy on the opposite shore should be strongly 
 reinforced. With the view of these intended operations, I 
 had, on the 15th inst. written to the Quarter-master General 
 to put immediately in readiness all the boats at his command 
 — such was the arrangement of the troops on this line, and 
 such my orders issued, when, in the night of the 17th I re- 
 ceived by express from Capt. Leonard at Niagara, a letter 
 
APPENDIX. 29 
 
 from Major Gen. Dearborn, informing me of the agreement 
 he had entered into with the Governor General of Canada, 
 through his Adjutant General, for an armistice. By this 
 arrangement, thus communicated to me, which I presume 
 has been done with your Excellency's approbation and 
 consent, I am instructed to confine the troops under my 
 command to defensive measures only, until further orders; 
 and I have issued my general orders accordingly. The in^ 
 closures from the Adjutant General of the British army in 
 Canada, which I received from General Dearborn, I sent, 
 yesterday morning, by my aid-de-camp Col. Van Rensselaer, 
 with a flag to Lieut. Col. Myers commanding at Fort George ; 
 at the same time,authorizing Col. Van Rensselaer to enter with 
 Col. Myers into a definite arrangement for the government of 
 the troops on both sides of the lines. Col. Myers was absent ; 
 but in the afternoon of yesterday I received by flag, a letter 
 from him acknowledging the receipt of the letters which had 
 been transmitted to him, with his pledge to conform strictly to 
 the terms of the armistice and his proposition that I should, 
 on Thursday next, send an officer to Fort George, to meet 
 one whom he will appoint, for the purpose of settling defi- 
 nitely the terms of an arrangement for the government of 
 the troops : — To which I have replied by flag, that I am 
 now ready to send an officer to meet such one as he may 
 appoint for the above purpose, but to meet at Niagara, as 
 I consider that place, under existing circumstances, the most 
 proper. I have no reason to doubt but this arrangement, 
 will in two or three days be made, in good faith. 
 His Excellency Gov. Tompkins. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer, to Major General SheafFe, 
 
 Head Cluarters, Lewiston, 20th August, 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 letter of this date, covering the articles which you propose, 
 for carrying the Armistice into effect. I have to regret that 
 
 3* 
 
30 APPENDIX. 
 
 the articles proposed, are so variant from the orders which I 
 have received that I cannot accede to them. 
 
 In the letter which I had the honour to transmit to Lieut. 
 Col. Myers, on the 18th instant, it was explicitly stated, that 
 any movements of the troops in this vicinity with a view to 
 act offensively against General Hull, would be considered an 
 infraction of the Armistice. If an article, fully embracing 
 the above is inadmissible, any further attempts for an adjust- 
 ment, will be unavaiUng. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 
 We, the undersigned, in conformity with the instructions 
 of our respective Commanders, hereby agree to a cessation 
 of all acts of hostility between the troops and vessels of all 
 descriptions under our command, until we shall receive further 
 orders : and the party who shall first receive orders for the 
 renewal of hostilities, shall give four days' notice, computing 
 twenty- four hours to each day, before any offensive operation 
 shall take place. 
 
 And we further agree, that no reinforcements of men, or 
 supplies of ammunition shall be sent, by either party, higher 
 up than Fort Erie ; and it is also to be understood, that no 
 reinforcements of men, no supplies of ammunition which now 
 are, or hereafter may arrive in our respective districts shall 
 be forwarded above that Post. And further, that no troops 
 are to be sent up from any stations in either of our districts 
 above Fort Erie, without four days' previous notice to be 
 be given by the party intending to make such movements : 
 Subject, however, to the above restrictions, either party 
 shall be at liberty to make such changes and movements of 
 troops, vessels, and boats as he may deem proper. 
 
 Agreed to this twenty-first of August, in the year one 
 thousand eight hundred and twelve. 
 
 (Signed) S. Van Rensselaer, 
 Major Genera], commanding Frontiers, New-York. 
 
 R. H. Sheaffe, 
 Major General, commanding Fort George and Dependencies. 
 
APPENDIX. 31 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Dearborn. 
 
 Head Gluarters, Lewiston, August 21, 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 Inclosed I transmit you a copy of an agreement, this 
 day entered into between Major General SheafFe, command- 
 ing Fort George and Dependencies, &c. &c. and myself, for 
 the government of the forces on each side the line. You 
 will readily perceive, that terms more favourable than those 
 expected in your letter, have been obtained. The agreement 
 speaks for itself. 
 
 INIajor General Dearborn. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Sheaffe. 
 
 Head Cluartere, Lewiston, 25th August, 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 I have learnt, with regret, that last night a subaltern 
 officer with a few soldiers and citizens, contrary to my or- 
 ders, passed over from the American shore, and on Buck- 
 horn Island, surprized and brought off a sergeant and five 
 men, with a boat. Early this morning, I ordered the ser- 
 geant and men released, and the boat restored to them. 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 Major General Sheaffe, Commanding, &c. 
 
 Major General Isaac Brock to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Head CluarLers, Fort George, 25th August, 1S12. 
 Sir, — 
 
 Major General Sheaffe having communicated to me 
 your letter of this date, addressed to him, I seize upon the 
 first moment to express my thanks for the measures you have 
 adopted to prevent the possibility of any misunderstanding 
 which might have arisen in consequence of the unauthorized 
 act of one of your subaltern officers. 
 
 It was not until my arrival at Fort Erie, late in the even- 
 ing of the 23d instant that I learnt that a cessation of hostili- 
 ties had been agreed upon, between General Dearborn and 
 
32 APPENDIX. 
 
 Sir George Provost ; and I, in consequence, despatched early 
 yesterday morning, an express to Amherstburgh, ordering a 
 cessation of all offensive operations against the United States, 
 in that quarter; and likewise to exert every influence in re- 
 straining the Indians from committing any acts of hostility. 
 
 The fortune of war having put me in possession of 
 Detroit and its dependencies, a small garrison has been 
 ordered to occupy the Fort, the chief object of which was 
 to afford protection to the inhabitants of the Territory. I 
 have the honour to enclose a copy of a Proclamation which 
 I issued upon this occasion. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer, commanding Lewiston. 
 
 From Major G-eneral Van Rensselaer, to Major General Dearborn. 
 
 Head (Quarters, Lewiston, 26th August, 1812. 
 
 Sir,~ 
 
 I have the honour to enclose you a copy of a Pro- 
 clamation, which I this day received from Major General 
 Brock, under cover of his letter of this date to me; a copy 
 of which letter, I also transmit to you. My letter to Major 
 General Sheaffe, of which mention is made, was to disavov,' 
 an imprudent act of a subaltern ofhcer, who, with a few sol- 
 diers and citizens, passed over, since the Armistice, to Buck^ 
 horn Island, and there surprised a sergeant and five men, of 
 the enemy, and brought them ofi^ together with their boat, 
 which men I ordered to be immediately released and the 
 boat restored. 
 
 The surrender of General Hull's army excites a great 
 deal of alarm in this vicinity. I shall, however, as far as 
 in my power, check and keep it under. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 
 Major General Dearborn. 
 
APPENDIX. 33 
 
 MAJOR GENERAL BROCK S PROCLAMATION. 
 
 Proclamation by Isaac J8)'ocJc, Esq., Major General com- 
 manding his Majesty's forces in tiie Province of Upper 
 Canada, &c. &c. 
 
 Whereas the Territory of Michigan was this day by ca- 
 pitulation ceded to the arms of his Britannic Majesty, with- 
 out any other condition than the protection of private pro- 
 perty ; and wishing to give an early proof of the moderation 
 and justice of the government, I do hereby announce to all 
 the inhabitants of the said Territory, that the laws hereto- 
 fore in existence shall continue in force until his Majesty's 
 pleasure be known; or so long as the peace and safety of 
 the said Territory will admit thereof; and Ldo hereby also 
 declare and make known to the said inhabitants, that they 
 shall be protected in the full exercise and enjoyment of their 
 religion: of which all persons, both civil and military will 
 take notice, and govern themselves accordingly. 
 
 All persons having in their possession, or having know- 
 ledge of any public property, shall forthwith deliver in the 
 same, or give notice thereof to the officer commanding, or 
 Lt. Col. Nichol, who are hereby authorized to receive and 
 give proper receipts for the same. Officers of militia will 
 be held responsible that all arms in possession of militiamen, 
 be immediately delivered up ; and all individuals whatever, 
 who have in their possession arms of any kind, will deliver 
 them up without delay. 
 
 Given under my hand at Detroit, this sixteenth day of 
 August, 1812, and in the fifty -second year of his Majesty's 
 reign. 
 
 [Signed) Isaac Brock, Major General. 
 
 A true copy. 
 
 J. Mac Donell, Lt. Col. Militia, P. A. D. G, 
 
34 APPENDIX. 
 
 From Major General Dearborn to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Head-Gtuarlers, Greenbush, August 21, 1812. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 Sir, — 
 
 Your letter of the 12th inst. has been duly received. As 
 it is believed that a detachment has been made from Niagara, 
 to reinforce the garrison at Maiden, it will be necessary to 
 be as well prepared as possible to take advantage of the 
 reduced forces in your front : and, as soon as "there shall be 
 orders to act offensively ; considerable reinforcements from 
 the detached militia, and volunteers, are ordered to Niagara, 
 Sackett's Harbour, Ogdensburgh, and Plattsburgh. With 
 the detachment of regular troops under Lieut. Col. Fenwick, 
 there is some heavy ordnance, ammunition, and intrenching 
 tools, which will be immediately, with additional ordnance 
 and military stores, sent to Niagara, Sackett's Harbour, and 
 Ogdensburgh. I have, also, ordered a considerable number 
 of batteaux from Schenectady to Niagara and Sackett's 
 Harbour, and the construction of suitable scows at the re- 
 spective places, including Ogdensburgh, for the transporta- 
 tion of ordnance. I hope that Col. Porter will proceed in 
 the construction of boats and scows, with all possible des- 
 patch. It will be highly gratifying to me to receive intelli- 
 gence from you by every mail, and, in case of emergency, 
 by express. 
 
 With much consideration, &c. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to his Excellency Governor 
 
 Tompkin?. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, August 31, 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 Presuming that the surrender of General Hull's army has 
 
 been officially announced to your Excellency through the 
 
 proper channel, I shall not enter into any details upon^the 
 
 event so disastrous to our country : its consequence must be 
 
 felt every where ; but they are peculiarly distressing upon 
 
APPENDIX. 35 
 
 these frontiers, both to the citizens, and the Uttle army 
 under my command. Alarm pervades the country, and 
 distrust among the troops. They are incessantly pressing 
 for furloughs, under every possible pretence. Many are 
 without shoes; all clamorous for pay. Many are sick. 
 Swift's regiment at Black Rock are about one-fourth part 
 down. 1 have ordered Doctor Brown to associate Doctor 
 Chapin with him, and to examine as to the causes producing 
 the diseases, the mode of treating them, Stc. and to report to 
 me their opinion of the best mode of restoring the sick, and 
 preserving the health of those who remain well. This duty 
 they are now performing. 
 
 Captain Jennings has been tried by a court-martial, and 
 found guilty of such charges as forfeited his commission; 
 and I have approved the sentence. The proceedings, in 
 form, will soon be forwarded to your Excellency. 
 
 While we are thus growing daily weaker, our enemy is 
 growing stronger. They hold a very commanding position 
 on the high ground above Queenstown, and they are daily 
 strengthening themselves in it, with men and ordnance. In- 
 deed, they are fortifying almost every prominent point, from 
 Fort Erie, to Fort George. At present we rest upon the 
 armistice; but should hostilities be recommenced, I must 
 immediately change my position. I receive no reinforce- 
 ments of men, no ordnance, or munitions of war. I must 
 hope, that I shall not long be left in this situation. 
 
 Two gentlemen, Messrs Johnson and Bascom, came over 
 in a flag to the garrison, at Niagara, and the first T knew of 
 them they were in my camp. Being satisfied that they were 
 American citizens, men of intelligence, and some standing in 
 society, I permitted them to pass on, with orders to report 
 themselves to your Excellency. 
 
 There is one fact, which though not immediately con- 
 nected with my department, I cannot refrain fi'om mention- 
 ing ; — the unfortunate soldiers of General Hull's army, who 
 marched by my camp on their way to Lower Canada, are 
 
36 APPENDIX. 
 
 very destitute of clothing. Every consideration would urge 
 that Sonne attention should be paid to their condition. 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 His Excellency Governor Tompkins. 
 
 From Major General Dearborn to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Head-Ctuarters, Greenbush, Aug. 25, 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 As soon as practicable after the receipt of this, you will 
 please to have the enclosed letter directed to the Command- 
 ing Officer of the British forces at Fort George, at Niagara, 
 conveyed to him by a flag; and the letter directed to Gen. 
 Hull, you will please to have forwarded to him by express, 
 with as great despatch as practicable ; and at the expiration 
 of four days after the letter is delivered to the British Com- 
 manding Officer at Fort George, you will consider the tem- 
 porary conditional agreement for suspending ofiensive ope- 
 rations between the forces under your command, and the 
 British forces in your vicinity, as no longer binding on 
 eitlier side ; and you will act accordingly ; and you will 
 make every exertion in your power for annoying the enemy, 
 as loell as to guard against any attack from him. Consi- 
 derable reinforcements have been sent on from Montreal to 
 strengthen their positions in Upper Canada; and I trust 
 you will very soon receive such additional force from this 
 State, and from Pennsylvania, as laill enable you to pass 
 into Canada ivith safety and effect. A large reinforce- 
 ment is on its march under Brig. Gen. Dodge, for Sackett's 
 Harbour and Ogdensburgh, as well as for Plattsburgh, I 
 have ordered thirty batteaux to Niagara, and an equal num- 
 ber to Sackett's Harbour, and have directed the building of 
 proper scows for the transportation of ordnance. If the 
 enemy should have detached from Fort George, it may af- 
 ford you an opportunity to strike a bloia. 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 P. S. Sir, it will be advisable to wait until the arrival of 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 37 
 
 Lt. Col. Fenwick with the cannon, and stores shall be ren- 
 dered certain, within four days, before you send the enclosed 
 letter to Fort George. I presume he must arrive before this 
 reaches you : but it may be otherwise. 
 
 {Signed) H. Dearborn. 
 
 Major Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Dearborn. 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 1st September, 1812. 
 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have just received your letter of the 25th ult. I 
 shall ascertain the movements and situation of Lieut. Col. 
 Fenwick, with the cannon and stores ; and as soon as he can 
 be considered safe, I shall terminate the armistice in the 
 manner prescribed. 
 
 Upon this occasion, I conceive it a duty I owe to my 
 country, to the troops under my command, and to my own 
 character, to state, that we are not, on this Frontier, in that 
 condition which the approaching crisis will require. My 
 force of militia, rank and file, now fit for duty, is six hundred 
 and ninety-one, as will appear by the inclosed return; these 
 have to guard a line of thirty -six miles. My sick list is 
 more than one hundred. Many of the men are without shoes, 
 and all clamorous for pay. Besides, it is a fact that cannot 
 be concealed, that the surrender of General Hull's army 
 has spread great alarm among the inhabitants on this Fron- 
 tier, and I every day perceive strong symptoms of distrust 
 among the troops. They have seen their countrymen sur- 
 rendered without a single effort, and marched, prisoners, be- 
 fore their eyes. They cannot comprehend it. 
 
 At this hour, I have received no reinforcements of men, 
 no supplies of ordnance, tents, nor ammunition. There are 
 not ten rounds per man, on the Niagara Frontier ; nor have 
 we lead to make cartridges. We are extremely deficient 
 of medicine and Hospital stores: of lint and bandage cloth 
 we have none, — nor any surgical instruments. Lieut. Col. 
 
 4 
 
39 APPENDIX. 
 
 Swift's regiment, at Black Rock, and the troops in garrison 
 at Niagara, have no tents to take the field ; unless Bloom's 
 regiment, and the troops with Lieut. Col. Fenwick have 
 tents with them, they cannot be covered. This is a brief 
 sketch of our condition. Our enemy are every moment on 
 the alert ; they hold a very commanding position on the high 
 ground above Queenstown ; and are daily strengthening it, 
 with men and ordnance. Indeed, almost every point of any 
 importance from Fort Erie to Fort George, is in some state 
 of defence. At each Fort on the Lakes, their shipping is 
 ready to act. The troops which had been detached from 
 this quarter to act against General Hull, have returned and 
 may now be concentrated at this point. Before the termina- 
 tion of the armistice, I must change my position, and can 
 only act on the defensive, until I shall be reinforced with 
 troops, well disciplined, and commanded by able officers. 
 I am, with respectful consideration, &c. 
 Major General Dearborn. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to His Excellency Governor 
 
 Tompkins. 
 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, September 1st, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 In the letter, which I yesterday had the honour to 
 address to your Excellency, I mentioned the general alarm 
 which the surrender of General Hull's army had spread 
 through the Frontiers. 
 
 The inhabitants every where think themselves in danger. 
 This is particularly the case in the County of Chautauque ; 
 in consequence of representations made to me by the inhab- 
 itants of that county, I had on the 27th ult. issued an or- 
 der to Lieut. Col. John Mc Mahon, to order into service two 
 full companies of his regiment for the protection of the in- 
 habitants. This morning again, I have been called upon by 
 Captains Baldwin and Mack, gentlemen of respectability, 
 from that county, very earnestly soliciting, in behalf of the 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 39 
 
 inhabitants, still further force for their protection, and I have 
 issued another order to Lieut. Col. Mc Mahon, to detach one 
 captain, two sergeants, two corporals, and twenty-six pri- 
 vates more, for the service aforesaid, until your Excellency's 
 pleasure can be known on the subject. 
 
 September 2d, 4 o'clock, P. M. 
 Col. Fenwick has not yet arrived at Fort Niagara, and 
 of course, I have not delivered the letter I yesterday re- 
 ceived from Major General Dearborn, by express. Four or 
 five vessels have just arrived at Fort George, it is supposed 
 with reinforcements. Our enemies appear to be on the alert 
 at every point. 
 
 This morning Lieut. Branch and about forty men arrived 
 here, with two pieces of flying artillery ; also, at the same 
 time, Capt. Camp, with about twenty-five dragoons. The 
 company lately under the command of Captain Jennings, in 
 Lieut. Col. Swift's Regiment, had become so clamorous for 
 pay, and contended so strenuously that their time had ex- 
 pired, that I have ordered them to be dismissed, in the opinion 
 that this would meet your Excellency's approbation. I was 
 strengthened by learning from Brigadier General Brown, 
 that Lieut. Col. Bellinger's regiment, who were on the same 
 standing in service, at Sackett's Harbour, have been dis- 
 charged by your order. 
 
 I have the honour &c. 
 His Excellency Governor Tompkins. 
 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, 2d September, 1812. 
 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 Sir, — 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer directs that you land 
 
 the troops, cannon, and stores, under your command, at the 
 Four Mile Creek ; and make every military preparation to 
 protect them, and t© give him immediate information of your 
 
 arrival by express. 
 
 By order, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
 JJiQMt, Col. Fenwick, Light Artillery. 
 
40 APPENDIX. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick to Major General Van Rensselaer* 
 
 Four Mile Creek, September 3, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 Agreeable to your instructions,* I am landing the ord- 
 nance and stores at this place. They are of great impor- 
 tance, and I do not think them safe in this position. The 
 powder I must keep on board, as it will sustain injury by be- 
 ing taken out. I pray you, sir, to assist me so soon as pos- 
 sible, and receive the assurance of my consideration and 
 respect 
 
 (Signed) John R. Fenwick, 
 
 Lieut. Col. Light Artillery. 
 
 Colonel Sol. Van Rensselaer to Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick. 
 
 Head-Q,uarters, Lewiston, September 3, 1812, 
 Sir- 
 Major General Van Rensselaer has ordered the Quar- 
 ter Master to proceed immediately to the Four Mile Creek, 
 and furnish you with the necessary transportation for the 
 cannon and miUtary stores in your charge ; and has also 
 detached one captain, one subaltern, and forty men to as- 
 sist you in their removal and protection to this place. The 
 troops and wagons will reach you this evening. 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 (Signed) S. V. Ren. A. D. C. 
 Lieut. Col. Fenwick, Four Mile Creek* 
 
 From Major Gen. Dearborn to Major Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Head-GLuarters, Greenbush, Ist Sept., 1812. 
 Major Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer. 
 
 I received your letter of the 25th ult. this morning, 
 enclosing a communication from Capt. Leonard.— The fall 
 
 * An express had been sent to Col. Fenwick, to land at Four Mile 
 Creek. This precaution was taken lest the Armistice might have been 
 terminated below, or some accident might throw the cargo into the 
 hands of the enemy. No copy was kept of the note to CoU Fenwick* 
 
APPENDIX. 41 
 
 of Gen. Hull, and the army under his command, is as morti- 
 fying as it was unexpected. We must endeavour to redeem 
 our honour by increasing our exertions. In addition to the 
 militia detachments ordered from this State, and two thou- 
 sand ordered from the north-western part of Pennsylvania 
 to Niagara; three regiments of new-raised troops of the ar- 
 my have been some days on their march towards your post. 
 I am forwarding additional supplies of musketry and cannon, 
 with forty batteaux to Niagara — a detachment of troops will 
 accompany the boats from Oswego. It will be necessary to 
 have teams ready to take the stores and boats from a safe 
 landing place; and it may be well to order a detachment to 
 meet the boats at some distance from Niagara on the shore. 
 I hope Lieut. Col. Fenwick, with the troops and stores under 
 his command, will have arrived in season. / have no doubt 
 hut that you will improve the earliest opportunity for rc- 
 taliating on the enemy our misfortunes at Detroit. Gen. 
 Dodge goes to Sackett's Harbour with a fine force. I have 
 detached Gen. Bloomfield with a brigade of regular troops, 
 with artillery, &c. to Plattsburgh, and other troops in addi- 
 tion to the militia of this State and Vermont will accompany 
 or follow him, 
 
 I shall endeavour to draw the reinforcements back from 
 Upper Canada to Montreal. 
 
 With great consideration and esteem. 
 
 From Major Gen. Van Rensselaer to Major Gen. Brock. 
 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, Sept. 4th, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 By the articles which I had the honour to conclude 
 with Major Gen. Sheaffe on the 2 1st ult., for the government 
 of the troops of the United States under my command, and 
 his Brittannic Majesty's forces on this frontier, during the 
 temporary armistice, it was, among other things, stipulated 
 that " the party who shall first receive orders for the renew- 
 al of hostilities shall give four days' notice, computing 
 
 4* 
 
42 At>PENtHlC. 
 
 twenty-four liours to each day, before any offensive ope- 
 ration shall take place. ^^ 
 
 Having now received orders to terminate the armistice, 
 in conformity to the above recited stipulation, I have the 
 honour to transmit you this notice, that the armistice will be 
 terminated at twelve o'clock, at noon, on Tuesday, the eighth 
 day of September, inst. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 Major Gen. Isaac Brock, or officer commanding Fort George. 
 
 From Major Gen. SheafFe to Major Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Fort George, 5Lh Sept., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have the honour of receiving your communication^ 
 signifying the intention on the part of the United States of 
 renewing hostilities, after four days shall have elapsed from 
 the period at which the notice was given. Thus declaring 
 that the armistice shall terminate at twelve o'clock at noon, 
 on the eighth day of this September. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 (Signed) R. H. Sheaffe, 
 Maj. Gen. H. B, M. forces, commanding, &c. 
 Major Gen. Van Rensselaer, commanding frontiers. 
 
 From Major Gen. Dearborn to Major Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Greenbush, Sept. 2d, 1812. 
 
 Major Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, 
 
 fcir,— 
 
 I send this by express for the purpose of putting you 
 on vour guard against an attack, that 1 have reason to ap- 
 prehend is intended by the enemy. A considerable force 
 has lately passed into Upper Canada, for the obvious pur- 
 pose of striking not only at Detroit, but at other posts. 
 From tlie number of troops which have left Montreal 
 for Upper Canada, I am not without fear that attempts will 
 be speedily made, to reduce you and your forces to the 
 mortifying situation of Gen. Hull and his army. If such an 
 
APPENDIX. 43 
 
 attempt of the enemy should be made, previous to the arri- 
 val of the principal part of the troops destined to Niagara, it 
 will be necessary for you to be prepared for all events; and 
 to be prepared to make good a secure retreat as the last 
 resort. I hope, however, you will not be reduced to the 
 mortifyino^ alternative of falling back. But from the unfor- 
 tunate event at Detroit, we may expect great exertions on 
 the part of the enemy ; and as far as the means in our power 
 will admit, we, I trust, shall be at least equally vigilant and 
 active. 
 
 I am, sir, with high consideration and esteem, &c. 
 
 P. S. The Frigate Guerriere has been captured and sunk 
 by the U. S. Frigate Constitution, Capt. Hull. 
 
 From Major Gen. Van Rensselaer to Major Gen. Dearborn. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 5th Sept., 1812. — 7, P.M. 
 Sir, — 
 
 The express has just arrived with your letter of the 
 2d inst. I thank you for the information which your letter 
 contains, and for suggesting precautioEs against a disaster, 
 which would deeply implicate the honour of my country, the 
 fate of the little army under my command, and my own 
 character. 
 
 Every exertion which the small force I command can 
 make, to avoid either a surprise or defeat, will be attempted. 
 So small and scattered has been my little band, and so de- 
 pressed by the fate of Gen. Hull, that every movement has 
 been heavy. But within forty-eight hours, the scene seems 
 to have changed a little for the better. — Lieut. Col. Fen- 
 wick has arrived safe, with the cannon and stores. To 
 avoid any possible casualty, I ordered them landed at the 
 Four Mile Creek, a little below Fort Niagara, and from 
 thence they have been brought by land : the boats have re- 
 turned. A battalion of about seventy riflemen, which on the 
 16th ult. I had ordered from Oswego, has this day arrived 
 here. 
 
44 APPENDIX. 
 
 I have determined, with the concurrence of Lieut. Col. 
 Fenwick's opinion, to throw up a strong battery on this side 
 of Fort Niagara, on the bank of the river, and there place 
 the four eighteen pounders. With this view I went this 
 morning on the spot, and we have broke ground. This 
 evening Lieut. Col. Fenwick and Capt. Leonard are with 
 me. I understand that our movement has produced great 
 activity at Fort George. The enemy have immediately 
 commenced some new works. It is my intention to support 
 the battery near Fort Niagara, with as strong a camp as I 
 am able, and to cut a road back of it for greater safety, in 
 case I should be hard pressed. 
 
 Agreeably to your instructions I waited for the safety of 
 Lieut. Col. Fenwick, the cannon, and stores, before I gave 
 the notice necessary to terminate the armistice, conformably 
 to the stipulations between Major Gen. SheafTe and myself 
 The notice was delivered at Fort George yesterday before 
 noon, and by it the armistice will be terminated at 12 o'clock 
 at noon, on the bth inst. This day Major Gen. SheafTe has 
 acknowledged the receipt of my notice. My present camp 
 being within the reach of the enemy's guns, on the high 
 grounds in Queenstovvn, I have determined to quit. I had 
 designated a spot for my new encampment about one mile 
 from the river, on the ridge road ; but I may reconsider this 
 subject. It might be expected, from my situation, that I 
 could with facility obtain correct information of the enemy's 
 force and movements in this vicinity ; but so is not the fact. 
 Every effort for that purpose is absolutely vain. I can only 
 obtain information too general to calculate upon. It is 
 generally believed that the enemy are concentrating their 
 forces to this neighbourhood ; but what their numbers are, 
 is to me wholly unknown. — They appear to be on the alert. 
 
 At Fort Niagara we have (concealed) two thirteen and 
 a half incli brass mortars, and four eight and a half inch how- 
 itzers. Capt. Leonard has this evening handed me a memo- 
 randum of articles that in his opinion, which I respect, are 
 
APPENDIX. 45 
 
 very much wanted for these pieces, and some others, as 
 follows : — 
 
 400 shells for the mortars. 
 
 1603 cannister and grape shot for the howitzers. 
 16 dozen port-fires — harness complete for the mortars 
 and howitzers — also wanted, harness for tlie 6 six 
 pounders now at Fort Niagara. 
 With the information of which you are possessed, relative 
 to my force and that of the enemy, I presume you cannot 
 expect that I shall, immediately, attempt to act offef^ively. 
 I shall endeavour to watch the motions of the enemy as far 
 as possible, and so dispose my little force as to avoid a sur- 
 prise, or risking too much with raw troops in case the ene- 
 my should cross to attack me: — the surrender of Gen Hull's 
 army has put it in the power of the enemy to turn a strong 
 force, to act either defensively or otFensively against me. My 
 situation requires arduous duty : it may be critical ; but I 
 shall meet events in that manner which my judgment shall 
 dictate as most prudent and safe, and to the utmost of my 
 power discharge my duty. 
 
 The conduct of Capt. Hull in the Constitution was gallant 
 indeed, and has justified the high expectations we have all 
 entertained of our navy, and the brave men who com- 
 mand it. 
 
 I have the honour to be, sir, 
 
 with respect and consideration, &c. 
 Major Gen. Dearborn. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Dearborn. 
 
 Head Ctuarters, Lewiston, 8ih Sept., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have this day received your two letters of the 1st in- 
 stant, and have made the communication you requested to 
 the Contractor. 
 
 No occurrence of importance has taken place since I 
 wrote you on the 5th, by your express. I have, yesterday, 
 
46 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 removed my camp to the Ridge Road, as I proposed. The 
 battery near Fort Niagara is fast progressing, also the cut- 
 ting of the back road, mentioned in my last letter. The 
 enemy appear to he very active ; but whether their prepa- 
 rations are for offensive, or defensive operations, is impossi- 
 ble for me to determine. 
 
 The night before last two men came over from Canada, 
 but the information they give is of very little consequence : 
 indeed, the character of the men would not give much 
 weight to any thing they might say. They state tliat Gen. 
 Brock had returned from York to Fort George — that ITjOO 
 militia were ordered for Fort George yesterday — some 
 troops have this day passed up through Queenstovvn. Not 
 knowing what the termination of the armistice might pro- 
 duce, I have taken every precaution in my power to meet 
 any attempt the enemy might make. But it is now five 
 o'clock, and I neither sec nor hear of any movements. Ge- 
 neral Wadsworth and Col. Van Rensselaer have been the 
 whole day at Niagara. Should they return befuru ihu mail 
 closes, and have any thing of importance to communicate, I 
 shall add it in a postscript. 
 
 I am, sir, with great respect. 
 
 Major Gen. Dearborn. 
 
 Memorandum. — The following note was received on 
 the 8th of September : — 
 
 Lt. Col. Fen wick to Maj. Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Sir,— 
 
 I am induced to believe from every observation I have 
 vigilantly made, that the enemy is prepared and ready for 
 an attack. They are so with shipping and boats, which to- 
 day brought them a reinforcement of men and stores. Our 
 patrole arc very la.\ in their duty. The work erecting can- 
 not be finislied in time, without additional strength. When 
 finished, it is not secure witiiout being strongly covered in 
 the rear; for we have nothing to prevent their landing; 
 
APPENDIX. , 47 
 
 tiiid they can, in that case, carry the work. The regular 
 force should be concoutrated, and organized. Our stores 
 should be removed; they are not in safety; for, if they 
 threw over two hundred men, they can carry the Fort. 
 This I beg your consideration to, as your strength is six 
 miles off, and four hour's time. I have no means of express 
 at my command. 
 
 John R. Fenwick, Lt. Col. &c. 
 
 From Lt. Col. John 11. Fenwick to Maj. den. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Fort JNiagara, Sept. 10th, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 Fatigued and harassed as tlic troops have been, I 
 really do not think our situation a safe one. I submit to 
 your judgment whether the troops should not be concen- 
 trated : as they are all young and undisci])llned, they may 
 be cut up in detail. The defence of this place is precarious, 
 outside of the store-house. 1 apprehend nothing but sur- 
 prise ! We shouhl be then prcparc^d to act in force, and in 
 any given point. The Contractor is very inattentive. Our 
 men are extremely dissatisfied. The enemy has erected 
 another battery. 1 ordered the light artillery down. They 
 called in their fatigue parties, and prepared for attack — the 
 Indians moving in every direction. The movement puzzles 
 them ; and I am pleased at giving them so much trouble. 
 I hope I shall have the honour of a visit from you to- 
 morrow. 
 
 I salute you. General, with consideration and respect, 
 
 John R. Fenwick, Lt. Col. Lt. Art. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 From Maj. Gen. Van Rensselaer to Maj. Gen. Dearborn. 
 
 Hcad-duartcrs, Lcwislon, lOtli Sept., 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 When I had the honour of receiving your communication 
 
48 APPENDIX* 
 
 of the Istinst., acquainting me of the dispositions you are 
 making to reinforce me upon this frontier with men, cannon, 
 musketry, stores, etc., my attention was immediately ar- 
 rested hy the proposition of sending them from Oswego to 
 Niagara, or, indeed, any part of that distance, by water. It 
 will be recollected that the passage of Lt. Col. Fenwick with 
 boats, was rendered safe, under a clause of the agreement 
 for the observance of the armistice. But, upon the receipt 
 of your letter, my own opinion was against risking any 
 thing, hereafter, along that shore by water ; but 1 wished 
 further information on the subject before I should advise 
 you. The opinions of others whom I have advised with on 
 this subject, and who are competent judges, fully accord 
 with my own, that it would be very hazardous for the bat- 
 teaux to attempt coming from Oswego to Niagara in the 
 very face of our active enemy, having command of the 
 water. The batteaux might, and probably would, have 
 some days of head wind; and, in such case, it would be 
 next to impossible that they should escape the observation of 
 the enemy : and, when once discovered, they would un- 
 doubtedly be attacked in some place where the landing 
 could be effected with most difficulty. My opinion is fur- 
 ther strengthened by some late movements of the enemy. 
 The day after the termination of the armistice, the Royal 
 George, and another armed vessel, chased some vessels re- 
 turning from Niagara to Oswego, into the Genesee river, 
 and fired a few shot. This has excited an alarm among 
 the inhabitants; and, according to the custom prevailing on 
 the whole frontier, they have sent a deputation to me pray- 
 ing protection. I have ordered them some ammunition ; I 
 can do no more. I am so entirely convinced that the car- 
 goes of the batteaux will be in danger on the passage from 
 Oswego to Niagara, that I shall send an express to Three 
 River Point, to have the batteaux come up to Cayuga 
 Bridge, and there land their cargoes, to be transported by 
 
APf>ENDl^. 49 
 
 laYid to this place.* I shall bestow further consideration on 
 this subject. 
 
 Believing that the best use which I Can make of the old 
 stone mess-house at Niagara, is to convert it into a battery, 
 I have ordered the roof to be taken off, the walls above the 
 upper floor to be strengthened by embankments of earth on the 
 inner side, and two twelve-pounders, and one howitzer 
 mounted in that battery. It is high, and may, perhaps, 
 avail us something. I expect it will be prepared in this 
 manner, in a day or two. I was yesterday there, and the 
 roof was nearly taken down. 
 
 I have the honour to be, sir, with great consideration. 
 
 Major General Dearborn. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick, 
 commanding Niagara. 
 
 Head-Q.uarters, Lewislon, 15th September, 1S12. 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have this moment received your note of this date. 
 It is a fact too true, that many of tlie arms both here, and 
 at the garrison are not fit for use. The armourers are here, 
 busily engaged ; nevertheless I send you one of them. 
 Please to order the line of sentries extended up the river as 
 far as you deem expedient. 
 
 It seems to be impossible to obtain grain for our horses. 
 I have this day issued an order to the Quarter Master Gen- 
 eral, as to forage; and shall make every effort in my power, 
 to get a supply. General Brock will, undoubtedly, make 
 every effort; let us employ every moment in making the 
 best possible dispositions, to receive him, should he attempt 
 an attack. As to the salt, the teams and men were left be- 
 hind for the express purpose of removing it. If the service 
 
 + Perhaps some precautions may be adopted so as to get round the 
 batteaux to the Eighteen-Mile Creek, or to some near position on the 
 lake shore, from whence they may be drawn over land to this place. 
 
 5 
 
50 APPENDIX. 
 
 requires any more men for fatigue I will send them imme- 
 diately. 
 
 With consideration and respect. 
 Lieut. Col. Fenwick, Light Artillery commanding Niagara. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to his Excellency Governor 
 Tompkins. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 15th September, 1812. 
 
 Sir, — 
 
 Ao-reeably to the instructions contained in your Ex- 
 cellency's last letter of the l4th ult, I have endeavoured to 
 keep Major General Dearborn fully advised of all my move- 
 ments and operations, since that time, and to my letters trans- 
 mitted to him, I beg leave to refer your Excellency for par- 
 ticulars. If the little army under my command has not yet 
 achieved any thing brilliant, I endeavour to console myself 
 with the belief, that we have not yet suffered any disgrace. 
 My force is yet small — about sixteen hundred militia; of 
 course the necessary service renders the duty of the troops 
 very severe. They, however, endure it with as much pa- 
 tience, as could be expected from men in their situation. 
 Many of them destitute of shoes, and indeed of such clothing 
 as is necessary for the approaching season ; and they are 
 all extremely clamorous for their pay. Some money must 
 be furnished for the troops in a very short time, or the con- 
 sequences of omitting it will seriously affect the service, and 
 at least render every movement heavy. 
 
 Since my first arrival on this frontier, I have found myself 
 much embarrassed with the situation of Fort Niagara. To 
 attempt defending it with the ordnance I found here, I con- 
 sidered idle : and after the return of General Brock from 
 Detroit, I had great reason to believe that he could command 
 a competent force to carry the garrison, should he attack 
 it. But apprehending the very serious consequences which 
 must inevitably result from abandoning the Fort altogether, 
 I took the precaution of removing the most valuable stores. 
 
APPENDIX. 51 
 
 and determined to risk events, until Lieut. Col. Fenwick 
 should arrive, when I might avail myself of his opinion, at 
 least, and of the ordnance he had with him, should it be 
 deemed advisable to attempt holding the garrison. By suspend- 
 ing the notice for terminating the Armistice, Lieut. Col. Fen- 
 wick arrived safe with the cannon and stores, under his charge, 
 at Four Mile Creek. Fort Niagara became one of the first 
 subjects of deliberation, and it was determined to attempt 
 maintaining it. For this purpose it was deemed expedient to 
 remove the roof of the old stone mess-house, and convert 
 the upper story into a battery, to be mounted with two twelve 
 pounders, and a howitzer. I also determined to throw up a 
 strong battery on the bank of the river about a mile above 
 the garrison ; nearly opposite the main battery on the Cana- 
 da shore, and there mount three eighteen pounders. 
 
 As the enemy can rake the river-road, from this to the 
 garrison, even with musketry, I determined to cut a road for 
 communication between my camp and the garrison, back in 
 the woods, and, cut off the reach of the enemy's fire ; these 
 have been the main objects of our fatigue for some days past, 
 and are all of them nearly completed. These operations 
 have produced great activity at Fort George; no sooner 
 were our works commenced than the enemy began opposing 
 batteries. Their force is certainly very respectable, and 
 constantly employed. Whether the enemy will attack Niaga- 
 ra or not, is impossible for me to say. There are some 
 very imperious considerations to urge them to it. Newark 
 is a very considerable village ; the enemy have there, valua- 
 ble barracks and accommodations for winter quarters; and 
 whatever might be the final result of a bombardment, the 
 enemy must inevitably suffer very considerably. My pre- 
 sent opinion is, that I had better attempt to maintain the gar- 
 rison, than to risk the consequences of abandoning it. 
 
 Liable as I am to an attack from the enemy at any hour, 
 and my troops worn down with fatigue, I have resorted to a 
 measure which, perhaps, exceeds the letter of my orders; 
 
63 APPENDIX. 
 
 yet considering that not only the tranquillity of this frontier, 
 but possibly the fate of my little army may be at stake; and 
 having been advised by Major General Dearborn to adopt 
 every measuse of precaution, against a surprise from a 
 strong force which he had reason to believe the enemy were 
 directing against me ; 1 iiave ordered a detachment of five 
 hundred men from Brigadier General Hopkin's brigade, and 
 some companies of the detachment have actually marched. 
 I wish to be favoured with your excellency's early instruc- 
 tions on this subject ; as at present I only consider these 
 troops ordered into service during your pleasure. 
 
 From a source not to be doubted, I learn that the enemy 
 are forwarding very large supplies of arms and military 
 stores to Upper Canada : one hundred loaded boats have 
 lately come up the St. Lawrence ; also two regiments are 
 on their way to Upper Canada. 
 
 Having been advised by Major General Dearborn that 
 forty batteaux, with cargoes for the use of the army on this 
 Frontier, were on their way from Schenectady to Niagara, 
 by the way of Oswego, I have advised him of the danger 
 to be apprehended in their voyage from Oswego to Niagara: 
 as I am clearly of opinion from the best information, that 
 that passage ought not to be attempted, by the boats with 
 their cargoes ; and fearing that my despatch might not reach 
 Major General Dearborn in season for him to act, I have by- 
 express, ordered the commanding officer of the batteaux, to 
 stop at Three River Point, come up to Cayuga Bridge — land, 
 and store the cargoes — and tl)en go down to Oswego, adopt 
 every precaution to avoid capture, and proceed with all pos- 
 sible despatch, to the Eighteen Mile Creek. I have advised 
 the Quarter Master of this arj-angement, and he has deputed 
 a person to receive the cargoes of the batteaux, and furnish 
 the necessary transportation to Black Rock. 
 
 The alarm which lately took place in the County of Onta- 
 rio, by the enemy's ships chasing some vessels into the 
 mouth of the Genesee river, has induced Judge At water t.Q 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 53 
 
 make a communication to me of a very unpleasant nature. 
 After stating the great zeal with which the militia turned out, 
 he says, " But, sir, 1 lament when I tell you, that neither 
 arms, nor ammunition are provided for those brave men: no, 
 not one musket to six men. that would cheerfully risk their 
 lives, in defence of their country." He says, they " are des- 
 titute of arms and ammunition ; they are neither of them to 
 be purchased in the country." 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 His Excellency Governor Tompkins. 
 
 Extract of a letter from his Excellency Governor Tompkins to Major 
 General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Albany, September 9th, 1812. 
 Dear sir, — 
 
 Your various communications have come to hand, the 
 two last while I was in New- York. My return from that 
 city was expedited by the news of Hull's discomfiture. Pre- 
 viously to my leaving this place for New- York, I had ordered 
 out two regiments, in addition to Bloom's, to reinforce you, 
 but their march has been retarded by circumstances, over 
 which I had no control. They are now directed to move 
 on with the utmost expedition. Until reinforcements arrive 
 I am sensible of the delicacy of your situation. Your pro- 
 ceedings hitherto, in concentrating in one place, and disci- 
 plining a large body of your troops, changing your encamp- 
 ments, your disposition of the despatch relative to the ter- 
 mination of the Armistice, and every other official act has 
 met my entire approbation, and will receive that of your 
 fellow-citizens generally. I pray God you may be able to 
 maintain your post, until reinforcements shall arrive. 
 
 His Excellency Governor Tompkins to Major G eneral Van Rens- 
 selaer. Extract from. 
 
 Albany, September 9th, 1812. 
 
 The government has at length been awakened to its 
 
 5* 
 
54 APPENDIX. 
 
 duty, with respsct to the command of the Lakes. The 
 most unbounded authority has been given to Captain 
 Chauncy for that purpose, and he will be with you soon. 
 Forty ship carpenters came up with me, in the last steam- 
 boat, and have gone on Westward. Marines and seamen, 
 will be on as soon as vessels and gun-boats are ready. 
 
 A large supply of ordnance of every description, is now 
 on its way from New- York. The orders embrace Erie as 
 well as Ontario. I despatched an express for Captain 
 Chauncy, on that subject from New-York, on Friday even- 
 ing to Captain Woolsey. The despatches have returned 
 this morning, and have gone down by express. Should you, 
 my dear General, be able to maintain your position a short 
 time, these arrangements for the Lakes, and the reinforce- 
 ments, will place you in a situation of defiance. To enable 
 you so to do more effectually, the militia of every descrip- 
 tion in the counties above mentioned are placed at your dis- 
 posal, and you may instantly call upon all, or any portion of 
 them, under the act of 1795, (enclosed) or under the militia 
 law of this state, and I will approve, confirm, and maintain 
 your proceedings. The Quarter Master General of the 
 state is ordered by me into regular service, and is now, in 
 every respect subject to your directions. 1 have remitted 
 him ten thousand dollars, by Major Noon. 
 
 You have probably felt hurt at the unfrequency of my 
 answers to your communications : but when I inform you 
 that I have no private secretary here, that the adjutant gen- 
 eral is in declining health, and that none of my staff or aids 
 are in service, or with me, though the latter have volunteered 
 their services without pay, and have been with me occasion- 
 ally, at their own expense, and when I inform you further, 
 that the drudgery of attending to a variety of details in ren- 
 dezvousing, supplying equipage, and paying troops, &c. de- 
 volves upon me, or must remain unattended to, I trust you 
 will extend great charity to my apparent inattention to your 
 mmunications. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 55 
 
 Receive, dear general, an assurance of my great consider- 
 tioa and sincere esteem. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 From Major General Dearborn to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 Head-Cluarters, Greenbush, Sept. lOth, 1812. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 Sir,— 
 
 Your letter of the 7th, by the returning express, reach- 
 ed us at 8 o'clock last evening. The safe arrival of Lieut. 
 Col. Fenwick, with the troops, cannon, and stores, has re- 
 lieved me from some anxiety. / am satisfied that the 
 abandonment of the Old Fort is a prudent measure ; and I 
 have the fullest confidence that, whatever relates to your 
 actual command, will be performed in the manner that the 
 good of the service, and the best interests of the country 
 demand. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to His Excellency Governor 
 
 Tompkins. 
 EXTRACT FROM. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 2d Sept., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 Since I had the honour to address your Excellency and 
 General Dearborn, on the 1 7th inst.,* nothing of very great 
 importance has taken place. The position of the army is 
 still the same, guarding with great vigilance, as far as our 
 force will admit, every point accessible by the enemy. On 
 the night of the 20th, all the ships which the enemy have 
 on Lake Ontario, were anchored in the mouth of Niagara 
 River. What was the object of this movement, I know not, 
 unless it was to avoid the violence of a most tremendous 
 storm which we have lately had, in wliich our Troops have 
 suffered much. By the great violence of the wind, many 
 tents were blown over; my own marque, bed, and all, was 
 completely deluged. My morning report of sick is 149. 
 Colonel Van Rensselaer went, yesterday, to Fort George, to 
 
 ♦ Both inserted in the narrative. 
 
56 APPENDIX. 
 
 carry my answer to a communication I had received from 
 General Brock, relative to a firing between our sentinels, by 
 which one man on the Canada shore was killed. There 
 was no General Officer at Fort George, yesterday ; and the 
 ships were all gone. 
 
 From Major General Dearborn to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Head-Gtuarters, Greenbush, Sept. 17th, 1812. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 Your letter of the 8th was this day received. I have 
 ordered two regiments from this camp, and two companies 
 of artillery for Niagara. When they arrive with the re- 
 gular troops and militia, from the Southward, and such 
 additional numbers of militia, as I reckon upon from this 
 state, the aggregate force will, I presume, amount to up- 
 wards of six thousand. It is intended to have a force 
 sufficient to enable you to act with effect, although late. Bri- 
 gadier General Smith will leave this place to-morrow, to 
 take command of his Brigade of regular troops, when they 
 arrive. I persuade myself that you will not, under your 
 present circumstances, risk more than prudence will justify ; 
 and that, of course, you will be prepared, in case you are 
 pushed, to fall back, so as not to hazard an action on very 
 unequal footing. If the enemy should make an attempt on 
 you, his endeavour will undoubtedly be to cut off your re- 
 treat by light parties and Indians. You will excuse my 
 repeated cautions ; but from the best information I have 
 received, I am induced to fear that an attempt will be made 
 on your post before sufficient reinforcemnts will reach you. 
 This will be conveyed by a safe hand, and in confidence. 
 
 Yours, with respect and esteem. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Maj. General Dearborn. 
 Head-duarters, Lewiston, Sept. 27th, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 By Captain Dox, who arrived in camp yesterday, I 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 5T 
 
 received your letter of the 17th inst., and I can assure you, 
 it is consoUng to learn that I shall soon be partially relieved 
 from that severe suspense and solicitude which have, for 
 some weeks past, been inseparably connected with my si- 
 tuation. In the view of those important interests which I 
 considered to be at stake, it required much deliberation, to 
 decide on the proper course to be pursued, and when that 
 course was determined, in the manner which I have before 
 stated to you, it required new efforts, by night and day, to 
 dispose my small force to meet events in such manner, as to 
 justify the course adopted. But, as yet, I am satisfied of 
 the correctness of the decision : and, although I have acquired 
 nothing, I have surrendered nothing. 
 
 From the various accounts I have received, we must, I 
 think, in a few days be able to act, at least, on the defensive, 
 with better prospects. 
 
 Lieut. Colonel Boesler has arrived, and, by him, I learn 
 that three regiments will soon arrive. But I am mortified 
 to understand, by a letter from Col. Winder, that the ag- 
 gregate of the troops will be but about 900 men, and that 
 his regiment is entirely without cloth clothing, which is 
 indispensable for them in the field at this season. 
 
 The enemy continue their operations with great activity 
 fortifying their camp, at Fort George, in every direction. 
 Seven of the 24 pounders taken, at Detroit, and there 
 mounted, part on traveUing carriages. 
 
 Notwithstanding the most positive orders on both sides, 
 we are constantly troubled with the warfare of sentries. 
 By their firings across the river, one man on each side has 
 fallen, within the past week. It is next to impossible, to 
 keep our guards sufficiently vigilant on their posts. I pre- 
 sume. His Excellency, Governor Tompkins, has shown you 
 an extract of a letter which I lately forwarded him, relative 
 to the strength of the enemy, in the rear of Fort Erie. 
 Captain Gibson has arrived. I presume, Lieut Elliott of 
 the navy has apprised you of his arrangements : the ves- 
 
58 APPENDIX. 
 
 sels had escaped from Genesee River to Oswego. He is 
 now, with fifteen of his men at Buffalo. More ordnance seems 
 indispensable for our future operations. 
 
 P. S. As the post at Sackett's Harbour is within my com- 
 mand, I take the liberty of suggesting for your consideration 
 the propriety of continuing so many troops — about sixteen hun- 
 dred — there. While the enemy hold command of the Lake, 
 Sackett's Harbour is not a point from which a descent upon 
 Canada can be made. We are not to apprehend general 
 invasion, at every point ; and the village, at that place, is 
 certainly not of importance in proportion to the force which 
 guards it. I know of no consideration which ought to claim 
 more than a regiment of troops at that Post, to man the bat- 
 tery, and guard the Harbour. In my opinion, every con- 
 sideration, connected with the general interest of the service 
 dictates, that part of the troops at Sacketts Harbour should 
 be ordered immediately to this station. 
 
 I am, sir, with respect, &c. 
 Major General Dearborn. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Dearborn. 
 
 Head- Quarters, Lewiston, 28th Aug., 1812. 
 
 Sir,— 
 
 By the mail of this day I received your letter of the 
 21st inst. I had hoped that his excellency Gov. Tompkins 
 might have detailed to you the condition of the troops under 
 my command on this frontier; and also the ordnance, &c. 
 at my command. The whole number of militia on this fron- 
 tier is less than eight hundred; more than one hundred on 
 the sick list : many without shoes, and otherwise illy pre- 
 pared for offensive operations. 1 have only five or six 
 pieces of ordnance : none larger than six pounders. 
 
 After having satisfied myself of the strength and condi- 
 tion of the enemy, I was fully convinced that however impe- 
 rious the considerations which urged an immediate descent 
 
APPENDIX. 59 
 
 upon Canada, that the result must be unfavourable. I there- 
 fore adopted the plan of concentrating my forces scattered 
 on this line, and calling in such further reinforcements as 
 might enable me to act. But the face of things is now 
 wholly changed by the incomprehensible disaster of Gen. 
 Hull's army. Within forty-eight hours past Gen. Hull, and 
 a considerable portion of his regulars, have been marched 
 through Queenstown, in fair view of my camp. The ef- 
 fects produced by this event are such as you will readily 
 imagine. I understand that Gen. Hull and his troops are 
 now embarking at Fort George, probably for Montreal. 
 
 I wait with solicitude to learn the result of our Govern- 
 ment's deliberation on the armistice; in the mean time, 
 adopting such measures as I must pursue, if a recommence- 
 ment of hostilities shall take place. 
 
 I shall immediately apprise Gen. Porter of your instruc- 
 tions respecting boats. 
 
 I have the honour, &;c. 
 
 Major Gen. Dearborn. 
 
 From Major Genei-al Dearborn to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 Head-Cluarters, Greenbush, Sept. 26;h, 1812. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 Sir, — 
 
 Your letter of the 17th inst. was not received until 
 this morning. Although I had taken as early measures as 
 circumstances admitted of^ for having your post strongly 
 reinforced, I have been disappointed as to the time of the 
 actual arrival of the different corps at their places of desti- 
 nation ; and also in regard to the transportation of military 
 stores to your camp. A strange fatality seems to have per- 
 vaded the whole arrangements. Ample reinforcements of 
 troops and supplies of stores are on their way, but 1 fear 
 their arrival will be too late to enable you to maintain your 
 position. I had hoped from your former letter, that the old 
 fort had been abandoned, and the stores removed to a place 
 
60 AfPENDll. 
 
 of more security. I fear it will, in case of an attack from a 
 superior force, be a trap for the garrison that may he 
 placed in it. I "this should reach you previous to the ene- 
 my's movement against you, I must take the liberty of advis- 
 ing to such a concentration of your force, and such ar- 
 rangements for the safety of the principal military stored, 
 boats, &c., as will enable you, in the last resort, to risk no 
 more than shall be absolutely necessary. 1 have requested 
 the Quarter Master General to send on a deputy quarter- 
 master with funds, and capacity for furnishing whatever 
 may be necessary in his line. By putting on the best face 
 that your situation admits, the enemy may be induced to 
 delay an attack until you will be able to meet him, and 
 carry the war into Canada. At all events, we must calcu- 
 late on possessing Upper Canada before winter sets in. 
 Gen. Harrison will, I am assured, enter Canada, by Detroit, 
 with not less than from six to seven thousand men, exclu- 
 sive of the troops necessary for guarding the fiontier against 
 Indian depredations. The force at Sackett s Harbour, and 
 that vicinity, is over two thousand, including an old com- 
 pany of regular artillery, and a large company of old rifle- 
 men, I have great confidence in the exertioi s now in ope- 
 ration in the navy depariment on Lake Ontario. In fact, we 
 have nothing t > fear, and much to hope as to the ultimate 
 success of measures now in operation with a view to Upper 
 Canada; but much may immediately depend on what may 
 happen at your post. 
 
 Your's with high respect and consideration. 
 
 Lieut. Totten, of ihe Engineers, toMnjor Gcncrnl Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Fort Niagara, October 5t]i, 1812. 
 
 Sir,— 
 
 I beg leave to lay before you the following few ob- 
 servations on the works of this place. 
 
 The form of Fort Niagara, with the exception of its east 
 
APPENDIX. 61"' 
 
 front, is irregular, being adapted to the brow of the banks; 
 and all its faces, with the same exception, are only musket- 
 proof ikying as it does, under the command of the English 
 Fort George, no defence can be expected from it against a 
 cannonade ; and it might even be prudent for the greater 
 security of the garrison, if such an event is to be appre- 
 hended, to cut down the pickets on the sides exposed. It 
 will certainly be unwise to attempt making ourselves equal to 
 the enemy in batteries, for we have but few pieces of ord- 
 nance, and I believe no means of procuring more. Such 
 works would only cause a useless expense of time and 
 labour. But if this post should be conceived (as I appre- 
 hend it will) important to cover a landing on the English 
 shore — to protect a retreat, and to command the entrance of 
 the river, we cannot too soon make the commencement of a 
 considerable battery. I will make the necessary plans, and 
 a particular representation, if you consider the object of suf- 
 ficient importance, and will honour me with a requisition. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Fenwick to Maj. General Van Rensselaer. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 Sir,- 
 
 Lieut. Col. Christie is of opinion, after the ammunition 
 and ordnance stores are removed, that a subaltern's guard 
 will be sufficient for the protection of the boats and the re- 
 maining stores; and that his officers and men, full of ar- 
 dour, and anxious to give their country a proof of their pa- 
 triotism, by being engaged in the first expedition, induces 
 me to solicit, as a favour, that you will allow him and his 
 detachment to accompany me this night. 1 think it essen- 
 tial, that, if a blow is struck, it should i)lace us upon such 
 ground as will prevent the enemy from giving us a check. 
 Col. Christie, after placing a strong guard, and invalids, can 
 march with three hundred effectives. As silence wil^ be 
 necessary on our march to Lewiston, would you permit two 
 
 6 
 
02 APPENDIX. 
 
 cavalry to attend me, that the sentries on the road may be 
 acquainted with our movements. 
 I am, &c. &c. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Lieut. Col. Fenwick. 
 
 Head-auarters, Lewiston, Oct. lOth, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have received your letter of this evening, acquainting 
 me that Lieut. Col. Christie is desirous of marching with his 
 men to this place, to share in the contemplated movement. 
 Upon Col. Christie's leaving a sufficient guard for the ord- 
 nance stores, I most cheerfully grant his request. But it 
 will be necessary for him to march by 11 o'clock this 
 night, to be here in season. 
 
 I am, &c. &c. 
 Lieut. Col. Fenwick. 
 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Dearborn. 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, October 14th, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 As the movements of this army under my command, 
 since I had the honour to address you on the 8th, have been 
 of a very important character, producing consequences se- 
 rious to many individuals, establishing facts actually con- 
 nected with the interest of the service, and the safety of the 
 army ; and, as I stand prominently responsible for some of 
 these consequences, I beg leave to explain to you, sir, and 
 through you to my country, the situation and circumstances 
 in which I have had to act, 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 ground 
 shall be viewed, / shall cheerfully submit myself to the 
 judgment of my country. 
 
 In my letter of the 8th instant, I apprised you that the 
 crisis in this campaign was rapidly advancing ; and that (to 
 repeat the same) " the blow must be soon struck," or all 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 63 
 
 the toil and expense of the campaign go for nothing.^for the 
 whole will be tinged with dishonour. 
 
 Under such impressions, I had, on the 5th instant, written 
 to Brig. Gen. Smyth of the United States forces, requesting 
 an interview with him, Major Gen. Hall, and the com- 
 mandants of regiments, for the purpose of conferring on the 
 subject of future operations. I wrote Maj. Gen. Hall to the 
 same purport. On the 11th, I had received no answer 
 from Gen. Smyth ; but in a note to me of the 10th, Gen. 
 Hall mentioned that Gen. Smyth had not yet then agreed 
 upon any day for the consultation. 
 
 In the mean time, the partial success of Lieut. Elliott at 
 Black Rock, (of which, however, I have received no official 
 information) began to excite a strong disposition in the 
 troops to act. Tliis was expressed to me through various 
 channels, in the shape of an alternative, that they must 
 have orders to act, or at all hazards they would go home. I 
 forbear here commenting upon the obvious consequences, to 
 me personally, of longer withholding my orders under such 
 circumstances. 
 
 I had a conference with , as to the possibility of 
 
 getting some person to pass over to Canada, and obtain cor- 
 rect 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 — ob- 
 tained such information as warranted an immediate attack. 
 This was confidentially communicated to several of my first 
 officers, and produced great zeal to act ; more especially as 
 it might have a controling effect upon the movement at De- 
 troit, where it was supposed General Brock had gone with 
 all the force he dared spare from the Niagara frontier. The 
 best preparations in my power, were therefore made to dis- 
 lodge the enemy from the heights of Queenstown, and pos- 
 sess ourselves of the village, where the troops might be shel- 
 tered from the distressing inclemency of the weather. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Fleming's flying artillery, and a detachment 
 
64 APPENDIX. 
 
 of regular troops under his command, were ordered up in 
 season from Fort Niagara. Orders were also sent to Gen. 
 Smyth to send down from Buffalo such detachment from his 
 brigade as existing circumstances in that vicinity might war- 
 rant. The attack was to be made at 3 o'clock on the morn- 
 ing of the 1 1th, by crossing over in boats from the old ferry, 
 opposite the heights. To avoid any embarrassment in 
 crossing the river, (which is here a sheet of violent eddies) 
 experienced boatmen were procured to take the boats from 
 the landing below, to the place of embarkation. Lieut. 
 Sim was considered the man of the greatest skill for this 
 service; he went ahead, and, in the extreme darkness, pass- 
 ed the intended place far up the river, and there, in the most 
 extraordinary manner, fastened his boat to the shore, and 
 abandoned the detachment. In this f runt boat he had car- 
 ried nearly all the oars which were prepared for the boats. 
 In this agonizing dilemma stood officers and men, whose ar- 
 dour had not been cooled by exposure through the night, to 
 one of the most tremendous north-east storms, which conti- 
 nued unabated for twenty-eight hours, and deluged the whole 
 camp. Col. Van Rensselaer was to have commanded the 
 detachment. 
 
 After this result, I had hoped the patience of the troops 
 would have continued, until I could submit the plan sug- 
 gested in my letter of the 8th, that I might act under and in 
 conformity to the opinion which might then be expressed. 
 But my hope was idle ; the previously excited ardour seem- 
 ed to have gained new heat from the late miscarriage ; the 
 brave were mortified to stop short of their object, and the 
 timid thought laurels half won by the attempt. 
 
 On the morning of the 12th, such was the pressure upon 
 me from all quarters, that I became satisfied that my refu- 
 sal to act might involve me in suspicion, and the service in 
 disgrace. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Christie, who had just arrived at the Four 
 Mile Creek, had late in the night of the first contem- 
 
I 
 
 APPENDIX. 65 
 
 plated attack, gallantly offered me his own and his men's 
 services ; but he got my permission too late. He now again 
 came forward, had a conference with Col. Van Rensselaer, 
 and begged that he might have the honour of a command 
 in the expedition. The arrangement was made. Col. Van 
 Rensselaer was to command one column of three hundred 
 militia, and Lieut. Col. Christie a column of the same num- 
 ber 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. Christie marched his 
 detachment by the rear road, from Niagara to camp. At 
 7 in the evening, Lieut. Col. Stranahan's regiment moved 
 from Niagara Falls : at 8 o'clock. Mead's, and at 9, Lieut. 
 Col. Bloom's regiment marched from the same place. All 
 were in camp in good season. Agreeably to my orders is- 
 sued upon this occasion, the two columns were to pass over 
 toscether as soon as the heiirhts should be carried. Lieut. 
 Col. Fenwick's flying artillery was to pass over: then 
 Major MuUany's detachment of regulars, and the other 
 troops to follov/ in order. 
 
 Col. Van Rensselaer, with great presence of mind, ordered 
 his officers to proceed with rapidity, and storm the fort. 
 The service was gallantly performed, and the enemy driven 
 down the hill in every direction. Soon after this, both par- 
 ties were considerably reinforced, and the conflict was re- 
 newed in various places. Many of the enemy took shelter 
 behind a stone guard-house, where a piece of ordnance was 
 now briskly served. I ordered the fire of our battery to be 
 directed upon the guardhouse ; and it was so effectually 
 done, that, with eight or ten shot, the fire was silenced. 
 The enemy then retreated behind a large store-house ; but, 
 in a short time, the rout became general, and the enemy's 
 fire was silenced, except from a one gun battery, so far 
 down the river as to be out of the reach of our heavy ord- 
 nance, and our light pieces could not silence it. A number 
 
 6* 
 
^ APPENDIX. 
 
 of boats now passed over unannoyed, except by the one un- 
 silenced gun. For some time, after I passed over, the vic- 
 tory appeared complete; but, in expectation of further at- 
 tacks, I was taking measures for fortifying my camp imme- 
 diately ; the direction of this service I committed to Lieut. 
 Totten of the Engineers. But very soon the enemy were 
 reinforced by a detachment of several hundred Indians from 
 Chippewa; they commenced a furious attack, but were 
 promptly met and routed by the rifle and bayonet. By this 
 time, I perceived my troops were embarking very slowly. I 
 passed immediately over to accelerate their movements, but, 
 to my utter astonishment, I found, that, at the very moment 
 when complete victory was in our hands, the ardour of the 
 unengaged troops had entirely subsided. I rode in all direc- 
 tions ; urged the men by every consideration to pass over — 
 but in vain. Lieut. Col. Bloom, who had been wounded in 
 the 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 time a large reinforcement from Fort George was 
 discovered coming up the river. As the battery on the 
 hill was considered an important check against their ascend- 
 ing the heights, measures were immediately taken to send 
 them a fresh supply of ammunition, as I learned there were 
 left only twenty shot for the eighteen-pounders. The rein- 
 forcements, however, obliqued to the right from the road, 
 and formed a junction with the Indians, in the rear of the 
 heights. Finding, to my infinite mortification, that no rein- 
 forcement would pass over, seeing that another severe con- 
 flict must soon commence, and knowing that the brave men 
 at the heiglits were quite exhausted, and nearly out of am- 
 munition, all I could do, was to send them a fresh supj)ly of 
 cartridges. At this critical moment I despatched a note to 
 Gen. Wadsworth, acquainting him with our situation, leav- 
 ing the course to be pursued mucii to his own judgment, 
 with assurance that, if he thought best to retreat, I would 
 
APPENDIX. 67 
 
 endeavour to 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 few got off. My note, however, could but 
 little more than have reached Gen. W., about 4 o'clock, 
 when a most severe and obstinate conflict commenced, and 
 continued about half an hour, with a tremendous fire of can- 
 non, flying artillery, and musketry. The enemy succeeded 
 in repossessing their battery, and gaining advantage on 
 every side. The brave men who had gained the victory, ex- 
 hausted of strength and ammunition, and grieved at the un- 
 pardonable neglect of their fellow-soldiers, gave up the 
 conflict. 
 
 / can only add, that the victory teas really icon, hut lost 
 for the want of a small reinforcement; one-third part of the 
 idle men might have saved all. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Slc. 
 Stephen Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Hon. WiiliAm Eustis, Secretary of War. 
 
 Brigadier General Alexander Smytli toMajor General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Buffalo, 29th September, ]812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 I have been ordered by Major General Dearborn to 
 Niasrara, to take command of a brio-ade of the U. S. troops : 
 and directed, on my arrival in tlic viciiiity of your quarters, 
 to report myself to you, which I now do. I intended to have 
 reported myself personally ,; but the conclusions I have 
 drawn as to the interests of the service, have determined m.e 
 to stop at this place, for the present. From the description I 
 have had of the river below the falls, the view of the shore 
 below Fort Erie, and the information received as to the 
 preparations of the enemy, 1 am of opinion that our cross- 
 ing should be eflected between Fort Erie and Chippewa. 
 It has, therefore, seemed to me proper to encamp tlie U. S. 
 troops near Buffldo, there to prepare for offensive operations. 
 
68 APPENDIX. 
 
 Your instructions, or better information, may decide you to 
 give me different orders, which I will await. 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 Major General Van R.ensselaer. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Brigadier General Alexander Smyth. 
 Head-Q<uavtcrs, Lewiston, SOih September, 1812. 
 
 Sir,— 
 
 On my return, this moment, from Niagara, I received 
 your letter of yesterday, advising me of your arrival at 
 Buffalo, and the encampment, there, of the United States 
 troops, in consequence of the conclusions you have drawn 
 that offensive operations against Upper Canada ought to be 
 attempted between Fort Erie and Chippewa. Nothing could 
 be more unpleasant to me than a difference of opinion as to 
 the place of commencing those operations in which our own 
 characters, the fate of the army, and the deepest interests of 
 our country are concerned. But, however willing I may be, 
 as a citizen soldier, to surrender my opinion to a prof..'S3ional 
 one, I can only make such surrender to an opinion deliber- 
 ately formed upon a view of the whole ground. 
 
 It would have been highly gratif3dng to me, could I have 
 had a seasonable opportunity to avail myself of the opinions 
 of the officers of the United States troops, as to the time, 
 place, and competent force for the contemplated descent. 
 But as the season for operations was far advanced, and as 
 the counsel I wished was not at command, it lias been the task 
 of my own judgment, guided by the best attainable informa- 
 tion to designate the places for our operations. This I had 
 some time ago decided : and although, on account of my 
 small force, I have been obliged to bestow much labour on 
 measures calculated for defence, in case of an attack, still 
 have I urged, as fast as possible, other local preparations, 
 connected with that mode of descent on which I had deter- 
 mined. My judgment may have deceived me, but I shall 
 certainly stand acquitted of a hasty decision. For many 
 years, I have had a general knowledge of the banks of Ni- 
 
APPENDIX. 69 
 
 agara river, and of the adjacent country on the Canada shore. 
 I have, now, attentively explored the American side with 
 the view of military operations : combining, at the same time, 
 a great variety of circumstances and considerations intimate- 
 ly connected, in m}^ opinion, with our object. So various 
 are the opinions, and sucli the influence of personal and lo- 
 cal interests in this vicinity, that many circumstances are to 
 be carefully balanced before any correct conclusions can be 
 drawn. My decision has been made with due regard to all 
 these things, and to the important consequences connected 
 whh it. All my past measures have been calculated for one 
 point; and I now only wait for a com.petent force; as the 
 season of the year and every consideration urges me to act 
 with promptness, I cannot hastily listen to a change of po- 
 sition, necessarily connected with a new system of meas'ires, 
 and the very great inconvenience of the troops. I will not 
 say that no considerations shall induce me to change my 
 plans of operations, but to this I cannot yield, without very 
 weighty reasons ; conclusions drawn, at least, from an atten- 
 tive examination of the banks of the Niagara river, and all 
 other circumstances connected with a successful result of the 
 campaign. 
 
 I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you here : and, 
 perhaps, after conference and thorough examination of the 
 river and country, your opinion and mine, as to the plans of 
 operations, may coincide. I trust we are both open to con- 
 viction, and we have but one object— the best interest of 
 the service. 
 
 1 am, sir, with consideration and respect, &c. 
 Brigadier Gen. Alexander Smyth, of the United States forces, Buffalo. 
 
 Brigadier Geacral Smyth, of the U. S. Forces, to Major General Van 
 
 Rensselaer. 
 
 Camp, near Buffalo, Oct. 2d, 1S12. 
 Slr,- 
 { I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 
 
 30th Sept., dated at Lewiston. The detachments of Col 
 
70 APPENDIX. 
 
 Winder and Col. Parker have arrived. They are recruits 
 without clothing and with little instruction. Neither of them 
 have medicine chests. Col. Winder's detachment is already- 
 encamped on an excellent piece of ground for exercise, 
 where Col. Parker's will join it to-day. Col. Milton's detach- 
 ment will also arrive to-day ; and within a week I expect the 
 other detachments. I have taken quarters at the place, and 
 propose to devote six hours daily to their instruction, in dis- 
 cipline and evolutions. 
 
 The delay of a part until the whole arrive, cannot, possi- 
 bly, be injurious, and any order I may receive will be obey- 
 ed with alacrity. 
 
 There has been a mutiny in the 5th, and a general court 
 martial has become necessary. Should you deem it proper 
 to order one to be held at this camp. Col. Parker might pre- 
 side, and the other members be detached by my Brigade 
 
 Major. 
 
 I have the honour to be very respectfully, &;c. 
 
 Major Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Brigadier General Smyth. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 5th Oct., 1812. 
 
 Sir,— 
 
 Believing that an early consultation of general offi- 
 cers, commandants of regiments, and corps on this frontier 
 will promote the interest of the service, I have to request that 
 you will be pleased to confer with Maj. Gen. Hall on the 
 subject, and agree with him upon the earliest day possible, 
 consistent with the business of the court martial, and other 
 indispensable duties, when I can have the pleasure of seeing 
 you at Fort Niagara for the purpose above proposed. 
 
 Of the day agreed upon, you will please to give me early 
 
 notice. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 P. S. I have written to Maj. Gen. Hall to the same pur- 
 port. 
 
 Brig. Gen. Smyth, of the U. S. forces. 
 
APPENDIX. 71 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Hall. 
 (confidential) 
 
 Head-Ctuarters, Lewiston, 5th Oct., 1812. 
 Sir — 
 
 This letter was the same as above. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Brigadier General Smyth, of the 
 
 U. S. forces. 
 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, 6th Oct., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 Apprehending that my letter of yesterday, on the 
 subject of the proposed conference at Niagara, may not have 
 been sufficiently explicit, I deem it necessary to add, that 
 my intention was, that Major General Hall, yourself, and 
 the Commandants of the several regiments of the United 
 States troops, should attend the conference. You will please 
 to make the necessary communications to the gentlemen in- 
 tended. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 Brigadier General Smyth, of the U. S. forces. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Hall. 
 Same date as above, and same in form and substance, 
 except as to extending the communications. 
 
 Buffalo, Oct. 10th, 1812. 
 Major General Hall to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 (extract.) 
 Sir, — 
 
 I saw General Smyth yesterday : he could not tell 
 the day when he would attend at Niagara for the consul- 
 tation. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Brigadier General Smyth. 
 
 Head-auarters, Lewiston, 10th October, 1812. ' 
 Sir,— 
 
 Li consequence of some intelligence recently receiv- 
 
72 APPENDIX. 
 
 ed, relative to the force of the enemy on the opposite shore, 
 I shall this night attack the enemy's batteries on the heights 
 of Queenstovvn. Should we succeed, 1 shall, to-morrow morn- 
 ing, cross over and intrench. 
 
 immediately on the receipt of this you will please to give 
 orders to all the United States troops under your command to 
 strike their tents, and march, with every possible despatch, 
 to this place. 
 
 With respect and consideration, &c. 
 
 Brigadier General Alex. Smyth, of die U. S. forces. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer lo Brigadier General Smyth. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Lewiston, llih Oct , 1812. f 
 Sir,— 
 
 The object of my order to you yesterday, to march 
 your troops to this place, was to support the miiiiia in an 1 
 attack upon the enemy's batteries in Queenstovvn, warranted 
 by information winch I had received, too direct to be doubted, 
 and too favourable to be passed by without an effort. But 
 the expedition has failed; and the failure is owing to some 
 circumstances vitally connected with the highest interest 
 of the service, but the particulars arc more proper for the 
 subject of personal conference than for this mode of commu- 
 nication ; I shall, therefore, reserve them until I shall have 
 the pleasure of seeing yon here. In the interim the United 
 States troops under your command will remain at their en- 
 campment, near Buffalo. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 Brigadier General Smyth, of tlic U. S. forces. 
 
 Brigadier General Smyth to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Camp, near Buffalo, 12ih Oct., 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 letter at ten o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The badness of the weather and roads harassed the 
 
APPENDIX. 73 
 
 troops yesterday more than can well be conceived. To- 
 moriovv I expect .hnr clothing, and they will wash; next 
 day they might march, to the number of ['2)0 effective men, 
 but imperfectly disciplined. It is said the enemy are in 
 considerable force opposite to Black Rock : and as Lieut. 
 Cols. Scott and Christie have arrived with you, the time for 
 your attack is favourable — and may you conquer ! is my 
 prayer. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with great respect, 
 Your most obedient, 
 (Signed) Alex. Smyth, Brig. General. 
 
 A'ajor Gen. Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Alajor General Van Rensselaer to Brigadier General Smyth. 
 
 Head-Gtuaiters, Lewiston, 12th Oct., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have this moment received your letter of yesterday. 
 To-night I shall, again, attack the enemy's batteries on the 
 heights of Queenstown; should circumstances render it ne- 
 cessary to march your brigade, I will advise you to morrow. 
 Lieut. Col. Christie has arrived with boats, stores, &c. 
 
 I am &c. 
 Brigadier General Smyth, of the U. S. Forces. 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 From Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Brock. 
 
 Head-Ctuarters, Lewiston, 17th Sept., 1812. 
 Sir, — 
 
 In a communication which I had some time since the 
 honour of receiving from Lieut Col, Myers, he assured me 
 that it had been the constant study of the general officer, 
 commanding the British forces on this line, to discountenance, 
 by all means in his power, the warfare of sentinels; yet, 
 occurrences for some days past, would warrant the pre- 
 sumption, that such orders no longer exist. If so be the 
 fact, I wish to be ascertained of it. 
 
 I have the honour to be, 
 
 with consideration, &c. 
 7 
 
74 APPENDIX. 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 From Major General Brock to Major General Van Rensselner. 
 Head-Cluarters, Fort George, Sept. 17th, 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 It has been with the utmost regret, that I have per- 
 ceived, within these few days, a very heavy firing from both 
 sides of the river. I am, however, given to understand, 
 that on all occasions it has commenced on yours ; and, from 
 the circumstance of the flag which I did myself the honour 
 to send over yesterday having been repeatedly fired upon, 
 while in the act of crossing the river, 1 am inclined to give 
 full credit to the correctness of the information. Without, 
 however, recurring to the past, you may rely upon my re- 
 peating my positive orders against the continuance of a 
 practice which can only be injurious to individuals, without 
 promoting the object which both our nations may have in 
 view. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, 
 
 with respect, &c. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Brock. 
 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, 20ih Sept., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 It was with extreme regret and concern that I yester- 
 day learned through Lieut Col. Myers, that in a repetition 
 of the practice of firing between seniinels, which I have so 
 peremptorily prohibited, one shot has proved fatal to a man 
 at the Lime Kilns on the Canada shore. Immediately, on 
 receiving information of this unfortunate event, I caused 
 strict inquiry to be made, to the end, that the offender, if 
 discovered, might be punished according to his demerit. 
 But the result of this inquiry has not furnished me with the 
 least evidence against any man. I cannot ascertain that 
 a single gun has been fired, at, or near the place from 
 whence the shot was supposed to have been thrown. 
 
 I 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 75 
 
 That these firings have been repeatedly commenced on 
 both sides, is not to be questioned : the fact is established, 
 by the testimony of officers whose rank and character, in 
 both armies, utterly precludes all doubt. It is a circum- 
 stance, which, in this explanation, ought not to be omitted, 
 that there may be, on both sides the river, — there certainly 
 is reason to believe there are on this side — persons not un- 
 der immediate command in either army, who, occasionally, 
 approach the river, discharge their pieces, at the sentries, 
 and then escape unobserved in their retreats, while the fire, 
 thus begun, is returned upon an unoffending sentinel. I 
 have caused patrols to be sent out to take such persons, but 
 without success. 
 
 I can only repeat, sir, that I deeply regret the unfortunate 
 occurrence which has happened ; that my orders against the 
 practice which has occasioned it have been most peremptory : 
 my efforts to enforce them are unremitting, and every at- 
 tempt to convict any one of disobedience, as yet, is unavailing. 
 With consideration and high respect, 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 
 Major General Brock, Fort George. 
 
 From Major General Isaac Brock to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 Head-Gluarters, Fort George, 23d Sept., 1812. 
 
 Sir, — 
 
 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letter of the twentieth instant. I never doubted for a 
 moment that the firing from your side of the river, upon in- 
 dividuals, was contrary to your intentions, and in violation of 
 your orders, and I beg leave to repeat, that every effort 
 shall be made on my part to prevent a recurrence of such 
 acts of insubordination, on this side. 
 
 I have the honour to be, 
 
 with very great respect, <fec. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
76 APPENDIX. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Major General Brock. 
 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, 13th Oct., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 Humanity induces me to request your permission to 
 send to Queenstown some surgeons to attend the officers and 
 men who have had the misfortune to be wounded this day, 
 and are prisoners at Queenstown. 
 
 Agreeably to the proposition which I had this afternoon 
 the honour to receive, as coming from you, I have agreed to 
 a cessation of firing for three days. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 Major General Isaac Brock. 
 
 Major General Sheaffe to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Fort George, ISth Oct., 1812. 
 
 Sir,-- . 
 
 I lose not a moment in acknowledging the receipt of 
 your letter of this date, and am pi- ased to learn, at the same 
 time, that the officer commanding at Queenstown, having 
 opened it, had acceded to your proposal of sending surgeons 
 to aid the wounded prisoners, without incurring the delay 
 which would have been occasioned by a reference to me ; 
 but, as our means of affiirding assistance to them, as well as 
 to our own wounded, may be inadequate, I beg leave to pro- 
 pose that the wounded prisoners, whose cases may admit of 
 removal, should be sent over to you, on condition of not serv- 
 ing again, until regularly exclianged. 
 
 Though the proposition which I had the honour of making 
 to you to-day, did not go to the extent which, by some mis- 
 take, you were led to suppose, yet I readily concur with 
 you in agreeing to a cessation of firing for three days, and 1 
 transmit orders to that efi*ect to the officers commanding at 
 the several posts on this line. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer, commanding Lewiston, 
 
Major General SheafFe to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Fort George, 16th Oct., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 I have heard with great regret, that Col. Van 
 Rensselaer is badly wounded. If there be any thing at my 
 command, that your side of the river cannot furnish, which 
 would be either useful or agreeable to him, 1 beg that you 
 will be so good as to have me apprised of it. 
 
 I have the honour to be, sir, with much esteem, 
 Your very devoted servant, 
 
 R. H. Sheaffe. 
 
 Major General SheafFe to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Fort George, 16th Oct., 1812. 
 Sir,— 
 
 As the period assigned to the cessation of hostilities 
 is drawing to a termination ; and the intended exchange of 
 prisoners and sending over the wounded and the militia will 
 require much more time than remains of it ; and as, more- 
 over, part of this day is to be devoted to paying the last 
 offices of humanity to the remains of my departed friend and 
 General, I feel it to be my duty to propose a prolongation of 
 the armistice to such a period as may be necessary for the 
 complete execution of those humane purposes. Lists are 
 prepared for all the prisoners here, distinguishing those of 
 the hne from militia ; and Brigade Major Evans, who has 
 been appointed by me to arrange the business with Capt. 
 Dox, will be ready to proceed in it, as soon as that officer 
 comes over. 
 
 I have the honour, &c. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Major General Van Rensselaer to Maj or General Sheaffe. 
 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, Oct. 16th, 1812. 
 Sir,-- 
 
 I have this moment had the honour to receive your 
 
 7* 
 
two letters of the present date. I most cheerfully agree to 
 extend the cessation of hostiUties for a time amply sufficient 
 to discharge all duties of humanity to the brave who are 
 wounded, or prisoners ; and the just tribute of respect to the 
 gallant dead. For these purposes I agree to the further 
 cessation of hostilities, until 4 o'clock of the afternoon of the 
 19tli instant. 
 
 I shall order a salute for the funeral of General Brock to 
 be fired here, and at Fort Niagara, this afternoon. 
 
 You will please to accept, sir, the grateful acknowledg- 
 ments of Col. Van Rensselaer and myself for your kind 
 offer of any thing in your power which might contribute to 
 to his comfort. 1 do not know that he is at present destitute 
 of any thing essential. 
 
 As this, sir, is probably the last communication I shall 
 have the honour to make to you from this station, T avail 
 myself of the opportunity to tender you the assurance of my 
 great esteem iand consideration. 
 
 Major General Sheaffe to Major General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Fort George, 16th Oct., 1812. 
 
 Sir,— 
 
 I feel too strongly the generous tribute which you 
 propose to pay to my departed friend and chief to be able 
 to express the sense 1 entertain of it. Noble-minded as he 
 was, so would he have done himself 
 
 1 have directed the prolongation of the armistice until 
 four o'clock in the afternoon of the 19th instant, to be com- 
 municated along this line. 
 
 I feel a perfect confidence, sir, that nothing will be omitted 
 on your part to ensure a strict execution of the agreement 
 respecting the militia officers and men, as well as any others 
 not y(>t exchanged, who are released from their captivity. 
 
 Allow me, sir, to express a hope that the time is not far 
 distant when the restoration of peace and amity between our 
 
APPENDIX. 79 
 
 respective countries, may afford me an opportunity of assur- 
 ing you, personally, of the respect and esteem with which 
 1 have the honour to be, sir, 
 
 Your most obedient and devoted servant, 
 R. H. Sheaffe, Maj. General, &c. 
 Maj. General Van Rensselaer. 
 
 Ilead-Cluarters, Fort Washington, May 26th, 1797. 
 Sir, — 
 
 You are, this day, to cross the Ohio river, with your 
 troop, and to commence your march for Knoxville, in the 
 state of Tennessee, without one moment's unnecessary delay. 
 
 You will proceed by easy marches, on the most convenient 
 road for Fort Blount, on the Cumberland river. Should you 
 discover on your approach to, or arrival at this place, that 
 the Indians are hostiiely disposed, you are to fall back, either 
 to Nashville, or take some intermediate secure position, 
 where your cavalry can be well subsisted, and wait the ar- 
 rival of Lieut. Col. Commandant Butler, whose orders you 
 are to receive. 
 
 But should you find the Indians in a state of tranquillity, 
 you will proceed on to Knoxville, with due military precau- 
 tion and on your arrival there, will report to the senior offi- 
 cer on that station, and require quarters and subsistence for 
 your men and horses, where you are to wait the arrival of 
 Col. Butler, unless otherwise disposed of under the authority 
 of the president. 
 
 Wishing you an agreeable tour, I remain with much 
 friendship, your obedient servant, 
 
 Ja. Wilkinson, B. G., &c. 
 
 Captain Van Rensselaer. 
 
 New- York, August 8th, 1800. 
 Dear sir, — 
 
 Major Rensselaer, who was eldest captain of dra- 
 goons before the late augmentation of the army, was, under 
 that augmentation promoted to a major. He has some time 
 
80 APPENDIX". 
 
 since devoted himself to military affairs, as a professor for 
 life, and is unwilling to quit. For my part I have conceived 
 there was a discretion in the president on this subject, which 
 may be exercised in favour of the major. A field officer for 
 the cavalry appears to me in every view proper. For the 
 character of Major Van Rensselaer, as an officer, I refer 
 you to Gen. Wilkinson, with whom he served. The inquiry 
 1 know will result greatly in his favour, and as a man, there 
 is none more worthy : he is a kinsman of Mrs. Hamilton. 
 With esteem and regard, 
 
 A. Hamilton, Secretary of War. 
 
 Extract of a letter from General Wilkinson to the Secretary of War. 
 
 City of Washington, August 9th, 1800. 
 General Hamilton warmly recommends the retention 
 of Major Van Rensselaer in service; but I fear the ground 
 he takes is not tenable, though the circumstance is undoubt- 
 edly essential to the service, and is devoutly to be desired, as 
 the major is a gem worthy preservation. A squadron of 
 cavalry without a leader, is an unseemly thing; and not un- 
 like a body without a head, from which much good cannot be 
 expected. 
 
 Mr. Van Rensselaer's pretensions to patronage are pecu- 
 liarly strong. On the 20th August, 1794, he received a shot 
 through his lungs, at the head of the troop. At the reduc- 
 tion of the then army, he continued in service, and on the 
 levy of the late contingent force he was taken from his troop 
 and promoted to a majority. The disbanding this force has, 
 I fear, thrown him out of service, unless you may judge 
 proper to retain him on the ground of expediency, until the 
 president or legislature may be consulted. Certain it is, 
 he is essential to the formation and discipline of the squad- 
 ron, which, without a chief, presents an original spectacle. 
 
 Albany, 19th Nov., 1800. 
 Sir,~ 
 
 Whether a major for the cavalry of United States 
 
APPENDIX. 81 
 
 should be retained in service, is a question on which it would 
 not be proper for rne to make any remarks. 
 
 But if it should be deemed expedient, that such an officer 
 should be retained, I take the liberty of informing you, that, 
 from what I have heard and know of Major Solomon Van 
 Rensselaer, who wishes to devote himself to the military pro- 
 fession, I really think he merits the attention of government. 
 His qualifications and conduct as an officer have probably 
 been made known to you by Gen. Wilkinson and others. 
 His character here as a citizen and a gentleman, attracts 
 general esteem : and for my own part, I consider him as one 
 of the most valuable and promising young men that 1 know. 
 1 have the honour to be, with great respect, 
 Sir, your most obedient servant, 
 
 John Jay. 
 The Honourable Samuel Dexter, Esq., Secretary at War, 
 
APPENDIX, No. III. 
 
 State of New-York, 
 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 Head Quarters, Albany, July 13th, 1812. 
 
 Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer having been re- 
 quested to repair to the command of the militia heretofore 
 ordered into the service, and to be hereafter ordered into the 
 service of the United States, for the defence of the northern 
 and western frontiers of this state, between St. Regis and 
 Pennsylvania, enters upon his command this day. 
 
 All the militia comprehended in the brigades of detached 
 militia organized into the first detached division, by general 
 orders of the eighteenth day of June last, together with the 
 corps commanded by Lieut. Cols. Swift, Flemming, and Bel- 
 linger, are hereby declared to be subject to the division orders 
 of Major General Van Rensselaer, without waiting for 
 further general orders upon that subject ; and all officers 
 commanding the militia, from which the first detached divis- 
 ion was taken are promptly to obey and respect such division 
 orders accordingly. 
 
 By order of the commander in chiefs 
 
 Wm. S. Wilkin, Aid-de-camp, p. t. 
 
 Head-duarters, Niagara, Aug. 13ih, 1812. 
 Major General Van Rensselaer having been appointed to 
 the command of the troops on the northern and western 
 frontiers of this State, announces his arrival. Having as- 
 sumed this command, the general assures the officers and 
 soldiers, that, as on their part he will require prompt obe- 
 dience to orders, and strict discipline, so from him they may 
 
APPENDIX. 83 
 
 expect his unremitting exertions to render their situations at 
 all times as eligible as possible; and when their exertions 
 shall be called for against the enemy, he trusts with confi- 
 dence that they will be such as will redound to the honour 
 of the troops, and the service of the country. 
 
 The troops at Lewiston will be reviewed and inspected at 
 10 o'clock to-morrow ; for that purpose, blank returns will 
 be furnished. 
 
 An accurate inspection return will be made out by the 
 commanding officers of companies, who are to account for 
 their men, arms, and accoutrements : in their returns, they 
 will note the deficiencies of arms or accoutrements, to the 
 end thai measures may be adopted to obtain supplies from 
 the proper departments. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de camp. - 
 
 Head Cluarters, Lewislon, 16ih Aug., 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 Major General Hall will please to order the troops in the 
 vicinity of Niagara Falls, to repair to Lewiston as soon as 
 as may be convenient, reserving a necessary guard at that 
 place until it shall be relieved by a detachment from Lieut. 
 Col. Swifts regiment. The court-martial whereof Briga- 
 dier General Wads worth is President, will adjourn to head- 
 quarters, and there finish the business before them. 
 
 The troops between Lewiston and Fort Niagara will, with 
 their baggage, march to-morrow morning at !0 o'clock, to 
 Lewiston, leaving guards at the places heretofore occupied 
 for watching the movements of the enemy. The quarter- 
 master will furnish the necessary transportation. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Swift will furnish small guards of observation, 
 from Buffalo to the Falls of Niagara inclusive. They are 
 to communicate to the General in Chief by runners, any 
 movements of the enemy, with all possible despatch. 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
84 APPENDIX. 
 
 Head-Cluarters, Lewiston, 18th Aug. 1812. 
 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 Major General Dearborn having communicated, that, 
 agreeably to an arrangement made between him and the 
 Governor General of Canada, through his Adjutant General, 
 all hostilities between the troops on either side should be 
 suspended until further orders. Major General Van Rens- 
 selaer directs the officers and soldiers under his command, 
 strictly to conform to this arrangement; and if any of the 
 troops have the hardihood to fire on the enemy, they will be 
 punished accordingly. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Swift will order under arrest Capt. Dogherty 
 of his regiment, for absenting himself from his company; 
 and will investigate the cause of the firing of a field piece at 
 Black Rock, on the opposite shore ; and by whom, and re- 
 port the facts to the Major General without delay. 
 By order of Mujor General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 19th Aug,. 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 Countersign, parole. 
 
 Officer of the day to-morrow, Lt. Col. Dobbins. 
 Adjutant, G. L. Dox. 
 
 The Major General directs that the following regulations 
 shall be observed by the troops under his command : — 
 
 The reveille wdl be boat at day-break when every 
 officer and soldier will appear on parade, and the compa- 
 nies be exercised by their respective commanding officers for 
 one hour, and the like time at 4 o'clock in tiie afternoon; 
 and by battalions, on Tuesdays and Fridays of each week, 
 at the company and battalion parades. The fi old officers 
 will attend and superintend the manceuvros of their corps. 
 The troop will beat at o'clock, A. M., and the retreat at 
 
APPENDIX. 85 
 
 6 o'clock, P. M., when the line will be formed for roll-call ; 
 the music will take their post on the right of the regiments, 
 and not on the right of companies. On those occasions, the 
 dress of the officers and soldiers is to be clean, and their 
 arms and accoutrements bright and in perfect order. The 
 Major General flatters himself that the troops will vie with 
 each other in the cleanliness of their dress, as well as their 
 soldier-like and orderly conduct, when on, or off* duty. The 
 corps which shall distinguish itself for orderly conduct and 
 discipline, shall be reported by the Major General to the 
 Commander in Ciiief ; and every refractory officer or sol- 
 dier shall be dealt with as the law and the usages of armies 
 point out : for as they are called upon by their country to 
 defend it, and paid for their services, it is expected that 
 •' every man will do his duty,^^ for on that the lives of the 
 troops, the honour and success of the enterprises in which, 
 in all probability, they will shortly be engaged, will depend. 
 
 The tattoo will be beat at 9 o'clock, when the men will 
 retire to their tents, and the sentinels begin to challenge. 
 
 Two captains, and two subaltern guards will be mounted 
 daily; one captain's guard will take post on the front, and 
 one in the rear of the camp ; and the subalterns on each 
 flank. The guards will be sufficiently strong to form a 
 chain of sentinels round the camp ; and they will be aug- 
 mented, or diminished as occasion may require. The guards 
 will assemble on the grand parade, at half past 9 o'clock, 
 when they will be formed by the major of brigade and 
 marched off' precisely at 10 o'clock. A portion of the mu- 
 sic of the line will attend and do duty until the guards are 
 marched off* to their respective pickets. The adjutants 
 will march the men detached from the respective regiments, 
 for this service, to the grand parade, and will be responsible 
 for the soldier like appearance of the men, arms, and accou- 
 trements. Each man of the guard will be furiished with 
 twenty-four rounds of fixed cartridges: their pieces will be 
 
 8 
 
86 APPENDIX. 
 
 loaded after sunset ; and when the guards are relieved, thej^ 
 will return to the grand parade, from whence they will be 
 marched in a body, by the officer of the day, to some conve- 
 nient spot, where their pieces will be discharged at a target, 
 of the size of a dollar, at one hundred yards distance. And 
 on all other occasions firing is strictly prohibited, unless it be 
 by the sentinels, at night, to give the alarm. 
 
 The officer of the day will be taken from the regimental 
 field officers : whose duty it shall be, to visit the guards 
 and sentinels three times in the course of the day and three 
 times at night; to regulate the guards, to see that they are 
 vigilant and in soldier-like order; for on their alertness the 
 lives of the men and the safety of the army depend. 
 
 The officers are strictly enjoined to attend to the cleanli- 
 ness of their men ; they must frequently visit their tents, and 
 examine the situation of them. On the faithful performance 
 of this duty depend the lives and health of the troops. 
 
 The commanding officers of regiments and corps will 
 cause two vaults, or sinks, to be dug in the rear of each com- 
 pany, at least one hundred yards in the rear of the rear 
 tents, in a line parallel to the tents: and if any soldier shall 
 be found to leave excrement in any other place within the 
 line of sentinels, he will be punished. 
 
 The ground in front and rear of the tent is to be levelled 
 and cleared by the respective companies. The Brigade Ma- 
 jor will direct the Adjutants to cause the music, when not on 
 duty, to practise the diff*erent calls and marches. 
 
 The Court Martial, whereof Brigadier General Wads- 
 worth was appointed President, will meet to-morrow morn- 
 ing at ten o'clock, for the trial of such prisoners as may be 
 brought before them. General VVadsworth will please to 
 make the necessary arrangements, and meet in such place 
 as he may think convenient. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid -de-Camp. 
 
APPENDIX. 87 
 
 Head duarters, Lewiston, August 22d, 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 Parole. 
 
 Countersign, 
 
 Officer of the day to-morrow, * 
 
 Adjutant, 
 
 It is painful to the Major General to find that sonae part 
 of the troops are so regardless of their duty as to disobey 
 the orders issued for preventing scattering firing in and about 
 the camp. This dangerous and disgraceful practice is once 
 more, and for the last time, prohibited. If any man of the 
 line (the guards and sentinels excepted) shall, after this, 
 discharge his fire-arms without orders, he will be instantly 
 confined ; and ihe field and company officers are strictly 
 enjoined to enforce this order. 
 
 The Major General regrets that he is compelled to re- 
 mind the officers under his command of the necessity of be- 
 ing in camp at night : for if they will be regardless of their 
 duty, what can bo expected of their men by such an exam- 
 ple? They are, in future, directed to be at night in their 
 tents, unless otherwise ordered; and in perfect readiness, at 
 any moment, to commence or repel an attack, to which 
 troops in the face of an enemy are at all times liable. 
 
 The officers and troops meet with the perfect approba- 
 tion of the Major General, for their alertness in parading at 
 reveille- with the exception of one or two companies, which 
 were not this morning on parade, and the captain of one 
 company not in camp. But let him beware for the future ; 
 if caution and remonstrance will avail nothing, more decisive 
 measures shall. 
 
 To-morrow being the Sabbath, the guards will not dis- 
 charge their pieces until Monday, after roll-call ; and this 
 regulation will be observed until further orders. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-Camp, 
 
89 APPENDIX. 
 
 Head auarters, Lewiston, August 28th, 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 The army under the command of Brigadier General 
 Hull has surrendered at Detroit. This is a national disaster ; 
 but it is the duty o^ soldiers to turn even disasters to profit. 
 To this end the General calls upon the troops under his com- 
 mand to make every effort in perfecting that discipline on 
 which they must rely for their own safety and for their 
 country's honour, in that crisis which may be fast approach- 
 ing. The General is persuaded that Americans know the 
 inestimable rights which they enjoy ; and he confidently 
 trusts, that their bravery to defend is in proportion to the 
 knowledge they possess of those rights. 
 
 The troops will be exercised at reveille, and from four 
 o'clock in the afternoon, two hours instead of one, as men- 
 tioned in general orders of the 19th instant. 
 
 Capt. Dogherty and Lieut. Hewit, of Lieut. Col. Swift's 
 regiment, are released from their arrests, and will return to 
 their duty. This renewed instance of clemency of the Ma- 
 jor General, it is hoped, will be properly appreciated by 
 them : it is not his wish to punish, but orders must and shall 
 be obeyed. 
 
 The unhealthy state of the troops under the command of 
 Lieut. Col. Swift, at Black Rock, renders particular atten- 
 tion to them, and to the causes of their maladies, necessary. 
 For this purpose Doctor Brown will associate with him Doc- 
 tor Daniel Chipman ; and they will proceed, without delay, 
 to that place, and make full inquiry into the situation of the 
 sick, the causes which have produced the diseases, and the 
 manner in which they have been treated ; of all which they 
 will make report, in writing, to the Major General ; suggest- 
 ing the best mode, in their opinion, to restore those who are 
 sick, and preserve the health of the well. 
 
 These, and all other orders, are to be read by the Adju- 
 tants to the troops under the command of the Mccjor Genera \ 
 
APPENDIX. 89 
 
 The Commanding Officers of regiments and corps will give 
 orders accordingly. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-Camp. 
 
 Head Cluarters, Lewiston, 29th Aug., 1812, 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 The Major General is gratified with the attention which 
 is paid by the officers to the health of the men. Striking 
 the tents, as has been this morning done, will in a great mea- 
 sure prevent disease among the troops : and the General re- 
 commends that it be done as often as occasion may require, 
 and that cleanliness be observed, in every particular, by the 
 individuals of the army ; it is absolutely necessary to the 
 preservation of health. It is particularly enjoined on those 
 who haTe charge of the few sick, in this camp and the hos- 
 pital, to see that they are well supplied with every thing 
 necessary for their accommodation, and that expert and faith- 
 ful nurses are provided to attend them. 
 
 On this occasion the General cannot refrain from express- 
 ing his satisfaction at the attention of the officers in general 
 to their duty, and the orderly conduct of the soldiers in obey- 
 ing orders: such cheerful and soldier-like behaviour is to 
 him a pleasing presage of what he has to expect from them 
 in the hour " which will try men's souls." 
 
 To the Commanding Officer of the 7th brigade, and to 
 the Colonels of the Ifcth and 20th regiments, the General 
 tenders his acknowledgments, for their strict attention to the 
 discipline of the troops and the preservation of their health. 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 poL. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-Camp. 
 
 Head Cluarters, Lewiston, 4th Sept., 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 The Major Genereil announces to the troops, that, agiree- 
 
 '8* 
 
9U APPENEIS. 
 
 able to an order received from Major Ceneral Dearborn, the 
 armistice entered into between him and the Governor Gene- 
 ral of Upper and Lower Canada will be terminated at twelve 
 o'clock, at noon, on the eighth day of September instant. 
 
 The troops under his conmmnd will, however, understand, 
 explicitly, that they are not to act offensively without previ- 
 ous orders from him ; but to be vigilant in their duty, and 
 ready to execute any command they may receive when a 
 proper occasion presents itself. 
 
 The troops will strike their tents to-morrow morning at 
 reveille : the tents, tent-poles, and bnggage, will be packed 
 up, ready to move, in one hour from that time. The Quarter 
 Master will measure the space necessary for a double row 
 of tents for each company, and furnish the necessary trans- 
 portation. 
 
 A fatigue party, of a sergeant, corporal, and twelve men, 
 will attend at the same time at head quarters. 
 
 By order of the Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-Camp. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, 9th Sept., 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Bloom will march immediately to the neigh- 
 bourhood of Niagara Falls and relieve the guards of the de- 
 tachment of United States' troops, under the command of 
 Major Mullany, by his regiment. The Commanding Officer 
 of this detachment, after being relieved by Lieut. Col. Bloom, 
 will march with the troops under his command, without de- 
 lay, and join Lieut. Col. Fenwick, and is to be subject to his 
 orders. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-Camp. 
 
 Head Gluarters, Lewiston, 6th Sept., 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 Lieut. Col. George Flemming, Commanding Fort Oswego, 
 
APPENDIX. 91 
 
 having assigned Walter Cotton as Surgeon of Major Charles 
 Moseley's battalion oi' riflemen, the Major General confirms 
 that assignment, and orders that Doctor Cotton do duty ac- 
 cordingly, in that corps, until further orders. 
 
 Major General Hall will please to take command of 
 Lieut. Col. Swift's regiment, and the detachment of troops 
 ordered out by Brigadier Gen. Hopkins, and make such dis- 
 position of this force, as the security of the frontiers may re- 
 quire ; and will make weekly reports to Major General Van 
 Rensselaer. Major General Hall will please to bear in 
 mind, that all permits, for any persons to pass into Canada, 
 are to be obtained only from Major General Van Rensse- 
 laer. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Bloom will make morning reports of the regi- 
 ment under his command, to Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 and will cause Mr. Rolph, the prisoner, to be delivered to 
 Major General Hall at Black Rock. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
 Heiid-Cluarters, Lewiston, September 15lh, 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 The Quarter Master General and the Contractor will fur- 
 nish, on the order of Doctor Brown, hospital surgeon, the 
 necessary supplies for the sick in camp, and the hospital : 
 To Doctor Brown, the surgeon of regiments, and corps will 
 apply, for supplies necessary for the accommodation of the 
 sick under their care ; and they are strictly enjoined to at- 
 tend faithfully to the sick of the Regiments and corps, to 
 which they are assigned, whether the sick are in the camp^ 
 or hospital. 
 
 The Quarter Master General will furnish a sufficient 
 quantity of straw, for the accommodation of the troops, in 
 the camp and barracks : he will also furnish forage for the 
 dragoons, and other public horses, and cause the horses of 
 
93 APPENDIX. 
 
 Captain Camp's troop of volunteer cavalry to be appraised 
 as the law directs, without delay. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Fen wick, the Quarter Master General, and the 
 Commissary of military stores on this frontier will, without 
 delay, make returns to Major General Van Rensselaer, of 
 all the public property of every description under their 
 charge. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, September 19th, 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 The Major General calls the attention of the officers to 
 the 41st, 42d, 43d, 44th, 45th, 4Gth, and 53d articles of war, 
 and directs that they shall be read to the troops ; if any offi- 
 cer or soldier, has the hardihood to violate either of them, 
 he shall be treated as those articles direct. The shameful 
 inattention to duty, in the face of a powerful enemy, by 
 many of the officers and soldiers will render this resort ne- 
 cessary, however unpleasant it may be to the Major General. 
 
 In violation of a general order of the 19th August, several 
 of the field officers did not attend parade duty yesterday : it 
 is hoped that such conduct in them will not again occur; for 
 if it should, the Major General will be compelled to resort to 
 measures which will be very unpleasant to himself and 
 them. 
 
 The guards will be augmented this night, and if any offi- 
 cer or soldier discloses the watch-word, he will be dealt with 
 as the 53d article of the rules and articles of war directs. 
 
 The officer of the day will direct every officer and sol- 
 dier to be taken up after the beating of the retreat, whether 
 he has the countersign or not, if found out of camp without 
 permission in writing from the Major General. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Fenwick will order a general court martial for 
 the trial of such prisoners of the United States troops, as may 
 
APPENDIX. 93 
 
 be brought before the court; and report the proceedings, 
 without delay, to the Major General. The following mem- 
 bers will compose the court martial. 
 
 By order of Major Gen. Van Rensselaer, 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
 Head-duarters, Lewiston, September 27th, 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 Complaint having been made by the troops, as to the 
 quality of the provisions issued by the Commissary, 
 Major John Beach of the town of Lewiston, a disinterested 
 person, is appointed on the part of Major General Van 
 Rensselaer, and he, together with the person to be appointed 
 on' the part of the commissary, will, without delay, inspect 
 the quality of the provisions, against which complaint has 
 been made, and report their opinion, thereupon to the Major 
 General. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
 Head-duarters, Lewiston, 25th September, 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 The detachment of Lieut. Col. Hopkins' regiment will be 
 stationed at Tonawanta, and guard the passes on the river ; 
 and will relieve the guards of Lieut. Col. Swift's regiment, 
 now there. All the supernumerary officers of Lieut. Col. 
 Hopkins' regiment will be disbanded, and such only kept in 
 service as are absolutely necessary to officer this detach- 
 ment as^reeable to law. 
 
 Generall Hall will give orders accordingly. Captain 
 Ellicott's company of artillery will be stationed at the battery 
 opposite Fort Erie, to which place one eighteen-pounder is 
 ordered. 
 
 Returns of the state of the troops, their arms, and accou- 
 trements, will be made to the Major General once a week. 
 
94 APPENDIX. 
 
 by General Hall ; and the commanding officer of the Uni- 
 ted States' troops at Fort Niagara; and they are directed 
 to have every thing in readiness for action at a moment's 
 warning. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van. Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp, 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Lewiston, September 27th, 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 A guard of one hundred men, under the command of a 
 Major, with their tents and baggage, will be detached this 
 day, from Lieut. Col. Bloom's regiment, to protect the boats 
 in Gill Creek. Lieut. Col. Bloom will give orders accord- 
 ingly, and will see that this detachment is encamped at that 
 place, before sunset this evening. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
 Head-Gluarters, Leiviston, SOlh Sept., 1812. 
 GENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 The order whereof a copy is aimexed, from the Com- 
 mander in Chief of the United States' army, was received 
 yesterday. All those interested are to govern themselves 
 accordingly. 
 
 The Quarter Master General will purchase twenty horses, 
 
 and yoke of oxen, for the ordnance department, with 
 
 yokes, chains, &c. complete, and furnish the necessary 
 forage for the horses and oxen. The Quarter Master Ge- 
 neral will make a return of the number of public boats in 
 his possession, and what number of private boats he can 
 procure for the transportation of troops, cannon, horses, and 
 stores. 
 
 The Major General regrets that he is again compelled to 
 remind the Quarter Master General of the want of forage 
 
APPENDIX. - 95 
 
 for the light artillery and dragoon horses, and directs that 
 it shall be furnished without delay; and, in future, regularly. 
 Those light infantry companies wliich have already, or 
 may hereafter arrive, excepting Capt. Dox's company, will 
 take possession of the first cantonment below Lewiston, and 
 will be subject to the orders of Major Thomas Lee, who is 
 directed to take charge of them until further orders. The 
 rifle company now there, will take post at the old ferry 
 above Lewiston. Major Mosely of the rifle corps will take 
 command of the rifle companies which are now in camp, or 
 may hereafter arrive, until further orders. 
 
 By order of Major General Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Sol. Van Rensselaer, Aid-de-camp. 
 
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