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and directed six day's notice of the recommencement of hostilities to be given by the commanding generals. The American government had made a proper use of the short period of suspension; and, when the 8th of September, the day for active operations, arrived, a strong force, well supplied with provisions, and styled " the army of the centre," had assembled on the borders of the Niagara-river.

This army, commanded by major-general Van Rensselaer of the New York militia, consisted, according to American official returns, of 5206 men ;* exclusive of 300 field and light artillery, 800 of the 6th, 13th, and 23d regiments, at FortNiagara; making a total of 6300 men. Of this powerful force, 1650 regulars, under the command of brigadier-general Smyth, were at Black Rock; † 386 militia at the latter place and Buffaloe; and 900 regulars, and 2270 militia, at Lewistown, distant from Black Rock 28 miles. So that, including the 1100 men at Fort Niagara, the Americans had, along 36 miles of their frontier, a force of 6300 men; of whom nearly two thirds were regular troops; while the British, along their line from Fort-George, where major-general Sheaffe commanded, to Fort-Erie, whither major-general Brock had just proceeded, could not muster 1200 men; nearly half of whom were militia.

* Wilkinson's Mem. Vol. I. p. 580. + See plate I.

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Although not strictly a military enterprise, the capture, in ten minutes, of two British "brigs of war, well-armed, and anchored under the protection of Fort-Erie," by two American row-boats, without any artillery, is an event of too extraordinary a nature, not to require an investigation. At the surrender of Detroit, we got possession of the United States' brig Adams, of about 200 tons, and mounting six 6-pounders. The prize (afterwards named the Detroit) and the north-west company's brig Caledonia, of about 90 tons, and mounting two swivels, were required to convey some of the American prisoners to Fort-Erie. A party of militia and Canadian sailors, in number 50, embarked for that purpose on board the Detroit, having in charge 30 American prisoners. This vessel carried, also, well-packed in her hold, a considerable quantity of small-arms, part of the spoils taken with general Hull. The Caledonia had her own crew of 12 men; to whose care were entrusted 10 American prisoners. She had on board a valuable cargo of furs, valued by the American editors at about 150,000 dollars. The author of the "Sketches of the War," ludicrously enough, styles these two vessels "wellappointed," or, in other words, well-manned and officered. He, next, unpacking all the cases, and distributing the arms, declares that the ves* History of the United States, Vol. III. p. 191.

VOL. I.

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sels were "supplied with blunderbusses, pistols, cutlasses, boarding-pikes, and battle-axes.” * On the morning of the 8th of October, the two vessels approached, and anchored off FortErie, the place of their destination; but which, being still without guns, could afford them no "protection" whatever. Lieutenant Jesse Elliott, of the United States' navy, was, at this time, at Black Rock, superintending the equip ment of some schooners, lately purchased for the service of Lake Erie. Having just re, ceived a supply of 50 seamen from New York, he borrowed the same number of infantry and artillery from general Smyth; and, embarking the whole in two large boats, was alongside of the British brigs at about three hours before daylight on the morning succeeding their arrival. Joined by the prisoners, the Americans numbered 140; their opponents 68. Yet doctor Smith calls the capture of these vessels a very gallant achievement;" and he has taken care to make his account almost warrant the assertion. After the capture, lieutenant Elliott succeeded in getting the Caledonia close under the batteries at Black Rock; but was compelled, by a well-directed shot or two from the Canada-shore, to run the Detroit upon Squaw Island, Almost immediately afterwards, a detachment of the 2d United States' regiment of artillery, with four * Sketches of the War, p. 43.

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field-pieces, landed on the island; and a company of the 5th regiment soon followed. It was in vain for a subaltern's detachment of the 49th, which had been sent from Fort-Erie, to offer any resistance; although the British had contrived to set fire to the brig, previous to the arrival of the American troops. The latter completed the destruction, both of the vessel, and of the greater part of her stores. But for the defensive measures, to which sir George Prevost had limited major-general Brock, this active officer would have destroyed those very schooners, for whose equipment, as men of war, lieutenant Elliott and his men had been sent from below; and, by so doing, have brought about consequences, far more important than the safety of the two brigs.

With so many troops under his command, general Van Rensselaer very naturally felt anxious to give a brilliant close to the campaign; the rather, as the national character had been degraded, in the eyes of all, by the tame surrender of general Hull and his army. A second invasion of Canada was, therefore, resolved upon; and, if the reader will take the trouble to turn to Plate I, we will endeavour to explain the plan of attack, as since promulgated by an American general-officer, A road (MM) had been cut, by general Van Rensselaer's orders, from his camp at Lewistown (B), six miles through a wood to (N), at Four-mile creek; where lay, ready for

service, sixty batteaux. From this creek it is four miles and a half, by water, to Fort-George; the whole way under a high bank, which conceals the boats until they turn Niagara-point. The ground at Queenstown and Lewistown is so much elevated, that it may be called a mountain. It forms an immense platform, and overlooks every part of the plane below, to its termination at the banks of the Ontario. Consequently, every movement by major-general Sheaffe at FortGeorge, and by the commanding officer at FortNiagara, would be under major-general Van Rensselaer's eye. It was the general's intention that brigadier-general Smyth, and his 1650 regulars, should march, by the road (M M), to the mouth of the Four-mile creek; there to wait in readiness for embarking at a moment's notice. Queenstown was then to be attacked by the troops under the immediate command of general Van Rensselaer; and, as the only force, there stationed, was known to be two companies of the 49th regiment, and a small detachment of militia, no doubt was entertained about the town's being immediately carried, as well as the small battery on the heights. These operations, within hearing of Fort-George, could not fail to draw forth the garrison to sustain the post of Queenstown, and, if possible, to repel the invaders. The instant the British column was observed to be in motion, general Smyth was to be

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