signalled to embark at the creek; and, so soon as the British reached Queenstown, he was to be ordered, by a courier, to attack Fort-George; which, being deprived of its garrison, would, it was expected, make but a vain resistance.*

The American general Smyth's backwardness, or some other cause, not made public, deranged the above most excellent plan of attack. In the mean while, the capture of "the two British brigs of war" near Fort-Erie had spread an irresistible ardor for conquest throughout the American army. The troops declared they "must have orders to act, or, at all hazards, they would go home." About this time, some wag of a deserter came running into the American camp, with information, that general Brock had suddenly proceeded to the westward with the greater part of his troops, to repel general Harrison's attempt at Detroit. The thing was credited; the troops were absolutely furious; and the general himself concluded he had just hit the nick of time for getting possession of the peninsula, by a more direct road than that he had cut through the woods,—a mere traverse across the river to Queenstown. Accordingly, at three o'clock on the morning of the 11th of October, his eager troops were gratified by advancing to the river-side. Experienced boatmen had been provided, and a skilful officer, lieutenant Sim, *Wilkinson's Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 571. + App. No. 11.

sent in a boat a-head; but the latter played his countrymen a trick, and ran away; exposing them to a tremendous north-east storm, which continued unabated for 28 hours, and deluged the whole camp.*

All this drenching contributed nothing to allay the ardor of American soldiers. Invade Canada they would; and general Van Rensselaer resolved to carry the British works at Queenstown, before day, on the morning of the 12th. Thirteen boats were provided, and the embarka tion was to take place in the following order: -Colonel S. Van Rensselaer, the commanding officer, with 300 militia, and lieutenant-colonel Christie, with 300 regulars; lieutenant-colonel Fenwick and major Mullany, to follow, with about 550 regular troops, and some pieces of flying artillery; and then the militia. It was intended that the embarkation of the regulars and militia should be simultaneous, as far as the boats would suffice to receive them; but, having to descend the bank by a narrow path which had been cut out of it, the regular troops got possession of the boats to the exclusion of the militia; and the latter were ordered to follow in the return-boats. † » me ob'e

A

The only British batteries from which the troops could be annoyed in the passage, were one, mounting an 18-pounder, upon Queenstown* App. No. 11. + Wilkinson's Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 578.

heights (G), and another, mounting a 24-pound carronade, situate a little below the town (L): The river at Queenstown is scarcely a quarter of a mile in width, and the point chosen for crossing (0) was not fully exposed to either of the British batteries; while the American batteries of two 18 and two 6-pounders (H), and the two 6-pounder field-pieces brought up by Heutenant-colonel Scott, completely commanded every part of the opposite shore, from which musketry could be effectual in opposing a landing. With these important advantages the troops embarked; but, a grape-shot striking the boat in which lieutenant-colonel Christie was, and wounding him in the hand, the pilot and boatmen became so alarmed, that they suffered the boat to fall below the point of landing, and were obliged, in consequence, to put back. Two other boats did the same. The remaining ten, with 225 regulars,* besides officers, including the commander of the expedition, colonel Van Rensselaer, struck the shore; and, after disembarking the men, returned for more troops.

The only force at Queenstown consisted of the two flank companies of the 49th regiment, and a small detachment of militia; amounting, in all, to about 300 rank and file. Of these about 60, taken from the 49th grenadiers and captain Hatt's company of militia, having in charge

* Wilkinson's Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 573.'

a 3-pounder, advanced, at four o'clock in the morning, with captain Dennis of the 49th at their head, towards the river; near to which colonel Van Rensselaer had formed his men, to await the arrival of the next boats. A well-directed and warmly continued fire killed and wounded several American officers and privates, including, among the wounded, colonel Van Rensselaer and three captains; and drove the Americans behind a steep bank, close to the water's edge. In the meantime, a fresh supply of troops had effected a landing ; and remained, with the others, sheltered behind the bank; whence they returned the fire of the British, killing one man, and wounded four. The remaining subdivisions of the 49th grenadiers and of the militiacompany had now joined captain Dennis; and the 49th light infantry, under captain Williams, with captain Chisholm's company of militia, stationed on the brow of the hill, were firing down upon the invaders.

Of five or six boats that attempted to land a body of American regulars under major Mullany, one was destroyed by a shot from the hill-battery, commanded by lieutenant Crowther of the 41st regiment; two others were captured; and the remainder, foiled in their object, returned to the American side. Day-light appeared; and, at the same instant, general Brock arrived at the hill-battery from Fort-George. Observing the

strong reinforcements that were crossing over, the general instantly ordered captain Williams to descend the hill, and support captain Dennis. No sooner were captain Williams and his men seen to depart, than the Americans formed the resolution of gaining the heights. Accordingly, 60 American regulars,* headed by captain Wool, and accompanied by major Lush, a volunteer, also by a captain, six lieutenants, and an ensign of the 13th regiment, ascended a fisherman's path up the rocks, which had been reported to general Brock as impassable, and therefore was not guarded. The Americans were thus enabled, unseen by our troops, to arrive at a brow, about 30 yards in the rear of the hill-battery. Reinforcements kept rapidly arriving by the concealed path; and the whole formed on the brow, with their front towards the village of Queenstown.

The moment general Brock discovered the unexpected advance of the American troops, he, with the 12 men stationed at the battery, retired; and captain Wool, advancing from the rear with his more than ten-fold force, "took it without much resistance."t Captain Williams, and his detachment of regulars and militia, were now recalled; and general Brock, putting himself at the head of this force, amounting, in all, to about 90 men, advanced to meet a detachment of 150 + App. No. 12.

Sketches of the War. p. 72.