troops at Fort-George in the succeeding July, we find the number stated at 6635;* and this does not include "M'Clure's Baltimore and Albany volunteers," mentioned as forming part of general Dearborn's force on the present occasion. We cannot, therefore, overrate the American force, now advancing to the attack of Fort-George, by fixing it at 6000 men.

Intelligence of the enemy's intention to attack Fort-George had been previously communicated by deserters; and, at day-light on the morning of the 27th, the American fleet, accompanied by boat-loads of troops, was seen advancing, with a light air from the eastward, towards the light-house on Mississaga-point. ‡ The batteries at Fort-Niagara now commenced a heavy cannonade upon Fort-George and Newark; but ceased firing, soon afterwards, on account of a very heavy fog that intercepted the view. In the mean time, two schooners, by the use of their sweeps, had reached their stations at the mouth of the river, in order to silence the 24pounder, and a 9-pounder, also planted en barbette, close to Newark. Another schooner stationed herself to the northward of the light-house, and so close to the shore as to enfilade the firstnamed battery, and cross the fire of the two other schooners; and the remaining five schooners

* Wilkinson's Mem. Vol. III. his App. No. 5.

+ Sketches of the War, p. 131.

‡ See Plate I.

anchored near to the latter, that they might cover the landing of the troops, and scour the adjacent plane and woods. The ship Madison, brig Oneida, and schooner Lady of the Lake, also placed themselves, so as to give the best effect to their cannon. These eleven American vessels fought 51 guns in broadside; including nine long 32 and 18-pounders.

When the fog dispersed, which was not till nearly eight o'clock, the American boats, in three lines, were discovered approaching towards the One-mile creek; close to which was the 9-pounder battery. The British advance, stationed in a ravine and copse-wood near this point, consisted of the Glengarry and Newfoundland detachments, numbering about 200 rank and file, under captain Winter of the latter regiment, and 40 Indians, led by their chief Norton. While the American schooners, with their heavy guns, were engaging the 9 and 24-pounder batteries, the British advance fired upon the boats, and compelled the troops in them to lie down for their better security. The fire from the American shipping now committed dreadful havoc among the British, and rendered their efforts to oppose the landing of the enemy's advanced corps of infantry and artillery, under lieutenant-colonel Scott, quite ineffectual. The Glengarry and Newfoundland detachments were, in consequence, obliged to fall back upon the

left column, stationed in another ravine, about a quarter of a mile in their rear. It is but fair to mention, that the 9-pounder battery, although worked by militia-men, assisted by one gunner of the royal artillery, was most ably served, during the whole period of the enemy's first attempt to land; nor was the gun abandoned, till nearly all the men stationed at it had been killed or wounded. On the other hand, the 24-pounder, manned also by militia-artillery, and which ought to have sunk one or two of the enemy's schooners, was spiked and totally abandoned, almost at the commencement of the attack.

Let us see how the American editors describe the onset. Mr. Thomson, who is the most diffuse, says: When the advance, which consisted of 500 men, was approaching the point of landing, successive volleys of musketry were poured upon it by 1200 regulars, stationed in a ravine. A brisk exchange of shot was kept up for 15 minutes; the advance, nevertheless, continued to approach the enemy without faltering. Such, indeed, was the eagerness of the troops, that officers and men jumped into the lake and waded to the shore. Captain Hindman of the 2d artillery, was the first man upon the enemy's territory.' Were this our novitiate in American history, we might suppose the "1" in "1200" to have been a typographical surplus* Sketches of the War, p. 132.

ན.

age; but, being skilled in such matters, we freely exonerate the American printer.

The remainder of brigadier-general Vincent's force at Fort-George had been divided into two columns; the left, consisting of 320 of the 8th regiment, and 150 militia, and protected by two or three light field-pieces, with a suitable detachment of royal artillery, assisted by a few additional gunners of the 41st, was commanded by colonel Myers, deputy-quarter-master-general. This column had been posted in a ravine not far from the point of landing. The right column, consisting of about 450 of the 49th regiment, and 150 militia, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Harvey, deputy-adjutantgeneral, was drawn up between Newark and Fort-George; excepting about 50 of the 49th, and SO of the militia, who were stationed within the fort itself.

The column under colonel Myers immediately advanced, in support of the Glengarry and Newfoundland detachments; which augmented his force to about 600 men, including Norton and his Indians. About five minutes after the American advance had effected a landing, the boats containing general Boyd's brigade struck the shore. The American troops, now on the beach, amounted to "only 1800 men, "* accompanied by several pieces of artillery. As fast as these men attempted to ascend the bank, they were * Hist of the War, p. 86.

driven back at the point of the bayonet; till the American ships, with their heavy discharges of round and grape, had too well succeeded in thinning the British ranks. One American editor describes, in a very handsome style, the landing of general Boyd's brigade." Thrice," says he, "with the most persevering courage, was the attempt made, and thrice were they repelled by an enemy more than five times their number."* General Dearborn in his letter tells us, that the brigades of general Winder and Chandler followed the first brigade" in quick succession." The arrival of this reinforcement enabled the Americans, assisted by the contiued fire from their shipping, to drive the British left column; now considerably reduced in numbers. 'The loss sustained by the detachment of the 8th, under the gallant lieutenant-colonel Ogilvie, amounted to six officers and 198 privates, killed or wounded; nearly two-thirds of its original number; and of the 150 militia engaged, there were five officers, and 80 privates, killed or wounded: a sufficient proof that they had emulated the brave 8th. Every mounted officer in the field but one was wounded; and that one had his horse shot under him. Colonel Myers had fallen from several severe wounds. His place was taken by lieutenant-colonel Harvey, who had left his column under the charge of lieutenant-colonel Plenderleath, with directions

Hist. of the War, p. 86. † App. No. 22.