tance from this place, and immediately dispatched an Express to the officers, directing them to use all possible dispatch in getting their men to this place, as I had important service to perform. On their arrival, which was about 12 o'clock I discovered that they had only 20 pistols and neither cutlasses nor battle axes. But on application to Generals Smith and Hall of the regulars and militia, I was supplied with a few arms, and en. Smith was so good on my request as immediately to detatch fifty men from the regulars, armed with muskets.

By 4 o'clock in the afternoon, I had my men selected and stationed in two boats, which I had previously prepared for the purpose. With these boats, 50 men in each, and under circumstances very disadvantageous, my men having scarcely had time to refresh themselves after a fatiguing march of 500 miles, I put off from the mouth of Buffalo creek, at 1 o'clock the following morning, and at 3 I was along side the vessels. In the space of about ten minutes I had the prisoners all secured, the topsails sheeted home, and the vessels under way. Unfortunately the wind was not sufficiently strong to get me up against a rapid current into the Lake, where I had understood another armed vessel lay at anchor, and I was obliged to run down the river by the Forts, under a heavy fire of round, grape, and canister, from a number of pieces of heavy ordnance, and several pieces of flying artillery and compelled to anchor at a distance of about 400 yards from two of their batteries. After the discharge of the first gun, which was from the flying artillery, I hailed the shore, and observed to the officer, that if another gun was fired I would bring the prisoners on deck, and expose them to the same fate we would all share-but notwithstanding, they disregarded the caution and continued a constant and destructive fire. One single moment's reflection determined me not to commit an act that would subject me to the imputation of barbarity. The Caledonia had been beached, in as safe a position as the circumstances would admit of, under one of our batteries at the Black Rock. I now brought all the guns of the Detroit on one side next the enemy, stationed the men at them, and directed a fire which was continued as long as our ammunition lasted and circumstances permitted. During the contest I endeavored to get the Detroit on our side by sending a

line, there being no wind, on shore, with all the line I could muster; but the current being so strong, the boat could not reach the shore. I then hailed our shore, and requested that warps should be made fast on land, and sent on board, the attempt to all which again proved useless. As the fire was such as would, in all probability, sink the vessel in a short time, I determined to drift down the river out of the reach of the batteries, and make a stand against the flying artillery. I accordingly cut the cable, made sail with very light airs, and at that instant discovered that the pilot had abandoned me. I dropped astern for about 10 minutes, when I was brought up on our shore on Squaw Island-got the boarding boat ready, had the prisoners put in and sent on shore, with directions for the officer to return for me and what property we could get from the brig. He did not return, owing to the difficulty in the boat's getting on shore. Discovering a skiff under the counter, I put the four remaining prisoners in the boat, and with my officers I went on shore to bring the boat off. I asked for protection to the brig of Lient. Col. Scott who readily gave it. At this moment I discovered a boat with about 40 soldiers from the British side, making for the brig. They got on board, but were soon compelled to abandon her, with the loss of nearly all their men. Major Ormsbee, commandant of Fort Erie, and 30 privates were killed, while on board. During the whole of this morning both sides of the river kept up alternately a continual fire on the brig, and so much injured her that it was impossible to have Aoated her. Before I left her, she had several shot of large size in her bends, her sails in ribbons, and rigging all cut to pieces.

To my officers and men I feel under great obligation. To Capt. Towson and Lieut. Roach of the 2d regiment, of artillery, Ensign Prestman of the infantry, Capt. Chapin, Mr. John M'Comb, Messrs. John Town, Thomas Dain, Peter Overstocks, and James Sloan, resident gentlemen of Buffalo, for their soldier and sailor like conduct. In a word, sir, every man fought as if with their hearts animated only by the interest and honor of their country.

The prisoners I have turned over to the military. The Detroit mounted fourteen long guns, and two small guns, blunderbusses, pistols, muskets, cutlasses, and boarding pikes.

The Caledonia belongs to the N. W. Company, loaded with furs worth I understood $200,000.

I have the honor to be, &c.

JESSE D. ELLIOT.

AMERICAN LOSS.

Killed 2-wounded 6.

BRITISH LOSS.

Killed 31-Prisoners 111.

Extract of a letter from Capt. Heald,

Dated Pittsburg, Oct. 23, 1812. On the 9th of August last, I received orders from Gen. Hull to evacuate the post and proceed with my command to Detroit by land, leaving it at my discretion to dispose of the public property as I thought proper. The neighboring Indians got the information as early as I did, and came in from all quarters in order to receive the goods in the factory store which they understood were to be given them. On the 13th, Capt. Wells, of fort Wayne, arrived with about 30 Miamies, for the purpose of escorting us in, by the request of General Hull. On the 14th I delivered the Indians all the goods in the factory store, and a considerable quantity of provisions which we could not take away with us. The surplus, and ammunition I thought proper to destroy, fearing they would make bad use of it if put in their possession. I also destroyed all the liquor on hand soon after they began to collect. The collection was unusually large for that place, but they conducted with the strictest propriety till after I left the fort. On the 15th, at 9 in the morning, we commenced our march; a part of the Miamies were detached in front and the remainder in our rear, as guards, under the direction of Capt. Wells. The situation of the country rendered it necessary for us to take the beach, with the lake on our left, and a high sand bank on our right, at about 100 yards distance. We had proceeded about a mile and a half, when it was discovered that the Indians were preparing to attack us from behind the bank. I immediately marched up with the company to the top of the bank, when the action commenced; after firing one round, we charged, and the Indians gave way in front and joined those on our flanks. In about 15 minutes they got possession of all our horses, provisions, and

baggage of every description, and finding the Miamies did not assist us, I drew off the men I had left and took possession of a small elevation in the open prairie out of shot of the bank or any other cover. The Indians did not follow me, but assembled in a body on the top of the bank, and, after some consultation among themselves, made signs for me to approach them. I advanced towards them alone and was met by one of the Potawattamie chiefs called the Black Bird, with an interpreter. After shaking hands, he requested me to surrender, promising to spare the lives of all the prisoners. On a few moments consideration, I concluded it would be most prudent to comply with his request, although I did not put entire confidence in his promise. After delivering up our arms, we were taken back to their encampment near the fort, and distributed among the different tribes. The next morning they set fire to the fort and left the place, taking the prisoners with them. Their number of warriors was between four and five hundred, mostly of the Potawattamie nation, and their loss, from the best information I could get, was about 15. Our strength was 54 regulars and 12 militia, out of which 26 regulars, and all the militia were killed in the action, with two women and twelve children. Ensign George Ronan, and Dr. Isaac V. Van Voorhis of my company, with Capt. Wells of fort Wayne, are to my great sorrow, numbered among the dead. Lieut. Lina T. Helm, with 25 non-commisioned officers and privates, and 11 women and children, were prisoners when we were separated. Mrs. Heald and myself were taken to the mouth of the river St. Joseph, and, being both badly wounded, were permitted to reside with Mr. Burnet, an Indian trader. In a few days after our arrival there, the Indians all went off to take fort Wayne, and in their absence I engaged a Frenchman to take us to Michilimackinac by water, where I gave myself up as a prisoner of war, with one of my sergeants. The commanding officer, Capt. Roberts, offered me every assistance in his power to render our situation comfortable while we remained there, and to enable us to proceed ou our journey. To him I gave my parole of honor and came on to Detroit and reported myself to Col. Proctor, who gave us a passage to Buffaloe; from that place I came by the way of Presque Isle and arrived here yesterday.

Letter from Mr. S. T. Anderson enclosing one from Com. Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy.

Sackett's Harbor, Nov. 13, 1812.—at night.

SIR-Since the enclosed letter from the Commodore was written, the Growler has returned with a prize, and in her Captain Brock, brother to the late General of that name, with the baggage of the latter. By the prize we learned that the Earl Moira was off the False Ducks, aud the Commodore has put off in a snow storm in the hope of cutting her off from Kingston.

From information received from Capt. Brock, there is no question but that Kingston is very strongly defended. He expressed surprise to find our vessels had got out of the harbor after having been it; and says that the regiment to which he belongs is quartered there, 500 strong, besides other regulars, and a well appointed militia. The resistance made fully justifies this report. Be assured, sir, that in the action of which the Commodore has given you an account, the national honor has been most ably supported. In great haste, &c.

SAMUEL T. ANDERSON. Com. Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy.

Sackett's Harbor, Nov. 13, 1812.

SIR-I arrived here last evening in a gale of wind, the pilots having refused to keep the lake. On the 8th I fell in with the Royal George, and chased her into the bay of Quanti, where I lost sight of her in the night. On the morning of the 9th, we again got sight of her lying in Kingston channel. We gave chase, and followed her into the harbor of Kingston, where we engaged her and the batteries for one hour and 45 minutes. I had made up my mind to board her, but she was so well protected by the batteries, and the wind blowing directly in, it was deemed imprudent to make the attempt at that time; the pilots also refused to take charge of the vessel. Under these circumstances, and it being after sun down, I determined to haul off and renew the attack next morning. We beat up in good order under a heavy fire from the Royal George and batteries, to 4 mile point, where we anchored. It blew heavy in squalls from the westward during the night, and there was every appearance of a gale of wind. The pilots became alarmed, and I thought it most prudent to