enemy's cannon, spike them, cut down the carriages, and return to their boats." Observing that the British force at their large batteries, was inconsiderable, but that their main force was at the old garrison, about 1 miles below, on the same side of the river; that the Indian forces were chiefly on the right bank of the river: "The balance of the men under your command, must land on the right bank, opposite to the first landing, and will fight their way through the Indians to the fort:" observing that the route thus to be taken, would be shown by a subaltern officer there, in company with captain Hamilton, who would land the perogue at the point on the right bank, at which the boats would land. The order of descending the river in boats, was the same as the order of march in the line of battle, in solid column, each officer taking position according to his rank. Colonel Dudley, the eldest colonel, led the van, and in this order the river had been descended. As soon as captain Hamilton had delivered these orders, being in the thirteenth boat from the front, I directed him to proceed immediately to colonel Dudley, and order him to take the men in the twelve front boats, and execute general Harrison's orders on the left bank of the river; and to post his (captain Hamilton's) subaltern on the right bank to conduct myself with the men in the six boats to the fort. I ordered the five boats in the rear to fall in a line, and follow me. High winds and the rapidity of the current, drove four of the rear boats ashore, in the attempt to follow on according to order, where they remained a short time, sufficient, however, to detain them half, or three quarters of a mile to the rear. To land according to order, I kept close along the right bank, until opposite colonel Dudley's landing. There I found no guide left to conduct me to the fort, as captain Hamilton had promised. I then made an attempt to cross the river and join colonel Dudley, but from the rapid current on the falls, I was unable to land on the point with him. Being nearly half way across the river, and the waves running too high to risk the boats; then driving down the current sidewise-veered about the boat and rowed the best way we could to save our boat. My attempt to cross the river to colonel Dudley, occasioned all the boats, (I presume in the rear of me) and which were then out of hailing distance, to cross over and land with colonel Dudley. Having been defeated in landing on the left, we then endeavoured to effect one on the right, even without a guide: but before a landing could be effected, we received a brisk fire from the enemy on shore, which was returned and kept up on both sides. And I was in this unavoidable situation, compelled to make fort Meigs, with no other force than about 50 men on board, (the other boats being still in the rear) and to receive the enemy's fire, until we arrived under the protection of the fort. Colonel Boswell's command (except the men in my boat) having landed to join colonel Dudley, were, as I have been informed, ordered by captain Hamilton immediately to embark and land on the right hand shore, about a mile above the fort, and prepare to fight his way through to the garrison. The colonel embarked, landed, as he conceived, at the proper point, pursuant to captain Hamilton's order, and was forming his men in order of battle, when he was met by captain Shaw, and ordered to march into the garrison at open order, the safest route. When my own boat landed, we were met by two men who took charge of the boat, as we understood, to bring her under the protection of the fort batteries. Believing our baggage to be thus made safe, we forbid our servants to carry any portion of it, but loaded them with cannon ball, which they bore to the fort. Our baggage was, however, taken by the Indians in a very short time after we left the boat. Upon receiving the orders of captain Hamilton, I asked if he had brought spikes to spike the enemy's cannon, to which he replied he had plenty. I am, sir, respectfully, &c. His excellency major general Harrison. P. S. Captain Hamilton, on delivering the orders of general Harrison, observed, that the object of landing and marching a portion of the troops on the right bank, was to draw the attention of the Indians, and by thus engaging them, afford an opportunity to the garrison to make a sally, and by a circuitous route, surprise and carry the batteries and cannon of the enemy below the fort on the right bank. BRIGADE ORDERS. BRIGADE HEAD QUARTERS, Camp, Four Mile Creek, May 26th, 1813. Conformity to the general order of the 25th and 26th instant, the first brigade will embark at 3 o'clock to-morrow morning. The several regiments will hold themselves in readiness accordingly. The boats of the brigade will form in three lines succeeding colonel Scott's advance party. The 15th regiment, formed in column of battalion, the right in front, will precede. The 6th and 16th will successively follow in the same order. Colonel McClure's volunteers will flank the right of the brigade, and move accordingly. Four pieces of the light artillery will move in the rear of the 18th regiment, and four in the rear of the 16th regiment; the first four to form on the right of the brigade, the other to form on the left of the brigade. The troops will land in column, and form immediately in order of battle. Colonel Miller, of the 6th, on the right, major King, of the 15th, in the sentre, and colonel Pearce, of the 16th, on the left. Colonel McClure's volunteers on the right flank of the brigade. The commanding officers of regiments will carry the regimental standard. in the boat in which they embark, and each boat its regimental camp colour. To guard the stores and camp equipage of each regiment, one commissioned officer, one non-commissioned officer, and a sufficient number of non-effectives, will be left. The commanding officers of regiments will be responsible that. the boats which have been assigned to them, are in perfect readiness to receive the troops by the time designated for embarkation. The troops which compose the 1st brigade, have already once triumphed over the foe they have again to encounter. Their country expects much from them, and will not be disappointed. With their present numbers and accustomed bravery, the flag of the United States will once more wave over the territory of Canada. JOHN P. BOYD, Brig. Gen. Comd'g 1st Brigade: SIR, HEAD QUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, The light troops under the command of colonel Scott and major Forsyth, landed this morning at 9 o'clock. Major general Lewis's division, with colonel Porter's command of light artillery, supported them. General Boyd's brigade landed immediately after the light troops, and generals Winder and Chandler followed in quick succession. The landing was warmly and obsti. nately disputed by the British forces; but the coolness and intrepidity of our troops, soon compelled them to give ground in every direction. General Chandler with the reserve (composed of his brigade and colonel Macomb's artillery) covered the whole. Commodore Chauncey had made the most judicious arrangements for silencing the enemy's batteries near the point of landing. The army is under the greatest obligation to that able naval commander, for his indefatigable exertions, in co-operating in all its important movements, and especially in its operations this day. Our batteries succeeded in rendering fort George.untenable; and when the enemy had been beaten from his position, and found it necessary to re-enter it, after firing a few guns, and setting fire to the magazines, which soon exploded, moved off rapidly in different routes. Our light troops pursued them several miles. The troops having been under arms from 1 o'clock in the morning, were too much exhausted for any further pursuit. We are now in possession of fort George and its immediate dependencies; to morrow we shall proceed further. The behaviour of our troops, both officers and men, entitle them to the highest praise; and the difference of our loss with that of the enemy, when we consider the advantages his positions afforded him, is astonishing. We had seventeen killed and forty-five wounded. The enemy had ninety killed and one hundred and sixty wounded of the regular troops. We have taken one hundred prisoners exclusive of the wounded. Major Meyers of the 49th was wounded and taken prisoner. Of ours only one commissioned officer was killed, Lieutenant Hobart, of the light artillery. Inclosed is the report of major general Lewis. Hon. John Armstrong. I have the honour to be, &c. ON THE FIELD, 1 o'clock, May 27th, 1813. DEAR SIR, Fort George and its dependencies are ours. The enemy. beaten at all points, has blown up his magazines and retired. It is impossible at this moment to say any thing of individual gallantry. There was no man who did not perform his duty in a manner which did honour to himself and his country. Scott and Forsyth's commands, supported by Boyd's and Winder's brigades, sustained the brunt of the action. Our loss is trifling, perhaps not more than twenty killed and thrice that number wounded. The enemy left in the hospital one hundred and twenty-four, and I sent several on board the fleet. We have also made about one hundred prisoners of the regular forces. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Major general Dearborn. BRIGADE ORDER. NEWARK, May 28th, 1813. The general commanding 1st brigade feels a peculiar satisfaction in congratulating the troops on their glorious achievements of yesterday. Their conduct was such as to entitle them to the thanks of their commander, and the gratitude of their country. Colonel Miller of the 6th regiment deserves great applause for the steadiness and rapidity with which he supported the advance party under the gallant Scott; the 15th, under major King, impatient to share in the honour of the day, immediately seconded and formed under a most galling fire; the 16th, under colonel Pearce, urged their boats to the shore, and bore an honourable participation in the contest. The light artillery, under colonel Porter, merits the highest encomiums, for their indefati *Note. Winder's brigade was not in this action. Boyd's brigade and Scott and Forsyth's commands, abled to land.-EDIT. The battle was won by before Winder was en gable exertions and persevering success in bringing up their ordnance. They surmounted every obstacle. Much was expected from colonel M'Clure's volunteers, and the general has not been disappointed it will be his duty as well as inclination to make their claims known to the commander in chief. As all the troops behaved so well, it would be a difficult task to discriminate those who were pre-eminent; but the general cannot suppress his admiration of the fortitude of major King, who continued to lead his regiment through the severity of the contest, long after having received a painful and debilitating wound. The exertions of the officers and men who ascended the bank and formed amidst such a destructive fire, excited his admiration, and astonished their enemy's, and will convince their countrymen as well as foes, that valour will overcome every resistance. The general will find great satisfaction in obeying the order of the commander in chief, which required him to make a report of conspicuous merit, whether found in the commissioned officer or in the ranks, and they may be assured that their distinguished actions shall not pass without the proper encomium. Although the general has not particularized discriminate merit, he may perhaps be excused in recording the intrepid conduct of his aid-de-camp, lieutenant Whiting, and brigade major captain Grafton. They have justified his expectations, and are entitled to his applause. If there is any honour due to your brigadier general, it is his having had the command of such a gallant band of heroes. By order of brigadier general Boyd. A. WHITING, Aid. DEAR SIR, SACKETT'S HARBOR, May 29th, 1813. We were attacked at the dawn of this day by a British regular force of, say at least, 900 men, most probably 1200. They made good their landing at Horse Island. The enemy's fleet consisted of two ships and four schooners and thirty large open boats. We are completely victorious. The enemy left a considerable number of killed and wounded on the field, among the number several officers of distinction. After having re-embarked they sent me a flag desiring to have their killed and wounded attended to. made them satisfied upon that subject. Americans will be distinguished for humanity and bravery. Our loss is not numerous, but serious from the great worth of those who have fallen. Lieutenant colonel Mills was shot dead at the commencement of the action, and lieutenant colonel Bacchus, of the 1st regiment of light dragoons, nobly fell at the head of his regiment as victory was declaring for us. I will not presume to praise this regiment; their gallant conduct on this day merite much more than praise. |