CHAPTER XVII.

Assemblage of troops in Lower Canada-Contemplated attack upon Sackett's Harbor-Arrival there of general Izard-British camp at Chambly

March of the left division towards Plattsburg -Origin of the expedition-Arrival of the left division near the lines, and correspondent retreat of major-general Macomb-Slow advance of the left division-Behaviour of the American militia -Description of Plattsburg-Required co-operation of the Champlain fleet Comparative force of the two squadrons-Important particulars from the letters of " VERITAS"-Remarks on the American official account-Prisoners and deserters-Loss on both sides-American accounts-Painted representation of the action-Subsequent death of sir George PrevostRemarks upon plans of conquest matured at a distance-Re-encampment of the left division of the British army in Lower Canada-Proceedings of the right division-Improved state of the de fences, and augmented force of the garrison, at Fort-Erie-Effect of sickness and loss on the British-Preparations for a sortie State of the British Works--Distance between them and the

British encampment-Advance of the American sallying party-State of the weather-Surprise of the British piquets—Skirmish with the guard, and capture of part of the batteries-Advance of the American reserve-Arrival of the supportbrigade from the British camp-Repulse of the American troops, and recovery of the captured batteries-Mutual loss-American accountsContinued exposure and sickness of the right division-Its removal to a healthier contiguous spot, and subsequent retreat to ChippewayGeneral Izard's departure from Sackett's Harbor His cautious proceeding, and junction with general Brown-Amount of the united American forces-Further retreat of general Drummond-Skirmish at Lyon's creek-British command of Lake Ontario-A small reinforcement to the right division-Retreat of the American army to Fort-Erie-A second reinforcement to the British-Abandonment and destruction of Fort-Erie, and departure of generals Izard and Brown from Upper Canada

Distribution of both armies, on the Niagara, into winter quarters-State of alarm at Sackett's Harbor Two successive predatory incursions into the western parts of Upper Canada.

LEAVING Mr. Madison to profit by the "advantage" he has gained upon Lake Huron, we hasten to Lower Canada; where a force of

British regulars was now assembled, sufficient, for the first time during the war, to give serious alarm to the American government. During the months of June and July, the Quebec papers were continually announcing the arrival of transports with troops, and those troops, too, such as, under Wellington, had hitherto carried all before them. When the people of the Canadas began to reflect, how sparingly they had been supplied with troops, in the first two years of the war, a very familiar proverb could not fail to press upon their thoughts. When, again, they saw nothing but petty reinforcements sent to general Drummond on the Niagara, and that the important post of Sackett's Harbor was still a flourishing depôt in the hands of the enemy, what rational man among them could come to any other conclusion, than that the commander-in-chief was determined to wipe away the disgrace he had incurred in the May of the preceding year?* Sir George, did certainly say something, in his intercepted letters to lieutenant-general Drummond, about ordering a brigade of troops, under major-general Kempt, to Kingston, for the purpose of attacking Sackett's Harbor; although, at the same time, he must have known, that our fleet was not in a situation to appear on the lake; nor likely to be so, till the new 100-gun-ship was launched. So satisfied

*See Vol. I. p. 172,

were the Americans, that Sackett's Harbor would be the first point of attack, even if sir George had to cross the St. Lawrence, and march overland, that general Izard, on the 1st of September, broke up his encampment at Plattsburg, and marched there with between 3 and 4000 regulars.

If any any thing could raise British courage beyond its accustomed height, it was, surely, the emulation which existed between the troops that had recently arrived from the Peninsula, and those that had been originally allotted for the defence of the Canadas: the one, highly jealous of the reputation they had already gained; the other, equally so, of their local experience, and of the dressing they had several times given to superior numbers of the very same enemy, against whom the two united bodies were now about to act. Under these circumstances, will any one, except an American, say, that 11000 of such troops would not have beaten, upon any ground where evolutions could be practised, 17000 of the best troops which the United States could have brought into the field? A British army, then, of 11000 men, with a proportionate and most excellent train of artillery, commanded in chief by sir George Prevost, and, under him, by officers of the first distinction in the service, left their camp at Chambly, with a view," says the American official account, "of con

+

quering the country, as far as Crown Point and Ticonderoga."* We are here bound to acquit sir George Prevost of being the framer of this expedition. It originated in England.†

The approach of sir George's army, by Odell-town, to the line of demarcation, was the signal for major-general Macomb, with the few regulars of general Izard's army left under his command, to retire from the neighbourhood of the lines, to Plattsburg. His abandoned camp was entered by sir George Prevost on the 3d of September. From this position the left division, of about 7000 men, composed of all but the reserve and heavy artillery, moved forward on the 4th, and halted on the 5th, within eight miles of Plattsburg; having advanced 25 miles within the enemy's territory in the course of four days. On the morning of the 6th, the left division proceeded on its march, major-general Power's, or the right column advancing by the Beckmantown road; and major-general Brisbane's column,-except one wing of De Meuron's regiment, left to keep up the communication with the main body,-taking the road that runs pa rallel to Lake Champlain. At a bridge crossing a creek that intersects this road, the American general had stationed a small force, with two field-pieces, to abattis and obstruct the way. In the meanwhile the right column, meeting with App. No. 45. + App. No. 42.