inhabitants the United States' troops were still marching, with augmented numbers and renovated hopes. General Harrison's victory had placed the western district of Upper Canada, at the mercy of every petty detachment which majorgeneral Cass might send from the garrison of Detroit. Early in December the proceedings of a foraging party of 44 of general Cass's regulars, under lieutenant Larwell, reached the ears of Mr. Henry Medcalf, a young man residing near Long Point. Although the depredators were traversing the banks of the river Thames, full 120 miles off, and the Canadian militia at this time disembodied,* lieutenant Medcalf assembled three serjeants and seven rank and file of his own, the Norfolk militia; and, on the 16th of the month, commenced his march, hoping to gain an accession of volunteers on his route. At Fort-Talbot, distant 65 miles, he was joined by one lieutenant, one ensign, one serjeant, and seven rank and file of the Middlesex militia; also, by a serjeant and six rank and file of captain Coleman's provincial dragoons. Thus reinforced, lieutenant Medcalf advanced to Chatham, about 50 miles further; where he was joined by a lieutenant and eight rank and file of the Kent militia; making his total number, including officers, 37. While at Chatham, the commanding officer of this little expedition * See p. 5.

ascertained, that the objects of his search were at a house belonging to one Macrae, situate on the river-side. Owing to the length and rapidity of the march, eight of the men were quite worn out with fatigue. Leaving these, therefore, as a guard over the dragoon horses, lieutenant Medcalf hastened to Macrae's, with the remaining 28 of his party.

On arriving near the house, the door was found closed, and the 45 American regulars had posted themselves inside; as if intending to make a desperate resistance. Serjeant James M'Queen, of the 2d Norfolk militia, took a very ready method of gaining admittance: he burst open the door with the but-end of his musket. The 29 Canadian militia-men immediately entered; and, after a short scuffle, in which two of the Americans were killed, and three made their escape, took as prisoners lieutenants Larwell, Fisk, and Davies, two serjeants, two corporals and 33 rank and file, of the United States' regular army, total 40; with their arms in their hands. As soon as this affair was made known at the headquarters of the right division, lieutenant-general Drummond promoted lieutenant Medcalf; and otherwise testified his approbation of the judgment and gallantry which that officer had so successfully displayed. One of the privates, Reuben Alwood, present at the attack, was still in a weak state of health, owing to a

severe wound he had received in resisting the attack upon the Red House, in November, 1812.* A sailor's boarding-pike was then thrust into his left eye, and actually passed out at the back of his ear! If 50 American regulars, headed by a captain, succeed in capturing seven or eight Canadian militia, headed by a corporal, the event finds a place in the pages of an American "history." Yet we have searched in vain for any American account of the capture of lieutenant Larwell, and 39 American regulars, by lieutenant Medcalf and 28 Canadian militia.

The re-possession of the Niagara frontier had enabled lieutenant-general Drummond, early in February, to detach a small force of regulars, to check the further inroads of the Americans, along the Detroit and Lake-Erie shores. A part of this force, consisting of the two flank companies of the Royal Scots, the light company of the 89th, and a detachment of rangers and Kent militia, under captain Caldwell, in all 196 rank and file,† was stationed at Delaware-town, an Indian village on the banks of the Thames, about 34 miles above the Moravian village. Late on the night of the 3d of March information arrived, that an American foraging party was at Longwood, about 15 miles along the Moravian-town road. Accordingly at daylight the next morning, captain Basden, of the 89th, *See Vol. I. p. 111. + App. No. 16.

moved forward, with the three flank companies and the militia; also about 50 Indians, under colonel Elliot, of the Indian department.

The American party consisted of a detachment of rangers and mounted infantry, of the 24th, and 28th regiments, amounting to 160 rank and file, under captain A. H. Holmes, of the 24th ;* which detachment had been sent from Detroit, since the 21st of February, by lieutenant-colonel Butler, who, in the absence of major-general Cass, was now the commanding officer. Captain Holmes, having gained intelligence of the approach of the British, fell back five miles, to the Twenty-mile Creek ; where there was a wide and deep ravine, bounded on each side by a lofty height. On the western height captain Holmes established an encampment, in the form of a hollow square; covering it on three sides with a redoubt, or breastwork, of felled trees. Here, confiding in the strength of his position, the American commander awaited the attack of the British.

On the morning of the 4th of March, captain Basden, with his detachment, appeared on the height facing that on which the enemy was posted. The snow was, at this time, about 15 inches deep, with a strong crust on the top; thus rendering the approach to the enemy's entrenchment still more difficult. Those pre

* App. No. 16.

sent, who were well acquainted with the country, offered to lead the troops, by a circuitous route, to the rear of the enemy; but captain Basden preferred a direct attack, not only as more consonant to his own gallant spirit, but, in order to shew a good example to the militia, and make, as he thought, a lasting impression upon the American troops. Captain Basden, having directed the militia to make a flank movement to the right, and the Indians to do the same to the left, dashed, with his regulars, down one height, across the ravine, and up the other height, to within about three yards of the logentrenchment. Here they were received by a quick succession of heavy and destructive volleys from the sheltered Americans; and, after several vain but gallant efforts to carry the work, were compelled to retire, with the loss of one captain, one lieutenant, and 12 rank and file, killed; and one captain, (captain Basden,) one lieutenant, five serjeants, and 42 rank and file, wounded ; also, one volunteer wounded and taken prisoner, and one bugleman missing; total, 65. The loss of the Americans, as a proof how completely they were sheltered, amounted to no more than four killed, and four wounded. The British, however, were allowed to retire without any pursuit; and captain Holmes soon afterwards abandoned his position. Colonel Butler, in his letter, does credit to the gallantry of the British;