Destruction of part of the fortifications at Black Rock, and of the furs taken in the Caledonia. The first of these events was the destruction Christie's account bears out our statement resof the east barracks at pecting the colors. "In plundering the village Black Rock, by the bat- they found a Union Jack or an Ensign, usually teries at Fort Erie, under hoisted on Sundays or Holydays at the door of Lieut.-Col. Myers, and the burning of the the Chief." "This occurrence," adds Christie, furs which had formed part of the cargo of " was counterpoised by an attack upon a party the Caledonia, the details of the capture of of Americans near Salmon river, near St. Regis, which we have already given. This was at on the 23rd November, by detachments of the least satisfactory, as the Americans had not Royal Artillery, 49th Regiment, and Glengarry failed in their accounts to give very magnifi- Light Infantry, amounting to seventy men, cent estimates of the value of these same with detachments from the Cornwall and Glenfurs. garry Militia, of near the same number, the whole under the command of Lieut.-Col. Mc Capture of Canadian voyageurs. Millan. In this affair the enemy took to a blockhouse, but finding themselves surrounded, surrendered prisoners of war. One captain, two subalterns, and forty-one men became prison ers on this occasion, and four batteaux, and fifty-seven stand of arms were taken." This was an affair so trifling that it would have been passed over did not the Americans make so much of the picquet affairs and the capture of the Detroit and Caledonia. The second event was the capture on the 21st October, of a body of forty-four Canadian voyageurs, who, under the command of Captain McDonnell, were surprised, and taken by the Americans under Major Young. Of this affair, James says, "The Major's force is not stated; but as the Americans proceeded to the attack in expectation of meeting from one to three hundred British, we may conjecture that their numbers fully equalled the latter amount. Forty prisoners, (one having escaped) along with their baggage and some immaterial despatches, fell into the hands of the clamations. Americans, who ingeniously enough converted-something deserving of the pen of an Abbott a large pocket-handkerchief, which they found as the chronicler. Even the "audacious among the spoils, into a "stand of colours;" quackery" which dared to issue rescripts at and Mr. O'Connor exultingly tells us, that "Major Young had the honor of taking the first standard from the enemy in the present war," following it up with, "the movements of the enemy, during these times, were not to them equally honorable or important." We find something quite Napoleonic in tions of General Smyth St. Petersbourg for the management of the Opera in Paris, pales before General Smith's eloquent and spirited addresses. Fortunate, indeed, for the Canadas, that the General confined his operations to paper. The first of these productions was addressed "To the Men of New York," and revives the oft-repeated cry of oppression, &c. "To the Men of New York:" "For many years have you seen your country oppressed with numerous wrongs. Your Government, although above all others, devoted to peace, have been forced to draw the sword. and rely for redress of injuries on the valor of the American people. We are without the means of ascertaining what was actually captured on this occasion by the enemy; the probability is, however, that some colours, a Union Jack perhaps, were captured. The handkerchief story is rather improbable even for American fertility of invention when national glory was at stake. One point we have ascertained, that whatever might have been captured, it certainly was not what is commonly termed "a stand of "That valor has been conspicuous, but the colours." Christie, in his notice of this affair, nation has been unfortunate in the selection writes, "On the 23rd October, a party of of some of those who directed it. One army nearly four hundred Americans from Platts- has been disgracefully surrendered and lost. burgh, surprised the picquet at the Indian Another has been sacrificed by a precipitate village of St. Regis. Twenty-three men, a attempt to pass it over at the strongest point lieutenant, a serjeant and six men were killed. of the enemy's lines, with most incompetent The picquet consisted of Canadian voyageurs." | means. The cause of these miscarriages is apparent. The Commanders were popular who accompanies us, places himself under my men, "destitute alike of experience and command, and shall submit to the salutary theory," in the art of war. restraints of discipline." This proclamation was issued on the 17th; a second, which will be found below,* and was even more energetic "In a few days the troops under my command will plant the American standard in Canada. They are men accustomed to obedience,* than its predecessor, appeared, addressed "To steadiness and silence. They will conquer or die. "Will you stand with your arms folded, and look on this interesting struggle? Are you not related to the men who fought at Bennington and Saratoga? Has the race degenerated? Or, have you, under the baneful influence of contending factions, forgotten your country? Must I turn from you, and ask the men of the Six Nations to support the Government of the United States? Shall I imitate the officers of the British King, and suffer our ungathered laurels to be tarnished with ruthless deeds? Shame, where is thy blush? No! Where I command, the vanquished and the peaceful man, the child, the maid, and the matron shall be secure from wrong. If we conquer, we conquer but to save." "Men of New York: "The present is the hour of renown. Have you not a wish for fame? Would you not choose to be named in future times, as one of those, who, imitating the heroes whom Montgomery led, have, in spite of the seasons, visited the tomb of the chief, and conquered the country where he lies? Yes! You desire your share of fame. Then seize the present moment: if you do not, you will regret it; and say the valiant have bled in vain; the friends of my country fell, and I was not there.' "Advance, then, to our aid. I will wait for you a few days. I cannot give you the day of my departure. But come on. Come in companies, half companies, pairs or singly. I will organise you for a short tour. Ride to this place, if the distance is far, and send back your horses. But, remember, that every man These very men accustomed to obedience, steadiness, and silence, formed a portion of the troops who had, that day four weeks, refused to cross, nothwithstanding Judge Peck's and their general's intreaties, and this too, but a few days after using such threats against the general's life, if he refused to lead them over to Canada, and victory, as compelled him to adopt the measures which resulted in his defeat and their disgrace. ED. THE SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY OF THE CENTRE.' "You will enter a country that is to be one of the United States. You will arrive among a people who are to become your fellow citizens. It is not against them that we come to make war. It is against that government which holds them as vassals. "You will make this war as little as possible distressful to the Canadian people. It they are peaceable, they are to be secure in their persons: and in their property, as far as our imperious necessities will allow. Any soldier who quits his ranks to plunder on the "Private plundering is absolutely forbidden. field of battle, will be punished in the most exemplary manner. "But your just rights as soldiers will be maintained; whatever is booty by the usages of war, you shall have. All horses belonging to the artillery and cavalry, all waggons and teams in public service, will be sold for the benefit of the captors. Public stores will be secured for the service of the U. States. The government will, with justice, pay you the value. "The horses drawing the light artillery of the enemy are wanted for the service of the United States. I will order TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS for each to be paid the party who may take them. I will also order FORTY DOLLARS to be paid for the arms and spoils of each savage warrior, who shall be killed. Your "Soldiers!—You are amply provided for war. You are superior in number to the enemy. personal strength and activity are greater. weapons are longer. The regular soldiers of the enemy are generally old men, whose best years Indies. They will not be able to stand before you, have been spent in the sickly climate of the West you, who charge with the bayonet. You have seen Indians, such as those hired by the British to the wounded. You have seen their dances and murder women and children, and kill and scalp grimaces, and heard their yells. Can you fear them? No! you hold them in the utmost contempt. Volunteers!-Disloyal and traitorous men have endeavoured to dissuade you from your duty. Sometimes they say, if you enter Canada, you will be held to service for five years. At others, they say, you will not be furnished with supplies. At other times, they say, that if you are wounded, the government will not provide for you by pensions. The just and generous course pursued by government towards the volunteers who fought at Tippecanoe, furnishes an answer to the last objection; the others are too absurd to deserve any. The very first step taken by General Smyth of a detachment of eighty men of the 49th, Invasion of Canada by in this operation was under Major Ormsby, and about fifty of the General Smyth. marked by a trick. It Newfoundland regiment, under Capt. Whelan. was necessary to give a thirty hours' notice of an intention to break off the armistice which had been concluded with General Sheaffe. This was accordingly done, but instead of the notice being given, as it ought, at head-quarters at Fort George, it was sent to the commanding officer at Fort Erie, on the extreme right of the British line. This was doubtless with a view of making the attack before succours could arrive from Fort George, which was thirty-six miles distant from Fort Erie. The ferry, opposite Black Rock, was occupied by two companies of Militia, under Captain Bostwick." At a house on the Chippewa Road, distant about two and-a-half miles from Fort Erie, Lieut. Lamont of the 49th, with five-and-thirty rank and file, and Lieut. King R. A., with a three and six-pounder, and a few Militia artillerymen were stationed. There were also near the same spot two one-gun batteries, eighteen and twenty-four pounders, also under the command of Lieut. Lamont. A mile farther down the river, Lieut. Bartley, with two non-commissioned officers and thirtyfive rank and file, occupied a post, and on Frenchman's Creek, Lieut. McIntyre commanded a party about seventy strong: this post was about four and-a-half miles from Fort Erie. Lieut. Col. Bishopp was at Chippewa, and under his immediate command were a battalion company of the 41st, a company of militia, and a small detachment of militia artillery; Major Hate with a small detachment of militia, was stationed at no great distance. The whole force to guard a frontier of twenty miles, did not exceed, as will be seen from these figures, three hundred and sixty regulars, and two hundred and forty militia. This gives a force of but six hundred men, according to James, while Christie estimates the whole force as "nearly eleven hundred men." By what process Mr. Christie makes up his numbers we are rather at a loss to "Volunteers!--I esteem your generous and padiscover, as his account corresponds with triotic motives. You have made sacrifices on the James' in the enumeration of all the smaller altar of your country. You will not suffer the ene-detachments; and it is only by supposing that mies of your faine to mislead you from the path of Col. Bishopp had a very large force at this duty and honor, and deprive you of the esteem of a grateful country. You will shun the eternal infamy that awaits the man, who having come within sight of the enemy, basely shrinks in the No efforts had been left untried, not only to collect a large force, but to provide also the means of transportation. Six weeks had been consumed in these preparations, in drilling, equipping and organising, and the conditions imposed by Government as to numbers before an invasion should be attempted, had been strictly complied with, as a force, by his own admission, of two thousand three hundred and sixty men, FIT FOR DUTY, (exclusive of General Tannehill's brigade from Pennsylvania, of sixteen hundred and fifty strong,) now awaited General Smyth's orders: an engine of destruction, to be discharged (as will be seen with what terrible effect) against the devoted Canadians. To guard against the effects of such a "tornado burstiag on Canadian shores, every provision had," according to Nile's Weekly Register, been made by the British." These preparations, according to James, "consisted moment of trial. Soldiers of every corps !-It is in your power to retrieve the honor of your country and to cover yourselves with glory. Every man who performs a gallant action shall have his name made known to the nation. Rewards and honours await the brave. Infamy and contempt are reserved for cowards. Companions in arms! You came to vanquish a valiant foe; I know the choice you will make. Come on, my heroes! And when you attack the enemy's batteries let your rallying word be, "The Cannon lost at Detroit, or Death !" ALEXANDER SMYTH, Brigadier-General Commanding. Camp near Buffalo, 17th Nov., 1812. time under his command, that his total can be arrived at, as certainly there was no time for the arrival of reinforcements from Fort George. Col. Kerby's and other veterans' statements, incline us to the belief that James' numbers are nearer the mark. This point is, however, unimportant, as not one half of even thet roops mentioned by James were required on the occasion, or had any participation in the affair. The demonstration was commenced by dispatching a marauding party on the night of the 27th, who succeeded in taking a few prisoners, destroying some public and private dwellings, and carrying and spiking four guns, viz., the two field-pieces, and two eighteen and and shame do we record that Smyth, who protwenty-four pounders. mised so much, who centered in himself the The whole of this demonstration took place generous confidence of strangers, of his friends, under cover of night, and the Americans had and government; who was to convince the recrossed to the safe side of the river before American people that all their Generals were daylight, and the arrival of Major Ormsby and not base, cowardly and treacherous; even Col. Bishopp with their several detachments, Smyth must be added to the catalogue of inand the recrossing was effected so hastily that famy which began with the name of Hull. Captain King and some thirty-five men were Our minds are depressed with shame, and left behind and became prisoners. Embold- our hands tremble with indignation, at this ened by this negative success, General Smyth final prostration of all our dearest and fondest sent over in the afternoon of the 29th, a flag of hopes. But we will endeavour to assume some truce to Col. Bishopp, with a summons to "pre- calmness, while we state to our readers the vent the unnecessary effusion of human blood disgraceful events that have occurred on the by a surrender of Fort Erie, to a force so supe- Niagara river." rior as to render resistance hopeless." Col. Bishopp's answer to this was, "Come, and take it!" The answer was sent over by Capt. Fitzgerald on whom the American General is said to have wasted both rhetoric and time, proving, doubtless very much to his own satisfaction, how plainly it was the British officer's duty to command a bloodless surrender of the post. There is every probability that Hull's surrender of Detroit was quoted on this occasion, as a precedent, and a case strictly analogous. The 28th closed with an order to the American troops to disembark, with an assurance that "the expedition was only postponed until the boats should be put in a better state of preparation." Much discussion now took place in the American camp, and on the 20th the troops were again ordered to hold themselves ready for crossing and conquest. This farce was repeated until the morning of the 1st, when it was decided by the American officers in council, that instead of conquering Canada, "an attempt which by precipitation might add to the list of defeats," it was advisable to disembark the troops and send them into winter quarters. Thus ended the third great invasion of Canada. The failure roused, as may be imagined, a perfect storm of indignation against the poor General, and this was the more violent as he had raised the nation's expectations to such a pitch by his manifestos, that failure was never contemplated. and the bitter pill was thus rendered still more unpalatable. Before quoting further, it may be well to remark, that this very journal in discussing the Queenston expedition, mentions it as "an affair to be classed with Bunker Hill," and gives a glowing account of General Van Ranselaer's reception at Albany after his retirement from the command. In the No. for Nov. 28th, page 202, we find the following: "There is a disposition in many to attribute great blame to Major Gen. Van Ranselaer for the failure of his attack on Queenston on various grounds, but the General's official statement is before the public, and we shall not attempt to impeach it." 'It is unpleasant to remark with what avidity some men, for mere party purposes, seize upon every little incident tending to throw discredit on the American army. Nay, not content with the naked facts as they are, they contrive to distort them into the most frightful shapes, and if the truth embellished will not make the story tell well, they curiously invent a few particulars to give it the needful graces." แ It is not uninteresting to observe how entirely the writer of the above changed his opinion between Nov. 28th and Decr. 19th, and how an affair of which the General's account “was not to be impeached," at the former date, became by the latter an event to be "included in the catalogue of infamy which began with Hull." It is ever thus, however, with distorted facts, and an indifference to truth, in preparing an The official organ, already mentioned, of historical narrative, is sure to end by the wri19th December, thus notices the affair. "Dis- ter's contradicting some statement previously aster upon disaster. The old scenes of imbe- laid down as incontrovertible. cility, treachery and cowardice, have been A curious picture is given of Smyth's treatagain displayed upon our frontier. With grief ment by his "outraged countrymen." He was universally denounced as a coward and traitor; he was shot at several times, and was hooted through the streets of Buffalo. He was shifting his tent in every direction to avoid the indignation of the soldiers. Judge Grainger, MUCH TO HIS HONOR, refused to afford any shelter to Smyth, and every tavernkeeper declined the infamy of his company. Poor Smyth! —this treatment was experienced from the very men whom Judge Peck but six weeks before had upbraided for their cowardice. We suppose, however, that this behaviour of the populace is to be classed amongst the benefits resulting from a Democratical form of government. General Smyth's defence will be found below* with a few remarks on it by Gen *GENTLEMEN, -Your letter of the 2d December is before me, and I answer it in the the following manner: On the 26th October, I ordered that 20 scows should be prepared for the transportation of artillery and cavalry, and put the carpenters of the army upon that duty. By the 26th of November 10 scows were completed, and by bringing some boats from Lake Ontario, above the Falls of Niagara, the number was increased to 70. I had, on the 12th Nov., issued an address to the men of New York, and perhaps 300 had arrived at Buffalo. I presumed that the regular troops, and the volunteers under Colonels Swift and McClure, would furnish 2350 men for duty; and of General Tannehill's brigade from Pennsylvania, reporting a total of 1650, as many as 412 had volunteered to cross into Canada. My orders were tocross with 3000 men at once." I deemed myself ready to fulfil them. eral Porter. These remarks led to a duel in which both parties behaved most heroically. We suspect that the American people would have preferred a battle at Fort Erie to a private rencontre. By an Act of Executive power, General Smyth was excluded from the regular army, and deposed without a trial. This proceeding was of course complained of, and a petition presented to the House of Representatives, who, however, referred it to the secretary at war, which was in fact delivering the lamb to the wolf, as the secretary was the arbitrary power complained of. This is a significant example of the mode in which justice is sometimes administered in free countries, and how the exe ment sent in the night returned and excited apprehensions for the residue, about 250 men, under the command of Colonel Winder, suddenly put off in boats for the opposite shore; a part of this force had landed, when a force deemed superior, with one piece of artillery, was discovered; a retreat was ordered, and Colonel Winder's detachment suffered a loss of six killed and 18 wounded, besides some officers. The general embarkation commenced as the troops arrived-but this being a first embarkation, the whole of the scows were occupied by about one third of the artillery, while about 800 regular infantry, about 200 twelve months' volunteers, under Colonel Swift, and about 200 of the militia who had volunteered for a few days, occupied all the boats that were ready. The troops then embarked, moved up the stream to Black Rock without loss, they were ordered to disembark and dine. have sufficient to conquer the opposite shore? I had received from my commanding general Preparatory thereto, on the night of the 27th an instruction in the following_words-" In all of November, I sent other two parties, one under important movements you will, I presume, conLieutenant-Colonel Borstler, the other under sider it advisable to consult some of your principal Captain King, with whom Lieutenant Angus, of officers." I deemed this equivalent to an order, the navy, at the head of a body of seamen, united. and the movement important. I called for the The first was to capture a guard and destroy a field officers of the regulars, and twelve months' bridge about five miles below Fort Erie; the se- volunteers embarked. Colonel Porter was not cond party were to take and render useless the found at the moment. These questions were put cannon of the enemy's batteries, and some pieces-Is it expedient Now to cross? Is the force we of light artillery. The first party failed to destroy the bridge-the second, after rendering unserviceable the light artillery, separated by misapprehen. sion. Lieutenant Angus, the seamen, and a part of the troops, returned, with all the boats, while Captain King, Captain Morgan, Captain Sproul, Lieutenant Houston, and about 60 men remained. The party thus reduced, attacked, took, and rendered unserviceable two of the enemy's batteries, captured 34 prisoners, found two boats, in which Captain King sent the prisoners, and about half his party with the other officers; he himself remaining with thirty men, whom he would not abandon. The first question was decided in the negative by Colonels Parker, Schuyler, Winder, Lieut.Colonel Borstler, Coles, and Major Campbell; Colonel Swift alone gave an opinion for then crossing over. The second question was not decided. Cols. Parker, Schuyler, Lieut.-Colonel Coles and Major Campbell were decidedly of opinion that the force was insufficient. Colonels Winder, Swift, Lieut.Col. Boerstler, and Captain Gilman deemed the force sufficient. I determined to postpone crossing over until more complete preparation would enable me to Orders had been given, that all the troops in embark the whole force at once, the counsel prethe neighborhood should march, at reveillee, to scribed by my orders. The next day was spent the place of embarkation. A part of the detach-in such preparation, and the troops were |