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necessary, for appearance' sake, to hold a teen hundred and eighty rank and file, out court of enquiry, and that the result of said of which number, too, the garrisons at Forts enquiry was, not a disproof of excesses having Erie, George, Missisagu, and Niagara must been committed, but merely that there were be subtracted, leaving an available force of extenuating circumstances. Another point seven hundred and sixty regulars at General worthy of remark in this general order is the Riall's disposal. To this number must, invitation held out to the Canadians to turn however, be added three hundred sedentary traitors. By thus stooping to invite men to militia and as many Indians, in all thirteen commit a most dastardly action, the Ameri- hundred and fifty men to oppose an invading can General decidedly lowered his own and force of four thousand. General Riall was the character of the troops he commanded. compelled, besides, to almost strip the forts We have found, however, that the same of their garrisons when marching against course was adopted on every occasion when Brown at Chippewa. temptation could be extended, and from this It appears as if Canada owed almost as fact the only inference to be drawn is that much to the incapacity or differences of the the Americans possessed no very keen sense American commanders, as was due to the of honor themselves, and, perhaps, from not gallantry of the troops. We have shown knowing what honesty meant, were also in- that this was the fact in previous invasions, clined to give others credit for not being and it would appear that the present attempt burthened with the commodity. did not furnish an exception. This concluThe force assembled by General Brown, sion may be deduced from the following exso far as we can gather tract from General Brown's memoranda of General Brown's force. from the various Ameri- occurrences in the campaign of 1814, on the can accounts, amounted to at least a body of Niagara :—

three thousand regular infantry, besides "Toward the evening of the 2nd, General about a thousand volunteers and Indians, Ripley (the second in command) appeared making in all a force of some four thousand to be much discomposed. He objected to one hundred men. This number included the division made of the transports, and four hundred artillery and a squadron of complained that he would not be able to cross dragoons. Besides this regular force there with sufficient force; that the principal were, according to James, "between Erie fighting would be above the fort where he and Lewiston, the 1st regiment of infantry, was ordered to land, and that he had seen a regular rifle corps, and from two to three lights during the night and smoke during hundred volunteers, under Colonel Swift." the day, for some time past. Gen. Brown These two bodies mustered collectively five endeavoured to satisfy him, but in vain. He thousand strong, and even this is not all, as (Ripley) tendered his resignation, which was the militia of the district are not included, not accepted, as the General was inflexibly nor the regular force which Commodore determined that the army should cross agreeChauncey was expected to bring from Sac-ably to the arrangements he had made." kett's Harbour. It is clear, then, that Gen. It is difficult to understand on what grounds Armstrong expected that the attack would be the American General could have based his, made by a force of at least ten thousand men. objections. By their spies the Americans Fortunately for Upper Canada, these over-were fully informed as to the smallness of whelming numbers were prevented, in con- the numbers that could be mustered against sequence of Chauncey's not acquiring a su- them, and, in fact, they were in this instance periority in Lake Ontario, from uniting, and too well served by their spies, by whom they the two divisions which crossed the strait were led to believe that the British did not did not much exceed four thousand men. amount to one thousand men, regulars, miEven these numbers, however, were fearful litia, and Indians all included. That this odds when the strength of their opponents is was the case was proved by General Brown considered; the British troops mustering, dividing his force, in order to prevent the posalong the whole Niagara frontier, only seven-sibility of the garrison at Fort Erie escaping.

Whatever were Ripley's reasons for dissa- the Royal Scots to advance as a reinforcement tisfaction, it is certain that the movement of of the post. The advance of this body was, his division across the river was made more however, checked by the intelligence of the slowly than that of the other, under General surrender of the fort. General Riall then Scott. It is absolutely necessary not to pass determined on an immediate attack, but was over these indications of want of unanimity induced, by its being represented to him that among the American commanders, as it the 8th regiment was hourly expected from would otherwise be laying ourselves open to York (now Toronto), to postpone the attack the same charges that are so justly preferred until the morning of the 4th. On the mornagainst American historians of distorting the ing of the 4th the attack was accordingly truth. This insinuation must be particu-made.

larly guarded against by the English chron- In the letters of Veritas, some very pertiicler of the war, inasmuch as it generally nent remarks are made on this subject, which falls to his lot to recount the defeat of large we transcribe:-"General Riall's attack bodies of Americans by very inferior force; upon the enemy, under so great a disproporhence other reasons must be sought than tion of force, as probably five to one, has the mere difference in the bravery of the been censured by many; but the probability troops, and these are very readily found in is, that if he had not done so, and broke in the incapacity and quarrels of the comman- upon their plan of operations, by that daring and unexpected manoeuvre, they, probably,

ders.

Surrender of Fort Erie.

The two divisions having crossed on the without the aid of their fleet, would (by 3rd of July, invested Fort appearing to threaten an attack upon our Erie, which, being inça- lines at Chippewa) have marched to the left, pable of actual defence, both from the nature and have actually cut off our communication of the fortifications and the smallness of its with Burlington, as originally intended. "In this view of the subject, his attack garrison, was at once surrendered. Here we would direct attention to that part of General was fortunate, and the retreat afterwards Brown's despatch where it is stated that made by him is deserving of credit, from "Fort Erie did not, as I assured you it having been effected in good order, without should not, detain me a single day." This loss of men, artillery, stores, or baggage; so is particularly absurd, when it is remembered that the confidence of his troops remained unabated. Had he retreated in the first that, by American accounts, the garrison instance without fighting, the probability is only amounted to one hundred and seventy, and that General Wilkinson in his memoirs that his men would have been dispirited, as distinctly states that "Fort Erie was in a considering such a retrograde movement then premature."

defenceless condition."

The American divisions landed, one a mile We fully concur with the opinions expressed and a half above, and the other the same dis- by Veritas, which we think are fully borne tance below Erie, so that no opposition could out by a consideration of the plans laid down be brought to bear from the guns of the fort; by the Secretary at War, and the adoption of and, on its surrender, the garrison was this movement by General Riall, when ignopromptly despatched across the river, and rant of the force of the enemy, can only be marched into the interior of New York State, considered as a proof of the judgment and a detachment of artillery and a few infantry bravery of that officer, who was only anxious being left as a garrison; three armed schoon- to prevent a junction with the force that might ers, under the command of Lieutenant Ken- be expected in the fleet. nedy, being stationed as a further security From Major-General Riall to Lieutenant-General under its walls. Sir G. Drummond.

Chippewa, July 6.

It was not until 8 A.M. that General Riall received the intelligence of the Americans SIR, I have the honour to inform you having landed, and he instantly, on receipt that the enemy effected a landing on the of the information, ordered five companies of morning of the 3d instant at the ferry, op

posite Black Rock, having driven in the the light troops being brought to their suppicquet of the garrison of Fort Erie. I was port, they succeeded, after a sharp contest, made acquainted with the circumstance about in dislodging them, in a very handsome eight in the morning, and gave orders for the style. I placed two light twenty-four poundimmediate advance to Chippewa of five com-ers and a five-and-a-half inch howitzer against panies of the royal Scots, under Lieutenant- the right of the enemy's position, and formed Colonel Gordon, to reinforce the garrison of the royal Scots and 100th regiment, with the that place. Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson had intention of making a movement upon his moved forward from thence with the light left, which deployed with the greatest regucompanies of the 100th, some militia, and a larity, and opened a very heavy fire. I imfew Indians, to reconnoitre their position and mediately moved up the King's regiment to numbers; he found them posted on the ridge the right, while the royal Scots and 100th parallel with the river, near the ferry, and regiment were directed to charge the enemy in strong force. I received instructions from in front, for which they advanced with the Major Buck, that they had also landed a con- greatest gallantry, under a most destructive siderable force above Fort Erie. In conse- fire. I am sorry to say, however, in this atquence of the King's regiment, which I had tempt they suffered so severely, that I was every reason to expect the day before from obliged to withdraw them, finding their furYork, not having arrived, I was prevented from making an attack that night.

ther efforts against the superior numbers of the enemy would be unavailing. Lieutenant The following morning, the 4th, a body of Colonel Gordon and Lieutenant-Colonel the their troops were reported to be advancing Marquis of Tweeddale, commanding these reby the river; I moved to reconnoitre, and giments, being wounded, as were most of the found them to be in considerable force, with officers belonging to each. I directed a recavalry and artillery, and a large body of treat to be made upon Chippewa, which was riflemen. Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson was conducted with good order and regularity, in advance during this reconnoisance with covered by the King's regiment, under Major the light company of the royal Scots, and Evans, and the light troops under Lieutenant the flank company of the 100th, and a few of Colonel Pearson; and I have pleasure in the 19th light dragoons, four of whom, and saying, that not a single prisoner fell into eight horses, were wounded in a skirmish with the enemy's riflemen.

the enemy's hands, except those who were disabled from wounds. From the report of Having been joined by the King's regi- some prisoners, we have made the enemy's ment on the morning of the 5th, I made my force to amount to about six thousand men, dispositions for attack at four o'clock in the with a very numerous train of artillery, havafternoon. The light companies of the royal ing been augmented by a very large body of Scots, and 100th regiment, with the second troops, which moved down from Fort Erie Lincoln militia, formed the advance under immediately before the commencement of the Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson. The Indian action. Our own force, in regular troops, warriors were, throughout, on our right amounted to about fifteen hundred, exclusive flanks in the woods. The troops moved in of the militia and Indians, of which last dethree columns, the third (the King's regi- scription there were not above three hundred. ment) being in advance. The enemy had Fort Erie, I understand, surrendered upon taken up a position with his right resting capitulation, on the 3d inst. Although this on some buildings and orchards, close on affair was not attended with the success the river Niagara, and strongly supported by which I had hoped for, it will be gratifying artillery; his left towards the wood, having to you to learn that the officers and men bea considerable body of riflemen and Indians in front of it.

haved with the greatest gallantry. I am particularly indebted to Lieutenant-Colonel Our Indians and militia were shortly en- Pearson for the very great assistance I have gaged with the enemy's riflemen and Indi- received from him, and for the manner in ans, who at first checked their advance: but which he led his light troops into action.

Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, and Lieutenant- could not have been very sanguine of ultimate Colonel the Marquis of Tweeddale, and Major success. The General distinctly states that, Evans, commanding the King's regiments, with his gallant and accomplished troops, he merit my warmest praise for the good example they showed at the head of their respective regiments.

will break down all opposition between him and Lake Ontario; but he is careful to qualify this admission by adding that "if joined by The artillery, under the command of Capt. the fleet, all will be well," but that, if such Macconnochie, was ably served. and directed junction should not take place, he will endeawith good effect; and I am particularly vour to avoid disgrace.

obliged to Major Lisle, of the 19th light dra- Some of the American accounts of the goons, for the manner in which he covered battle of Chippewa are worthy of notice for and protected one of the twenty-four-pound- their outrageous extravagance. Mr. O'Coners which had been disabled. I have reason nor, for instance, states that the British reguto be highly satisfied with the zeal, activity, lars suffered defeat from an inferior force, and intelligence of Captain Holland, my principally volunteers and militia, inferior aide-de-camp, Captain Eliot, deputy-assistant in everything but courage to the vanquished quarter-master-general; staff-adjutant Greig, enemy. Yet this same writer was in possesand Lieutenant Fox, of the royal Scots, who sion of official documents which particularized acted as Major of brigade during the absence the presence of four regiments of regular inof Major Glegg at Fort George. The conduct fantry and a corps of artillery, and the fact of Lieutenant-Colonel Dixon, of the 2d Lin- of these bodies having suffered severely in coln militia, has been most exemplary; and the engagement. This statement was made, I am very much indebted to him for it, on too, in direct opposition to General Wilkinthis as well as on other occasions, in which son's account, which states the effective he has evinced the greatest zeal for his Ma- strength of General Scott's brigade alone at jesty's service. The conduct of the officers eleven hundred regular infantry, and the and men of this regiment has also been highly force that crossed the strait under General praiseworthy. Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson Brown at about three thousand five hundred has reported to me, in the most favourable men, including twenty-seven hundred reguterms, the excellent manner in which Lieut. lars.† Horton, with a part of the 19th light dragoons, observed the motions of the enemy, while he occupied the position he took on his first landing, and during his advance to this place. I have, &c.,

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*From Major-General Brown to the American Secretary at War.

is better to give than to receive an attack, came from behind his works about five o'clock in the afternoon of the 5th in order of battle. We did

not baulk him. Before six o'clock his line was broken and his forces defeated, leaving on the field 400 killed and wounded. He was closely pressed, and would have been utterly ruined, but for the proximity of his works, whither he

fled for shelter.

The wounded of the enemy, and those of our own army, must be attended to. They will be removed to Buffalo. This, with my limited means of transportation, will take a day or two, after which I shall advance, not doubting but that the gallant and accomplished troops I lead, will break down all opposition between me and Lake Ontario, when, if met by the fleet, all is well-if not, under the favor of heaven, we shall behave in a way to avoid disgrace. My detailed report shall be made in a day or two.

I am, with the highest respect, &c.,

Chippewa Plains, July 6, 1814. SIR,-Excuse my silence; I have been much engaged; Fort Erie did not, as I assured you it should not, detain me a single day. At eleven o'clock on the night of the 4th, I arrived at this place with the reserve, General Scott having taken the position about noon with the van. My arrangements for turning and taking in the rear the enemy's position east of Chippewa was made, when Major-General Riall, suspecting our intention, and adhering to the rule that it 652, 654, 658.

Hon. Secretary of War.

JACOB BROWN.

+ Wilkinson's Memoirs, Vol. I., pages 646,

One of the strongest proofs that can be to enable him to go in pursuit of an enemy, adduced of the Ameri- not mustering more than half his number.

Movements of the American

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