der of the Forces to bring the meritori- Captain Campbell: and Royals acting with ous services of the right division of the army them; also a party of incorporated militia, of the Canadas, before the gracious consider- by whom the brunt of the action was for a ation of his Royal Highness the Prince considerable time sustained, and whose loss Regent. has been very severe. To the advance under Lieutenant Colonel Pearson, consisting of the Glengarry Light Infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Battersby; a small party of the (Signed) EDWARD BAINES, It will be seen by this endorsation of 104th under Lieutenant Colonel Drummond; General Drummond's general order, that the the incorporated militia under Lieutenant heads of departments in Canada, were saved Colonel Robinson, and detachments from the trouble of endeavouring to make the the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Lincoln militia, worse appear the better cause, a necessity and 2nd York, under Lieutenant Colonel which fell to the lot of Washington and Bal- Parry, 103rd, the Lieutenant General offers timorean writers. Gen. Drummond won the his warmest thanks. They are also due to battle, and in his general order, which follows, the troops which arrived under Colonel Scott, he gives a manly and straightforward version during the action, viz., the 1st or Royal of the affair. Knowing that his men were Scots under Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, 8th brave and disciplined, he felt that he was not or King's under Major Evans; 103rd regicalled on to lavish the extravagant praise on ment under Colonel Scott, Flank Company them, for comporting themselves as soldiers, 104th with the Norfolk, Oxford, Kent and which usually marks American General Essex Rangers, and Middlesex, under orders :Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton. DISTRICT GENERAL ORDER. H. Q., FALLS OF NIAGARA, The admirable steadiness and good conduct of the 19th Light Dragoons under Major Lisle, and of the detachment of Royal Artillery under Captain Maclachlan, are Lieutenant General Drummond offers his entitled to particular praise; the latter sincerest and warmest thanks to the troops officer having been badly wounded, the comand militia engaged yesterday, for their mand of the Artillery devolved to Captain exemplary steadiness, gallantry and disci-Maconochie, with whose gallantry and pline in repulsing all the efforts of a numer- exertions Lieutenant General Drummond ous and determined enemy to carry the was highly pleased. Sergeant Austin, who position of Lundy's lane, near the Falls of directed the firing of the Congreve rockets, Niagara; their exertions have been crowned deserves very great credit. To the officers of with complete success, by the defeat of the the General and his personal staff, to Capt. enemy, and his retreat to the position of Holland, Aid-de-camp to Major General Chippewa, with the loss of two of his guns Riall, Lieutenant General Drummond feels and an immense number of killed and himself greatly indebted for the assistance wounded, and several hundred prisoners. they afforded him. When all have behaved nobly, it is unneces- He has to lament being deprived (by sary to hold up particular instances of merit wound early in the action,) of the services in corps or individuals. The Lieutenant of Major General Riall, who was most unGeneral cannot, however, refrain from ex- fortunately made prisoner, while returning pressing in the strongest manner his admira- from the field, by a party of the enemy's tion of the gallantry and steadiness of the cavalry, who had a momentary possession 89th regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel of the road, Lieutenant General Drummond Morrison, and Major Clifford, who ably and has also to regret the wounds which have gallantly supplied the Lieutenant Colonel's deprived the corps of the services of Lieut. place after he was wounded; Light Company, Colonel Morrison, 89th regiment, and Lieut, 41st Regt., under Captain Glew, and detach- Col. Robertson, of the incorporated militia. ment of the 8th or King's regiment, under In the fall of Lieutenant Moorsom, of the 104th regiment serving as deputy assistant Lake Erie, and put off under the command Adjutant General, the service has lost a gal- of Captain Dobbs, with three crews of lant, intelligent and meritorious young seventy-five men, to attack the American officer. schooners. The details of this affair are so (Signed) J. HARVEY, Lieut. Col. and Dep. Adj. General. After the battle of Lundy's Lane, the American troops having retired to Fort Erie, The attack on Fort Erie. From Lieutenant Conklin to Captain Kennedy. The Lieutenant General and President has fairly given in Lieutenant Conkling's letter great pleasure in dismissing to their homes that it is unnecessary to do more than place the whole of the sedentary militia who have it before the reader. so handsomely come forward on the occasion, confident that on any future emergency, their loyalty will be again equally conspicu- SIR, With extreme regret I have to make known ous. He will perform a grateful duty in representing to his Majesty's Government, to you the circumstances attending the capthe zeal, bravery, and alacrity with which ture of the Ohio and Somers. On the night the militia have co-operated with his of the 12th, between the hours of 11 and 12, the boats were seen a short distance a-head Majesty's troops. of the Somers, and were hailed from that "provision-boats, ' vessel: they answered " which deceived the officer of the deck, as our army-boats are in the habit of passing and repassing throughout the night, and enabled them to drift athwart his hawse, and cut his there strengthened their position, enlarging cables; at the same time pouring in a heavy the Fort and erecting new batteries, and so fire, before he discovered who they were. anxious were they to prepare for the coming Instantaneously they were alongside of me, storm, that, for fully a week after they and notwithstanding my exertions, aided by sought refuge within the walls of the Old Fort, the troops were employed night and day in putting the works in such a state as might enable them to repel the attack which General Ripley felt was inevitable. These preparations were not, however, unfelt by the peaceable settlers of the country, as the buildings at Streets Mills were destroyed, on the pretext that they might afford a shelter to an attacking army. This wanton destruction of private property must not be lost sight of by the reader, as we shall ere long have my vessel to the last. to chronicle American opinions on nearly similar actions. General Drummond found it necessary, too, at this time, in order to faciliThe enemy's loss in killed and wounded is tate his attack on the American position, much more considerable; among the killed to attack the batteries at Black Rock, and is the commanding officer of the Netley, the vessels of war lying in front of Fort Erie (lying here,) captain Ratcliffe; he fell in atand covering it lakeward with their broad-tempting to come over my quarter. Not withstanding the number of muskets and The difficulties in accomplishing the latter pistols which were fired, and the bustle inof these actions were very great, and the separable from enterprises of the kind, neither boats necessary for the purpose had to be the fort nor the Porcupine attempted to fire, transported, one a distance of twenty miles. as we drifted past them; nor did we receive the others eight miles on the men's shoulders, a shot until past Black Rock, though they These difficulties were, however, all over might have destroyed us with ease. come, and on the evening of the 11th of August, the boats were safely launched in sides. Mr. M'Cally, acting sailing-master, (who was soon disabled,) I was unable to repulse them. But for a moment, I maintained the quarterdeck until my sword fell, in consequence of a shot in the shoulder, and nearly all on deck either wounded or surrounded with bayonets. As their force was an overwhelming one, I thought farther resistance vain, and gave up the vessel, with the satisfaction of having performed my duty, and defended List of killed and wounded. Ohio We expect to be sent to Montreal, and perhaps to Quebec directly. Edward P. Kennedy, Esq., commanding of the enemy's Fort, by the fire of the battery the United States Naval Force on Lake Erie. Respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. CONKLING. which I had opened on it on the morning of the 13th, and by which the stone building was much injured, and the general outline This was a very spirited affair, the force of the parapet and embrazures very much attacked was much superior to the attacking altered, I was determined on assaulting the party, and the loss of the vessels was much place; and accordingly made the necessary felt by the Americans, although subsequent arrangements for attacking it, by a heavy events in some measure compensated for the column directed to the entrenchments on the capture. side of Snake-hill, and by two columns to ad Fort Erie. THE attack on this place was, perhaps, the vance from the battery, and assault the fort most gallant action of the whole and entrenchment on this side. war, the obstinate courage of the The troops destined to attack by Snake-hill, troops was so remarkable as to elicit the (which consisted of the King's regiment and praise of their enemies,-even Mr. Thomson, that of De Watteville's, with the flank comof Britain hating notoriety, bearing testi-panies of the 89th and 100 regiments, under mony on this occasion, to the gallantry ex-Lieutenant-Colonel Fischer, of the regiment hibited by the Brito-Canadian troops. of De Watteville,) marched at four o'clock In General Drummond's despatch, and yesterday afternoon, in order to gain the the accompanying note, the leading particu- vicinity of the point of attack in sufficient lars will be found, and the extracts from time. American despatches and papers will show the feeling of joy that the repulse of the British before Fort Erie inspired. IN General Drummond's despatch a very General Drummond's full account is given of the repulse of the troops, under his command, before Fort Erie. From Lieutenant-General Drummond to George Prevost. Camp before Fort Erie, SIR, August 15, 1814. Having reason to believe that a sufficient impression had been produced on the works despatch. It is with the deepest regret I have to report the failure of both attacks, which were made two hours before day-light this morning. A copy of Lieutenant-Colonel Fischer's report,* herewith enclosed, will enable your Excellency to form a tolerable correct judgment of the cause of the failure of that atSir tack; had the head of the column, which had entered the place without difficulty or opposition, been supported, the enemy must have fled from his works, (which were all taken, as was contemplated in the instructions, in reverse,) or have surrendered. * From Lieutenant-Colonel Fischer to Lieutenant- department, who, actually with a few men, SIR, General Sir Gordon Drummond. Camp, August 15, 1814. had turned the enemy's battery. The column of support, consisting of the remainder of De Watteville's and the king's I have the honour to report to you, for the regiment, forming the reserve, in marching to information of Lieutenant-general Drummond, near the lake, found themselves entangled bethat, in compliance with the instructions tween the rocks and the water, and, by the received, the brigade under my command, con- retreat of the flank companies, were thrown sisting of the 8th and De Watteville's regiment, into such confusion, as to render it impossible the light companies of the 89th and 100th, with to give them any kind of formation during the detachment of artillery, attacked this darkness of the night, at which time they were morning, at 2 o'clock, the position of the ene- exposed to a most galling fire of the enemy's my on Snake-hill, and, to my great concern, failed in its attempt. a battery, and the numerous parties in the abattis; and I am perfectly convinced that the great number of missing, are men killed or severely wounded, at that time, when it was impossible to give them any assistance. The flank companies of the brigade, who were formed under the order of major Evans of the king's regiment, for the purpose of turning the position between Snake-hill and the lake, After day-break the troops formed, and met with a check at the abattis, which was retired to the camp. I enclose a return of found impenetrable, and was prevented by it to casualties. J. FISCHER, Lieutenant-colonel De Watteville's regt. The attack on the fort and entrenchments of lieutenant-colonel Fischer's brigade was leading from it to the lake, was made at the made, until emerging from a thick wood, it same moment by two columns, one under found itself suddenly stopped by an abattis, Lieutenant-Colonel Drummond, 104th regi- and within a heavy fire of musketry and guns ment, consisting of the flank companies 41st from behind a formidable entrenchment. and 104th regiments, and a body of seamen With regard to the centre and left columns, and marines, under Captain Dobbs, of the under colonel Scott and lieutenant-colonel royal navy, on the fort; the other under Drummond, the persevering gallantry of both Colonel Scott, 103rd, consisting of the 103rd officers and men, until the unfortunate exregiment, supported by two companies of plosion, could not be surpassed. Colonel the royals, was destined to attack the en- Scott, 103rd, and Lieutenant-Colonel Drumtrenchments. These columns advanced to mond, 104th regiments, who commanded the the attack as soon as the firing upon Colonel centre and left attacks, were unfortunately Fischer's column was heard, and succeeded killed, and your excellency will perceive that after a desperate resistance, in making a almost every officer of those columns was lodgement in the fort through the embrazures either killed or wounded by the enemy's fire, of the demi-bastion, captured the guns which or by the explosion. they had actually turned against the enemy, My thanks are due to the under mentioned who still maintained the stone building, when, officers; viz. to Lieutenant-Colonel Fischer, most unfortunately, some ammunition, which who commanded thn right attack; to Major had been placed under the platform, caught Coore, aide-camp to your excellency, who acfire from the firing of the guns in the rear, companied that column; Major Evans, of the and a most tremendous explosion followed, king's, commanding the advance; Major by which almost all the troops which had Villatte, De Watteville's; Captain Basden, entered the place were dreadfully mangled. light company 89th; Lieutenant Murray, Panic was instantly communicated to the light company 100th; I also beg to add the troops, who could not be persuaded that the name of Captain Powell, of the Glengarry explosion was accidental, and the enemy, at light infantry, employed on the staff as the same time, pressing forward, and com- deputy-assistant in the quarter-master-genmencing a heavy fire of musketry, the fort eral's department, who conducted lieutenantwas abandoned, and our troops retreated to-colonel Fischer's column, and first entered wards the battery. I immediately pushed the enemy's entrenchments, and by his coolout the 1st battalion royals, to support and ness and gallantry particularly distinguished cover the retreat, a service which that valua- himself; Major Villatte, of De Watteville's ble corps executed with great steadiness. Our loss has been severe in killed and wounded: and I am sorry to add that almost all those returned "missing," may be considered as wounded or killed by the explosion, and left in the hands of the enemy. regiment, who led the column of attack and entered the entrenchments; as did Lieutenant Young of the king's regiment, with about fifty men of the light companies of the king's and De Watteville's regiments: Captain Powell reports that Serjeant Powell, of the 19th The failure of these most important attacks Dragoons, who was perfectly acquainted with has been occasioned by circumstances which the ground, volunteered to act as guide, and may be considered as almost justifying the preceded the leading sub-division in the momentary panic which they produced, and which introduced a degree of confusion into the columns which, in the darkness of the night, the utmost exertions of the officers were ineffectual in removing. most intrepid style. In the centre and left columns, the exertions of Major Smelt, 103rd regiment, who succeeded to the commaud of the left column, on the death of Colonel Scott; Captains Leonard and Shore, of the 104th The officers appear invariably to have be- flank companies; Captains Glew, Bullock, haved with the most perfect coolness and and O'Keefe, flank companies; 31st Captain bravery; nor could any thing exceed the Dobbs, Royal Navy, commanding a party of steadiness and order with which the advance volunteer seamen and marines, are entitled to my acknowledgments (they are all wound- the medical officers of the division, to the ed.) Nor can I omit mentioning, in the sick and wounded, also claim my thanks. strongest terms of approbation, the active, I have the honour to be, &c. zealous, and useful exertions of Captain GORDON DRUMMOND, Eliot, of the 103rd regiment, deputy assistant Lieutenant-General. quarter-master-general, who was unfortu- His Excellency Sir George Provost, Bart. &c. nately wounded and taken prisoner; and The result of the attack on Fort Erie was Captain Barney, of the 89th regiment, who had volunteered his services as a temporary even more disastrous in its consequences to assistant in the engineer department, and the British than had been the attack on York conducted the centre column to the attack, to the Americans. In this affair nine hunin which he received two dangerous wounds. dred men were either killed or wounded, and so severe was the blow, that had a less To Major Phillot, commanding the royal energetic commander than Drummond been artillery, and Captain Sabine, who com- in Upper Canada, or had a more able General manded the battery as well as the field-guns, than Brown commanded the Americans, the and to the officers and men of that valuable result of the blow at Erie might have been branch of the service, serving under them, I of the most serious character. have to express my entire approbation of their skill and exertions. Lieutenant Charl As it was, whether from Brown's wound, ton, royal artillery, entered the fort with the or from his incapacity, the blow was not centre columu, fired several rounds upon the followed up, and sufficient time was afforded enemy from his own guns, and was wounded to General Drummond to recover from the by the explosion. The ability and exertions loss which he had experienced. of Lieutenant Philpot, royal engineers, and the officers and men of that department, claim my best acknowledgements. As may be imagined the victory at Fort Erie was the signal for Io Paæans all through the United States, and amongst others it appears to have particularly "gladdened the To Lieutenant-Colonel Tucker, who com- heart of Gen. Gaines that so many British and manded the reserve, and to Lieutenant-Col- Canadians had been blown up." We subjoin onel Pearson, inspecting field officer, and Lieu- his despatch and an article from a Buffalo tenant-Colonel Battersby, Glengarry light journal on the subject: infantry, and Captain Walker, incorporated militia, I am greatly indebted for their active and unremitted attention to the security of out-posts. My heart is gladdened with gratitude to To the deputy adjutant-general, and deputy Heaven and joy to my country, to have it in quarter-master-general, Lieutenant-Colonel my power to inform you that the gallant Harvey, and Lieutenant-Colonel Myers, and army under my command has this morning to the officers of their departments, respec- beaten the enemy commanded by lieut. gen. tively, as well as to Captain Foster, my mili- Drummond, after a severe conflict of three tary secretary, and the officers of my personal hours, commencing at 2 o'clock, A. M. They staff, I am under the greatest obligations for attacked us on each flank-got possession of the assistance they have afforded me. My the salient bastion of the old fort Erie; acknowledgments are due to Captain D'Alson, which was regained at the point of the bayof the 90th regiment, Brigade-Major to the onet, with a dreadful slaughter. The eneright division, and to Lieutenant-Colonel my's loss in killed and prisoners is about 600; Nichol, quarter-master-general of Militia, the near 300 killed. Our loss is considerable, exertions of deputy commissioner-general but I think not one tenth as great as that of Turquand, and the officers of that department, the enemy. I will not detain the express to for the supply of the troops; and the care give you the particulars. I am preparing and attention of staff-surgeon O'Malley, and my force to follow up the blow. |