Star. — London, England, 1814-11-21 00:00:00

hints., • and -Midis them to my warmest appro. batlom I have only to regret that the scene of action (a thick wood) was 'SO unfavourable to the elliftlaY the valuable qualities which are inhetent in' British troops. The charge made by the 82d regiment, tin der Major Proctor, and detachment of the 6:b. ender; Major 'Taylor, led to the recovery of the battery No. 2, and very much decided the precipitate retro grade movement made by the enemy irons the dile fetent points of our position, of which he had gained'. a short r ossession. Major-General De Watteville reports most favour ably of the steadiness evinced by the Ist .battalion Royal Scots, under Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon (commanding Ist brigade), and the remains of the 2.d battalion, 89th, under Captain Basden. I myself witnessed the good order and spirit with which the Glengarry light infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel 13.itterehy, pushed into the wood, and by their superior f-e drove back the enemy's light troops. Lieute.. nant-Colonel Pearson, Inspecting Field-Officer, ac companied this part of his demi-brigade, and I am d:'rry to say received a severe, though I bore not a dangerous wound. To Major-General De Wave trifle, who commanded in camp, and by whom the . first d.rections were given and arrangements made, I am under great obligations for the judgment dis played by him, and for his zeal and exertions . during the action. My acknowledgements are also due to Major-General Storin, who arrived at my head-quarters a few hours before the attack, for the assistance I received from him. I cannot suffi ciently appreciate the valuable assistance which I have received from Colonel Myers, Deputy Quarter- Master-General, and Li utenant-Colonel Harvey, Deputy Adjatant-General, during the present service, and which hate been of the more importance as, from my own state of health of late (in consequence of my wound), I have not been able to use those active exertions which I otherwise might. I avail myself of this opportunity of again expressing my sincere concern at the loss which this division of the army sustained, by the accident which deprived it of the services. of Major-General Conran, horn whose energy and ability much was justly to be expected. To Major Greg, Assistant Adjatant-General, and to Captains Chambers and Powell, Deputy Assistants Qiiarter.Master.General ; to Captain Foster, Military becretary ; Lieutenant-Colonel Hagerman, Provin cial Aide-de-Camp ; and to Lieutenant Nesfield, 89th regiment, Acting Aide-de-Camp ; who have rendered me every assistance in their respective situa tions, my best acknowledgements are due • they are likewise due to Major D'Alton, Brigade-Major with the right division, for his uniform correctness, zeal and atuntion to his duty. To Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the 6th regi. anent, I am'also much indebted, as well in his capa city of commanding officer of that excellent corps, as in that of senior efficer of the reserve of this division. Colonel Fischer, of De Wattevilia's regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Ogilvie, of the King's, are en titled to my thanks. The ze.i! 2nd exertions of Ma :or Phillot, commanding royal artillery; Captains - Walker and Sabine, and the (-facers and men of that corps, have been unremitting, and merit every corn friend ition. I have reason to be plea.ed with the activity and zeal which Major Lisle, and the officers and men of the squadron of the 19th light dragoons, have nnifnrmly eisplaaed. T:.e enemy, it is now ascertained, made the sortie with his whole force, which, including the militia vo lunteers by which he has lately been joined, .could not consist of less than five thousand men. About two hundred prisoners fell into our hands, and I cannot estimate the enemy's lots in killed and woun ded at less than that number. The dreadful state of the roads and of the weather, it having poured with rain almost incessantly for the last ten days, render every m )vement of ordnance or heavy stores exceedingly difficult. By great exer tions, the commanding artillery officeahas succeeded in moving the battery guns and mortars, with their stores, Ste. towards the Chippewa, to which place I mean to withdraw them f,r the present. Camp before Fort Erie, September 19. Sin--I have the honour to report to you, that the enemy attacked, on the 17th, in the afternoon, et three o'clock, our position before Fort Erie, the 2d brigade, under Colonel Fischer, composed of the Bth and De Watteville's regiments being on duty. . Under cover of a heavy fire of his artillefy from Fort Erie, and much favoured by the nature of the, ground, and also by the state of the weather, the rain failing is torreott at the moment of his approach, the enemy succeeded in turning the right of our line of ,piquets without being perceived, and with a very considerable force, attacked both the piquet;, and support in their flank and rear : at the same time another of the enemy's columns attacked in front the piquets between No. 2 and No. 3 batteries, and hav ing succeeded in penetrating by No. 4 piquet, part ot his force turned to his left, and thereby surn unded our right, and got almost immediately possession of No. 3 battery. .The enemy then directed his attacks with a very superior force towards No. 2 battery, but the obstinate resistance made by the piquets, under geary.pesale. cljaadvantage, delayed considerably his getting possession of No. 2 battery, in which, how ever, lie at that succeeded. As soon as the alarm was given, the first brigade being next for support, composed of the Royal Scots, the 82d and 89th Regiments, under Lieutenant-Co lonel Gordon, received orders us march forward ; and also the light and demi-brigade, under Lieute nant-Colonel Pearson ; the 6th regiment remaining in reserve under Licutenata-Colonel Campbell.— From the Conces.ion-road, the Royal Scots, with the 89th :Is support, Inci ved by the New-road, and met the enemy near die ;hack-house, on the right of No. 3 battery, alum they engaged, 'and by their steady ran.l intrepid conduct clacked his further piogtess-- The i'2%l Regiment aid thr e e cempenies of the 6th Rea.nient near detached to the lea, in order to sup port No. 1 iiact 2 batteries; the enemy having at that time possession i f No. 2 battery, and still pushiii forward seven companies of the 82d, under Major Proctor, an 1 the duce coinpan es of the 6th, under "Taylor, received directions to oppose the ene rny's emcee, and irnmediately charged them with the rnost inticaid tnavtry, driving them hack across our prittencliments; and also iron No. 2 battery, elerehy preventing their destroying- it, or damaging its guns 1,11 a considerable degree Lieutenant-Colonel Pear son with die Gleugarry light ilifautry, under Lieute nant-Colocel Battersby, pushed forward by the centre road, att.tcked and carrtei with great gallantry the new entrenchment, then in full possession of the enemy. • • The enemy being thus repulsed at every pnint,,ter,, forced to retire with precipitation to their works, leaving prisoners and a number of their wounded in our hands. By tive o'clock the entrenchments were againoccnpied, and the line of Onsets established as it had been previous to the enemy's attack. 1 have the honour to inclose a return of casual ties,' anr the report of the officer commanding the Royal Artillery, respecting the damage done to the ordnance and the batteries during the time they were in the enemy's possession. " 1 have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) L. Da WATTZVILLE, Major-General. RZTVIN °Mast/writs of the Right Division of the Army, tn Action with the Enemy. Camp before Fort Erie, September 17. Royal Artillery-9 rank and file missing. Additional Gunners, De Watteville's Regiment-1 ask and file wonneed ; 10 rank and file missing. Ist cr Royal Scots-8 rank and file killed; 1 lieutenant-colonel, 1 Hemet:ant, 1 serjeant, 30 rank and file wounded; 2 serjeants, 15 rack and file missing. 6th loot-1 captain, 1 serjeant, is rank and file, killed; 1 lieu tenant, I serjeant, 25 rank and file, wounded ; 1 serjeant, 10 rank and tile, missing. Bth Foot-1 lieutenant, 1 serjeant, 12 rank and file, killed; 1 lieutenant, 12 rank and file, wounde I ; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 8 serjeants, 63 rank and five, missing. 82d Foot-e-2 serjeants, 10 rank and tile, killed; 2 captains, 4 liar tenants, 1 ensign, 5 serjeams, 33 rank and file, wounded; 8 rank and tile, missing. 83th Foot—l rank and file killed; 1 serjeant, 3 rank and file, wounded; 1 serjeant, 19 rank and file, missing. De Watteville's Regiment-1 lieutenant, s serjeants, 58 rank and file, killed ; 1 lieutenant-colonel, I captain, 3 lieutenants, 4 serjeants, 1 drummer, 26 rank and file, wounded; 2 majors, 3 captains, C lieutenants, 1 adjutant, 1 assistant-surgeon, 9 ser jeants, 2 drummers, 146 rank and file, musing. Glengarry Light Infantry-3 rank and file killed; i serjeant, 18 rank and file, wounded. General Total-1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 7 serjeants, 105 rank and file, killed; s lieutenant-colonels, s captains, 10 lieute nants, I ensign, 19 setjeants, 1 drummer, 147 rank and life, wounded; 2 majors, 4 captains, 3 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 1 adjut..nt, I assistant-surgeon, 31 set jcauts, 2 drummers, 280 rank and We, inibstng. N Amt s or orricias—ancten. ith Fort—Captain R. D. Patterson. Bth Font—Lieutenant Banton; be Wattevilk's liegtment—Lieutenant Fellickody. WOUNDILD. Royal Scots—Lieutenant-Colonel J. Gordon, severely ; Lieute nant J. Ruttle4e, since dead. 6th Foot—Lieutenant Andrews, severely. sth Foot—Lieutenant Lowry, severely. 52d Foot—Captain J. M. Wright, since dead; Captain E. Mar shall, slightly ; Lieutenants H. Pigott, W. Mason, and Robert Latham, severely ; Lieutenant George Harman, slightly ; En sign C. Langford, since dead. De Watteville's Regiment—l leutenant-Colonel Fischer, severely, Captain Mittelholzer,severely ; Lieutenant Gingins, severely; Lieutenant Steiger, slightly ; Lieut. Ls Mere, severely. Staff—Lieutenant- Co lonel Thomas Pearson, Inspecting Field °Seer, severely. mlssiwo. Bth Foot—Captain Bradbridge, Lieutenant WNair, Ensign Matthewson. De Watteville's Regiment—Major De Villatte, Major Winter, wounded; Captains Zehender Hecken, and Steiger; Lieute nant De Berry, Lieutenant Hecken, wounded ; Adjutant Mer met, Asslstant-Surgeon Corbea. (Signed) 1. Ha aver, Lieutena.tt-Colonel, Deputy Idjutant-General. Extract of a Letter from Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart. to Earl Bathurst, dated Head-Quarters, Montreal, Oc tober 4, 1814. I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship the inclosed extract of a letter I have just received from Lieutenant-General Drummond: EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT-GENERAL DRUMMOND TO HIS EXCELLENCY LIEUTENANT-GENE RAL SIR GEORGE ertzeorr, DATED District Head-Quarters, Falls of Niagara, Sept. '2l. The troops fell back at eight o'clock .on the evening of the 21st to the position alluded to in my let;er et that date, and bivouacked for tbe night under torrents of rain. Soon after day-light on the 22d the enemy discovered our movements, and pushed out his pic quets, posted on the plain opposite Black Rock, and immediately retreated, after exchanging a ft.w shots, .without attempting to molest them. Having waited until two o'clock, (as well for the purpose of giving battle to the enemy, should he have ventured out, as of giving time for the movement of all incumbrances behind the Black Creek), I ordered the troops to retire across Frenchman's Creek, and the bridge over that Creek to be destroyed. A cavalry picquet was left to watch this bridge, and the troops then pro ceeded to take up their cantonments. The whole of the movements hasthis day been coMi pieta), and the troops are now in comfortable quar. ters, .where it is my intention to give them a few days repose. EXTRACT OF A DISPATCH FROM LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR GEORGE PREVOST, BART. TO EARL BATHUI44,T, DATED HEAHQUARTERS, MONTREAL, SEPT. 30. I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a letter T have received from Lieutenant Co lonel M , Donall, by which it appears that the attack upon his post, which in my dispatch of the 14th of August, 1 mentioned at having probably taken place on the 2Sth or 25th of July, was not made by the enemy until the 4th of August,. and terminated in the manner which Lieutenant-Colonel M"Duttall had confidently anticipated. • The force employed in this expedition having quit ted Lake Huron, I have reason to think no further attempt will be made this year in that quarter. The gallantry, skill, and conduct manifested by Lieutenant-Colonel M'Douall and his small garrison, in defending his post against such superior numbers, will not, I am certain, escape your Lordship's obser vation, or fail to procure fur that officer the approba tion et his Royal Highness the Prince Reent. I have also to congratulate your Lordship upon the complete success which has attended the expedition to La Prairie du Chien, under Lieutenant Colonel M.Kay. The inclosed copy from that active and en terprising dlicei's dispatch to Lieutenant-Colonel Ni.flonall, will shcw your Lordship the extent of the advaliges gained on leis occasion, end the perse- Teri's?, zal and courage with which they have been acquired. SIR, hlic6lllmarkinie, August 14, I `A 4. • I have reported to Litutenarit General Drummond • die p trticulars of the attack made by the enemy on this post on the 4th instant. My situation was enibai knew that the.; land upwards 01 one thousand men ; and alter rn..iining the guns at the torts, 1 had only a disposable force of one hundred • •and forty to meet them, whim 1 determined to do in • order as much as possible to encourage the Indians ; and having the fullest confidence 2ri tbe Hula detach ment of the Royal Newfoundland regiment. The position I took up was excellent, but at an unavoidable and too great a distance from the torts, in each of which I was only able to leave twenty-five militiamen. There were likewise roads upon my flanks, every inch of which was known to the enemy, by means of the People formerly residents of this island, who were with them. I could not afford to detach a man to guard them. My position was rather too extensive for such a handful of men. The ground was commanding, and in front clear as I could wish it. On both our flanks and rear a thick wood. My utmost wish was that the Indians would only prevent the enemy from gaining the woods upon our flanks, which would have forced them upon the open ground in our front. A natural breastwork protected my men from every shot, and I had told them that on the close approach of the enemy, they were to pour in a volleyand immediately charge; numerous as they were, all were fully con fident of the resu:t. On the advance of the enemy, my 6-pounder and 9-pounder opened a heavy fire upon them, but not with the effect they should have had, being not well manned, and for want of an at tillery officer, which would have been invaluable to us. They moved slowly and cautiously, declining to meet me on the open ground, but gradually gaining my left flank, which the Indians permitted, even in the woods, with out firing a shot. I was even obliged to weaken my small front by detaching the Michigan fencibles to oppose a party of the enemy which were advancing to the woods on my right. I now received accounts from Major Crawford of the militia, that the enemy's two large , ships had anchored in the rear of my left, and that troops were moving by a road in that direc tion towards the forts. I therefore immediately moved to place myself between them :Led the enemy, and took up a position effectually covering them, from whence collecting the greater part of the lndians who had retired, and taking with me Major Crawford and about fifty militia, I again advanced to support a gallant party of the Fallsovine Indians, who, with their gallant chief Thomas, had commenced a spi rited attack upon the enemy, who in a short time lost their second in command and several other offi cers ; seventeen of which we counted dead upon the field, besides what they carried off, and a consider able number wounded. The enemy retired in the utmost .haste and confusion, followed by the troops, till they found shelter under the very powerful broad side of their ships, anchored within a few yards of the shore. They re-embarked that evening, and the vessels immediately hauled off.—l have, &c. (Signed) R. M'DOUALL, Lieut.-Colonel. ' Prairie du Chien, Fort APKay, July 27,1814. Sot—l :lave the honour to communicate to you that I arrived here on the 17th instant at 12 o'clock, my force amounting to 650 men, of which 120 were Michie fencibles, Canadian volunteers, and officers of the Indian department; the remainder Indians. I iound that the enemy had a small fort situated on t':e height immediately behind the village, with two block-heuses, perfectly safe from Indians, and that they had six pieces of cannon, and 60 or 70 ef fective men, efficers included. That lying at anchor in the middle of the Mississipi, immediately'in front of the fort, there was a very large gun-boat called Governor Clark, gun-boat No. 1, mounting fourteen 'pieces of cannon, some six, three, and a number of cohorns, manned with 70 or SO men with muskets, and measuring '7O feet keel ; this floating block-house is so constructed that she can be rowed in any direc tion, the men on board being perfectly safe from small arms, while they can use aheir own to the greatest advantage. At half past twelve o'clock, I sent Captain Ander son with a flag of truce to invite them to surrender, which they refused ; my intention was 'not to have made an attack till next morning at day light, but it being impossible to controul the andians I ordered one gun to play upon the gun-boat, which she did with a surprizing good effect,tor in the course of three hours, the time the action lasted, she fired 86 rounds, two thirds of which went into the Governor Clark : they kept up a constant fire upon us, both from the boat and fat ; we were an hour between two fires, having run our sun up within musket shot of the fort, from whence we beat the boat out 'of her station, she cut her cable and ran down the current, and sheltered under the island. We were obliged to desist, is - being impossible with our little barges to attempt to board her, and our only gun in pursuit of her would hate exposed our whole camp to the enemy, she therefore made her escape. On the 19th, finding there were only six rounds of round shot remaining, including three of the enemy's we bad picked up, the day was employed in making lead bullets for the gun and throwing up two breast works, ope within 700 yards, and the other within 450 yards of the fort. At six in the evening, every thing being prepared, I marched to the first breast work, from whence I intended to throw in the six' remaining rounds. At the moment the first ball was about being put into the cannon, a white flag was put out at the fort, and immediately an officer came down with a note and surrendered. It being too late I deferred making them deliver up their arms in form till morning, but immediately placed a strong guard in the lot t. and took possession of the artillery. From the time of our landing, till they surrendered, the Indians kept up a constant, but perfectly useless fire upon the fort ; the distances from where they fired were too great to do execution, even had the enemy been exposed to view. I am happy to inform you that every man in the Michigan tencibles, Canadian volunteers, and officers in the Indian dep.irtment, behaved as well as I could possibly wish, and though in the midst of a hot fir., not a m:sn was even wounded, except three Indians, that is, one I'uant, one kallsvvine, and one Scoux, all severely, but not dangerously. One Lieutenant, 24th Unites: States regiment, one militia Captain, one militia Lieutenant, three Ser jeants, three corporals, two musician►, 53 privates, one commissary, and one interpreter, have been made pi joiners ; one iron six-pounder mounted on a garri son carnage, one iron three-pounder on a field car riage, three swivels, 61 stand of arms, our swords, one field carriage for six-pounder, and a good deal o. ainniunition ; 2h barrels of pork, and •,$ barrels ot Hour ; these are the principal articles found in the fort when suirtni.hre,e will now take the liberty to request your parti cular attention to .Captains Rolette and Anderson the former for his' activity in many inganrx* hit particularly during the action. The action haying commenced unexpectedly, he ran down from the upper end of the village with,his company through the heat of the fire to receive orders, and before and since in being instrumental in preserving the citizens from being quite ruined by pillaging ludiahe ;—. and the latter !or his unwearied attention in keeping every thing in order during the rout, and his acuvity in frdlowing up the cannon during the action, and assisting in transporting the ammunition: Lieute nant Pottier,- of Captain Andersan's company ;_ Lieu tenants Graham and Brisbois, of the Indien depart ment ; Captain Dean, of the Prairie du Chien militia; and Lieutenant Powell, of the Green Bay, all acted with courage and activity so becoming Canadian militia or volunteers; the interpreters also behaved wall, but particularly Mr. St. Germain, from the Saulte St. Marie, and Mr. Renville, Scoux Interpre. ter ; they absolutely prevented their Indians commit. ting any outrages in the plundering way. Commissary Honori% who acted as Lieutenant ix. Captain Rollette's company, whose singular activity in saving and keeping an exact account of provisions,. surprised me, and without which we must unavoid ably have lost much of that essential article. The Michigan Fencibles, who manned the gun, behaved' with great courage, coolness, and regularity ; 'the serjeant of artillery, too mach cannot be said or Lim, for the fate of the day and our successes were to be attributed in a great measure to his courage and well-managed firing. . . Since writing the foregoing, a few Sanks have ar. rived from the rapids, at the Ruch river, with two Canadians, and bring the following information. On the 21st instant, six American barges, three of which were armed, were coming up and encamped in the rapids, that in the course of the night, the earl , of Indians, having . the four Li gs of gunpowder I sent from this on the 1 i tar, reacileik them ; the barges being camped at short distances from eaco other, they on the 22d, early in the morning, a rooked the uiwest, and killed about IU4) persons, took tive piece! of cannon, burnt the *barge, and the ot:ier barges seeing this disasier, and knowing .there were British troops here, rim off; this is perhaps one el the most brilliant actions fought by Indians only since the commencement of the. war:—l have, &c. (Signed) W. M , Ker, £ient.4l, lona R. MiDonald, Commanding EXTRACT OP A LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT•GENERAL GEORGE PREVOST, HART. TO THE EARL LATIUM; DATED CORNWALL, UPPER CANADA, 00T. 7, 1814. I have the hon-ur to transmit to your Lordship, the highly gratifying intelligence which I have this moment received from Lieutenansieolonel M'Douall commanding at Machinac, of the capture, in the neighbourhood of St. Joseph's in the most gallant manner, by boarding of the two American schooners, which had been left on Lake Huron, fur the purpose of blockading Machinac, and cutting off all supplies from that Island, and our other possessions on Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Your Lordship will duly appreciate the persever- ance and exertions of Lieutenant Worsley, of the Royal Navy, who after the enemy had destroyed the schooner Nancy, at the entrance of the Nottasawaga River, embarked in two bateaux, with Lieutenant Livingstone and seventeen seamen, and arrived at Macbinac on the Slst of August, having on his pas sage across Lake Huron discovered the enemy's *es , sels near the Detour, and skilfully avoided capture. Lieutenant Worsley instantly suggested the poaskt lity of a successful attack being made upon them, to which Lieutenant-Culariel M'Douall promptly acceded. These captures are of the highest importance to his Majesty's possessions on Lake Huron And on the Mississippi, as the vessels are admirably adapted for she navgetion of that Lake and Lake Michig.n, and for conveying the supplies so much required. As LieutenantWorsley appears to have been most ably supported by the detachment of the Royal New foundland regiment, • commanded by Lieutenant Bulger, I beg leave to recommend that officer, ac well as Lieutenant Worsley, of the Royal Navy, to the. gracious consideration of -his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. EXTRACT Of A DISPATCH PROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DPW UA L L TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL DKU MMUS Do DATED MICHILIMACKINAC) seer Dann 9. I have the honour to inform you that some In dians, on their way from the Falls of Saint Mary's, returned to me with the intelligence, that part of the enemy's squadron had on the 25th ult. again made their appearance in the neigliblurhood of St.Juseph's, likewise occupying the passage of the Detour, their inzention being evidently to cut off our supplies, and prevent all communication with this gairison. On lie 31st I was joined by Lieutenant Worsley, of the Royal Navy, with seveuteen seamen, who had passed in a canoe sufficiently near the enemy to ascer tain them to be two schower-rigged gun-boats of the largest class. On stating to me his opinion that they might he attacked* with every prospect of success, particulerly, as they were at anchor nearly five leagues asunder, I immediately determined to furnish him with the requisite assistance. I have now the satisfaction of reporting to 7O the complete success of the expedition, Lieutenant Worsley having returned to this place on the 7th in stant, with his two prizes, consisting of the United States schooner Scorpion and •Tygrets, the former carrying a long 24 and a long l2.pounder, and the latter :long '24. They were commanded by Lick:- tenant Turner, of the American navy, and are veil fine vessels. /44ichilimeekitise, September 7, 1814• Sta—l have the honour to report to you the parti culars of the capture of the United Stites schooners Scorpion and 'fygress by a detachment trom this patrison under the command of Lieutenant Worslel of ttie royal navy and myself. In obedience to your orders we left Michilimack; - nac on the evening of the IA instant in tour boas, of which was maimed by seimen untkr Le n itsa , ic ‘Vorsley, the other by a detachment cf the Royal Newfoundland regiment under myself, Lientenistt Armstrong and Raciewilitst. We arrived near the Daour about sun-set un the following d ay, but nes thing was attempted that night, as :lie eilem)% P non had ant been correctly ascertained. Tao ;to.': . ` remained the whole at the :id in,titnt, coact Ale.] amongst the roads, and about six o'clock tit it embarked and bagan to move towards the coon:.