The Sun.
London, England, 1813-06-18 00:00:00

AMERICAN' PAPERS.

WASHINGTON) MAY 11.

0FF1C1.,4L..-C,iPTURE OF YORK.

FROM GENERA:6E4IIIIOII TO TUE SECRETARY AT
WAR, .I),A,Ten 'READ 'QUARTERS, YORM, CAPITAL
'olt UPPER CANADA,. APRIL 2,8, 181,3.
" Sin;--lifter a detention of some days by act-
verse winds, we arrived at this place' yesterday
r
moning, and at 8 o'clock commenced lauding the
troops about three miles westward from the town,
and tete and a half from the enemy's works. The
and was high, and in an unfavourable direction
for the boats, which prevented the- landing of
the troops at a clear field, the'site of the ancient
French fort Tarento. It prevented also many of
the armed vessels from taking positions which
would have most effectually co erect our landing ;
but every thing that could be done was effected.
",The riflemen under Major Forsyth firs* land-
ed, under a heavy tire from Indians and other
troops. General Sheath!, commanded in person.
He bad collected his whole force in the woods
near the point where. the wind compelled our
trim/1)4 to land.
,His force consisted of seven hun-
dred regulars and militia, and our himdred
ltt-
clians. Major Forsyth was supported as promptly
as possible i but the contest was sharp and severe
for near. half an hour, the enemy Were repuls-
ed by a number far inferior to theirs. As soon as
General Pike landed with seven or eight hundred
mere, and the remainder of the troops were push-
ing for the shore, the- enemy retreated to their
works. Our troops were now formed on the ground
(s•Linally intended for their landing, marched
through a thick wood, and after carrying one bat-
tery by assault, weremovingin columns towards the
main work : when within sixty rods of this, a tre-
mendous explosion took place from .a magazine
previously prepared, and which blew out such an
immense quantity of stone as most seriously to
injure our troops. I have not yet been able to
collect the returns of the killed and wounded ; but
our loss will, I fear, exceed. Ilk(), and among these
I have'to lament the loss of that brave and excel-
lent Officer Brigadier-General Pike, who received
•'acontushei from a large stone, which terminated
kis valuable life in a few hours. ,His loss will be
severely felt.
" Previously to this explosion, the enemy had
retired into the town, excepting a party of regu-
lars, to the number of forty, who did not escape
• the effects of the shock, and were destroyed.
General Sheaffe moved off with the regular
troops, end left directions with the Commanding
Officer of the Militia to make the best terms he
eould. In the Mean titnjall further resistance on
the part of the enemy ceased, and the outlines of
a caps idation were agreed on.
" soOn RS I learned . that General Pike had
been Nounded, I went on shore. To the General
1 It oven induced to confide the immediate at-
tack from a knowledge that it was his wish, and
that he would have felt mortified hail it not been
given to hint.
• E ery movement was under my view. The
troops be aved with great on mess, find deserve
11111 CD epplanse, particularly those first en-gaged,
and.uoder circumstances wh,ch would have tried
tire Stead ness of veterans.
• Our loss itt the morning, and in carrying
the first battery, was not great, perhaps forty or
'fi ty killed alit wounded, and of them a full pro,
port:on 'Of ()dicers.
• Notwithstanding the enemy's advantage in
pos sion and numbers in the commencement of
the action, their loss was greater than ours, eqe-*
daily in officers. •lt was with great exertion that
the small vessels of the fleet could work into the
harbour against a gale •of wind ; but as soon as
they got into a proper position, a tremendous
cannonede opened upon the enemy's batteries,
and was kept up against them until they were car-
ried or blown up, and had, no doabt, 4 powerful
effect upon the enemy.
'' Lam under the greatest obligations to Com-.
modore Chauncey, for his able and indefatigable
exertions in every possible manner which could
give facility and effect to the c ',edition. He is
equally estimable for sound judgment, bravery,
and industry. The Government could not have
made a more fortunate selection.
" Uulortunately the.enemy's armed ship Prince
Regent left this place for'Kingston a few days be-
fore we arrived. A large ship on the stocks, and
nearly planked up, and:much naval stores, were
set fire to by the enemy soon after the explosion-
of. the magazine. A considerable quantity of
military stores and provisions remain, but no yes-
. sels fit for use. "
, We hitve not the means of trans' ortingpri,
eoneyte, and must -of course: leave them on parole.
I hope -we shall so far complete what is necel-
iary to be Alone here,. as to, be able to sail to-
-morrow for Niaglira, whither I send this by a
ttrall vessO, v.itlt notice to General Lewis of our
ipproach. 1 have the honour to be, !sir, &c.
"limo/ DEAuBonN.
Pion. Go, ,Lstrustreeg, -Cee. of War, Washington.

FROM CAPT. 01AUNCEY TO' Tar. STECRETARY OF MR

SECRETARY otr ?'IIE NAVY, DATED. U. s. sut?
.MADIsON, AT ANCiTGR on! YORK, APRIL 28,1813.
" SlB—Agreeably to your itritructions and ar-
ning,ententS made with Mofor-CionervlDearborn,
took on hoard of a squadron under kiy command the
General and suite, and about .1700 troops, and
tiaeket's narbonr on the 2,5tb instant flu this
Pace. We arrived here Tsterda • mornin and
1`)0k a 1/4)'"ffil dboeut.onc to the Souliii and
Weitward cif the
neor the ‘vetieen:o principal fort, and as
sos.
fixttacuttid With safety to the ires-
rnl and wv,ielf tor landitiTlibeYtr,,the Major-Gene-
of the old French ft. t —1)133 was the site
nt aranto.

The debarkation commenced about 8 o'clock,
A. M. UTId was cotuptctcd about 10. The wind
blowing heavy from the eastward, the boats fell,
to icevettrd of the position fixed utu and were
in consequence exposed to a galling fire from the
enemy, who had taken a position in a thick wood,