Star.
London, England, 1814-11-28 00:00:00

FRAM SATLIRDAT 'S GiIZ.EI7E.

COLONIAL DEPARTMENT.
DO viNING-srEET, NoVEMBEII 26.
A Dispatch, of which the following is a copy, has
been rece.ved from Lieutenant-General Sir George
Prevost, Bart. addressed to Earl Bathurst, one of his
Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State :
litutl.quarters, Plattsburg, State of New York,
septemlt(r 11, 1814.
My Loen—Upon the arrival of the reinforcements
'from the Gee °nue, I lost no time in assembling three
bfgades on the frontier of Lower Canada, extending
fremahe Rive: Richelieu to the St Lawrence ; and
in f. amine them into a division, under the command
of Major-General De Rottenberg, tor the purpose of
cart-) ing effect his Royal Highitess the Pi ince
Regent's commands, which had been conveyed to
nic by your Lou dship in your dispatch of the 3d
of June last.
As the troops concentrated and approached the
line of separation between this province and the
United States, the American army abandoned its
entrenched camp on the River Chazy, at Champlain
—a position 1 immediately seized, and occupied in
force on the 3d instant. The following day the
whole of the left division advanced to the sillage of
Chazy, without meeting the least opposition from the
enemy.
On the sth, it halted within eight mires of this
place, having sumo:Jilted the diflictiltieo created by
the obstructioss in the road from the telling of trees
and the removal of bridges. The next day the divi-
sion moved upm Pht;sburg, in two columns, on
parallel roads ; the right column led by Major-Gene-
ral Power's brio.ie, supported by tour companies
of light iufantry and a demi brigade, tinder Major-
General Robinson ; the left by Major-General Bris-
bane's brigade.
The enemy's militia, supported by his regulars,'
attempted to impede the advance of the i ighe column,
but they were driven before it from all their positions,
and the column entered Plattsburg. This rapid move-
ment having reversed the strong position taken up
by the enemy at Dead Creek, it was precipitately
abandoned by him, and his gill-boats alone lett to
defend the ford, and to prevent our restoring the
bridges, which had been imperfectly destroyed, an
inconvenience soon surmounted.
Here I found the enemy in the occupation of an
elevated ridge of land on the south branch of the
Saranac, ciowned with three strong redoubts and
other field works, and block-hauses armed with heavy
ordnance, with their'" flotilla at anchor out of gun-
shot from the shore, consisting of a ship, a brig, a
schooner, a sloop, and ten gun-boats.
I immediately communicated this circumstance to
Captain Dowine, who had been recently appointed
to command the t vessels on Lake Champlain, con-
sisting of a ship, a brig, two sliaps, and twelve gun-
boats, and requasted his co-operation, and in the
mean time batteries were constructed for the guns
to, ught holm the rear.
Oa the morning of the I I th. our flotilla was seen
ovtr the isthmus which joins Curnberland-head with
the main-land, steering for Plattsburg Bay. I im-
, niediately ordered that part of the brigade under Ma-
jor-General Rolinsoo, which had been hron;ht for-
ward, consisting of cur halo infantry companies, 3d
battalion '27th and 76th rep,itnents, and Major-Ge-
neral Powers's brigade, consisting of the 3e, :Rh, Ist
battalion '27th, at,cl 58th regiments, to force ttie ford
of the Saranac, and advance, provided with scaling-
ladders, to-escalade the c 'my-'s works neon the
heights; tkis force was placed under the cammand
of Major-General Robit,son. The batteries opened
their tire the instant the ships engaged.
It is now with deep concern I inform your Lord-
ship, that notwithstanding the intrepid velour with
which Captain Downie led his flotilla into :action, my
most sanguine holies of complete success were, not
. lung attero:.rds, blasted, by a combination, as it ap-
peared to us, of unfortunate events, to which naval
*Aare is peculiarly exp,aed.
Scarcely had his Majesty's troops forced a passage
across he Saranac, and ascended the height on
which stand the enemy's works, when I had the ex-
treme mortiti :ation to hear the shout of victory from
the enemy's %yolks, in consequence of the British flag
being lowered on board the Confiance and Linnet,
and to see our gun-boats seeking their safety in Hight.
This unlooked-for event depriving me of the co-ope-
ration of the fleet, without which the further prosecu-
tion of the sirvice was become impracticable, I did
not hesitate to arrest the course of the troops advan-
cing to the attack, because the most complete suc-
cess would have been unavailing, and the possession
if the enemy's works offered no advantage to com-
pensate for the loss we must have sustained in ac-
quiring possession of them.
I have ordered the batteries to be dismantled, the
guns withdrawn, and the baggage, with the wounded
men who can be removed, to be sent to the rear, in
order that the troops may return to Chazy to-mor-
row, and on the following day to Champlain, where
'propose to halt until 1 have ascertained era use the
enemy propose making of the naval ascendancy they
have acquired on Lake Champlain.
I have the honour to transmit herewitlil returns cf
the loss sustained by the left division in this army in
its advance to Plattsburg, and in forcing a passage
across the river Saranac.—l have the honour, &c.
(Signed) coaanos; PHLVOST.
Right Hog. Earl Bathurst, &c. &c..Ecc.
Copy of a Letter from Commodore Sir James Lucas Yeo, Com-
mander in Chief of his Islaiesty's Ships and Vessels on the
Lakes of Canoes, to JuLn Croker, Eaq. dated on board
his Majesty's Ship s..l.7.wrence, at Kingston, Sept. 24.
Sta-1 have the honour to transmit, for the infor-
mation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admi-
ralty, a copy of a letter from Captain Pring, late
Commander of his Majesty's brig Linnet.
It appears to me, and I have good reason to be-
lieve, that Captain Demme was urged, and his ship
hurried into action, before she was in a fit state to
meet the enemy.
I am also of opinion, that vi ng here was not the least
gi the enemy such de-
'necessity for our squadron
cioed advantages, by going into their bay to engage
Them. fen had they been successful, it would not
in the least nave assisted tile troops in storming the
batteries ; wlieieas had our troops taken their b. Re-
• 1 tie Saratoga, 26 guns; Surprise, 20 guns ; Thundorer, IC
guns; Treble, 7 rugs; ID gun-boats, 14 guns.
Laub:axe, 36 guns; lAuntt, IS guns; Broke, 10 guns;'
thaui.nn, It, buns; 42 run-boats, IS guns.
1 has Return was published in the taazette of the 14th

ries first, it would have obliged the enemy's squa- I
dron to quit the bay and given ours a fair chance.
have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) JAMES LUCAS yco,
Commodore and Commander in Chief.
United States Ship Saratoga, Plattsburg Bay, Lake
Cbarapl3ba, September 12,1814.
Sin—The painful task of making you acquainted
with the circumstances attending the capture of his
Majesty's squadron yesterday, by that of the Ameri-
cans, under Commodore M'Donough, it grieves me
to state, becomes my duty to perform, from the ever-
to-be.lamented loss of that worthy and gallant offi-
cer, Captain Downie, who unfortunately lell early in
the action.
In consequence of the earnest solicitation of his Ex.
cellency Sir George Prevost for the co-operation of
the naval force on this Lake to attack that of the
enemy, who were placed for the support of their
works at•Pla.ttsburg, which it was proposed should be
stormed by the troops, at the same moment the naval
action should commence in the bay ; every possible
exertion was used to accelerate the armament of the
new ship, that the military movements might not be
postponed at such an advanced season of the year,
longer than was absolutely necessary.
Oa the 1.1,1 instant I was directed to proceed in corn-
mand of the flotilla of gun boats to protect the left
flank of our army advancing towards Plattsburg, and
on the following day, after taking possession and pa-
roling the militia of Isle la Motte, I caused a battery
of three long 18-pounder guns to be constructed for
the support of our position abreast of Little Chazy,
where the supplies for the army were ordered to be
landed.
The fleet camo up on the Sth instant, but for want
of stores for the equipment of the guns, could not
move forward until the 11th : at day-light we weighed
and at seven were in full view of the enemy's fleet,
consisting of a ship, brig, schooner, and one sloop,
moored in line, abreast of their encampment, with a
division of five gun boats on each flank ; at forty mi-
nutes past seven, after the officers commanding ves-
sels and the flotilla had received their final instruc-
tions as to the plan of attack, we made sail in order
of battle. Captain Downie had, determined on laying
his ship athwart-hawse of the enemy's, directing
Lieutenant M'Ghee, of the Chubb, to support me in
the Linnet, in engaging the brig to the right, and
Lieut. Hicks, of the Fincie with the flotilla of gun-
boats, to attack the schooner and sloop on the left of
the enemy's line.
At eight the enemy's gun-boats and smaller ves-
sels commenced a heavy and galling fire on our line ;
at ten minutes after eight, the Confiance having two
anchors shot away from her larboard how, and the
wind baffling, was obliged to anchor, though not in
the situation proposed, within two cables length of
her adversary ; the Linnet and Chubb soon after-
wards took their allotted statior.s, something short of
that distance, when the crews on both sides cheered,
and commenced a spirited and close action ; a short
time, however, deprived me of the valuable services
of Lieutenant M•Ghee, who, from having his cal)les,
bowsprit, and main boom shot away, drifted within
the enemy's line, and was obliged to surrender.
From the light airs and smoothness of the water,
the tire on each side proved very destructive from the
commencement of the engagement; and, with the'
exception of the brig, that of the enemy appeared
wiited against the Confiance.
Aster two hours severe conflict with our opponent,
she cut her cable, run down, and took shelter be-
tween the ship and schooner, which enabled us to di-
rect our fire against the division of the enemy's gun-
boats, and ship, which had so long annoyed us during
our cl.e-e• engagement with trie brig, without any re-
turn on our part ; at this time the fire of the
enemy's ship slackened cmsiderably, having several
of her guns dismounted, when she cut her cable and
winded her larboard broadside to bear on the Confi-
ance, who, in vain, endeavoured to effect the atm
operation ; at thirty-three minutes after ten I was
much distressed to observe the Confiance had struck
her colours.

The whole attenticn of the enemy's force then be- I
Came directed towards the Linnet ; the shattered and
disabled state of the masts, sails, rigging, and yards,
precluded the most distant hope of being able to effect
an escape by cutting the cable ; the result of doing so
must in a few minutes have been her drifting along.
side the enemy's •essels, close under our lee; hut to
the hope that the flotilla of gun•boats, who had
abandoned the object assigned them, would perceive
our wants, and come to our assistance, which would
afford a reasonable prospect of being towed clear, I
determined to resist the then destructive cannonad,ng
of the whole cf the enemy's fleet, and at the same
time dispatched Lieutenant H. Drew to ascertain the
state of the Conflance. . . .

At 43 minutes after ten I was apprised of the irre-
parable loss she had sustained• by the death of her 1
brave Commander (whose merits it would be pre-1
sumption in me to extol) as well as the great slaughter
which had taken place on board, and ouserving, Irom
the manoeuvres of the flotilla, that I could enjoy no
further expectation of relief, the situ.ttiun of my g.
taut comrades, who had so no nobly fought, and tv
now fast falling by my side, demanded the surrende
of his Majesty's brig entrusted to my commaild,t4o
prevent a useless waste of valuable lives ; and, at the
request of the surviving officers and men, I gave the
painful orders fur the colours to be struck.
Lieutenant Hicks, of the Finch, had the mortifica-
tion to strike on a reef of rucks, to the eastward of
Crab Island, about the middle of the engagement,
which prevented his rendering that assistance tope
Isquadron that might, from an officer of such abiAty,
I have been expected.
The misfortune which this day betel us by captbre,
will, Sir, I trust, apologize for the lengthy detail,
which, in justice to the sufferers, I have deemed ne-
cessary to give of the particulars which led to it ; and,
when it is taken into conrideration that the Confiance
Was 16 days before on the stacks, with an unorga-
Inized crew, compsed of several drafts of men w he
had recently arrived from ditT,:rent :.hips at (,2ochec,
Many of whom only joined the day befoie, asof were
totally unknown either to the officers or to each other,
with the want of gun-locks, as well as other neces
sary appointments not to be procured in this country;
I trust you wiil feel satisfied of the decided advantag.
the enemy possessed, exclusive of their great superio
thy in point of force, a comparative statement* 0,
which I have the.honour to dunes. It now becomes
• The account of the Brit's!' tone Las not been transnzit t ed. ,Il

the most pleasing part of my present duty to notice
to you the determined skill and bravery of the officers
and men in this unequal contest ; but it grieves sue to
state, that the loss sustained in maintaining it has
been so great—that of the enemy, I understand,
amounts to something more than the same number.
The fine style in which Captain Downie conducted
the squadron into action, amidst a tremendous fire,
without returning a shot, until secured, reflects the
greatest credit to his memory for his judgment and
coolness, as also on Lieutenants M'Ghee and Hicks
for so strictly attending to his example and incense.
lions ; their own accounts of the capture of their re-
spective vessels, as well as that of Lieutenant Robert-
son, who succeeded to the command of the Co fiance,
will, I feel assured, do ample justice to the merits of
the officers and men serving under their immediate
command ; but I cannot omit noticing the individual
conduct of Lieutenants Robertson, Creswick, and
Hornby, and Mr. Bryden, Master, for their particular
exertion in endeavouring to bring theConfiance's star-
board side to bear on the enemy, alter most of their
guns were dismounted on the other.
It is impossible for me to express to you my admi-
ration of the officers and crew serving under my pr-
sonal orders ; their coolness and steadiness, the effect
of Which was proved by their irresistible fire directed
toward; the brig opposed to us, claim my warmest
acknowledgments, but more particularly for preserv-
ing the same, so long alter the whole strength of the
enemy had been directed against the Linnet alone.
My First Lieutenant, Mr. W. Drew, whose merits I
have before had the honour to report to you, behaved
on this occasion in the most exemplary manner.

By the death of Mr. Paul, acting second Lieute-
nant, the service has been deprived of a most valuable
and brave officer ; he fell early in the action ; great
credit is due to Mr. Giles, purser, for volunteering'
his services on deck ; to Mr. Mitchell, surgeon, for
the skill he evinced in performing some amputations
required at the moment, as well as his great attention
to the wounded during the action, at the close of
which the water was nearly a foot above the lower
deck, from the number of shot which struck her be-
tween wind and water. I have to regret the loss of
the boatswain, Mr. Jackson, who was killed a few
minutes before the action terminated. The assistance
I receved from Mr. Muckle, the gunner, and also
from Mr. Clarke, master's mate, Messrs. Towke and
Sinclair, midshipmen, the latter of whom was wound-
ed in the head, and Mr. Guy, my clerk, will, I hope,
recommend them, as well as the whole of my gallant
little crew, to your notice.
I have much satisfaction in making you acquainted
with the humane treatment thewounded have received
from Commodore M'llonoligh ; tl•ey were immedi.
ately removed to his own hospital on Crab Island, and
were furnished with every requisite. His generous
and polite attention also to myself, the ()dicers, and
men, will ever hereafter be gratefully remembered.
Inclosed 1 beg leave to transmit you the return of
killed and wounded, and have, &c.

DANIEL PRING, Coptain.

late of his MAjesty's sloop :Linnet.
A STATEMErT of the ENEMV.S FIaVADRON engaged with Jai'

Majesty's late Squadron on Lake Champlain, Sept, I I.
Ship saratoga, of sight long 24-pounders, twelve se-pounder
carronath s, six 42-pound ditto. Brig Eagle, of eight long 18.
poundei b, and twelve 32-pounder cat ronatles.—tichuotier 'neon-
rl,roga, of four long IS-youi.deis, ten 12-pounders, three 32-
poutider c.rrionades.—Cutter Prtble, of seven loll.; 9-pounders.
gun-boais of one long 24-pounder, tote 13 pounder cam,-
nade each.—Vour vit-boats, of one long 12-pountler eachos—lnt-
possible to asc, rtain the umber of men.
A RaTUK N of the KILLED and WOUNDED on board his Majesty's
late Squadron in action with the Enemy's bquairon un Lake

_
Chaninain, Sept. 11, 1814.
SS seamen and marines, killed; 1 officer,
811 seamen and marines, wounded. Linnet-9 officers, 8 WAITIeII,
killed; 1 officer, IS seamen and marines wounded. Chub-6
seamen and marines, killed; 1 officer, 15 seamen and marines,
wounded. seanien and marines, wounded.— rota! i .9.
Front the Confiance's crew having been landed immediari ty
after the action, no it; portunity has of ried of a nitiiier. '1 he
number mated is the whole as yet ascertained to have been killed
and wounded.