The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-03


tor considered the force detached suttci-
ent, but tn Support the detachment should
the conflict be obstinate aud long continued
Lieut.. Colonel Christie, who had just ar
rived at the + ur Mile Greek. had late in
the night OF the first contemplated attack,
gallantly offered ME his own and his men 5
service; but he got my permission too late.
He now again came forward; had Con
ference with colonel Van Rensselaer,, aud
begged that he might have the honor of Il
command in the expedition. The arrange
ment was made. Col. Van Rensselaer, was
to command one Column of 500 militia and
lieut. col. Christie Il column of the same
number Of regular troops.
Every prccaution was now adopted as to
boats, and the most confi,lentia, and eNpe-
rienced men TO manage them. AT AN early
hour in the night, lieut.. colonel Christie
marched his detachment, by the rear road,
from Niagara to Camp. At z in the even
ing. lieut.. Col. Stranalan's regiment moved
from Niagara Fails--at 8. O'clock, Needs
and at 9, lieut.. colonel Blan's regimen,
marched from the same place. All were
in camp in good season. Agreeabiy TO my
orders issued upon this occasion, the two CO.
lumns were to pass overtogether & as soon
as the heights should be carried. lieut.. Col.
Fenwick's flying artillery was to pass over
then major Mul,any's detachment of regu-
lars; and the other troops to follow in or
der.
At dawn of day the boats were in readi
ness, and the troops commenced embarking
under the cover OF 4 Comm tnding bate,
Fount!ng eighteen Founders and 2 skies.
The movement vas soon discovered, and a
brisk five oF n,uSketry was poured from the
whole, line Of the Canada shore. Our bat
terry then opened 10 sweep the shore; but
il was tor some inmates, too dark to direct
,,,~l,n
was nov opened upon the boats from 5 dit
i rent hatteries--pur battery returned their
fire, and occasionally threw grape upon the
shore, and was itself served with sheiis from
a small mortar. of the enemy's Colonel
Scott. of the artillery, by Fastening his
march from Niagara Fails in. the night, ar
rived in season 10 return the enemy's fire
with six Founders t@
, The boats were somewhat embarrass
ed with the eddieS. we'll MS with a shower
of shot Blu, colonel Van Rensselaer,, with
about 100 meh, soon effected his landing a.
midst tremendous fire directed upon
him from every point butte the asionish.
q ment OF ali who witnessed the scene, this
van OF the column advanced slowly against
the FIRE. ltwas a serious misfortune 10 the
van, and indeed TO the whole expedition,
that in a few minutes after landing colonel
Van Rensselaer, received four wounds-a
ing just below the hip bone -another sh Of
passed through the same thigh, little be-
low-the third through the calf of his left
leg-and fourth confused his heel. This
was quite crisis in the expedition. Un-
der so severe a fire it was difficult to form
raw troVps. BY some Encouragement of
the boatmen, lieutenant colonel Christie
did not arrive until some time after this,
and was wounded in the hand in passing
he y;ye
still able TO stand and with great pre-
sence Of mind ordered his officers to pro- |
coed with rapidity and storm the Fort
This service was ga,lanlly performed, and
the enemy driven down the hill in every
direction. Soon after this both parties
were considerably reinforced, and the con-
hiGt was renewed in various places--many
OF The enemy took shelter behind stone
guard house, where piece of ordnance
was now briskly served. i ordered the
FIRE Of our battery directed upon the guard
house and it was so effectualy done, that |
with or 10 shot the fire was silenced - !
The eneny then retreated behind large
stn"e house j.; Dul in a short time the route |
became general, and the enemy's fire was
silruced except tx IN a one gun battery, so
far down the ri, er to- be out Of the reach !
OF Onr heavy ordnance, and our light PIE |
ces could NOT silence it, A number of |
boats r,nw passed over unan, oy ed, except |
from The one uns!cuced gun. For some |
tine aler mad passed over, the victory |
appeared compietr ; but in the expectation |
OF fTthcr attacksyi was taking measures |
for fItiiyiDg ny camp immtdiatelv-the !
direction of this service committed to
lieutenant lotion, of the engineers. But |
very soon Inc enemy were rein.0l ced by |
detachment CT several hundred Indians |
tr IN Chipawa--they commenced furious |
attack but were promptly met and rou-
tee by the rile and bayonet.' By this time, !
j perceived my troops were enba rking We |
~ slowly. ! passed Immediately over to |
accelerate their movements but to my |
utter astonishmt Mt found that ut the We |
ny moment when complete victory was in |
our hands, the ardor of the uncnr leed |
troops had entirely subsidized. ] rode in all |
directions urged men by every cnns;dera-
ton To 9a5s7>ver --but in vain. Lieutenant |
col. Blnon, who had been wounded in acti- |
on, returned, mounted his horse and rode |
through the camp; as did also Judge Peck |
who happened to be here, cxhoiting the |
companies to pruceed-----but all in vain
At this time large reinforccmcnt from
Fort George were discovered coming I'D
the river. AS the battery on the hill was !
considered an important check against their |
ascending the heights, measures were Jun
Inedlatcly taken to send them a fresh sup
ply Of ammunition, as ] had learnt there
were lett only 20 shot for the Is Founders.
the relDforcemcnts, however, obiiqued To
the right from the road, am formed
junction vi ID the Indians il the rear Of the
heights. Finding "a my Infinite n,ort,fcati-
ON that noTSjnf0TcCmeBt would pass Over