Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-02
October 27.
BATTLE AT QUEENsTOWN.

Erfract ETA Letter fran Young Gentle
man az Cananddigna 10 his .fafher ia this
city, da.ed Ocf IL.
"Supposipg your anxiety to know some of
the particulars of the battle and defeat of
our troops at Queenstown to be great, / take
advantage of the present opportunity to com
municate what ! saw and collected at the
time.
"Called by some business with the Off
GERS on the lines, ] arrived at Lewistown.
1.-THE place from which our troops embarked)
AZ the moment the attack began. Our men
80 the number 1T five hundred, headed by
Solomon Van Rensselaer,, i'll thirteen boats
crossed to the Canada side. They were fl
red upon by the British and Indians, who
were undoubtedly aware of our intention
A soon as they arrived within gun shot, the
cry was "pull away boys!' and in a few
moments our boats struck the shore. Here
the battle began on our side and dreadful
conflict ensued, We beat them Back up
very high mount Cat the foot of which our
men landed) at the point of the bayonet.-
Nothing could exceed the valor and brave
~ Of our officers and men. The brave lea
der, Col. Van Rensselaer,, was wounded car
Iy in the action (though not dangerously
Sn three places. Having possession of the
height, and planted our flag on the redoubt
built ON the hill, an extacy of joy seemed to
pervade our ranks; all hands were anxious
to cross the river, and did as fast as the small
number Of boats would allow. About eight
hundred had crossed as a reinforcement,
when the British who had rallied returned
TO the charge.
The commencement of a second battle
and the sight of considerable number of
dead x mangled bodies, which were brought
t. our shore in the return boats, caused
depression If mind this side, which could not
be cHaced. TIL ugh our troops were again
completely victorious, (under Gen Wads-
worth, who had taken the command) none
could be got TO cross, and many were con-
s1antly deserving. Gen. w. came upon the
brow Of the hill, and urged our men 1--WE
could talk across the riyer) to turn out and
support what had been so gIOriously won.--
But the sight Of another reinforcement Of
red coats, who marched directly within our
view, decided their fears. The panic be-
came universal. and the loss Of our brave
fellows clearly foreseen.
" The third and last battle was one Of
tire Iaost desperate and severe that ever &C
Cured. Our ueli, though outnanked and
almost surrounded, fought IN the most rcso-
Lutte manner for about an hour and a half
They were driven TO the edge of the hill
which was nearest the water. and were COM
PEELED las we supposc) to surrender at dis
erection.
4" Our loss. as near as I can judge, must
have been about twelve hu ldred men in kill
led, wounded, and taken prisoners. Among
the number was G.. II. Boughton, who, as
an ensign in an independent company, was
called into service. All the militia was Ia
heparoled and sent home. ] could not learn
that any officers Of distinction on our side
we're killed, though many we're wounded
among whom were Lieut., Col. Christie, oil
NeW-York Major Spencer Of this county,
and aid to Gen. Wadsworth Col Bloom,
&c. &c. Gen. w. had ball pass through
his coat. From the peculiar situation ofthe
ground chose on this side bad fair Yisy q