Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-24


the artillery. l77 men, Swif's volunteers.
estimated ar $50. six companies of federal
volunteers, under cspts Collins, Phillips, Al
lison, Moore, Maaer and Marshall. amount
ing to 276 men, commanded by Lieut.. Col
Mcclure. leo men Of Col. Dob,in's militia,
and few men in q boat, with general p
B. Porter had embarked--the whole on
board amounting, exclusive of officers, to
lass men, or thereabouts and it was now
two hours later than had been contem-
plated.
There were some groups of men not yet
embarked; they were applied TO, requested
and orderedby the brigade major to get into
the boats they did not. The number of
these the brigade mgjov estimated at about
$50. 1t was probably greater.
Ii then became = question whether it was
expedient to invade Canada in open day
hSht, with 1850 men, at a point where no
reinforccments could be expected for some
days. saw that the number of the regular
troops was declining rapidly. knew that
on them chiefly / was to-depeni.
calledtogether the officers commanding
corps of the regular army. Col. Parker
being sick, these present were, Col. Porter,
ct the artillery. Col. Schuyler, Col. Winder,
and Lieut.. Col. Coles.
put to them this question Shall ere hro-
coed They unanimously decided that we
eugh- not
/ foresaw that the volunteers, who had
come our for few days, would disperse-
several of them had on the evening Of the
2Sth broke their muskcts. ] foresaw that
the number of the regular troops would de
crease; the mcasels, and other diseases, be-
ing among them; and they were now in
tents. inthe month of December inform
ed the officers that the attempt to invade
Canada would not be made, until the army
was reinforced; directed them to withdraw
their troops, and cover them with huts inn
mediately.
You say that On Saturday every obstruc-
ton was removed, and that a landing might
have been effected without the loss of
single man." This proves you unacquainted
with the occurrences of the day Col. Win
der. in retiring from the enelny's shore in
the morning, lost tenth part Of his force,
In killed and wounded. The enemy showed
no more than 5 or 600 men, as estimated by
Col. Parker, and one piece of artillery, sup
posed nine FOUNDER. That force we no
doubt might have overcome; but not with,
out loss; and that from the great advan-
tage the enemy would have had, might
have been considerable.
into Canada with 5000 men az once. On
the first day of embarkation not more than
14C0 men were embarked, of whom 400,
that is half of the regular infantry, were
exhausted with fatigue, and want Of rest
On the second embarkation, only fifteen hun
dred men were embarked, and these were
to have put of immediately, and to have
descended the river to point where rein
torcements were not to be expected. On
both DAYS, many of the regular troops were
men in bad health. who could not have stood
one days march: who although they were
on the sick report, were turned out by their
ardent officers.
The affair at Queenstown. is q caution a.
6ainsi relying on crowds who 20 to the bank
OF Niagara to look on a battle as on thea
trical exhibition; who if they are disappoin-
ted ofthe sights, break their muskets or if
they are without rations for day, they de-
sert.*
have made to you this frank disclosure
without admitting your authority to require
IT, under the impression that you are patri-
otto and candid men and that you will not
censure me for following the cautious coun-
sells OF experience; nor Join in the senseiess
clamor excited against me by an interested
man.
L have some reason to believe that the
cautious counsel given by the superior Off
| GERS of my command. was good. From de-
serters, we learn that 2344 rations are issued
| daily on the frontiers. on the British side
Captain King, prisoner at Fort George,
writes to an officer thus" Tel our friends
TO take better care 9 themsetUeS than hras-
hears I haze done %
am, gentlemen, with great respect,
Your most obedient,
ALEXANDER SMYTH,
Brigddier General
To Messrs. Geo. Mcclure. Lewis
Birdsall, John Griffen and VIM.
=. Rochester, committee from
| the patriotic citizens Of the west
ern counties ofNew-York.
P. ). 1t will be observed that the force
ready could be no otherwise ascertained
than by an actual embark aton-itb being un-
certain what portion of the volunteer force
would embark.
-
Six hundred ofGen. Tannehill's brigade
deserted in twenty-four hours A Court
Martial Of this brigade have fined man
twelve and half cents for the crime of de-
serLion
NEW -YoRK, Dec. is.
Singular Porgery.--On the eighth inst.
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