The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-27

cipline of ;he men, in order to be ready. on
the receipt of the supplies, (Which were
daily expcc,ed) for any enterprize. On the
night OF the 11tn inst. about two hours be-
fore day, AN express arrived from General
Van Rensselaer,, with an order that we
should proceed immediately to Lewistown,
(27 miles distant) as &c contemplated MAX
ing an attack the enemy that niehf.-
Notwithstanding cur men were without
winter clothes, without full supply of am
munition, and in the most Indictment wea-
ther, VIC lost not moment to comply with
the order. We commenced the march.
little before day, and lad proceeded nearly
half way, over the worst road / ever ira
yelled, VIXEN we were met by another ex-
press, directing us 10 resume our jhresenf
Position, in consequence Of the failure Of
his intentions. We returned to our cncamp-
ment, and had scarcely located ourselves d
second time, when we were second time
called down, to move with the utmost rapi
dity to reinforce party who had crossed
the river, and which required support. as
the militia had generally refused to follow
the advanced party. AS you may readily
conclude, we promptly obeyed the order,
and. leaving all our baggage behind, moved
with as much rapidity as the roads admit
ted; but before we could get down, we
learnt the disagreeable catastrophe which
attended the cnterpriZc. On our arrival at
Lewistown, we found every thing in confu-
sion and in state OF arrangement. The
militia had generally .deserteSl. and those
that remained were scattered about the
country for several miles.
On investigation, we learnt that our loss
WAS not so great, in killed, wounded and
prisoners, as fear and ignoronce hadrepre-
scented il. But we learnt also that the en-
tcrpr.ze had failed from the ignorance and
ambition az the protector. From ignorance,
In as much IS the means for carrying the
plan into effect were not provided ; for al
though there were SO or 60 boats within five
miles of the place of embarkation, not more
than thirteen were prov ided-the soldiers
had not been furnished with cartridges, *
at had not been ascertaned beforehand
whether the militia would cross over
From ambition, so far to preclude Gen.
Smyth from giving any assistance either
with his advice or with his brigade, and
from participating in the glory he acquired
Had General Smyth been ordered down
in time to have gone over, all would have
been we'll, and at this time we should be
safe in Canada. You will observe that
General Van Rensselaer, was cautious in
keeping Gen. Smyth from being present
when the attempt was made, and / will
venture to say, that there is no point be-
tween the two lakes more difficult of access
than the one where the troops crossed; the
river banks, from the falls to lake Ontario,
are steep and high, and better landing might
be found any where above the falls to lake
Erie. Thus want of discernment was e.
vident in this respect. Had there been
delay of only a few days, all the troops On
this frontier, of the u S. army, would have
been well provided with every thing neces-
sary Tor the invasion. Our clothing has ar !
rived, ammunition in abundance, heavy ar |
vllcry Is daily expected, and the men would
have been better disciplined
lam very well assured that every mister
tune, let it proceed from what source it
may, will be attributed to the administrati-
on. But in strict justice, they ought to be
completely eXculpated in this insiance.-It
rs true that it has retarded effective opera
tons for short time, by the loss of or
800 regulars and several valuable officers |
yet, with the reinforcements daily coming |
In, the activity on the part of Gen. Smyth |
tohave every thing in readiness, and the |
abundant supplies of every necessary fur
nished by the government, am sanguine in
my expectations of a speedy and successful
effort in this quarter.
The activity of the enemy is commensu- |
rate with the danger which threatens them |
and it will be impossible to effect perma-
neat stand, on their side, without fighting
and some loss but it may and will be eff |
tected this fall. No eXertion is spared TO be |
III TeduiHeSS DIS SuOH dS possible, ana trust
Ii will be IN my power to annoInce to you
i'll a short time, an important victory.
Copy OF letter from Maj. General Van
Rensselaer,, OF the Militia of New York, to |
Brig. General Smyth, of the troops of the
United States.
Bu6aloe. 24th Oct. 1912.
SIR--Having this day resigned to you the |
command of the army on the Niagara from |
tier, and Being now on the eve of my depar-
ture for Albany, conceive it to be a duty |
j owe to myself, to merit, and to the service, |
70 recommend to your particular notice and
favor, and through you, sir, to Major Cen
eral Dearborn, the following brave officers |
who distinguished themselves in the first de- !
taohment of troops who were engaged in !
storming the redoubt upon the heights of |
Queenstown, OH the 18th inst.-Capts. Wool |
and Oglvie Lieuts. Kearney. Carr, Hugh |
min, and Summons, of the 18th infantry |
Lieut.. Randolph of the Light Artillery, who |
volunteered his services and mmanied |
the van guard; Lieuts. Rathbone x Ganse-
yOort cf the artillery.
And if, sir. through want of particular in |
formation, may have omitted any who
are known to have distinguished themselves.
upon that occasion, | beg you will have the
goodness 10 insert their names, in such man
ner as to do justice 20 their merit.
am, sir, your most obedient serv't
S. v. RENSSELAER,
Brig. Gen. SMYTH,