Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-08-17
WASHINGTON CITY. Aug. II.

Cohv of letter from Commodore Chaan-
cen 10 the Secretary efthe Nary.
u. S. ship Gen. Pike, at anchor OFT
Niagara, August 4, 1878
srR-After leaving Sackett's Har-
hor T stretched over for the enemys
shore, and from thence stood up the
lake the winds being light 1 did
NOT arrive off this port until the e.
vening Of the s7th ult, On the 2At''
I fell in with the Lady OF the Lake
IN her return to Sackett's Harhor,
with prisoners from Fort George.
I transferred the prisoners to the
Raven and ordered her to Saeketts
Harhor. The Lady'of the Lake !
dispatched to Fort George for guides
for the head Of the Lake. General
Boyd having informed me that the
enemy had considerable deposit OF
provisions and stores at Burling Bay.
/ was determined to attempt their
destruction. On the 25th l was
Joined by the Pert. and on the a7th
by the Lady of Lake. with guides q
captain CRANES company OF artille-
Nv, and Col. Scott, who had very
handsomely volunteered for the ser
vice.-After eoaversing with Col.
Scott. uoou the subject, it was thot
advisable to take on board $50 in
faniry, which by the extraordinary
eyertions Of that excellent officer
were embarked before o'clock the
next morning, and the fleet immeth-
ately proceeded for the head OF the
Lake, but owing to light winds and
calms we did not arrive to an an
chorage before the evening OF the
a9th. We sent two parties on shore
and surprized and took Some of the
inhabitants, from whom we learned
that the enemy had received consi-
dersble achievements within a day
or two. and that his force in regulars
was from 600 to 500 men. We how
ever landed the troops and marines
and some sailors the next morning &
reeonnoitered the enemy's position,
found him posted upon q peninsula
of very high ground and strong
ly intmnched, and his camp de-
Tended by aboat eight pieces of
cannon. In this situation it was
tn ought not advisable to attack
him with a force scarcely half his
numbers. and without artillery we
were also deficient in boats. not ha-
wing a sufficient number to cross the
Bav with all the troops at the same
time. The men were all re-em-
parked in the course Of the after
noon. and in the evening we weigh
ed and stosd for York, arrived and
anchored i'm that barber at about 3
p. vi. on the Sist, run the schOOn-
ers into the upper 'arbor. Landed the
Marines aud soldiers under the Gem.
mand Of col. Seett without opposition.
found several hundred barrels of
-four and provisions in the public
store house. FIVE pieces Of cannon. e.
leye-s boats. and Il quantity of shot.
shells and ether stores, all which
were either destroyed or brought a.
way. On the fst inst. just after ha-
wing received on board ali that the
vessels could take. directed the
barracks ami the public store hou-,
SEES TO he barnt we then re-embark-
ed the men. and proc eded for this
place. where | arrived yesterday.
Between i and sos men left York
Tor the head of the lake two days be-
fore We arrived there. Some few
prisoners were taken some Of whom
were parolled. the others have been
landed at Fort George.
have the honor to be, sir. very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
ISAAC CuALNCEY.