The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-06-15

hc Secretary O TIE .NopU.
U. 5. Shih Madison.
Niagara River. 9th NAV 1913.
Tam happy to have it in my power {,
say. that the American flag is hying upon
Fort George. We wcrr in quiet possession
OF all the forts az IL O'Clock.
i have the honor to be.svery respectfully,
Sir, your most obedient servant. s
ISACC CHAUNCEY. 5
Hon. VIM. Jones, Secretary of
the Navy, Washington.
U. S. SHIP MADISON,
Niagara river, 26th May 1873.
Sir,
Agreeably to arrangements which have
already had the honor of detailing to you,
left Sackett's Harbor with this ship on the
I'D inst. with about $50 of col. MsComb's
regiment on board--the winds being light
from the westward, did not arrive in the
vicinity OF Niagara before the 25tll, the o.
ther parts ot the squadron had arrived Sc
veral days before, and landed their troops
The Fair American and Pert had ordered
TO Sackett's Harbor, for the purpose OF
watching the enemy's movements at Kings
ton. l Immediately had AN interview with
General Dearborn for the purpose of max
ing arrangements to attack the enemy as
SNSh &C PVaSioiS1 dliQ IL WIS d<TeeQ between
hin and myself to make the attack the mo-
ment that the weather wss such as to allow
the vessels and boats TO approach the shore
with safety. On the 26th, l reconnoitered
the position FOR landing the troops, and at
n'ght sounded the shore, and placed buoys to
SOUND out the stations for the small Vessels
IL was agreed between the general and my
self to make the attack the next morning
I as the weather had moderated, and had e.
very appearance of beng favorable.) I
COX on board OF the Madison, Oneida and
Lady OF the Lake, allthe heavy artillery &
as many troops as could be slowed 1 he
remainder were to embark in boats and fol-
low the Heet-at yesterday morning the
signal was made for the feet to weigh and
the troops were all embarked ON board oil
the boats before 4, and soon after generals
Dearborn and Lewis came on board of this
snip, with their suites. 1t bsing however
nearly Calm, the schooners were obliged to-
sweep INTO their positions. Mr.. Trant in
the julia ana Mr.. Mjx in the Growl4r.
directed to take a position IN the mouth of the
river q silence a battery near the light house.
winch from its position commanded the shore
where our troops we're to laud.--Mr. Ste
phens In the Ontario, was directed co take
position to the north OF the light house so
near i'll shore as to cn6Iade the battery and
Lieutenant Brown in the Governor Tomp-
klns. directed to take position near 70
L wo Mile Creek, where the enemy had bar.
terry WITH q heavy gun. Lieut.. pettgre ", in the
conquest, was directed to anchor to the s.
L. oil the same battery, so near in as to open
OH IL IN the rear, and cross the fire of the
Governor Iompkins. Lieut.. M.Pberson in
the Hamilton, Lieut.. Smith in the Asp & Mr..
Osgood IN the Scourge were directed to ati
Chor close 10 the shore, and cover the land i
ing OF the troops, and to Scour the woods 6,
piain whenever the enemy me de his apDear-
anCe. Al THESE orders were most proInptl,
ana g,hahtiy executed. All tAe vessels an
chorsd within musket shot of the shore and
in ten minutes after they opened upon the
batteries, they we're completely silenced &
abandoned. Our troops then advanced in
three orisades, the advance led by col.
scout, aud landed near the fort, which had
oeeh siIehced by lieut.. Brown. The enc.
N.Y. VINO mad been concealed in ravine
now advanced In great force to the edge of
the bank TO charge our troops. The schoon
ers opened so well directed and tremendous
hre OF grape and Canister, that the enc
my SOON retreated from the bank. Orr
troops formed As soon az they landed, and
immediately assembled the bank and CHARGED
ana routed the enemy IN every direction, the
nv hIS UP Il constant we'll QICeC-
ted hre upon him, in his retreat towards
the town. Owing to the winds having sprung
up very fresh from the eastward. which
caused heavy sea directly on shore, I was
not able to get the boats off to land the troops
from the Madison and Oneida, before the
hrst and second brigades had advanced :.
capt. Smith wish the marines landed with
col. M'Comb's regiment. and had prepsr-
ed 100 seameD. which / intended to land
with myself, if the enemy had made n stand.
but our troops pursued him so rapialv into
tue town and Fort George, that found there
was no necessity for more force: moreover
the wind bad increased so much and
hove such a sea on shore, that the situation
OF the Heet bad become dangerous and cri-
tlcal. j, therefore, made the signal for the
Meet to weigh, and ordered them into the
river, where they anchored immediately az
ter the enemy had abandoned Fort GEORGE
L he town aGd forts we're in quiet possession
of our troops at - o'clock, and the en1mv
re,reated in direction towards Queens
town.
Where all behaved so well, il is dif5cult
to select any one for commentator. vet in
doing justice TO Lieut.. MCPHERSON do not
detraet from the meIus OF others. He was
fortunate IN placing himself in situation
where ne rendered very important sorvic,
H.