Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-05-13

on the fort at York. The town capito-
lated this morning ct O'Clock. osis
general Pike was killed.
have the honor 10 DC, SIT,
Your most obt. servt.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY:
Hon. VIM. JONES,
Secretary Navy, Washington
IT s. Shin Madison at anchor off York,
18th dhriL 1918.
SIR-Aereeable to your Instructions
and arrangements made with with mayor
general Dearborn, l took on board the
squadron under ny command The gene.
raj and suite, and about 100 troops and
left Ssckett's Harbor on the 23ih lnstan',
for this place. We arrived here yester-
day morning and took position about
one mile to the south and westward OF
the enemy's principal fort, and as near
the shore as we could with safety to the
vessels. The place fixed upon by the
major general and myself for land n.
the troops was the scite of the old French
tort Taranta.
The dcbarkation commenced about 8
O'Clock A. M. and was completed about
10. The wind blowing heavy from the
eastward, the boats fell to leeward OF
the position fixed upon. and were in
consequence exposed to a calling ire
from the enemy, who had taken POSI-
ton in a thick wood near where the first
troops landed however, the cool intre-
pidi,y Of the officers and men, overcame
every obstacle. Their attack upon the
enemy was so vigorous that he He'd IN
ever, direction, leaving great many OF
his Killed and wounded upon the h:ld.
AS soon as the troops were landed, Oh
Tected the schoonefs to take position
near the forts in order that the attack
upon them by the army and navy might
be simultaneous. The schooners were
obliged 10 beat up to their position,
which they did in very handsome or
der under very heavy fire from the -
nemy's batteries, and took position
within about six hundred yards OF their
principal fort and opened heavy canno-
made upon the enemy, which did great
execution, and very much contributed
to their final destruction. The troops
as soon as landed we're formed under
The immediate orders of brigsdier gen.
Pike, who led in most gallant manner,
the attack upon the forts, and after hav-
ing carried two rcdoubts in their ap-
pro.ch to the principal work (theenemy
having previously laid lrain) blew up
his maga.iae, which III its effects Upon
our troops was dreadful, having killed
and wounded a great many and amongst
the former, the ever to be lamsnted bri,
gadier general Pike, who fell at the head
of his column by confusion received
by heavy stone from the magazine,
His death at this lime is much 10 be re-
GREETED, as he he'd the perfect confidence
oflhc nlajor general and his Known &C
tivi,y, ga! and experience mako HI. loss
a national one.
IL consequence Of the fail of general
Pike, the command of the troops de-
volved for time upon colonel Pierce.
who soon after took possession of the
town. At about 2 p. NJ. the American
flag was substituted for the British, and
at about cur troops we're In quiet pos
session of the town. As soos as gene
raj Dearborn learn, the situation of gen.
Pike he landed and assumed the COM
mand. have The honor Of inclosing a
copy Of the equalization which was en-
tered into, and approved by gen. Dear
born and myself.
The enemy set FIRE to some of his
principal stores, containing large guam
titles Of naval and military stores, as well
as large ship upon the stocks nearly
fnished-the only vessel found here is
the duks of Gloucester undergoing re-
pairs-the Prince Regent left here on the
oath for Kingston. We have not yea
had a retnrn made Of the naral and nj
litsry stores, consequently can form no |
correct idea of the quantity, but have
made arrangements to have all taken on
board that We can receive, the rest vii.
be destroyed.
have to regret the death OF nidship- !