Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-17


the event of an attack, were soon made.
In the course of the morning of the 28th,
Lieut.. Chaunccy OF the navy came in from
the Lake firing guns OF alarm. Those OF
the same character intended to bring in
the militia, W ere fired from the posts. The
enemy's fleet soon after appeared accompa'
MED By large number of boats. Believ-
ing that he would land or the peninsula,
commonly called Horse Island, determin.
ed to meet him at the waters edge with
such militia as could collect and the Alba
ny volunteers under the command of Lieut.
Col. Mills Lieut.. Col. Backus, with the re-
gulars, formed a second line and the care
OF Fort Tompkins was committed to the re-
gular artllerists and some volunteers, and
that OF Navy Point to Lieut.. Chauncy Of the
navy. If driven from my position, Lieute-
nane Col. Backus was ordered to advance
and meet the head of the enemy's column,
while railying my corps ] was to fall on its
Hanks. If unable here to resist the enemy's
attack, Lieutenant. Chauncey was in that
case to destroy the stores. &c. and retire to
the south Shore OF the bay, east of Fort Vo.
lunteer, while,I proceeded to occupy that
tort as our dernier resource,
In the course of the 2Sth and during the
nights of the 2Stli and 29th ult. consitlera>
to the water side near Horse Island, on
which was Lieut.. Col. Mills and his voun.
teers. Our strength at this point was now
hve hundred men--all anxious for battle,
as tar as professions would go. The moment
It was light enough to discover the approach
OF the enemy we found his ships in line be-
tween Horse Island and Stoney Point, and
III few minutes afterwards SO large boats
hiied with troops, came off to the the Larg-
er Indian or Garden Island, under cover of
the fire of his gun>boat< My orders were,
that the troops should1ie CLOSE and reserve
their fire till the enemy.had approached so
near that every shot might hit It's object
1t is, however. impossible to execute such
orders with raw troops unaccustomed to
subordinaiion. My orders were in this case
dsobeyed. The whole lire fired, and not
without effect-but in the moment while
was contemplating this, to my utter asto
nishmcnt, they rose from their cover and
He'd. Col. Mills fell gallantly in brave but
vain endeavours to stop his men. / was
personally more fortunate. Gathering to
gether about 100 militia under the immedi
ate command of captain NJ 'Nitt of that
corps, we threw ourselves on the rear of
the enemy s. left flank, and. trust, did some
execution. 1t was during this last move
ment that the regulars under col. Backus
first engaged the enemy-nor was it long
before they defeated him. Hurrying to this
point of the action, found the battle rag
ing, but with obvious advantage on our side.
The result of the action, so glorious for the
officers and soldiers of The reg liar army,
mas already been communicated in my let
ter OF the S9th. Had not gen. Provost re-
treated most rahidiy under the guns of his
vessels, he would never have returned to
Kingston.
One thing in this business is to be serious
ly regretted. In the midst ofthe conflict,
fire was ordered to be set to the navy bar
backs and stores. This was owing to the
infamous conduct of those Sho brought in
formation to lieut.. Chauncey, that the bat
tie was lost. and that to prevent the stores
from falling into the enemy's hands, they
must be destroyed.
The enemy's force consisted of 1000 pick
ed men, led by Sir George Provost in per-
son. Their feet consisted of the new ship
Wolfe, the Royal George, the Prince Re-
gent, Earl of MORA, two armed schooners,
and their gun and other boats.
Of the officers who distinguished them
selves, cannot but repeat the name of 1t.
col. Backus, who, praised be God yet lives.
Capt. M'Nitt's conduct was noble, he well
deserves to be placed in the regular army,
Major Swan, of the army, served as my adj
jutant gen. and was highly useful. Lieut..
Chauncey is brave and honorable man,
To him no blame can attach for what hap
pened at Navy Point. He wa, dece ived.-
Lieut. col. futile was in march for this post,
but with every exertion was unable to reach
it in time to take part in the action. This
is felt by the coloEel and every officer of his
detachment, as misfortune.
At the moment | am Closing this com mu-
rication, com. Chauncey has arrived with
his squadron. This renders my longer stay
here unnecessary. i shall therefore imme-
diately return to my home.
! am, Sir, with the highest respect, &c.
JACOB BROWN,
Brig. Gen. ofthe NJ Y. Militia.
The Hon. Gen. John Armstrong,
Secretary at War, Washington.
REPORT of :he killed, wounded and mis-
sing in the action of the 29th May, 1918,
at Sackett's Harbor.
KILLED-2o privates, regulars, and one
volunteer.
WOUNDED-l Lieutenant Colonel, 5
2nd Lieutenants, Ensign, z non-commis
Toned officers l musician and 90 privates,
regulars, and musician and 9 privates vo-
lunteers.
MlSSING--2 non commissioned ofIicers
z privates, regulars; 1 non commissioned
| officer. musician and IS privates, vpIun-
teers.
Aggregate loss--11o regulars and 81 vo-
! lunteeFS. Number not known, but not To e,c-