Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-14
US SHIP MADISON,
NIAGARA RIvER, 28th May 1918.

ayretaDiy To arrangements which 1
nave already had the honor of detailing to
YOU, lett oackett's harbor with this ship ON
the 22d INST. with about $50 of COL M'Conb',
regiment ON boaid-the winds being light
from tue W stward, / did not arrive III the
vicinity of Niagara before the 25th, the other
parts ut the squadron had arrived several
days before, and landed their troops. The
Fair American and Pert, had ordered To
Jackets ,ia'bor, for the purpose ot watch
ing the enemy'> movements at Kingston. |
immediately had an interview VITA genera
Dearborn forthe purpose oft making ara ange-
'hents " attack the enemy as soon as posi-
s'b.e, and il was az reed between him and
yscif co make the attack the moment that
the weather was such as to allow the YES
sells and ID Eats to approach the shore with
SAFETY On the Goth, l reconnOitred the POI
Nition Tor landing the troops, aud at night
sounded the shore, and placed buoys to sound
out the stations for The small vessels. 1t vas
agreed between the general and my self to
make the attack the next morning (ts tho
"ea,her had moderated, and had every APP
pcarapce If being tavorable) took on
board of the NJ Olson, Oneida and Lady of
he Lake, allthe heavy artillery and As ma
ny troops as could be stoNed The remain
Ter were To embark in boats and follow the
n et-ai ) yesterday morning he signal WAS
made tor the feet TO Weigh and the troops
were All embarked ON board of the boats be-
f're 4, and soon af er generals Dear IN and
Lewis came on boart! of this snip, with their
suites. 1t being however nearl, calm, the
ChOoners we've obliged 20 sweep into .hcir
POSITIONS. Mr.. Trant IN the Julia and Mr..
NIX IN ,ne Growler, | directed to take POI
,'tion IN the mouth OF the river and silence
ll-lt far fh.sl oh -.
posi'Ion commanded the shore where our
troops were to land--Mr. Stevens in the
ontario. was directed to take position TO
the north of the light house so near in shore
as To enfade the battery and cross the fire
i the Julia and Grower. Lieut.. Brown IN
the Governor Tompkins, directed To take
position near to I'wo Mile Creek, where
the enemy had a battery, with heavy gun.
Lieut.. Pettigrew, i'll the Conquest, was iii
reCted TO anchor TO the >. T. f The same
battery, SO nea, IN as to open on IL IN the
rear, and cross the fire of the Governor
Tompkins Lieutenant M'Pher.nn in rhe
Hamilton, Lieutenant Smith in the Asp, and
MIR. Osgood in the 5c0urge were tlirec ed
10 anchor close to the shore, and c',ver the
landing OF the troops, and to SOUR the wood,
and plain Whenever the enemy made ha
appearance. a these orders were mo-
promptly and gt.!antly execu ed. All the
vessels anchored within musket shot of the
IN Jre and in ten minutes after they opened
upon the batteries, they we're Comp etely
silenCcd and abandoned. Our troupS then
advanced in three br,gades the advance led
by COZ. Scott, and landed near the for, which
had been siIenced by lieutenant Brown. The
enemy. who had been Conc called IL ravine,
Aow advanced in great force to the ed e of
the bank to charge Our 'rOops. The Schoo-
ners opened 81 well directed and tretnend-
Gus hire Of grape and CANISTER, that
the enemy soon retreated from the bank.
Our tr ops formed as on as they
landed, and Immediately a>cended ,he bank
and charged and routed the eremy in every
direction, the schooners keeping W a con
slant well directed fire up III him, in his re-
treat towards the town. Owing to the winds
having sprung up very fresh from the east
ward, which Caused heavy sea directly
Oh shore, | was not abe to get the bouts nff
70 land the troops from the Madison and o
the h,St and second bri- |
gades had advanced. Capt. Smith with Tire
marines landed with col. M'Cunb'S regi
neht, and hadprepared 400 seamen, which (,
| Intended to- land with ms self, il the enemy |
had made a stand but our troops pursued |
nam 80 rapidly into the town & Fort George, |
that found there was no necessity for IN re |
force moreover. the wind had Increased So |
much AID hove such sea On shore. that the |
i uatOD of the fleet had become dangerous |
and critical. ], thereto {, made tine signal |
Tor the heet to weigh, and ordered the - in
TO the river, where they anchored inns efli- !
i'eIy after the enemy had abandoned Fort
George. The town and fors were IN quiet
posses ion Of our troops az ~ o'clock, aud che
enemy retreated in direction towards
Que enstown.
Where all behav ed SO well, it is difficult
10 select any Que for commentator, YET IN
doing justice to- 1t. Macpherson do no, de
ract from the merits of others. He was
fortunate in placing himself IN a situation /
where he rendered very important servicc-l
n covering the troops ST. completely, that
heir loss was trIhing.
Captain Perry joined me from Erie on the
evening Of the 25th. and very gdliantly 70
unteered lis services, and l have nAci.
pleasure in ack owledgng the great assis-
ance which received from HIM in arfaDg
ng and experimenting the deDarkatiun Of
ne troops; ne was pre- ent at every puIut
where he could he useful, under shower, OF
nusquetry, sut fortunately escaped nhurt.
We lost but one kiiiedand two wounded, and
10 injury done To- the vessels.
have the h nor to be. &c. {
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
lon VIM I,nes