The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-02-16


expected. General Lewis was at IL mies
distance. Winder, with his com mand. was
at Black Rock. The boats had been trans
ported from Schlosser; not one OF the scows
completed; the heavy guns and mortars not
placed in the batteries two lS and two II
Founders not mounted; but with all these
defects we should have made an attack on
the 4th or 5th, if the fleet had arrived with
the troops in health, on the Sd, as was ex.
peeted.
have the honor to be, sir,
Most respectfully, your
Obedient and humble servant,
H. DEARBORN.
Hon. John Armstrong,
Secretary Of War.
Here follows Gen. D's letter OF 9th Nav, Sc
giving account Of the capture Of fort Georce-aL
| ready published1
Head Quarters, Fit. George,
May %, 1913.
Gen. Lewis was ordered to march yes
terday morning with Chandler & Winder's
brigades, the light artillery. dragons, light
infantry and rihemen, in pursuit of the ene-
my by theway OF Queenstown. had re-
ceived satisfactory information that the en-
envy had made a stand on the mountain, at
place called the Beaver Dams, where he
had deposit of provisions and stores, and
that he had been j,ined by three hundred re-
gulars from Kingston, landed from small
vessels, near the head of the lake. l had
ascertained that he was calling in the mi
litia, and had presumed that he would con.
fide IN the strength of his position and ven
ture an action. by which an opportunity
would be afforded to cut off his retreat.
l have been disappointed. Although the
troops from fort Erie and Chippawa, had
joined the main body at the Beaver Dams,
ne broke up yesterday precipitately con
| tinued his route along the mountain, and
| will reach. the head of the lake by that
! route. Lieut.. Col, Preston took possession
or tort Erie and its dependencies last even-
ing. The fort had been abandoned and the
magazines blown up. have ordered Gen.
Lewis to return, without delay to this place
and if the winds favor. rs, we may vet cut
of the enemy's retreat at York I: but unfor-
tunately we have plenty of rain but no wind
! 1t may, however, change for the better
in a. few hours. 1 shall afford commodore
Chauncey every facility in my power in
his preparations for commanding Lake f
rie.. He is very anxious to return to Sack
ett's Harbor for until his other ship is fit
ted, IL IS nos certain that he can continue
in the command of Lake Ontario. I was
the last evening honored with your dispatch
es OF the 18th inst. lave taken me assures
in relation to. the twenty three prisoners
who are to be put in close confinement.
] have the honor to be, sir.
With high consideration and respect,
Your most obedient aervant,
H. DEARBORN.
Hon. Gen. John Armstrong,
Secretary at War.
Ertraes Of letter from Major General
Oear6orn, 70 The Secretary Of Var, do-
ted
Newark, u. C.
June 4. 1918.
Chandler and Winder are in pursuit of
the enemy, who has halted about fiftv-
five miles from here. am still very feeble
and gain strength but slowly"
Here fellows Gen. DPS leuer Of 9th June, giving
! an account of the capture of Winder b. Chandler.
| already published.
H. Q. Fo,t GEORGE,
c,, June s, 1913.
hare been honoeed with your letters of the
26th and eth uit and a duplicate of one of the
18th of April My i'll state of health renders il ex
treme'y painful TO attend to the current duties; &
une3s my health improves soon, l fear shall he
compelled to retire to some place, where my mind
may be more at ease, for a short time: Colonel
Maeomb proceeded with goo men, with the conn
modore, TO sscketrs HarSor. Lieutenant Colonel
Ripley has also gone by the way of Oswego TO the
tarbor, with his regiment where he viii be ioined
by several buRdred recruits He took charge OF the
provisions 10 Oswego The commodore will NOT
probably venture out until his new ship is fit .-r
sea. The enemy has til command Of the
lake, and as long as that is the case any offensive
operations below this must be suspended Ihad I'M
tended placing email garrison at Fort Erie and
stronger one at Fort George but as you have di.
rected otherwise, shall select fort Georse az guar
ding the only harb0r the southern shore of the
lake. Detroit will be the safest harbor on Lake
Erie. have, by the request of Commodore Chaun-
he1 rnon 70 al II
moving his armed vessels from Black Rock IN
Presque Isle. Commodore Chauncey ;s unwilling
oapproach Maiden, unless he can have a reinforce
mcnt to general Harrison; of our regulars As nv
command does not extend to Maiden, l ask your
direetions on the subject. The comm odore is apx
ous that his feet on Lake Erie should proeeed witb
troops TO Michiimacinac and St. Joseph "a soon
as the business shaa be decided az Detroit On
taxing possessen Of this place, the inhabitants came
IN, In numbers, and gave their paroles L have pro
missed them protection. large majority are
friendly to the United States, and Fixed in their
hatred against the government OF Great Britain. n
they should generally be made prisoners OF war, g.
tsken from their families il would have most an
favorable effect on our military operations in the
provinoes The whole country would be drive, to
state ct desps ration, and satisfy them beyond a
oubt that We had intention of holding the pro
yinces The same effect would be produced on the
Indians, who are principally quiet for fear of
losing their liable tract Of land on Grand River
had authorised the civil gistrates to combine in
the due exercise Of their functions, and cannot.
With propriety, revoke the authority, unless speed
y directed
The whole of our troops, officers and men, in the
acton OF the 9th, discovered degree of ardor ~