Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-01-25


ved at Boston.
QUEBEC, Jan. 8.
A court martial hasI been assembled in
this City. for the trial of Maj, Gen. Proc.
| tor. The specifications which are FIVE in
| numbes, have been published and it is ex.
| pected from the fitness of the evidence, in
supporting them, tkat the conrt will close
its session ~ few days, with verdict of
condemnat or.
From, the Quebec Mercury.
Charges exhibited against Major Gene
raj Proctor Lieutenant Col. Of the 41st Re-
siment OF Foot, Wig.
First charge.
That the said Major General Proctor
being entrsstcd with the command Of the
Right Division of the army serving in the
Canadas, and the retreat of the said Divi>
sion from the Western parts Of Upper Cam
ada having become unavoidable from the
loss OF the aeet on Lake Erie, on the 10th
~ September, 1918, did not Immediately
after the loss Of the said fleet was known by
hiGI, make the military arrangements best
calculated for promptly eifecting such re.
treat, and unnecessarily delayed to COM
mence the same until the evening of the
27th "f the said month, on which day the
enemy had landed ia con 7iderable force
within short distance Of Sand wich, the
Head Quarters of the said Division such
conduct on the part of the said Major'Gep.
Proctor endangering the safety of the troops
under his command, by exposing them to
be attacked by a force far superior to them,
being contrary TO mis- duty as an officer,
prejulicial 20 good order, and military dis.
ciplinc, and contrary to the Articles of
War.
Second charre.
That the said Major General Proctor.
after commencing the retreat of the said
Division on the said 9th September tho
he had reason to believe that the enemy
would Immediately follow il with very SUI.
Derior numbers and endeayor to harrass s.
impede its march, did not use due e1pedi-
tion. or take the proper measures for con-
tluctng the said retreat. having incumber>
ed the said Division with large quantities of
useless baggage, having unnecessarily hal
ted the troops for seven whole DAYS, and
having omitted to destroy the Bridges over
| which the enemy would be obliged to pass,
thereby agording them the opportunity to
come up with the said Division such con.
| duct betraying great professional incapaci-
~ Oh Tie par; of the said Major General
Proctor, being contrary to his Guty as an
officer, preiudicial to good order ard mill i.
tarv discipline, and contrary to the Articles
of War
Third charge,
Tat 'hc said Major General Proctor.
did not take the necessary measures for afr
fnrdmg security to the Boats, Wagons and
| Carts, laden with the Ammunition, Stores
| and Provisions required for the troops on
their retreat, ard allowed the said Boats
Wagons and Carts, on the fourth and fifth
OF October, 1913, to renpir in The rear of
! the said ID vision. whereby he whole or the
! greater rar' Of the said Ammunition
Stores and Provisions either fell into the
ene,ry'S hancs, OF were destroyed TO prevent
! tneir capture, aid the troops were without
| prcv;eicrs for whole dav previous to their.
being attacked on the said fifth of October /;
| such conduct or the part Of the said Major
General Proctor being contrary to his dntv
/ as an officer, preiudicial tn good order and
| military discipline, and contrary TO the Ar
| tieles Of War.
Fourth Charge.
| That the said Major General Proctor
having assured the Indian Chiefs in council
| at Aubersburgh, as an indncement to them
| and their warriors, to accOmplnv the said
| DIVISION in rs retreat, that on their arrival
| at Chatham, they should ird the Forks of
| the Thames fortified. did nevertheless me-
| elect to fortifY the same that he also me-
| elected 20 fccupy the h-,ghts above the Mo,
ravian village, although he had previously
| removed the OrdinaHce, with the exceD-
4 ton ct one six FOUNDER to that position
| where, by throwing up works, he might
| have awaited the attack of the enemy and
| engaged them To- great advantage, and that
after the intelligence had reached him of
the approach of he enemy on the morning
OF the said fifth Of October, he halted the
said division notwithstanding it was within
two miles Of the said village, and formed it
IN situation highly unfavorable for recei-
wing the attack which afterwards took
| place such conduct manifestiDg great pro-
| fessional incapacity on the part of the said
| Major General Proctor, being contrary to
hiss duty as an officer, preiudicill to good
order and military discipline, and contrary
| to the Articles of War.
Fifh charge.
That the said Major General Proctor did
on the said 5th Of October, either prior to
or subsequent to the attack by tbs enemy on
| the said Division, on that day make the rni-
| litary dispositions best adapted To meet or
to resist the said attack, and that during the
action and after the troops had given way,
| he did not make any effectual attempt in
1 his nxgn rersof, IN othoc,y;sc o., raIf. on an.