Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1815-12-02


GERS of the new army conceive tins ri fec
| ton their merits entitle them TO the great
erdis,inction.
Brown, when Brigadier of militia,
was so fortunate AS to have the direction
| OF part of the forces which so gallantly
| defended Sackctt's H1rbor, at a time
| when Scott, Gaines, BiaseH, Z. Il. Smith,
| C>Uingtou and Macon6 were Co.onels.--
| He developed in this affair, a native spirit,
and a military construction of mind, indie
! pendent on military expcrie;:ce, so sar a
! bove what had been displayed by the COM
manders before him, thar he WAS appoint
ed a Brieader General in the line Of the
army. (6) These Colonies, who became,
subsequently, our only efficient Brigadiers,
we're, from their later E7"on.otion, conse-
quertly subordinate.
The honors ofthc achievements on the
Niagara, which have pro 'uced so much
national glory, now appear to be contes ed
by Ripley, with the Commanding General
Or rather, the former appears to be sole
" contcnaing for the honors OF the cam
paign. The accounts OF these battles
which are inserted in memoirs, are writ
ten to eulogise particular commander
Let the subordinate officers, who have
shared principally in the results, share al
50 in the attending honors. There was
but little gencralship attempted in any.
Brown continued to support his native
character, Courage and enterprise, and re-
lied for military skill on those he assemb-
led around him. The aNathy to national
feeling, and sluggishness OF exertion, which
had characterized our Commanders from
RuH, to the commencement of this cam
paign, Except Dearborn, as far as his
power seconded his zeal still continued TO
hang upon one Of the Generals, Throughout
the operations of the Niagara-and his
name would have been identified with this
evil past osthe history OF our country, were
it not for his later exposure, anil suiiercnce
Of a wound in the s5yt;e from Erie.
OF these operations from the first until
the retreat from the battle ground at the
falls, the advice Of SCoTT, OF M'REE and
of WooD, as submitted to Brown, directed
every predetermined movement.
In crossing the Niagara or the night of
the 81 Of July, Ripley, with the best part
of his brigade had been arranged to land
above the fort, simultaneously with Scott
Ripley, duriog the day previous, had for
ci6ly expressed his apprehension Of the en-
einy' numbers, ai.t i,t~5...a-s- r.. - 3sser
vatons on the smokes he had seen rising
in the rear Of the work. Scott landed aud
took up position about>two hours b.fcre
him.
The circumstances leading to the battles
which follow, have been reported with in
tcgrity and fidelity through the proper
channel. (c) OF the general events let the
misstatementS which have been gwen be
corrected.
The battle of Chithegca, on the 5th of
July, was fought by Scott, with his COM
mand alone. Brown first observed the e.
nemy's approach to make the attack, be-
ing farthest advanced beyond the creek, at
tended only by one Of his staff, and sent the
order to Scott to advance as soon as posi-
bic. On his return to the creek he met
Scott and Ripley, made the suggestion that
the enemy must have crossed the Chippe-
Wand Scott stated that he would go out
with his brigade and drill, but was conf
dent that he should not meet three humid
red of the enemy. He and his battalions
gave an example OF the best drill which
American troops have performed through
both the wars of our independence.
JEsUP, who IS major, has discovered
the qualities of general, acted indepen-
deutly III this as in the subsequent &C
ton.
LEAvENwoRTH displayed that ardent
intrepiIity which he had shown under adj
ves Sc orders at Stoney Creek.
M'NEIL proved his noble bearing in his
first field fight. The brave CAMPBELL
had fallen in the onset.
TowsoN displayed that prowess which
he always displays when the occ ,son Of
fers.
The defeat in not ordering the ID brigade
to advance at the same TIME on the left is
apparent. The result to have been infer
red was the capture ofthe force which had
been beaten. Why Brown should conceive
it necessary to protect the camp at the mo-
nent, from any attempt Of the enemy, isnot
to be accounted for.
Three days after, to give Ripley the OPP
portun ty of some active service, he was
ordered W tn his brigade, to effect pas
sag Of the Chippewa, three miles above.
The road was cut, and every preparation
had been given of tools and materials Fl
the construction ofthe bridge, when gener-
al Brown observing the dilatory movements
Of Ripley, was under the necessity of as
sumug the direction himself, and in com
pany with M'Rea, Wood and Hlndman,
planted the artillery, led the adyau,e to
the point ofpassage, and commenced the
bridge under the encmy's FIRE. The enemy
soon abandoned his works and we crossed
below.
The division lay twelve days at Queen
ston.
On the subsequent cooperation Of the
ID brigade with general Porter and his
militia, in thsir advance 90 the lake, the
backward appearance OF the bearing Of
Ripley VIII be recoileCtcd by the officers
Of half the division.
The battle Of the rails, on the 18th Of
,f