Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-03-16
VOL. XT--No. $50

coed round to the south end OF the Island,
and take up a position Oh the ice 10 inter.
cept any attempt at escape by that drec-
ton; he was accompanied by a detachment
Of about % men Of the Sandwich and st.
Thomas cavalry. Having made this ar.
rangcment, landed myself with the re.
mnlnder of he force aud The two guns, at
the north ends the rebels fled on my ap.
proach aud escaped ito the wood. was
now informed by some of The loyalists who
had been made prisoners by the patriots on
the Island, lhat they were in force TO the
amount ofabout 500. The troops moved
on IN extended order, aud pursued them
through .he Island but as the wood was
thick. and the snow extremely deep and
heavy. the men were much retarded in
their progress.
The rebels finding themselves hemmed
IN on every side moved out at the south
end of the lsland-the only place by which
they could escape 70 The American shore,
and advanced in a line upwards OF 300 men
well ormed and organized. upon Capt.
Brow Ne detachment, when they met with
the greatest resistance, brisk fire being
kept up on both sides for some time, and
several Of Captain BROwNE's detachment
having fallen, he determined 10 charge
them. which he did, aud forced them back,
TO the wood where they rctreated in great
contnslon) at the point Of the bayonet !
particularly beg to recommend this circum.
stance to the notice Of His Excelency the
Lieut.. Gov, Commanding.
On the road inside OF The wood, the reb.
els had a number Of sleghs. by which
means they succeeded in carrying away
! about 40 of their wounded men, the others
succeeded 10 escaping at the southernmost
point Of the Island, and rot over to the
Amencan coast, leaving killed on the spot
their Commanding Officer, Col. Bradley,
Il Major EIoudlev. and Captains Van Rens-
sallaer and NJ Keen, and seven others
some prisoners were taken, several Of whom
were severely wounded.
regret to say, 'ha, the taking Of this
Island has no, been gained without consld-
cradle loss on our part, and have to re-
quest that you viii report for His EXcellen-
cy's information, that so soldiers Of the 32d
Regiment fell IN this affair, two of whom
were killed, the others some dangerously,
some severely, wounded. | sincerely re-
gret the loss of so many brave soldiers, and
feel it the more when reflect, they did not
fail before an honorable enemy, but under
the tirc of desperate gang of murderers
and maruuders. A list of The killed and
wounded | have the honour herewith 10
enclose.
Having secured the woods, and satisfied
mysetthat the Island was cleared, reform.
ed the troops. and about o'clock in :he
evening proceeded back, and the soldiers
returned to their quarters At Amherslburgh
that night.
When you take view of the circum.
stances of this affair. need hardly detail
TO you the arduous duties the soldiers have
had 10 perform, from the time they left this
until they returned; travelling as they did.
forty miles IN an excessively cold night, 90
of which were across the Lake; accom-
pllshing the object had IN view, namely.
llberatlng the loyal people detained on the
Island gaming possession OF the place, re-
storing 1t TO The proprletors defeating WITH
, considerable loss the enemy, and returning
I again to their barracks within 80 hours.
Nv warmest thanks are due to the whole
of the Officers, who supported me in this
undertaking, and 1t is impossible for me in
words to do Justice to the gallant soldiers OF
Her Majcsry's Royal Artillery, 32d Regi.
ment. SD Regiment, and the loyal Volun.
tecrs Of Cavalry, Infantry, and the few In.
dams, who constituted the force under my
command.
have to regret that Mr. Thomas Par-
lsh. private in the S.. Thomas Troop Of
Volunteer Cavalry, was killed in rear Of
the SD Regiment, by musket shot.
Colonel Prince, of Sandwich, Mr. Sher.
if Lachan, Captain Grty, and several
. other gentlemen, asked my permission to
accompany me, which they did, and gall
D antly acted wlh their rifles, with our sold.
ers, against the rebels in the wood: |
= found them very useful, from their knowl-
edge of the locality of the place
t trust this second repuse on his frontier
> OF the American bandittl. (let 1t be under
j. stood that have It from satisfactory au.
thOrltv, that the whole of the gang driven
from Pcle Island, are American citizens,
= will be q lesson to them, that they are not
r with lmpunIty to hold British territory.
:, A large lrI cooured flag, with two stars
and the word elderly" worked upon it,
= aud eleven prisoners, were also taken
!, some of whom state they were formerly
! on Navy Island about forty American
musketS, some ammunition, swords, &c.
:, were also taken
@ am informed by the prisoners, that it
e was the decided intention of these people
g to land on the Canadian shore last night,
D aud march upon Amhersl burgh, destroying
Y by fire on their way all the houses, &c.
5 they had to pass, and for which SIX sleigh
loads o! American citizens, from Sandasky
e Bay, had Joined them the night previous to
, my attack, and made their escape back
< again, immediately on my appearance in
i trout of the Island.
have the honor to request that you will