Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1841-07-22
BATTLE or LAKE cHAaPLkIN AND
PLATrRBJRG,


BATTLE Or LAkk CHAMRLhIN AND
PLATr8RURGi
NacoHl AND nkcagRoroH.
AZ Mseomb, Ike Macdouoagh 10 now
numbered wilh the dead. those who take
. proper iatsrsst IN the American Army
and Navy msy be grsli6ed with q brief
notice. Of the brilliant services rendered
10 their eoaatFy BY the force under their
command, al the Battles Of PlatisburR and
Ssks ChsmPlaia. IN noticing the svents
|oc 1914. Hale refers to he drafts OF troops
take0 from the Champlaia frontiers lor The
purpose Of reinforcing the troops under
Brown and Scott. engaged along the Nj
sgra irontisT. He thea adds.
The march Of the troops iron Platte
burg having lefl that post almost defence
less, the enemy determined 10 attack Il
BY lsnd. aud. 81 the sane time, 10 It.
tempt the destruction Of the Amsricla
fiotilla on Lake Chsmplsin. 90 the Sd
OF September. Sw GeoEs Provost. the Go.
vernor General OF Canada. With an army
Of $4,000 nun. most Of whom served 10
the wars Of Europe. entered the terrific
ries Of The United States. As Soon o. bis
object was sseshainsd. Brissdier Gsnsr-
Of New York and Vermont, who With
Alseriiy and without party distraction.
obeyed the cell.
Oaths 9Th, the enemy arrived 81 Platte
burg, which 10 situated near Lake Chan
plain. on the noT,heFly bank Of the small
river SaranAe; on their approach. the
American troops. Who were posted 90 tie
opposite bank. tore up the plank Of the
bridges. With which they formed 4 slight
bressswOrk, aad prepared 10 dispute the
passage Of the stream. Several attempts
TO cross IL were made by the enemy but
they were uniformly defeated. From
thiS'time. until the llth the British ar.
my we're employed in erecting batteries,
while the American forces were every
hour augmented by the arrival Of volun.
teers aud militia.
Early in the morning Of that day, the
British squadron, commanded by Com.
modore DownIe. appeared OF the hsrbor
OF Piitsburg. whore that Of the United
States. commanded by Commodore Mae-
Donough. lay ct anchor prepared for bat
tie. The former carried ninety 1--WE guns.
aud was manned with upwards Of ], 900
men, the latter eighty-slx guns, and was
manned With $40 men.
At nine O'Clock the battle commenced.
Seldom has the ocean witnessed q more
furious encounter than now took place on
the bosom OF this transparent and peace
ful lake. Attic same moment, the enemy
on the land began q heavy eannonSde
upon the American lines, and attempted,
at different places to cross the Ssrsnae.
At ford above the village the strife was
hot and deadly. A. coon ~ the enemy
advanced into the wafer, they received a
destructive Gre from The militia, and their
dead bodies doated down the stream liter.
ally erimsoned with blood.
AT halt past eleven. the shout Of Victo.
~. heard along the American lines, an
nouneed the result Of The battle on the
lake. A second British squadron had
yielded to the proves OF the American
seamen. The cry animated to drawer
deeds their brethren on land 10 the after
noon they withdrew to their retFeneh-
msntS. Ia the night. they began a pre-
eiPitSie retreat. and had hsd eight milss
before their departure was known 10 the
American camp.
Upon the lake. The American loss was
ITO; the British 1914. beside prisoners.--
On land, the American loss was one hun
dred and nineteen; that Of the British
WA estimated at $500. In the latter
numbsr, however. were included more
than 500 British soldiers, who preferrins
America 10 their native country. deserted
from the retreating army. With thess
splendid victories closed the esnpsign on
the northern froalisr.